The 2006 Federal Budget

The 2006 federal budget was the first for a new Conservative minority government led by a prime minister from the west. As a platform for implementing distinctive election promises, the 2006 budget offered ample opportunity for rethinking fiscal priorities in Canada, such as cutting the GST, addressing fiscal imbalance with the provinces, and finding a different approach to childcare and child benefits. The papers in this volume examine the political and economic context informing the 2006 budget as well as lessons from recent U.S. tax policy debates and a quantitative evaluation of the impact of the overall budget package on the Canadian economy. Special attention is devoted to alternative federal tax structures, fiscal imbalance, and the recent federal Blue Ribbon report. Contributors also look at the new federal policy on childcare and child benefits, how the budget relates to productivity and competitiveness, and general sustainability of the new fiscal plan.

As the measures outlined in this plan make clear, this budget makes federal spending more transparent, accountable and disciplined, while creating greater opportunity for Canadians, investing in our families and communities, and making our streets safer and our borders more secure. It also delivers more tax relief than the last four federal budgets combined - putting more than twice as much into tax relief than new spending. Budget 2006 also provides a framework for discussion to restore fiscal balance in Canada, based on fundamental principles all Canadians can support. By addressing clear priorities in accountability, opportunity, families and communities, and security - while laying the foundation for budgets to come - Budget 2006 charts a new course for building a better Canada.

Budget 2006 is about focusing on priorities. It delivers real results for people in a focused and fiscally responsible way. As the measures outlined in this plan make clear, this budget makes federal spending more transparent, accountable and disciplined, while creating greater opportunity for Canadians, investing in our families and communities, and making our streets safer and our borders more secure. It also delivers more tax relief than the last four federal budgets combined - putting more than twice as much into tax relief than new spending. Budget 2006 also provides a framework for discussion to restore fiscal balance in Canada, based on fundamental principles all Canadians can support.

Contains the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Message of the President and information on the President's budget and management priorities, including assessments of agencies' performance. Includes an errata booklet of 25 pages which corrects the omission of minus signs in the Summary Tables section of the Budget.

A clear-eyed, balanced analysis of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's legacy and impact on Canadian public policy and institutions.