OTTAWA – The Parliamentary Budget Officer’s latest report today confirms the Conservatives’ $13-billion payroll tax hike and shows they have no credible fiscal plan to rescue Canada from the massive deficit they created, Liberal Finance Critic John McCallum said.
 
“Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page has shown yet again why Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the Conservative government have zero credibility when it comes to running Canada’s finances,” said Mr. McCallum.

“The sad irony is that our Parliamentary Budget Officer is operating without a Parliament.  Parliamentarians are not able to call Mr. Page to appear before committee to ask him the questions Canadians need answered about his report.”

Not only did this government spend Canada into deficit before the recession, Mr. McCallum said, but according to this report, we will have massive, multi-billion-dollar deficits for years after the economic stimulus spending ends.

“The Conservatives are being dishonest when they say they won’t raise taxes or cut transfers,” said Mr. McCallum.  “This report confirms the Conservatives’ $13-billion plan to hike payroll taxes on the backs of Canadian workers through higher EI premiums.

“A government that cares about Canada’s economic future must be able to combine jobs and credible fiscal management within a long-term plan.  Unfortunately, the Conservatives can’t walk and chew gum at the same time, preferring only day-to-day tactics that include shutting down any criticism and debate.”

This report’s honest analysis shows why Liberals would make the Parliamentary Budget Officer fully independent, so that “we never have to put up with wishful projections and false promises from the government again,” said Mr. McCallum.
 
“Liberals will put jobs first – jobs for today and the jobs of tomorrow – while also putting in place an achievable, practical plan for tackling the deficit.”