At Issue: Who will benefit most from the new budget?

Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver announced Thursday that he will unveil his long-awaited budget on April 21, prompting the question: With the looming federal election, how will the budget play on the campaign trail, and which party stands to benefit most from it?

The National's At Issue panel on CBC-TV weighed in Thursday night, saying that the budget release will refocus the election around Canada's economy, but that it's too early to know for certain what effect it will have in the minds of voters. 

Postmedia/National Post columnist Andrew Coyne said that in the short term, the government will seize on the "good news stories" expected to be part of the budget. Ultimately, however, the state of the economy closer to election day will be what matters most.

"In good times people, tend to stick with the government of the day. In uncertain times, it will really depend on who they perceive as being more competent," he said. "At this stage, that's still not a plus for Justin Trudeau."

Pollster Bruce Anderson of Abacus Data said that currently the economy isn't helping push any particular political agenda.

"The economy is not strong enough to be helping the Conservatives, but it's not weak enough to be helping the opposition."

Huffington Post Ottawa bureau chief Althia Raj was of the mind that the Liberals and NDP have largely failed to challenge Conservative claims of economic progress and security, and will need to do so if they hope to be seen as leaders on economic issues heading into the election.

Watch the full segment above, and find more stories and features from The National here.