Budget 2015 and the road to the election
The table was set. The government would table a balanced budget with a small $1.4 billion surplus that still managed to include something for families with kids, seniors, big cities and a number of other groups. The document was already being referred to as the Conservatives' blueprint for the next election campaign.
But then, Oliver stepped on his own message while trying to defend the decision to extend the TFSA limit to $10,000 per taxpayer every year. Critics, including the opposition parties and private sector economists, have said the move will eventually create a revenue problem for governments down the line, as more and more investments get protected from taxation.
Joe Oliver declined our request for an interview. Instead, we invited Industry Minister James Moore to explain Oliver's comments and defend the government's choices in its latest budget. "This budget is a reflection that Stephen Harper kept his word to Canadians," Moore told The House's Evan Solomon.
Then, Official Opposition leader Tom Mulcair shares his thoughts on the budget. "He (Stephen Harper) has found a way to help people who need the least help, and leave everybody else behind," Mulcair told The House. The leader of the NDP explains how he would pay for his promises given how small the federal surplus is. Mulcair also discusses how he plans to use the revelations from ongoing Mike Duffy trial between now and the election.
We also hear from Liberal Finance critic Scott Brison. Now that the Conservatives have released their fiscal plan, are the Liberals getting ready to do the same?
Finally, Mark Kennedy and Tasha Kheiriddin discuss how this week's federal budget and the Mike Duffy trial will shape political debates between now and election day.
