Ottawa Posts $14.5-Billion Deficit for April-to-October Period

Ottawa Posts $14.5-Billion Deficit for April-to-October Period
The Peace Tower is framed through the iron railing on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 24, 2024. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick
The Canadian Press
Updated:

The Finance Department says the federal deficit was $14.5 billion between April and October.

That compares to a $15.1 billion deficit over the same period last year.

According to the monthly fiscal monitor, revenues were up $26.5 billion, or 10.7 percent, compared with the same stretch in the previous fiscal year as revenues rose in all categories.

The finance department says program expenses excluding net actuarial losses were up $22.7 billion, or 9.8 percent, driven by increases in direct program expenses, major transfers to persons, and major transfers to provinces, territories and municipalities.

Public debt charges were up by $5.3 billion, or 19.4 percent, mostly reflecting higher interest rates on marketable bonds and treasury bills.

Net actuarial losses were down by $2.1 billion, or 46.8 percent.