Freeland Says Feds Will Strike ‘Challenging’ Balance in Fall Budget Update

Freeland Says Feds Will Strike ‘Challenging’ Balance in Fall Budget Update
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on Oct. 24, 2023. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
The Canadian Press
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Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the government’s fall economic statement will focus on housing and affordability within a fiscally responsible framework.

In a news conference on Oct. 24, Freeland acknowledges it will be a challenging balance to strike, but says the Liberals are committed to it.

The federal government’s financial statements were published today, revealing the deficit for the 2022-23 fiscal year came in at $35.3 billion.

That’s $7.7 billion lower than projected in the spring budget.

The federal government is facing pressure to rein in spending after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as the economy slows.

However, it is also facing considerable pressure to address the national housing crisis, as polling shows support for the governing Liberals is taking a hit.