Canada Holds Latest Pre-Budget Consultations

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

12 January 2012

Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has re-iterated that the government intends to focus on jobs and growth in its upcoming Budget.

Continuing his pre-Budget consultations, Flaherty participated in a recent roundtable discussion in Vancouver. He met with business, academic and sectoral leaders from across the country.

Flaherty launched the series of cross-Canada consultations at the beginning of December with a roundtable in Charlottetown. The aim is to hold a dialogue on how best to ensure Canada’s economy continues to produce jobs and growth in a difficult global environment.

While in Vancouver, Flaherty said: “Budget 2012 will maintain our focus on jobs and economic growth while reducing the deficit and returning to balance in the medium-term. Today and in coming weeks, I want to hear from Canadians on how we can advance the next phase of our Economic Action Plan to continue to deliver results on these priorities.”

Another consultation was scheduled to be held in Calargy at the Chamber of Commerce on January 11, and the consultation process will conclude later this month.

Last year's Budget was first delivered in March, 2011, but failed to make it through parliament after the government lost a crucial vote of confidence. Flaherty reintroduced the Budget in June, after the government was returned with a majority. The Budget's main measures have now been succesfully legislated for, and focused on the government's desire to maintain a low-tax plan for the economy.

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