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The 2003 Federal Budget:
‘Northern Tiger’ Spends Big
by Scott Fogden
March 11, 2003
Finance Minister John Manley recently released the federal budget. Dubbed “the people’s
budget,” it calls for a significant increase in government spending, reflecting a robust
national economy as well as the political dynamics on Parliament Hill - and perhaps
more importantly, dynamics within the Liberal Party.
Beyond the spending details, the budget acts as a political road sign. This is outgoing
Prime Minister Chrétien’s final budget, and it also provides a showpiece for
John Manley’s upcoming Liberal Party leadership campaign.
The 2003 budget has signalled the end of a string of tight-fisted, fiscally conservative
budgets. While health care program spending comprises the biggest component of new fiscal
obligations, foreign aid, environmental initiatives, childcare and welfare, and aboriginal
programs will receive major investments.
This feature provides a summary of the 2003 budget. The sections breakdown the government’s
new spending initiatives, the factors apparent in the budget’s design, and they provide
an analysis of the economic and political consequences of such a dramatic shift in spending
priorities.
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- A breakdown of where the money will go
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- The political implications of Manley’s budget
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- Arguments for and against bigger spending
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- The direct financial effects of the budget for Canadian households
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- Does Canada’s strong economy justify big spending?
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- Some reactions to the federal budget
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- Where will this budget take Canada?
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