Then and Now: Canadian Deficit Edition Continued!

Then: September 27th, 2008
"Liberals will produce $12B deficit: Harper"

"Liberal plans will create a deficit "to the tune of at least $12 billion," Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said Saturday.

Harper didn't explain where the number came from, but Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has rejected the charge before."

Less-then: September 30th, 2008
Canada's economy sound, Harper says.

Canada is not the United States and the economy is sound, Stephen Harper said yesterday as he attempted to reassure Canadians after a wild ride on the stock markets."Today, we see more volatility in the financial markets due to the crisis in the United States," the Conservative Leader said last night, breaking into English during a speech in Val d'Or. "Remember, Canada is not the United States. The fundamentals of the Canadian economy are sound

Then Again: October 1st, 2008
Harper Scores on Economy

“When the election was called 25 days ago, the Prime Minister said the campaign would give Canadians a choice between clear direction and uncertainty. He pledged to keep our budgets balanced and taxes down,” said Conservative Campaign Co-Chair Marjory LeBreton.

Even-Less-then: November 21st, 2008
"Federal deficit could hit $13.8-B: Watchdog"

OTTAWA -- The federal Parliament's budget watchdog, Kevin Page, warned on Thursday Canada is at risk of recording deficits starting this fiscal year, and the annual shortfall could reach nearly $14-billion next year as it believes its worst-case scenario represents a "more likely" outcome.

New-Now: November 24th, 2008
"Federal deficit could exceed $27B next year, Ottawa think tank says"
Worst assumptions may not be pessimistic enough, group warns

An Ottawa research group thinks the government is heading even deeper into the red than Canada's parliamentary budget officer, who shook things up last week with talk of a $14-billion deficit in the next bookkeeping year.

In a report to be issued Tuesday, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the deficit could hit $27.9 billion in 2009-10 and $46.8 billion in 2010-11 if there is a major recession and slow recovery. The federal fiscal year begins April 1.

The term "fiddling while Rome burns" comes to mind.