It is hard to believe that it was only back in late May that the newly elected Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered his first-ever throne speech. During that throne speech, PM Carney included this commitment: “day-to-day government spending” under the previous Liberal government grew by 9% each year. In the throne speech, PM Carney promised to introduce measures that will reduce this spending growth to under 2%.

That was a promise made by PM Carney to Canadians.

This week, Canada’s interim Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) appeared before the Select Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. During this committee meeting, the interim PBO expressed concern that he “doesn’t know if the government currently has fiscal anchors,” which causes a “considerable degree of concern.”

The PBO further pointed out that the Liberal government has failed to provide a “clear definition of what would fall into capital and what would fall into operating” in terms of spending, explaining that this is important, as the absence of this information makes it “impossible” to assess if the government could hit any fiscal target.

He also shared that the deficit “will absolutely be higher.”

Unfortunately, as the Liberals have announced that they will not table a budget until early November, it will be some time before this information is disclosed and available to Canadians.

The promise from PM Carney in his throne speech was clear: “day-to-day government spending” under the previous Liberal government grew by 9% each year, and PM Carney promised that he would reduce this spending growth to under 2%. Based on recent government spending announcements, it appears that not only has PM Carney not reduced this spending growth as he promised he would, he may well have increased spending growth to well beyond what PM Trudeau spent.

My question this week: Does Prime Minister Carney breaking his promise matter to you?

You can let me know your thoughts by joining the discussion on my Facebook Page. Alternatively, I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll-free 1-800-665-9811.