Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland responds to a question during a news conference, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in Ottawa. Freeland says the fall economic statement will focus on housing and affordability, but will do so all within a fiscally responsible framework.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
OTTAWA – Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the government’s fall economic statement will focus on housing and affordability within a fiscally responsible framework.
In an news conference today, 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.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2023.
