By The Canadian Press on April 28, 2023.
OTTAWA – The federal government posted a budgetary surplus of $3.1 billion between April 2022 and February 2023. In its monthly fiscal monitor, the Finance Department says the result compared to a deficit of $69.8 billion during the same period during the previous fiscal year. Government revenues were up $36 billion, or 10.1 per cent, amid stronger economic growth and the fading effect of the pandemic. Program expenses excluding net actuarial losses decreased $45.6 billion, or 11.5 per cent, as the federal government wound down COVID-19 supports. Higher inflation and interest rates pushed up public debt charges by $9.1 billion, or 40.7 per cent. Meanwhile, net actuarial losses fell by $0.4 billion, or 4.7 per cent. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April, 28, 2023. 8