Ottawa expected to beat $49-billion budget target
Finance minister wants to balance province’s books by spring 2013
Federal government faces difficult challenge moving toward sustainable elimination of deficits
On track for projected $49.2B annual shortfall
2009-10 deficit $19.3 billion, $2 billion less than forecast
IIAC urges Ottawa to keep commitment to deficit reduction
Quick rebound has dramatically improved Ottawa’s treasury, data shows
2009-10 $4.7-billion projected deficit reduced by 78%
Quebec and New Brunswick have come closest to keeping within their stated budget limits
But while some are raising taxes, most others hope that restraining expenditures will do the trick