Close X
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
ADVT 
National

No major new cuts coming, says minister, as MPs return to Commons

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jan, 2015 10:36 AM

    OTTAWA — While one federal minister says no major new spending cuts are coming, another is hinting that the Harper Conservatives could dip into a rainy-day fund to balance the government's books.

    As members of Parliament return to work today, Government House Leader Peter Van Loan is spelling out his party's priorities for the first Commons sitting of the new year.

    Van Loan says all eyes will be on building the economy and creating jobs amid the uncertainty created by falling oil prices.

    When asked whether the government would dip into a $3 billion contingency reserve that was built into this year's budget for unexpected events such as natural disasters, Van Loan said any money left over at the end of the fiscal year would go to the government's bottom line.

    On his way into the Commons, Treasury Board President Tony Clement also said the Conservatives have no plans to announce any major new cost-cutting measures to balance the budget.

    But NDP finance critic Nathan Cullen says Prime Minister Stephen Harper has painted himself into a fiscal corner by recently announcing measures that will cost the treasury — such as income splitting — without leaving room for economic shocks.

    And Cullen says the contingency fund should only be used to pay for unexpected disasters, not disasters created through political policy.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Williams Moving And Storage Files For Bankruptcy After 86 Years

    Williams Moving And Storage Files For Bankruptcy After 86 Years
    VANCOUVER — A moving and storage company with 86 years of history in western Canada has announced its closing up shop because of continued losses.

    Williams Moving And Storage Files For Bankruptcy After 86 Years

    Travis Vader to face trial in 2016 in killings of two missing Alberta seniors

    Travis Vader to face trial in 2016 in killings of two missing Alberta seniors
    EDMONTON — A trial date has been set for a man accused of killing two Alberta seniors whose bodies have never been found.

    Travis Vader to face trial in 2016 in killings of two missing Alberta seniors

    Surviving Alberta Mountie's recovery from shooting progressing: family

    Surviving Alberta Mountie's recovery from shooting progressing: family
    EDMONTON — The family of an Alberta RCMP officer who survived a shooting that killed another Mountie says his recovery is progressing.

    Surviving Alberta Mountie's recovery from shooting progressing: family

    Women Denied Equal Pay And Promotions At Castlegar Mill: Human Rights Complaint

    Women Denied Equal Pay And Promotions At Castlegar Mill: Human Rights Complaint
    CASTLEGAR, B.C. — The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal will hear a complaint made by a former human resources manager at a Castlegar, B.C., pulp mill who says she and other female supervisors were denied equal pay and promotions.

    Women Denied Equal Pay And Promotions At Castlegar Mill: Human Rights Complaint

    King Abdullah was 'strong proponent of peace' says PM Harper

    King Abdullah was 'strong proponent of peace' says PM Harper
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has offered his condolences to the people of Saudi Arabia on the death of King Abdullah.

    King Abdullah was 'strong proponent of peace' says PM Harper

    No more paid appearances for CBC and Radio-Canada on-air talent

    No more paid appearances for CBC and Radio-Canada on-air talent
    TORONTO — The CBC says it will no longer approve any paid appearances by its on-air journalistic employees.

    No more paid appearances for CBC and Radio-Canada on-air talent