By Canadian Press

Liberals face pressure for concrete ideas, economic plan in spending update

Nov 27, 2020 | 8:05 AM

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals are being warned that they need to provide a detailed plan on navigating the health and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic in a key spending document next week.

Business and labour groups say the government must outline concrete proposals to manage COVID-19 in the short term, but also outline more long-term steps for recovery.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is to table the fall economic statement on Monday, giving a full accounting of pandemic spending so far and possibly laying out new programs and plans.

The update will also provide a view of the depth of this year’s deficit, which in July was forecast at a historic $343.2 billion.

A report this morning from RBC forecasts the update will show a deficit of close to $370 billion, plus economic stimulus plans that take next year’s deficit to at least $90 billion.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2020.

The Canadian Press