Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will take the unusual step of leaving the country for an extended trip after he presents the budget, Global News has learned.
After Flaherty delivers a speech about the budget in Vancouver on Friday, he will board a plane for Asia. His first stop will be Hong Kong where he will give a speech and meet with local businesses. He will then go to Thailand to meet with government officials and business associations.
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He will not be in the House of Commons for the budget debate nor available in the House to answer questions on the budget. But Flaherty will return for the introduction of the budget bill in three weeks time.
Global News has learned that this trip was only arranged after the budget date was announced.
Typically, finance ministers undertake a country-wide speaking tour after the budget is presented to sell the merits of the economic plan, and Flaherty has done just that in previous years. Last year, Flaherty gave speeches in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver after the budget was tabled.
Speculation continues to grow over Flaherty’s future in the finance portfolio, and his future in politics.
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