Finance Minister Bill Morneau told a Halifax business audience today that they shouldn’t think of this week’s federal budget as an election document.
In remarks to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Morneau said that if there was anything the government did in the budget that was a surprise then “you haven’t been watching us for the last four years.”
READ MORE: Finance Minister Bill Morneau makes stop at UNB Saint John on budget tour
Morneau also continued to make the case for more spending, saying now is “exactly the wrong time” to balance the budget quickly.
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He says to do so would bring higher unemployment and bigger economic problems.
WATCH: How the 2019 budget can benefit you
Morneau said the Liberal government’s goal is to spend while reducing the amount of debt as a function of the economy.
READ MORE: Who are the winners and losers in the 2019 federal budget? Here’s what you need to know
Tuesday’s budget projects a deficit in 2019-20 of $19.8 billion.
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