In our The Politics of Money Fiscal Update Reaction episode, IFSD's Kevin Page, President and CEO, Sahir Khan, Executive VP, and Mostafa Askari, Chief Economist, share their immediate takeaways after spending the day inside the lock up for the government’s spring Economic Update tabled today.
They look beyond the headline deficit improvement to assess the credibility of the fiscal framework, the role of fiscal guardrails, and what actually changed under the hood.
The discussion examines the trade‑off between short‑term affordability measures and longer‑term fiscal risk, alongside execution challenges and key transparency gaps—particularly around delivery, defence spending, and major capital projects.
The episode offers listeners a clear framework for understanding the Fiscal Update and asks the key question whether Canadians should have confidence in the government's fiscal plan, as Canada heads toward the fall budget in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
What is The Politics of Money: An IFSD Podcast?
The Politics of Money, a new podcast from the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy, explores how public finance, politics, and institutions shape the world we live in.
Hosted by IFSD's Sahir Khan and Kevin Page, Canada’s first Parliamentary Budget Officer, our podcast blends deep subject-matter expertise with accessible conversation.
A trusted place where listeners can follow the money – and learn the real stories behind Canada’s big policy choices.