- the December/06 Report of the Standing Committee on Finance (Canada: Competing to Win)
- the November 23/06 Economic and Fiscal Update 2006 + the CCPA's Alternative Federal Budget 2007 Economic and Fiscal Update + Alternative Federal Budget 2006
- the July 4/06 Nova Scotia Budget + the May 9/06 budget
- the May 2/06 Federal budget for
(+budget responses/analyses from two dozen groups)
- the April/06 federal pre-budget web consultations
- the April 6/06 Saskatchewan 2006 Budget
- the March 30 Government of Yukon Budget 2006
- the March 30 Budget of Prince Edward Island for 2006
- the March 30 Newfoundland and Labrador 2006 Budget
- the March 28/06 New Brunswick Budget
- the March 23/06 Québec Budget
- the March 23/06 Ontario Budget 2006
- the March 22/06 Alberta Budget 2006
- the February 22/06 Nunavut Budget Address 2006-07
- the February 2/06 Northwest Territories Budget
- the March 6/06 Manitoba 2006 Budget
- the February 21/06 British Columbia Budget 2006

News Release
December 7, 2006
Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance tabled its pre-budget report for 2006 entitled Canada: Competing to Win. The Report contains 43 recommendations based on the Committee’s cross-country and Ottawa-based hearings held in September and October. The report reflects the testimony received by the Committee from more than 400 groups and individuals who made presentations related to the 2006 pre-budget theme of competitiveness.

Complete report:

Brian Pallister, M.P., Chair
DECEMBER 2006
NOTE: Clicking the link above will take you to the cover page, where you'll have to click one of the little tiny "next" links located in the top right and bottom left corners of the page. Starting on the second page there's also a link to the Table of Contents, which I find a much more civilized place to start (I hate those little "next" buttons!)
- skip the cover page and members list - the table of contents has links to each section of the report.
HINT: everyone should take a gander at the Table of Contents --- there's something here for every taste and then some...

Here's just a smattering of what you'll find in this report (click the to see the whole thing):
Health Care - Home and Community Care - Early Learning and Child Care - Post-Secondary Education - Skilled Trades - On-the-Job Training and Skills Development - Literacy - Personal Income Taxation - Labour Force Participation Rates and Labour Force Attachment - Employment Insurance - Federal Minimum Wage and Labour Laws - Disability Supports in the Workplace - Poverty and Equality - Homelessness and Affordable Housing - Pensions and the Ageing Population - Canada/Quebec Pension Plan - Defined Benefit Pension Plans - Registered Retirement Savings Plans and Registered Pension Plans - Tax Pre-paid Savings Plans - Interest Income Deduction - Infrastructure - Emergency Service Providers and Preparedness - The Environment - Charitable Giving - The Voluntary Sector - Arts, Culture and their Infrastructure - Competitive Business - Research, Development and Productivity Growth - International Trade - much, much more...

(901K, 252 pages)

Source:

Economic and Fiscal Update 2006 + the CCPA's Alternative Federal Budget 2007 Economic and Fiscal Update

News Release
November 23, 2006
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today released Advantage Canada: Building a Strong Economy for Canadians, a long-term, national economic plan designed to make Canada a true world economic leader. The plan, unveiled along with Minister Flaherty’s Economic and Fiscal Update, features a new national objective to eliminate Canada’s total government net debt in less than a generation and further reduce taxes for all Canadians.
- includes links to:
* (table of contents, links to all files)
*

News Release
November 23, 2006
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced that as part of its Advantage Canada plan to build a strong economy for Canadians, Canada’s New Government has reached an agreement with the Bank of Canada to renew Canada’s inflation-control target for a further five years to 2011. “Maintaining low, stable and predictable inflation goes right to the bottom line of every household budget,” said Minister Flaherty. “It ensures affordable mortgage rates, allows more families to purchase new homes, secures the value of incomes and keeps the costs of purchases stable."

Source:

Related Link:

November 24, 2006

November 24, 2006

"Invitation by the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, to Participate in Advantage Canada Consultations:
To Canadians in every part of this country, I would like to say that I’m looking forward to seeing your ideas on how we can best implement Advantage Canada, our new long-term Plan to build a strong economy for Canadians and secure a better quality of life now and for future generations."

---------------------------

From the :

Alternative Federal Budget 2007 Economic and Fiscal Update
Press Release
November 22, 2006
OTTAWA—The Alternative Federal Budget (AFB) Economic and Fiscal Update, released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, projects that the federal government will have budget surpluses of $4.2 billion in 2006-07 and $4.0 billion in 2007-08.

Complete report:

- PDF File, 262 K
by Ellen Russell & Mathieu Dufour

- includes links to Alternative Federal Budgets and related papers from 1999 to date

- Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC only
- click on a province's name in the left margin of the page, then on Publications to see the APBs

Selected CCPA releases:

Press Release
April 27, 2006
OTTAWA—The federal government has the resources to maintain and build on the commitments made in the 2004-05 minority Parliament and use upcoming surpluses to move forward on a progressive agenda, says the 2006 Alternative Federal Budget.

* (PDF file - 535K, 14 pages)
* (PDF file - 1320K, 70 pages)

Nova Scotia:

- Nova Scotia
July 4, 2006
Finance Minister Michael Baker tabled the government's fifth consecutive balanced budget at Province House today, July 4—bringing in substantially the same budget that was introduced on May 9.

News Release
May 9, 2006
Finance Minister Michael Baker tabled the province's fifth consecutive balanced budget at Province House today, May 9, a document that holds good news for Nova Scotia families, communities and businesses. The province's $6.9-billion budget features tax breaks for consumers and business, more capital spending on roads, hospitals and other infrastructure, and program investments in education, health and the economy.
Source:

- main page, includes links to all budget papers

- 15 budget documents, mostly bulletins,
for example:
- - increases to income assistance rates and foster care allowances, extension of Pharmacare to cover kids in low-income working families and improvements to affordable housing and home repair programs
- - "[T]he province will provide a credit to parents to offset provincial taxes on the full value of the federal Universal Child Care Benefit." --- also includes Protecting Homes and Neighbours, Protecting Consumers, Making Smart Energy Choices, Provincial Parks and Studying the Impact of Gaming

May. 9 2006
Canadian Press
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's ruling Conservatives offered a voter-friendly budget Tuesday loaded with tax cuts and generous spending as the province gears up for an election call - expected within days. Rookie Premier Rodney MacDonald is borrowing a pre-campaign pledge from the New Democrats, promising to give consumers a rebate equivalent to the eight per cent provincial sales tax on soaring home heating bills.
Source:

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

From the :

May 2, 2006

- separate links to four chapters and annexes, plus a (1.9MB, 302 pages)
- includes:
(Highlights)
Budget 2006 provides $5.2 billion over two years in increased support for Canadians and their families.
- incl. Canada's Universal Child Care Plan, Other Family Measures, Immigration, Affordable Housing, Aboriginal Communities, Environment, Infrastructure and Charitable Giving

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

Related Links:

- from the
[NOTE: Click the above link to read the budget reactions below.]

- includes the following:

- Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action

- YMCA
"Prime Minister Harper's Surplus Budget puts Canadian Children at Risk"

- Canadian Housing and Renewal Association
"Federal Budget Delivers Housing Funding"

- National Council of Women of Canada
"...it ultimately fails our children and young adults."

- Canadian Nurses Association
"...no new funding to deal with the care guarantee promise."

- Assembly of First Nations
"Federal Budget Ignores Health Crises in First Nations Communities"
"Assembly of First Nations Statement on the 2006 Federal Budget - First Nations Sacrificed to Build a Better Canada"

- Health Action Lobby
"...support in general (for the budget) but cautioning that additional funding for ongoing health initiatives including human resources must remain a government priority."

- Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador
"The Federal Budget Is a Source of Concern for the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador."

- Native Women's Association of Canada
"Native Women's Association of Canada President Beverley Jacobs disappointed with the lack of clear financial commitment the Conservative Gov't has committed to Aboriginal people in its 2006 Budget."

- Canadian Union of Public Employees
"Harper's first budget: tax cuts trump child care, public services - Conservatives hoodwinking Canadians in quest for majority."

- Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
"Budget 'Focusing on Priorities' Loses Focus on Education"

- Ontario Ministry of Finance
"Ontario Still Seeking Fairness From Federal Government - Harper's First Budget "Leaves More Questions Than Answers," Bountrogianni Says."

- Public Service Alliance of Canada
"Federal budget spells bad news for federal public services"

- Certified Management Accountants of Canada
"First Conservative Budget Falls Short in Boosting Canadian Productivity - Measures ignore growing information and communications technology where greatest gains can be achieved"

- Nishnawbe Aski Nation
"NAN Grand Chief disappointed with fraction of FMM commitments in budget"

- Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada
"No child care in today's Budget"

- Métis Nation
"Federal Budget falls short for the Métis Nation"

- Anishinabek Nation - Union of Ontario Indians
"Budget a 'patchwork foundation' to Harper's aboriginal agenda"

- Heritage Canada Foundation
"Heritage Canada Foundation disappointed in federal budget"

- Canadian Federation of Students
"Federal Budget Ignores Student Debt"

- Canadian Association of University Teachers
"Harper budget charts wrong course for education"

- "Federal Budget short-changes Canadian Children"
Reaction to the Federal Budget by the Presidents of:
Ontario Public School Boards' Association - Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario - Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation - Canadian Teachers Federation; Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations

- Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1. on
"Ontario government's home care initiatives still fail clients and workers"

- Rural Voices
"Rural, remote and Northern communities missed in all the tax credit giveaways"

Summary prepared by:

Barbara Anello
Acting Chair
DAWN Ontario: DisAbled Women's Network
Email:
Email:
URL:

From the :

April 24, 2006
On behalf of Minister of Finance James M. Flaherty, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance Diane Ablonczy today thanked the thousands of Canadians who responded to the invitation to offer on-line comments on the upcoming budget. The initiative, which is the first Web-based consultations with the public by a federal Minister of Finance, concluded on April 20. "Over 5,600 Canadians took the time to send the Minister their comments," Mrs. Ablonczy said. "These will be a great help in shaping the budget measures because they provide real insights into the hopes and concerns of Canadians from all provinces and territories."

- May 2
Shortly after the 2006 budget is tabled on May 2, 2006 at approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), all budget documents will be available free of charge on the Department of Finance website at . Internet users will also be able to view multimedia budget presentations, including a live video broadcast of Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty delivering the budget speech in the House of Commons.

Related Links:

Launched April 6
Until April 19, 2006, all Canadians are invited to share their views with the Department of Finance on the upcoming federal Budget.
Read the news release and the invitation below from the Minister of Finance, and then let them know how you feel by e-mail, regular mail or fax.

News Release
April 6, 2006
"For the first time ever, a federal government is encouraging Canadians from coast to coast to coast to participate in the budget process online. Minister of Finance James M. Flaherty today launched an online consultation process on the Department’s website to give Canadians an opportunity to provide their views to the Government during the pre-budget consultation period.

by the Honourable James M. Flaherty, P.C., MP, Minister of Finance, to Pre-Budget Web Consultations

April 6, 2006
- includes links to all Budget papers

Tax cuts for business, more training opportunities for young people, a freeze on tuition fees and support for vulnerable citizens -- those are some of the highlights delivered by Finance Minister Andrew Thomson in Saskatchewan's 13th consecutive balanced budget.
Source:

Related Link:

- PDF File, 523 K
March 30, 2006
Source:

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

March 30, 2006
- incl. links to all budget papers

News Release
March 30, 2006
"WHITEHORSE - The Government of Yukon's 2006-07 Capital and Operations and Maintenance budget, totaling over $793 million, was tabled today in the Yukon Legislative Assembly by Premier Dennis Fentie."
NOTE: scroll down the news release page for detailed Budget highlights broken down by Department

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

March 30, 2006
- incl. links to the budget address and all supporting documents

(PDF file - 622K, 8 pages)
- see p. 10 for "Social Services and Seniors"

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

March 30, 2006
- incl. links to Budget Speech - Budget Highlights - Estimates - The Economy - News Releases

Sample news release (one of 13):

March 30, 2006

Departments of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Health and Community Services and Education
- includes a backgrounder with more detailed info
"The Williams government is removing barriers to employment and providing assistance to those who need it most through a sweeping investment in initiatives designed to combat poverty, announced Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the lead minister for government’s poverty reduction strategy. Budget 2006 outlines government’s integrated approach to poverty reduction, unveiling investments of over $30.5 million in 2006-07 and $62 million annually to support an expanded eligibility for the prescription drug program, the elimination of school fees, increases to income support programs, and enhanced Adult Basic Education (ABE) offerings. This initial phase of the poverty reduction strategy is a strong basis for meeting government’s pledge to significantly reduce poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

- incl. links to all budget papers (News release - Speech - The New Brunswick Economy - Main Estimates)

News Release
March 28, 2006
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Record amounts of money for education, health and seniors, lower taxes for New Brunswickers, a balanced budget, and help to cope with high energy costs are highlights of the 2006-07 provincial budget, brought down today by Finance Minister Jeannot Volpé.

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

---

Version française:

Le 28 mars 2006
Des sommes records pour l’éducation, la santé et les personnes âgées, des réductions d’impôt pour les gens du Nouveau-Brunswick, un budget équilibré et une aide relative aux coûts de l’énergie sont parmi les points saillants du budget provincial , déposé par le ministre des Finances, Jeannot Volpé, le 28 mars.
- vous trouverez ici des liens vers tous les documents pertinents au budget (Communiqué, Discours, L’économie au Nouveau-Brunswick, Budget principal)

March 23, 2006 - incl. links to all budget papers (all PDF files): (44 pages, 686K) (36 pages, 888K) (2 pages, 76K) (204 pages, 1.45M) (220 pages, 1.32 M) Plus a financial profile of Québec today, six budget press releases and more... Google.ca News Search Results: "" Google.ca Web Search Results: "" Source:

Le 23 mars 2006 - vous trouverez ici tous les liens vers les documents pertinents au budget (tous en format PDF): (44 pages, 811 Ko) (36 pages, 896 Ko) (2 pages, 82 Ko) pages, 1,48 Mo) (236 pages, 1,18 Mo) ...ainsi qu'un Profil financier, six communiqués de presse et encore plus. Page de résultats de recherche actualités de Google.ca : « » Page de résultats de recherche Web de Google.ca : « » Source:

March 23, 2006
"The 2006 Ontario Budget, tabled March 23, 2006, is part of the government's plan to invest in three key priorities — education, health and a strong economy — while making progress toward eliminating the deficit, which for 2005-06 has been reduced to $1.4 billion. Specifically, the 2006 Budget proposes a $1.2 billion investment in Move Ontario which will support public transit and provide funding for roads and bridges. The 2006 Budget also proposes new funding for healthcare, education and safe communities."

- includes links to all budget papers : Budget Speech - Budget Papers - News Release - Highlights - backgrounders (Infrastructure - Health - Education - Economy - Social Services [see next link below]- Toronto - Agriculture)

- Strengthening Assistance for Ontario's Most Vulnerable:
Providing Opportunity For Those Who Need It Most

Google.ca News Search Results:
""
Google.ca Web Search Results:
""
Source:

Related Links:

Thanks to Barbara Anello of DisAbled Women's Network-Ontario for compiling (probably into the wee hours, if I know my friend Barbara...) and posting this selection of almost two dozen reactions to the 2006 Ontario budget by non-governmental organizations and individuals.
All on one page (with links at the top), you'll find:
The People have Spoken Loud and Clear - Dalton McGuinty's Budget is another Liberal Letdown:
* Health Care
* Education
* Energy
* New Deal for Cities
* Jobs
* Help for the Vulnerable
* Media Release: Dalton's leaky budget - missed opportunities for people
* Media Release: Dalton McGuinty's Pay More Get Less Budget - Tory says McGuinty should have focused on balanced budget, not reckless spending
* Social assistance payments rise again, but it's not enough, advocate says
Source:
(Disabled Women's Network - Ontario)

(Word file - 74K, 1 page)
"TORONTO, March 23/06 – The 2% increase to social assistance rates in today’s budget will do little to alleviate the desperate poverty faced by the province’s poorest people. (...) In addition to failing to adequately raise social assistance rates, anti-poverty activists are deeply disappointed the McGuinty Liberals have again failed to keep their election promise to end the clawback of the National Child Benefit Supplement from families on social assistance."
Source:
(Toronto)

----------------------------------------

Press Release
March 16, 2006
"TORONTO— According to an Ontario Alternative Budget technical paper released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the McGuinty government’s current fiscal plan would result in program spending dropping to levels lower than it was when they took power. Despite funding increases in key areas, the McGuinty government has done little to reverse the cuts to government services imposed under the Harris/Eves regime."

Complete report:

(PDF file - 230K, 7 pages)
March 16 2006
By Hugh Mackenzie

Source:

Related link:

March 16, 2006
"Ontario's poorest people need more from the upcoming provincial budget than a $1.5-billion Spadina subway extension, a left-leaning think tank says. The influential Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says Premier Dalton McGuinty has done little for the province's most vulnerable people in more than two years in power. In a report today in advance of Finance Minister Dwight Duncan's budget next Thursday, the organization warns that things are worse than they were under Progressive Conservative premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves."
Source:

March 22, 2006
In Budget 2006, the Alberta government produces its 13th consecutive balanced budget, which will continue to address infrastructure needs and improve services for Albertans while lowering taxes and increasing savings.
Highlights:
* $4.1 billion surplus forecast: allocated mainly to savings, the Sustainability Fund, and capital investment
* 16 per cent increase in operating funding for post-secondary education
* Additional $127 million in annual funding for continuing care initiatives by 2008-09
* Three-year Capital Plan allocates $13.3 billion for infrastructure, an increase of 45 per cent
* Funding increase for AISH, seniors assistance and services for children
* 80 new RCMP positions, more prosecutors, establishment of organized crime surveillance team
- incl. links to all budget papers

- budget 2006 increases spending on disabled, seniors and welfare

Google.ca News Search Results : ""
Google.ca Web Search Results : ""
Source:

- February 22
- incl. links to Budget papers

Google.ca News Search Results : ""
Google.ca Web Search Results : ""
Source:

- February 2, 2006
- incl. links to Budget papers

Google.ca News Search Results : ""
Google.ca Web Search Results : ""
Source:

- March 6, 2006
- incl. links to : Minister's Budget Message Speech - Budget In Brief - Budget Papers - The Manitoba Advantage - Community Economic Development - Modernizing Government - Revenue and Expenditures - Tax Savings Estimator - News Releases - 2006 Budget Documents Request Form
[ ]

(press release)

Google.ca News Search Results : ""
Google.ca Web Search Results : ""
Source:

- February 21, 2006
- incl. links to all budget documents

News Release
February 21, 2006
"VICTORIA — Enhanced services for children and expanded skills training programs lead a range of new measures designed to keep British Columbia growing with confidence, Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced with the release of Balanced Budget 2006."

- see especially "Improving and Expanding Services for Children" and "Strengthening BC's Communities" for info about budget commitments in the areas of services for children ($421 million over four years), homeless people ($8 million) and clients of income (welfare) assistance ($16 million).

Ministry Service Plans
NOTE: go to the for links to all Ministries' service plans (only a few are highlighted below)

Office of the Premier | PDF (280KB)
Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation HTML | PDF (297KB)
Advanced Education HTML | PDF (363KB)
Agriculture and Lands HTML | PDF (434KB)
Attorney General
Law Reform, Justice, Legal Services to Government and
Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism HTML | PDF (335KB)
Children and Family Development | PDF (436KB)
Community Services | PDF (314KB)
Economic Development HTML | PDF (288KB)
Education HTML | PDF (384KB)
Employment and Income Assistance | PDF (425KB)
Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources HTML | PDF (327KB)
Environment including Environmental
Assessment Office HTML | PDF (410KB)
Finance and Associated Entities HTML | PDF (361KB)
Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing HTML | PDF (546KB)
Health

- Go to the BC Government Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/bcbkmrk.htm

---------------------------------------

BC Solutions Budget 2006:
Budgeting for Women's Equality
February 16, 2006

Editorial

Press Release

- PDF file (104K, 4 pages)
Summary

- PDF file (275K, 41 pages)
Complete report

Source:
British Columbia Office of the

[Related Link : ]

Google.ca News Search Results : ""
Google.ca Web Search Results : ""
Source:

Links to other Canadian government budget sites: - latest budgets from all Canadian governments + Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. Source:

Related Canadian Social Research Links pages:

Go to Canadian Government Budgets 2010
Go to Canadian Government Budgets 2009
Go to Canadian Government Budgets 2008
Go to Canadian Government Budgets 2007
Go to Canadian Government Budgets 2006
Go to Canadian Government Budgets 2005
Go to Canadian Government Budgets 2004