The PLQ is once again calling for a parliamentary budget officer

Photo: Jacques Boissinot The Canadian Press The Liberal opposition spokesperson for democratic institutions, Monsef Derraji, believes that the presence of a parliamentary budget officer would allow for “a scan of public finances.”

Alexis Drapeau-Bordage – The Canadian Press

Published at 17:17

• Quebec

On the eve of a new economic update, the Liberal opposition is once again calling on the Quebec government to establish a parliamentary budget officer (PBO). Opposition critic for democratic institutions Monsef Derraji says he is “very concerned” that between March 2023 and October 2, the announced deficit increased from $4 billion to $8 billion.

The PBO would be responsible for analyzing “in a non-partisan manner the government’s fiscal and budgetary policies” by bringing economic trends to the attention of members of Parliament, according to a bill tabled last March by the Nelligan MP. It should also assess the financial impact of the expenses and measures proposed by the deputies.

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Last June, the Coalition avenir Québec government revised its deficit for the 2023-2024 fiscal year upwards to $7.5 billion.

This was an upward revision of $1.2 billion compared to the figures put forward when the CAQ government presented its budget last March. At that time, the deficit was forecast at $6.3 billion, up from the previous estimate of $4 billion.

Mr. Derraji is quite confident that his bill would be adopted if it receives the necessary attention. “I understand that the government has a majority […] but here in this parliament, we all agree on the parliamentary budget officer, even the Minister of Finance.”

Minister Eric Girard’s office confirmed that it had “always demonstrated openness to the idea of ​​a parliamentary budget officer if it turns out to be a priority for parliamentarians.” He nevertheless points out that the Auditor General already has the powers to verify and certify the state of finances.

According to Mr. Derraji, “you can't trust a government that has lost control of public finances” before the budget is analyzed independently.

“They have been wrong several times, not once, not twice, and it is abnormal for a government in a single year to go from $4 billion to almost $8 billion in deficits. »

Making a medical comparison, Mr. Derraji believes that his bill would allow “public finances to be given a scan […] if we don't have a scan we can't know if the metastasis has spread, if it's everywhere, we don't have the real picture.”

He states that the role of DPB “has proven itself elsewhere,” including in Ottawa, where Quebecer Yves Giroux holds this position.

The Liberal MP assures that when he met with Mr. Giroux, he was enthusiastic about the provincial bill. The federal PBO was not available to confirm this.

Mr. Giroux estimated earlier this week that Justin Trudeau’s government will not meet its deficit target. The director’s report predicts that it will be $46.8 billion, rather than the $40 billion announced.

The PBO function already exists at the provincial level in Ontario.