The 10-Minute Take Podcast: Canada’s fiscal snapshot – massive deficit, record federal debt

July 10, 2020 | Rhonda Hymers


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The COVID crisis delivered a bigger shock to our economy than most expected. Ottawa is forecasting an enormous $343 billion deficit in 2020, which pushes the federal debt load past the $1 trillion mark for the first time. With the worst behind us, the focus now is how to sustain the early economic recovery and especially, how to get Canadians back to work. Can Canada take on more debt without further risking our sovereign credit rating? And how will the federal government transition people from the CERB relief program to more productive wage subsidies or other schemes? Craig Wright, RBC’s Chief Economist, shares his take on Canada’s fiscal snapshot.


"Business and life are like a bank account - you can't take out more than you put in." ~ William Feather