Jeffrey Simpson
You can talk about efficiency, but you can't hide the axe
It’s absurd to contend that Ottawa can trim $4-billion from the budget without affecting programs and services
Foreign Affairs cuts could erode Canada’s international status
Possibilities include shuttering embassies, pulling out of international organizations or cutting diplomats’ pay
Advocacy
New rules in budget ‘create more fear’ among politically active charities
‘We really see this as part of an ongoing effort by the government to divert the country away from real issues,’ says executive director of Tides Canada
Corrections facing more prisoners, less money after budget released
Correctional Service of Canada needs to trim about 10 per cent of its budget – at the same time the omnibus crime bill is expected to increase the number of Canadians behind bars
Ottawa Notebook
Budget cuts another victory in Tory war on information: opposition
Three agencies whose primary job is to provide statistics and research given death sentences in 2012 fiscal plan
Ottawa Notebook
Trudeau-era youth program pleads to be spared from Tory axe
Former participants and other Katimavik supporters attempt a rescue effort – again
Ottawa Notebook
Tories tout ‘modest’ plan to slash spending, shrink public service
Harper’s team fans out to sell budget that cuts $5.2-billion, erases 19,200 jobs and hikes retirement age
Globe reporters answer your budget questions
After the budget was released, The Globe's Ottawa bureau asked readers to send in their questions about how the government plans to balance the books. Here's a selection of their responses, and join us at noon (ET) today for a live discussion with our reporters.
Love it or hate it: Provinces react to federal budget
How the federal budget was received by the provinces
Advocates overjoyed with pledge to turn Rouge Valley into national park, however vague
Government says it will ‘take action’ on creating country’s first near-urban national park, but details on cost and timeline lacking
Ottawa betting on the West for economic prosperity
With an increased focus on the resource sector, the federal government is accelerating the westward shift of economic opportunity
From the Harper Tories, a budget that dials back role of government
With their first fiscal plan since winning a majority, the Tories set out a vision of Canada in which individuals are more self-reliant and the private sector drives the economy
Budget 2012
Foreign aid, diplomacy targeted for deep cuts in federal budget
In the effort to trim expenses at home, Ottawa is making deep cuts to what it spends to project Canada onto the world stage
John Ibbitson
PM delivers his vision: Less government for all
This federal budget is more than an austerity exercise to eliminate the deficit. It is a political transformation
Ottawa embraces notion that governments can pick innovation winners and losers
Federal budget reworks model for funding research and development to offer more grants, fewer tax breaks
Ottawa Notebook
‘Concerned citizens’ interrupt Flaherty’s budget speech
About 16 protesters, ranging in age from young to elderly, detained by Commons security and released without charge
Tory budget axes 19,200 public-service jobs
The federal government plans to eliminate 19,200 public service jobs by 2015, including 600 executive positions.
Full text of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s budget speech
Economic Action Plan 2012 Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity
'Nuisance' Coins
The federal budget’s one-cent solution
Penny to be retired as Ottawa tries to stretch our money
Ottawa to speed environmental reviews for energy projects
Lays out time limits for environmental reviews; steps up fight with oil patch foes by imposing tougher scrutiny of green charities
Infographic
Infographic: Your 2012 federal budget explained
Explore the revenue, expenses, proposals and projections from the 2012 federal budget.
Health-care spending a target in Tory deficit reduction plan
Cuts come as government prepares to reduce increases in the amount its transfers to provinces
Highlights
Federal budget 2012: What you should know
Some surprises and other things you should know about the 2012 federal budget
Tories trim Aboriginal Affairs budget but find cash to boost education
Government also rolls out program to improve on-reserve water systems
Government forces thousands of hopeful immigrants to reapply
Ottawa refunding $130-million in fees people paid under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which saw its criteria change in 2008
Tories slash $5.2-B in spending, give boomers a pass on OAS
Flaherty’s plan, which eliminates 19,200 civil-service jobs and erases deficit by 2015-16, will neither calm union fears nor satisfy fiscal hawks
John Ibbitson
Flaherty’s plan forces you to expect less from Ottawa
A model of probity, budget puts Conservatives on track to balance books early – at the expense of public-service jobs and government services
Five things to expect from the federal budget
Delayed eligibility to OAS, revamped immigration rules both items expected to be announced in Jim Flaherty’s budget
Conservatives' budget to reset retirement at age 67
In first budget with a majority, Harper government will focus on job creation and changes to Old Age Security
Budget to give small business a leg up in creating jobs
Thursday’s federal fiscal plan includes a one-year extension of temporary hiring credit
Budget 2012
Mind the gap: A generation battle brews over budget
A Globe survey finds deep anxiety about the federal fiscal plan: The young worry about tuition, weak job prospects and an impenetrable housing market, while the elderly are anxious about retirement reforms
Ottawa Notebook
‘You’ll have a fight on your hands,’ Mulcair warns PM as cuts loom
Opposition Leader strikes combative tone in pre-budget speech to NDP caucus
Ontario strikes a blow to Ottawa’s pension reforms
Province uses budget to outline a number of serious concerns with the federal government’s effort to create pooled registered pension plans
Federal budget expected to slash $7-billion from discretionary spending
Figure said to be higher than many economists had been expecting
Funding for Rouge Valley national park expected in federal budget
Park seen as accessible, affordable way for people in the GTA – including recent immigrants – to experience nature
Ottawa Notebook
Was union barred from Flaherty’s budget lockup for being ‘too vocal’?
Minister’s office argues PIPSC wasn’t rejected, just placed on waiting list due to high demands on limited space
Budget will tout Tory plan to ease environmental reviews
‘We want to get on with it as quickly as we can,’ Natural Resource Minister says of streamlining approval process
Budget cuts are about growth not austerity, Conservatives say
The Conservatives present Thursday’s budget as a blueprint for job creation and sustainable social programs rather than an exercise in austerity
Budget 2012
First majority budget will reveal Harper unleashed
Signs point to risky, controversial, long-term financial plan with old-age pension reform likely to cause biggest waves
Ottawa Notebook
Expect 'modest' cuts, no housing-market moves in budget: Flaherty
Primary focus in next week’s budget will be long-term issues; Finance Minister suggests no measures coming to cool housing prices
Ottawa Notebook
With cuts already hitting services, union wants Tories to show budget hand
Public servants detail impact of existing restraint on veterans, seniors, food safety and more
Arts funding
Federal Heritage minister hints at good budget news for the arts
James Moore says supporting arts is ‘the right thing to do’
