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ARTICLE · 27 FEBRUARY 2008

2008 Federal Budget Highlights

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On February 26, 2008, the Minister of Finance – the Honourable James Flaherty –presented the third budget of the current Conservative government.

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BLG'S Government Relations Group
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On February 26, 2008, the Minister of Finance – the Honourable James Flaherty –presented the third budget of the current Conservative government. The budget was titled "Responsible Leadership" and stressed a number of themes, including:

  1. Maintaining strong fiscal management;
  2. Strengthening Canada's tax advantage;
  3. Investing in the future;
  4. Supporting communities; and
  5. Providing leadership at home and abroad.

The most significant initiative in the budget was the announcement of the Tax-Free Savings Account, as described below.

As with previous budgets, the budget is clearly focused on the middle-class. There was no "poison pill" designed to trigger an election. The Liberals immediately announced that they will allow the budget to pass and will not cause the government to fall.

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