Ottawa’s finances may be under pressure, because of falling oil revenues, but Canadian executives still see a balanced budget as the top priority when Finance Minister Joe Oliver tables the books for the current fiscal year.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
Ottawa's finances may be under pressure, because of falling oil revenues, but Canadian executives still see a balanced budget as the top priority when Finance Minister Joe Oliver tables the books for the current fiscal year.
Eliminating the deficit is the No. 1 budget preference, followed by increased spending on infrastructure to get the economy moving. Boosting skills training and apprenticeships was also mentioned by many executives. Further down the list are tax cuts– either personal or corporate.
It is important to maintain spending on infrastructure "to keep the economy going," said Shawn O'Brien, CEO of Cipher Pharmaceuticals. Inc."Historically things have shown that when you have a downturn in the economy and the government does invest[invests], it has been better."