OTTAWA — The Conservative government plans to use the coming federal budget to underscore its pre-election messaging on the importance of national security.
The budget due Tuesday is expected to earmark resources to help security agencies carry out enhanced responsibilities under new anti-terrorism legislation, sources tell The Canadian Press.
Those familiar with the plan to make national security one of the budget's themes spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Any new spending could help the government deflect criticism that it's asking agencies to do more to counter terrorism at the expense of existing law-enforcement duties.
The anti-terrorism bill, currently before the Senate, would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service more power to thwart a suspect's travel plans, disrupt bank transactions and covertly interfere with radical websites.
The legislation would also make it easier for the RCMP to obtain a peace bond to restrict the movements of suspects and extend the amount of time they can be kept in preventative detention.
In addition, it would shift responsibility for screening international airline manifests to the federal government under an expanded no-fly list regime.
The Conservatives introduced the bill after two soldiers were killed by jihadi-inspired "lone-wolf" attackers just days apart last October.
Concerns about the threat of homegrown extremism have prompted the RCMP to shift more than 600 officers to the terrorism file from organized crime and other areas.
"We have enough people who are working these cases, but they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing," RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson told a House of Commons committee last month.
That has prompted vocal criticism from opposition public safety critics who say the Mounties are being stretched too thin.
At the same time, the federal government continues to roll out new aspects of its highly touted perimeter security arrangement with the United States — elements of which require investments in information-technology and modern facilities.
The Canada Border Services Agency already plans to invest $99 million over five years to improve buildings as well as upgrade technology to help officers record more traveller information.
However, several facets of the deal are still in the works, including:
— An ambitious plan to track when people as they leave Canada, touted as a means of stopping would-be extremists from joining foreign conflicts;
— A "next generation" policing program that would see Canadian and U.S. officials create integrated teams in areas such as intelligence and criminal investigations;
— Cargo security initiatives intended to increase co-operation on the screening of marine shipments.
Ottawa on track to balance books one year ahead of schedule: budget watchdog
OTTAWA — The federal budget watchdog is projecting the government will post a $3.4-billion surplus in 2014-15 — which would balance the books a year ahead of schedule.
The parliamentary budget office's assessment contrasts with the government's projection in its November fiscal update, which predicted a $2.9-billion shortfall in 2014-15.
The analysis comes as the government prepares to release its election year fiscal plan next Tuesday.
The budget office also says Ottawa is on track to post surpluses this year and next year, but predicts it then will start running small deficits.
It says the shortfalls will be a result of lower employment insurance premium rates starting in 2017.
The budget office points out that the predicted deficits are relatively small, and would have negligible effects on public debt and the wider economy. It also says the government could erase those shortfalls through minor tax tweaks or spending restraint.
The predictions are based on a "status quo forecast," which shows the government's fiscal footing before factoring in the impact of any fresh announcements that could be included in Tuesday's budget.
The budget office says the government will run $1.3-billion surpluses in 2015-16 and in 2016-17 before posting a $2.1-billion deficit in 2017-18. The outlook also projects budgetary deficits of $2.9 billion in 2018-19 and $900 million in 2019-20.
Last month, the government's fiscal monitor showed Ottawa posted a $1.3-billion surplus over the first 10 months of the 2014-15 fiscal year, suggesting it could balance the books earlier than expected.
Finance Minister Joe Oliver has repeatedly pledged to balance the books in his upcoming 2015-16 spending plan.
