Fiscal update may show smaller deficit than November budget projected, latest numbers suggest

The federal government ran a $25.5-billion deficit over the first 11 months of the fiscal year ended in March, according to the Department of Finance. The result suggests Tuesday’s fiscal update could show a smaller deficit than Ottawa projected in the November budget. This is a routine fiscal update with limited immediate market impact, though it is relevant for deficit and debt tracking.

Analysis

The federal government ran a $25.5-billion deficit over the first 11 months of the fiscal year ended in March, according to the Department of Finance. The result suggests Tuesday’s fiscal update could show a smaller deficit than Ottawa projected in the November budget. This is a routine fiscal update with limited immediate market impact, though it is relevant for deficit and debt tracking.