In 2009, regular EI benefits surged by 43.4 per cent or nearly $5.0 billion.
federal deficits
In 2018, federal government spending (per-person inflation-adjusted) reached its highest point in Canadian history.
Federal program spending (per person) hit an estimated $8,869 in 2018, the highest level in Canadian history.
If the conditions of the 2008-09 recession were repeated, the annual deficit would skyrocket to $120.5 billion.
For April and May of this year, federal government program spending increased by $6.3 billion.
No Opposition party has signalled it would balance the budget in the near- or medium-term.
The federal deficit was approximately $19 billion in both 2016/17 and 2017/18.
The federal deficit could hit $34.4 billion should Canada go into recession.
Ontarians are on the hook for approximately 40 per cent of the federal government’s net debt.