On debt do us part

Bruce Anderson considers how the deficit debate in the United States will impact the discussion here.

Against this backdrop, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s job in the run-up to the next budget will be infinitely easier than a $50-billion deficit would suggest. If he makes radical cuts, they will look less radical than those implemented elsewhere. If he doesn’t, and takes a few more years to get our fiscal balance back, voters might conclude that the downside is mild compared to that faced by our global competitors.