PwC Federal Budget instant reaction: Recalibration of government spending key
to achieving a balanced budget

TORONTO, March 4 /CNW/ - Budget 2010 sets the stage for deficit reduction in the future while completing the Stimulus Program is the current focus. Budget 2010 includes savings measures of $17.6 billion over the next five years. These savings stem from restraining growth in National Defence Spending and International Assistance Envelope while containing the administrative cost of Government.

Cost containment will be achieved through a comprehensive review of government administrative functions and overhead costs in order to identify opportunities for additional savings and improve service delivery. The focus of which will be in three key areas: 1) increasing efficiency and effectiveness, 2) focusing on core roles and 3) meeting the priorities of Canadians.

Roxanne Anderson, Lead Partner of Federal Government of Canada Services states:

    
      "Modernizing the manner in which the Government operates and delivers
       service will be critical to the Government being able to meet its
       savings objectives outlined in Budget 2010.

       Debate will continue about the right mix of revenue enhancing actions
       versus spending reducing options - the end result should be a
       sustainable deficit reduction plan to restructure costs without
       sacrificing the quality of services that Canadians value."
    

A PwC Budget Flash with additional Budget highlights has been issued today, followed by a detailed Budget Memo later this evening. For more information and detailed commentary on the Budget please contact, Kiran Chauhan, [email protected], 416-947-8983 or visit www.pwc.com/ca/budget.

For more information about PwC's Public Sector practice, please visit www.pwc.com/ca/publicsector.

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For further information: Kiran Chauhan, [phone], [email protected]