In an interview following the release of the Federal Budget on April 21, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said: “It’s Liberals that balance budgets. Historically, it’s a known fact.”  Kelly McFarland of the National Post did a little fact-checking and found that Justin’s claim was REALLY wrong.  She cites the following facts in an article entitled “Wednesday’s reasons to fear for humanity: Sorry Justin, but Dad balanced one budget in 15 tries”:

Number of balanced budgets by Pierre Trudeau: 1

Number of deficit budgets by Pierre Trudeau: 14

Total deficits under Trudeau government: $137.8 billion

Total deficits adjusted for inflation: $381.2 billion.

Deficit inherited by Pierre Trudeau: 0.9% of GDP

Deficit passed on by Pierre Trudeau: 8.3% of GDP

Deficit in Trudeau’s final year: $32.4 billion

Deficit in Trudeau’s final year adjusted for inflation: $65.7 billion