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