Canadian Federal Government Surplus

kappaloo · #1 10-20-2004, 12:34 PM

To start... I think putting the surplus ($9.1B) towards the national debt is very good because that free up revenue that would have previously been used to pay the interest.

BUT...

It's becoming more and more obvious that our military needs renewing. I mean, first we have the submarine tragity and now our helicopers have been grounded. I'm thinking that 9.1 B could go a long way to replacing some aging equipment! I know that buying anything in the Canadian government takes forever (I interviewed to be a procurment officer actually) but it just seems to silly to have the money and the need for these machines and not use it!

Also, we're now looking at several consecutive years of federal surpluses. Do you feel this implies that the federal government should be sharing better with the provinces or lowering taxes?

bcdphie · #2 10-20-2004, 01:09 PM

I'm stuck on this one too - if we continue to put all the surpluses to the debt, Canada will be debt free in no time and we will have a lot of money to put towards health care, education, military, lowering taxes, helping provinces and so one. However there are many systems in this country that need a good jump start and some of that surplus could be a real help.

I just think that it's pretty amazing that we will be living in (if things keep going the way they are) a DEBT FREE COUNTRY!

Optimist Prime · #3 10-20-2004, 02:54 PM

could split the surplas among debt and the military? I'm curious if you could do that.

RACooper · #4 10-20-2004, 02:58 PM

I'd like to see the majority go towards the national debt... but a portion devoted to emergency purchases/funding of some federal programs... in the case of the military I don't see the need for the "big" purchases just yet, but instead devote the funds for the implementation of another Brigade group so as to relieve the stress on current forces.