Budget will maintain sound fiscal position: Flaherty

OTTAWA – Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says the best thing his government can do in uncertain times is to not blow the budget.

And he says the government remains on track to balance the books in 2015.

The minister tells the Economic Club the top goal of his upcoming budget will be to maintain a sound fiscal position.

He says no one should expect major spending initiatives in the budget, which is expected next month.

Even when it comes to renewing the $33-billion infrastructure program, he says any extension will have to be affordable.

Flaherty says the country cannot afford to mortgage the future by spending in the short term.