Liberal government to table a budget this fall

A federal budget will be tabled this fall, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

On Sunday, Carney spoke to reporters in Rome and defended his government's decision not to release a budget this spring, allowing for more time to be comprehensive and effective.

“There will be a budget in the fall,” said Carney.

“In the short term, it’s a very short parliamentary session that is coming up. The speech from the throne is on the 27th, as people know, the house is due to rise under the house’s rules by the 20th of June, so it’s really three weeks.”

Carney was then asked why he did not want to present a budget as soon as possible, even though he has an extensive economic background.

“This is, in fact, based on my economic experience,” Carney replied.

“There is not much value, in my judgement and its considered judgement and its judgement based on experience, there is not much value in trying to rush through a budget in a very narrow window, three weeks, with a new cabinet, effectively a new finance minister, just reappointed, but a new finance minister, rush that through, for example in advance of the NATO summit which happens after Parliament rises.”

The prime minister explained that the upcoming NATO summit, continued talks with the US government and finding ways to improve government efficiency will have budgetary implications, and so, waiting to see how those factors play out will allow for a more “prudent” budget.

“We will have a much more comprehensive, effective, ambitious, prudent budget in the fall,” he said.

“You do these things right, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke to reporters earlier this week when a budget for this year had not been confirmed.

LIVE: No budget. No plan. No leadership. https://t.co/ZlhJSCUiU8

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) May 15, 2025

“Mr. Carney said during the election campaign that he had a plan and he took great delight in saying that a slogan is not a plan,” said Poilievre.

“Well, a budget is a plan, and if he does indeed have a plan, if he does know what he is doing, then he would introduce a budget so that Canadians know exactly what the finances are.”