Posted 4/14/2024, 6:04:31 PM
Federal public service and spending rise under Trudeau, but remain below historical highs
- The federal public service is 0.90% of the population in 2023, higher than in 2015 but below its peak of 0.99% in the 1980s
- Federal spending under Trudeau rose from 12.8% of GDP in 2015 to 16.1% in 2022-23, but is still below the 1984 peak of 18.3%
- Federal revenues rose from 14.0% of GDP in 2015 to 16.1% in 2022-23, but are below the 1992 level of 18.0%
- The federal debt-to-GDP ratio spiked during the pandemic but was 42.2% in 2022-23, up from 31.5% in 2015 but below its historical peak
- Spending increased in areas like Indigenous communities, child benefits, child care, housing, and clean technology, partially explaining the growth in government