Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper: The minister made the pledge after meeting private-sector economists in his office Monday, and after the Parliamentary Budget Officer released his latest analysis of the books, showing a razor-thin surplus in the critical 2015-16 year, according to CTV. The distinction is significant because Prime Minister Stephen Harper is counting on a balanced budget in March 2015 -- and preferably a significant surplus -- to fulfil a 2011 campaign pledge to introduce income splitting for couples with children in time for the October 2015 election and OTTAWA -- The federal government will not only balance the budget in 2015, it will run up a sizable surplus before the next federal election, says Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. "The plan is to budget a surplus in 2015 and not a tiny surplus," Flaherty said. "There will be no doubt that we're balanced in 2015." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.