Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Balance Sheet

budget: On the other side of the balance sheet, however, there was no indication of when, how or if the budget might eventually be balanced, according to CTV. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau began the process of selling their fiscal plan -- and found themselves defending the lack of solid fiscal targets. The Liberal budget projected $113.2 billion in red ink over the next five years, due in large part to increased funding in numerous areas -- from Aboriginal Peoples to post-secondary education, middle and modest income families, infrastructure, the recently unemployed, veterans and seniors. Pressed on the issue during a Radio-Canada interview, Trudeau maintained that the objective of the budget was not "to reach some mathematical balance" but to provide "optimism and trust" to Canadians. Both men argued that some of the budget biggest spending, such as on infrastructure and the revamped multibillion-dollar Canada child benefit, would generate much-needed growth -- and eventually balance the books. "Our priority right now is to make those investments that can make a difference," said Morneau, who was also asked if the government would stop spending at some point if the growth fails to kick in. "Our goal is to focus on where we're at each year as we put forth the budget... We'll worry about budget 2017 in 2017." The Liberal numbers also include a healthy, $6-billion adjustment for risk, which could ultimately help the government beat low fiscal expectations and balance the books even earlier than forecast. Morneau later said the government goal "is to get to a balanced budget over approximately" five years -- depending how much economic growth the Liberal blueprint generates. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.