The Centennial Flame burns on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Nov. 30, 2008. The Conservative government bumped up the federal budget date, scrapped a second controversial element of its economic plan and hinted at a stimulus plan Sunday in a frantic bid to save itself from being toppled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
September 28, 2012 - 11:01 AM
OTTAWA - The federal government says its deficit shrank to $1.1 billion in July, an improvement from last year's $1.7-billion shortfall that takes it closer to its goal of balancing the budget.
For the first four months of fiscal year, the deficit shrank to $3 billion compared with $5.9 billion for the same period last year.
As a result, Ottawa appears to be on track to meet its budget projection of a $21.1-billion deficit for the 2012-13 fiscal year, almost $4 billion lower than the previous year.
The government says revenues increased by $153 million, or 0.8 per cent, in July while program expenses declined by $72 million.
For the first third of the year, revenues were up $3 billion, or 3.7 per cent. Program expenses were also up but not as much — by $933 million, or 1.2 per cent.
The government says charges to service the national debt were down by $826 million in the first four months.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012