Prices in Canada continue to go up under Mark Carney’s government, and many of them are automatic, meaning that Parliament does not approve them (cost of postage, alcohol, passports etc.) Does this increasing reliance on ‘escalator’ taxes concern you? Let me know here!

A Vacancy That Weakens Fiscal Oversight in Ottawa

March 5, 2026

Earlier this week, Canada’s interim Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), Jason Jacques, officially had his last day on the job. Appointed on a six-month interim basis in September, Mr. Jacques quickly became a valuable resource for parliamentarians and Canadians alike who value a strong, independent voice and researcher on government spending.

Stephanie and former PBO Jason Jacques

The six-month interim appointment was meant to conclude with the appointment of a new permanent PBO to a seven-year term by March. The process of appointing a PBO has two steps: the appointee must receive cabinet approval and must be confirmed by a vote in both the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada.

This dual approval process is where the Liberal government has seemingly decided to halt accountability, transparency, and prudent independent fiscal oversight.

Conservatives and other opposition parties have been ready to work with the government and appoint a new permanent PBO as soon as possible. At the Government Operations Committee (OGGO), where the PBO spends much of his time in front of parliamentarians, the Official Opposition came together to pass a motion respecting Parliament’s authority in selecting a permanent Budget Officer which called upon the Liberals to only appoint a new PBO who had the unanimous support of all recognized parties at the committee – Conservative, Liberal and Bloc Québécois.

So far, the Liberals have refused to accept this motion, and they have now decided that leaving the position empty is better than working with opposition MPs to appoint a Parliamentary Budget Officer who will work on behalf of all Parliamentarians – not just the reigning Liberals.

Conservatives have shown that we are willing to work with the government – and all political parties – to appoint a new permanent PBO. Unfortunately, Liberal delays and obfuscations have now left one of Parliament’s key accountability mechanisms without a captain.

Hill Times article – March 3, 2026

Without a permanent – or even another interim – Budget Officer in place, the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer cannot publish new reports or undertake requests from parliamentarians on spending matters. This means the government’s Main Estimates, which were just tabled in the House of Commons, will not receive the independent scrutiny from the PBO which they deserve. In the snap of their fingers, the Liberals have taken away an accountability mechanism on over $500 billion in spending.

As Mr. Jacques turned off the lights in his former office, one of Canada’s most important accountability mechanisms dimmed with them. However brief this period without a permanent — or interim — Parliamentary Budget Officer may be, Canadians are left without a critical source of independent fiscal oversight.

Let Stephanie know what you think of this vacancy by participating in this month’s online survey.