Prime Minister Mark Carney. Photo by ARIF KARTONO/AFP via Getty Images

Canada’s federal deficit could go as high as an unprecedented $100 billion in this fiscal year, leading at least one economist to warn that the country shouldn’t take its gold-plated AAA credit rating for granted.

“While a debt downgrade isn’t imminent, Canada’s AAA status shouldn’t be taken for granted,” Randall Bartlett, deputy chief economist at Desjardins Group, said.

Based on announced increased spending and tax cuts by the federal government, Desjardins, in a report, estimated the deficit could hit $70 billion for the fiscal year 2024-2025, but could also climb as high as $100 billion.

Previously, Canada’s deficit was projected to come in at between $48.3 billion and $43.2 billion.

Among the major spendin

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