Last week, François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal budget as Canada faces complex and consequential challenges: low growth and high unemployment, affordability pressures, a ruptured trade relationship with the United States, increased NATO commitments, technological transformations, climate change, and more.

The stakes are high: Prime Minister Mark Carney has a minority government, and if the Liberals fail to get a majority of votes supporting the budget on November 17, another election will follow.

Parliament is political by nature. In voting on the budget, our representatives have to balance electoral interests and party positions. Unlike baseball umpires calling balls and strikes, they are not impartial judges.

Assuming we outsiders are more impartial, then, how might we grade

See Full Page