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“Budget documents now contain less economic and fiscal data than in any budget over the previous twenty-five years.”

Moreover, they complain the government blocks efforts to obtain this data through the Access to Information Act, claiming that the records constitute “cabinet confidence.”

It is now recognized by most observers of the federal budget process that the integrity and credibility of the process has been seriously eroded in recent years

“For some reason the [finance] minister seems more intent on not providing the public with information, rather than engaging Canadians in discussion on critical policy issues.”

The criticism comes just weeks before Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is to introduce his next budget. The minister said last week he is determined to eliminate the deficit by 2015 — the year when voters go to the polls — and he hinted this might require him in the upcoming budget to close tax loopholes and force federal departments to further slash their spending.

The forthcoming Inside Policy article is particularly significant because its authors are experts with deep knowledge of how the finance department works.

There is an urgent need to restore the role of Parliament and its committees in assessing, reviewing, and approving proposed legislation

Clark was associate deputy minister from 1994 to 1997 and was the department’s deputy minister from 1997 to 2000. DeVries was director of fiscal policy in the finance department from 1990 to 2005.

“It is now recognized by most observers of the federal budget process that the integrity and credibility of the process has been seriously eroded in recent years,” they write.

Under the Tories, less information is provided to Canadians than under previous Liberal and Conservative governments, they conclude.