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OTTAWA — The political messaging that will weave through Justin Trudeau’s first budget is poised to have a recognizable ring to it: reducing inequality while laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth.

But delivering the most substantial items from the prime minister’s election platform has been a tougher task than his government anticipated during the fall campaign.

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For starters, Trudeau’s $10-billion deficit projection is now widely expected to be three times the size.

His Liberals will unveil their inaugural budget Tuesday for an economy that has been battered by an oil-price shock. The already-dim fiscal prospects during the campaign have only darkened since the party took office in November.

Times are tough right now for many Canadians

Despite the slide, the government has signalled it will follow through on many — if not all — of its big-ticket election vows.

The promises include billions of dollars for economy-boosting measures, such as an enhanced child-benefit plan and infrastructure spending.