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OTTAWA — There is always next-day quarterbacking after any federal budget.

But when Jim Flaherty starts second-guessing what already was promised for the next spending document, you’ve got to wonder why now?

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Canada’s finance minister is backing away from the Conservatives’ long-held promise to allow families to split their income for tax purposes.

When the deficit is eliminated next year, the government has been telling us, the program will gain legs — just in time for the Tories to hit the campaign trail.

Now, Mr. Flaherty is saying not so fast.

The minister recently appeared to be wavering in his support of the Harper government’s 2011 election pledge to cut taxes, one way being through income-splitting, once the budget deficit was eliminated. That looks to be right on scheduled for 2015, when the next campaign for votes begins.

On Wednesday, however, Mr. Flaherty issued his strongest public dismissal yet of the goal to bring in income-splitting.