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Much of the legislative architecture built by the Harper government is being torn down by the Trudeau Liberals.

But there is one edifice the government has said it will not only preserve, but will actively enhance — the Parliamentary Budget Office.

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According to new legislation proposed by the PBO itself — labelled “draft for discussion” and obtained by the National Post — the budget officer would become an agent of Parliament, in the same manner as the office of the Auditor General, independent of both government and the parliamentary administration.

Currently, the PBO is part of the Library of Parliament and Jean-Denis Frechette, the budget officer, can be dismissed at the prime minister’s discretion. As an agent of Parliament, the PBO would be appointed and dismissed only after consultation with leaders of all parties in the House of Commons and Senate.

Another major change in the proposed legislation would be to give the PBO more powers to demand information from government departments that have been notoriously reluctant to incriminate themselves.