TORONTO - Finance Minister Joe Oliver is continuing to hint that tax cuts are on the way for Canadians in the annual fall economic update.
Oliver told a media conference today that the Conservative government remains on track to balance the budget in 2015 - the same year the Tories will return to the polls.
He says the government will fulfil an election promise to cut taxes for Canadians, but did not offer details.
"There will be tax relief because we are confident we are going to have a surplus next year," he said, referring to predictions earlier this year of a $6.5-billion surplus for 2015-16.
Oliver met with private-sector economists in Toronto to discuss the outlook for the country, though he declined to reveal the date of the next economic update.
He says average forecasts remain steady with those made in September, even as the global economy shows signs of uncertainty.
"Canada remains strong despite an uncertain global economy defined by a weak recovery and geopolitical risks," he said.
Oliver also told a media conference that he is "very concerned" about a clerical error which saw his department accidentally leak details of tax changes in the upcoming budget bill on the government's website.
"We don't believe the numbers disclosed which would move markets, but we're looking at that issue as well," he said.