OTTAWA - The sagging economy is prompting Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to move up the tabling of the next federal budget.
Flaherty said in a speech last night the economy is heading downhill at a speed that is dictating government action before the usual March budget date.
Earlier yesterday in Toronto, Flaherty said there would be no fiscal stimulus in Thursday's scheduled economic update.
Flaherty's comments yesterday come as a new survey suggests that Canadian consumers feel as pessimistic as they did before the last two major recessions -- in the early 1980's and 90's.
The U-S and Britain are further ahead than Canada in efforts to stimulate their economies.
But government sources say other countries may be ahead of Canada in announcing plans partly because their economies are in worse shape and partly because last month's federal election delayed planning here.
