PBO says proposed new power risks it ‘becoming a political instrument’

Proposed legislation would give Parliamentary Budget Officer Jean-Denis Fréchette the power to cost party election platforms, if they asked.

Parliamentary Budget Officer Jean-Denis Fréchette says it's his job is to protect the independence and neutrality of his office, factors 'that are imperative for this office to have credibility.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

News

BY CHELSEA NASH

November 9, 2016

Parliamentary Budget Officer Jean-Denis Fréchette says the government’s intention to expand the mandate of his office to include costing of platform proposals at the request of political parties comes “with a lot of risk.”

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