Ensure that the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) is properly funded and independent of the government.

What success looks like

The Parliamentary Budget Officer is independent and properly funded to conduct non-partisan analyses on behalf of Parliament.

Government's narrative on progress

In June 2017, Parliament passed new legislation introduced by the government to make the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) a truly independent agent of Parliament. Previously, the PBO was not an independent Agent of Parliament. The legislation provides the PBO with the ability to request funds from the Speakers of the House and Senate in order to carry out its important work. The PBO now has greater access to information within federal government departments, agencies, and Crown Corporations. The appointment of the PBO is for a term of seven years and he or she can be removed only with cause, subject to the approval of all parliamentarians. Because the PBO reports to Parliament and not to the government, Canadians can be assured they have a credible, non-partisan, and objective source of information on how their taxpayer dollars are spent. The PBO also has the power to cost political parties’ electoral platforms in a non-partisan manner. Starting with this year’s federal election, this means Canadians will have more information when they vote about a political party’s promises.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.