Jim Flaherty threw some cold water on Friday’s optimistic economic news saying he expects slower growth this year than previously anticipated.
The federal finance minister delivered the message following a meeting with private sector economists who gave an updated forecast ahead of the federal budget announcement for fiscal 2013-14.
That will mean a significant drop-off in federal revenues, he said, but the minister plans to control spending and close off loop-holes to make up the difference. Flaherty has already signaled that the government does not intend to spend more taxpayer dollars on economic stimulus measures.
Flaherty said Friday the date for the federal budget hasn't been decided.
He says a key objective will be to create employment and introduce measures that will lead to better training of workers for the jobs that are out there.
Flaherty says he still believes provinces are best placed to deliver skills training but adds there needs to be accountability to ensure the services are succeeding.
The federal government has long complained that some industries are still looking for skilled workers even though there are about 1.3 million unemployed.
Recent news reports have speculated that Ottawa was preparing to take back responsibility for skills training, an area it left up to the provinces in 2007.
Flaherty's most recent comments suggest that delivery will still be mostly left at the provincial level.
He would not elaborate further but stressed that the roughly $2.5 billion that Ottawa spends on skills training won't be cut.
With files from Canadian Press
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