The position of Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) was created in December 2006 as part of the Federal Accountability Act in response to criticisms surrounding the accuracy and credibility of the federal government’s fiscal projections and forecasting process.
The first PBO was appointed in 2008.
Since the position was created, the PBO has provided independent analysis to Parliament about the state of Canada’s finances, the government’s spending plans, trends in the Canadian economy, and the estimated cost of proposals over which Parliament has jurisdiction.
In 2017, as a result of amendments made to the Parliament of Canada Act, the PBO became an independent officer of Parliament. His mandate was also expanded to include independent and non-partisan estimates of the financial cost of any election campaign proposal.
The first federal election with the PBO’s new mandate was held in 2019.
Former PBOs
- Kevin Page (March 25, 2008, to March 22, 2013)
- Sonia L’Heureux (acting, March 23, 2013, to September 2, 2013)
- Jean-Denis Fréchette (September 3, 2013, to September 3, 2018)