The federal government has begun the search for a permanent parliamentary budget officer (PBO), just months after naming Jason Jacques — a fierce critic of Ottawa’s fiscal approach — to the role on an interim basis.
A newly posted governor-in-council appointment outlines what Ottawa wants in its next budget watchdog: someone who understands fiscal policy, knows how Parliament works, and can communicate complex financial issues “neutrally.” The listing also stresses two qualities in particular — “tact and discretion.”
Jacques, appointed for a six-month term in early September, has wasted little time making his mark. In his first weeks, the longtime PBO official described the pace of federal spending as “stupefying,” “shocking,” and “unsustainable.” He questioned whether the Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney still adheres to any fiscal anchors — a criticism rejected by both Carney and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Though Jacques has not yet released his analysis of the Nov. 4 federal budget, his office says it will publish its assessment in the coming weeks as parliamentary debate heats up.
The PBO position, an independent agent of Parliament, carries a seven-year term with the possibility of renewal — and requires approval by MPs and senators. The posting confirms that Jacques is eligible to apply for the permanent job.
Opposition Conservatives have urged the Liberals to appoint Jacques to a full term, arguing that the interim designation gives the government the ability to remove him if his critiques prove politically inconvenient.
Meanwhile, former PBO Kevin Page gave the new budget a B+ in a Toronto Star op-ed, praising its approach to managing the crisis created by U.S. trade disruptions but warning that Canada has eroded some of its fiscal buffer for future shocks.
The permanent PBO role comes with a salary of $225,300 to $265,000, and applications will begin being reviewed on Dec. 8.