OTTAWA – The federal government shrank its deficit for October compared with a year ago.
The government is reporting a $1.7-billion deficit in October compared with a deficit of $2.1 billion in the same month a year ago.
The decrease came as revenue for the month was up eight per cent or $1.6 billion, while program spending was up 6.1 per cent or $1.1 billion.
Public debt charges were down 1.5 per cent or about $38 million.
For the first seven months of the government’s fiscal year, the deficit is $10.6 billion.
That compares with a deficit of $13.9 billion at the same point last year.
