Watchdog wanted: Ottawa is hiring a permanent parliamentary budget officer

Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques prepares to appear before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Ottawa says it’s looking to hire a permanent parliamentary budget officer -- someone with “tact and discretion” -- just a few months after appointing a very critical fiscal watchdog on an interim basis.

The federal government’s list of governor-in-council appointments includes a posting for a new budget officer -- an independent agent of Parliament who offers analysis of budgets, campaign promises and other spending plans.

The Liberals appointed Jason Jacques, a veteran of the office, as interim PBO for six months back in early September before the House of Commons began sitting.

A PBO can serve for a term of up to seven years with a chance for renewal, but a permanent appointment must be approved by Parliament.

Since taking the reins, Jacques has been highly critical of the federal government’s fiscal plans.

In his first few weeks in the role, he called the pace of Ottawa’s spending “stupefying,” “shocking” and “unsustainable.”

Jacques also questioned whether the Liberals still had fiscal anchors -- metrics that show prudent financial and debt management -- a criticism rebuffed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Jacques has yet to weigh in on the federal budget tabled on Nov. 4. His office said he would release an analysis in the coming weeks to coincide with parliamentary debate over proposals in the new spending plan.

Kevin Page, Canada’s first PBO, gave the budget an overall grade of B+ in an op-ed published by the Toronto Star on Wednesday.

Page argued the budget had a solid strategy to meet the “crisis” of U.S. trade disruption -- one that warrants steeper deficits -- but he said he feared Ottawa has lost some of its fiscal buffer to absorb the next economic shock.

The Conservatives have called on the Liberals to appoint Jacques to a full term as PBO, arguing the six-month interim period gives Ottawa the power to fire him over his criticisms. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Jacques is able to apply for the permanent position.

The job listing says Ottawa is looking for someone familiar with fiscal policy and the inner workings of Parliament. The listing says the successful candidate must show sound judgment, “tact and discretion,” and communicate about complex policy issues in a “neutral way.”

The PBO job comes with a salary range of $225,300 to $265,000. The application review will start on Dec. 8.

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press