On Thursday, 15 October 2009, the MPA hosted Mr Kevin Page, the Parliamentary Budget Officer of Canada. He was accompanied by Mostafa Askari (Assistant PBO, Economic and Fiscal Analysis). In his presentation, Mr Page discussed the nature and magnitude of Canada's fiscal problem, as well as the Government's response. Although public finances in Canada are in better shape than in many other OECD countries, Mr Page strongly cautioned against underestimating the fiscal implications of the economic crisis and the need for structural reforms in the years ahead. He also explained the work of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, a new position to which he was appointed last year. The legislation governing his work is in urgent need of revision, he argued. In particular, Mr Page called for strengthening the financial and operational independence of the office, as well as a statutory requirement for full transparency including automatic publication of all analyses produced by the PBO. He also argued that the appointment of the PBO should be a parliamentary decision, similar to the Auditor General, whereas currently he serves at the pleasure of the Prime Minister.
Kevin Page was appointed Canada's first Parliamentary Budget Officer on 25 March 2008. Mr Page has 27 years of experience in the federal public service, and has worked extensively in the economic and fiscal community at the three main central agencies, including Finance Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Privy Council Office. He has also worked for other departments including Fisheries and Oceans, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada and Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Mr Page has a Master's Degree in Economics from Queen's University and an Honour's BA in Economics from Lakehead and Simon Fraser Universities. A married father of three children, Mr Page has been an active member in the Nepean sports community and is currently a coach in the East Nepean Challenger Little League Baseball Division.