WATERLOO, Ont. - Former prime minister Paul Martin says the Harper government needs to tell Canadians exactly what it's going to do to eliminate the deficit.
He says a structural deficit has been created in response to the global economic downturn, and the government has to accept this reality.
Martin is known for his successful elimination of the federal deficit when he was finance minister in the 1990s.
He says he didn't enjoy making cuts to federal spending but says it was something that needed to be done.
Martin says it's now up to the Harper government to create a clear and articulate plan to eliminate the deficit so Canadians know exactly what to expect.
Martin was speaking today in Waterloo, Ont., at a conference hosted by the Centre for International Governance Innovation.
