While we have been getting snippets in the media regarding the size of the deficit the Justin Trudeau government is willing to run this year, it certainly isn't the $10 billion the Prime Minister promised during last fall's federal election campaign.
The electorate was obviously duped by the young Liberal leader with the good bloodline and a great presence when the camera lights go on.
That $10-billion deficit seemed reasonable when we were told it would be spent on breathing life into Canada struggling economy.
We were told it would provide jobs with an infrastructure program and most Canadians would have more jingle in their jeans, thanks to the new child-care program and a tax break for middle-class Canadians.
We were told the federal budget would be balanced before the next federal election.
That was the election promises and we were played for fools.
The landscape is certainly different now.
We are looking at a $29.4 billion deficit for 2016/17, $29 billion for 2017/18, and $22.8 billion for 2018/19.
The worst news is there isn't a clearly defined timeline to return to a balanced budget.
This should be a huge concern for every Canadian, especially younger, working Canadians who will pay for this spending spree in the future.
Remember it was these young Canadians, Mr. Trudeau relied on to get out to the polls and help him in his bid for the government's top job.
This may be the very group that will stuff the ballot boxes in the next election to ensure this spend-now-pay-later plan doesn't continue.
Running government deficits can help breathe life into struggling economies.
However, the money has to create jobs if it is to work.
Infrastructure projects are a prime example of helping the economy grow by putting people to work with the wages trickling down the line through consumerism.
Obviously, it helps the businesses that are doing the construction work.
The Liberals have budgeted $120 billion over 10 years, with much of it weighted to the back end of the term.
And they don't have a jobs plan to go with it.
That is not going to help the economy of today and it could be a recipe for disaster if the Liberals continue to keep running deficits.
It appears the Liberal government is putting its eggs in the consumerism basket and that is fraught with folly.
Consumer spending without a jobs plan doesn't generate new revenue, and that doesn't pay down the debt.
It results in governments (ultimately the taxpayers) down the road paying for old debt and accumulated interest, rather than providing services Canadians really need or helping the economy to grow.
Right now, it appears that Mr. Trudeau is just another spend-and-borrow Liberal.