Poll: Did Feds Lie About Surplus

Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said the federal government posted a $9.1-billion surplus in its most recent fiscal year as a healthier-than-expected economy and higher corporate taxes boosted government revenues.

When Goodale presented his first budget last March, he projected a surplus of just $1.9 billion.

The surplus includes the $1.9-billion contingency reserve that was set aside in the 2004 budget and approximately $2 billion in lower-than-anticipated government spending.