Kevin Page
Encyclopedia
Kevin Page, born in Thunder Bay
, Ontario
in 1957 to James and Stella Page, is a Canadian economist
. He is the first ever Parliamentary Budget Officer
. He was apponted to the position on March 25, 2008.
, went to Simon Fraser University
on a golf scholarship and took his M.A. in economics from Queen's University
, Kingston, Ontario
.
; the Privy Council Office
; the Department of Fisheries and Oceans; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; and Human Resources and Social Development Canada.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer
, is an independent officer of the Library of Parliament
who reports to the Speakers of the House of Commons
and Senate
. The Parliamentary Budget Officer's responsibilities include providing an independent analysis of the state of the economy
, the nation's finances and the government's expenditure plan, and an analysis of the expenditure estimates of any government department or agency when requested to do so by a Parliamentary committee that's reviewing those estimates. The officer is also mandated to provide an estimate of costs for any proposal that falls within the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Canada
.
His approach of questioning government estimates and issuing reports that are at odds with official government forecasts has created controversy. "There are former parliamentarians saying I should be held in contempt of Parliament
and should be fired, but I’m okay with them saying that. That’s just part of the debate
." He has been unapologetic about his desire to give the Parliamentary Budget Office a significant role in informing Parliament and Canadians about government finances, saying "I went to the OECD, and they said the Americans
have the best budget office, bar none. Why can't we be the best in five years? If that's overstepping my mandate, then I'm earning my money."
while walking home along a railway line near Perth, Ontario
, and there is now a bursary
in Tyler's name at Algonquin College
's Perth campus.
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
in 1957 to James and Stella Page, is a Canadian economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
. He is the first ever Parliamentary Budget Officer
Parliamentary Budget Officer
The Parliamentary Budget Officer was established in 2006 and is mandated by the Parliament of Canada Act to provide independent analysis to the Senate and House of Commons on the state of Canada's finances, the government’s estimates and trends in the national economy. It was one of the...
. He was apponted to the position on March 25, 2008.
Education
A graduate of Fort William Collegiate Institute, he later studied at Lakehead UniversityLakehead University
Lakehead University is a public research university in Thunder Bay, and Orillia, Ontario, Canada.Lakehead University, shortened to 'Lakehead U', or 'LU', is non-denominational and provincially supported. It has undergraduate and graduate programs and a medical school.The school has more than 45,000...
, went to Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
on a golf scholarship and took his M.A. in economics from Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
.
Career
Before being appointed to the position of Parliamentary Budget Officer, on March 25th 2008, Kevin Page had for twenty-seven years worked as a civil servant in the Canadian government with experience in central agencies and line departments including: Finance Canada; the Treasury Board SecretariatTreasury Board
The Treasury Board is the Government of Canada's only statutory Cabinet committee and is responsible for the federal civil service much of the operation of the Canadian government. Among its specific duties are negotiating labour agreements with the public service unions and serving as Comptroller...
; the Privy Council Office
Privy Council Office (Canada)
In Canada the Privy Council Office is the secretariat of the federal cabinet, providing officially non-partisan advice and support to the Prime Minister and leadership, coordination, and support to the departments and agencies of the government...
; the Department of Fisheries and Oceans; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; and Human Resources and Social Development Canada.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer
Parliamentary Budget Officer
The Parliamentary Budget Officer was established in 2006 and is mandated by the Parliament of Canada Act to provide independent analysis to the Senate and House of Commons on the state of Canada's finances, the government’s estimates and trends in the national economy. It was one of the...
, is an independent officer of the Library of Parliament
Library of Parliament
The Library of Parliament is the main information repository and research resource for the Parliament of Canada...
who reports to the Speakers of the House of Commons
Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
The Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Parliament of Canada and is elected at the beginning of each new parliament by fellow Members of Parliament...
and Senate
Speaker of the Canadian Senate
The Speaker of the Senate of Canada is the presiding officer of the Senate of Canada. The speaker represents the Senate at official functions, rules on questions of parliamentary procedure and parliamentary privilege, and oversee debates and voting in the red chamber. This position is often...
. The Parliamentary Budget Officer's responsibilities include providing an independent analysis of the state of the economy
Economy of Canada
Canada has the tenth largest economy in the world , is one of the world's wealthiest nations, and is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and Group of Eight . As with other developed nations, the Canadian economy is dominated by the service industry, which employs...
, the nation's finances and the government's expenditure plan, and an analysis of the expenditure estimates of any government department or agency when requested to do so by a Parliamentary committee that's reviewing those estimates. The officer is also mandated to provide an estimate of costs for any proposal that falls within the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Canada
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
.
His approach of questioning government estimates and issuing reports that are at odds with official government forecasts has created controversy. "There are former parliamentarians saying I should be held in contempt of Parliament
Contempt of Parliament
In some countries, contempt of parliament is the offence of obstructing the legislature in the carrying out of its functions, or of hindering any legislator in the performance of his or her duties. The offence is known by various other names in jurisdictions in which the legislature is not called...
and should be fired, but I’m okay with them saying that. That’s just part of the debate
Parliamentary Debate
Parliamentary Debate is an academic debate event. Many university level institutions in English speaking nations sponsor parliamentary debate teams, but the format is currently spreading to the high school level as well...
." He has been unapologetic about his desire to give the Parliamentary Budget Office a significant role in informing Parliament and Canadians about government finances, saying "I went to the OECD, and they said the Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
have the best budget office, bar none. Why can't we be the best in five years? If that's overstepping my mandate, then I'm earning my money."
Family
His children are Tyler Page, Jesse Page and Chelsey Page. Tyler was killed in 2007 at the age of 20 after being struck by a trainTrain
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
while walking home along a railway line near Perth, Ontario
Perth, Ontario
Perth is a town in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario, Canada . It is located on the Tay River, 83 km southwest of Ottawa, and is the seat of Lanark County.-History:...
, and there is now a bursary
Bursary
A bursary is strictly an office for a bursar and his or her staff in a school or college.In modern English usage, the term has become synonymous with "bursary award", a monetary award made by an institution to an individual or a group to assist the development of their education.According to The...
in Tyler's name at Algonquin College
Algonquin College
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is a publicly funded English-language college and member of Polytechnics Canada located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The college serves the National Capital Region and the outlying areas of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec...
's Perth campus.
External links
- Cynthia Münster, "First ever Parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page slips into his new post," The Hill Times, 31 March 2008.
- CAMPBELL CLARK, "Price tag of Canada's Afghanistan mission: up to $18 billion" Globe and Mail Update, Tuesday, Mar. 31 2009.
- Richard J. Brennan , "Put tether on budget watchdog, MPs urge" The Star.Com, Jun 17, 2009 04:30 AM
- John Geddes, "Kevin Page: the unlikely enforcer" "Macleans.ca", January 19, 2010 4:24pm
- Dan Lett, "Budget officer firm, faces down his critics" "Winnipeg Free Press", June 4, 2010 1:00 AM
- Christopher Pike, Reuters, "Watchdog pans prison spending plan" "MontrealGazette.com", June 22, 2010
- 24% of stimulus projects complete: report "CBC.ca", Aug 11, 2010
- Deficit likely to last beyond 2015: Page "CBC.ca", Nov 3, 2010
- F-35 jet cost to soar to $29B: Watchdog "CBC.ca", Mar 10, 2011
- http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110310/jets-report-speakers-rulings-110310/
- http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/a-sad-farewell-to-the-parliamentary-budget-officer/article1707530/
- Fitzpatrick, Meagan "Federal spending on track, says budget officer" CBC.ca, 27 September 2011.