It takes some doing to make a billion dollars the equivalent of spit in the ocean, but the Liberals have managed it. If Mike Myers’ Dr. Evil character, pinkie on bottom lip, was to hold Canada ransom for “one billion dollars” it would provoke howls of mirth, such is the devaluation of the concept.

Budget 2024 promises another $29 billion in new spending, pushing program expenses to over $500 billion this year, including debt payments.