In general terms, it's quite safe to say that the fiscal strength of the federal government in Canada, as well as that of most other provincial governments, is an outstanding feature of this country. That is important in a whole variety of ways, including keeping interest rates to a minimum, which provides benefits to both households and businesses directly. It also provides the government the flexibility to put in place responses to the current downturn that are viewed as being sustainable and that therefore don't carry with them the prospect of large increases in taxes or spending reductions in the future.
On April 21st, 2009. See this statement in context.