Independence

The Parliamentary Budget Officer is independent and non-partisan.

The PBO is independent of government. The PBO reports directly to Parliament.

The position of PBO was created to help the Senate and the House of Commons hold the government to account and, in so doing, increase the credibility of the budget and estimates.

The PBO’s independence is reflected not only in the impartiality of their economic and financial analysis, but also in their ability to set their own work plan.

The PBO also has administrative independence in terms of managing the Office and hiring staff with the requisite education and experience in economics or public finance.