After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty

No green future in Conservative budget, say Tides and Nature Canada

Critics say they’re concerned about the 2012 federal budget’s focus on resource development, and its vague promises to “streamline” environmental reviews.

Federal budget 2012: cuts to Elections Canada, environmental assessment, CBC

By the numbers: $5.2 billion in cuts. $377 million slashed from foreign aid. 19,200 federal jobs gone. $275 million for Aboriginal schools. 10% hacked from CBC.

Budget day: Canadians asked to delay retirement to age 67

The Conservative government will push Old Age Security benefits until age 67, according to a Globe and Mail report today. The delayed retirement is part of a budget that confirms Prime Minister...

Conservatives to slowly gut Ottawa's health-care support

Ottawa is gradually slashing its role in medicare – passing ball to provinces, the federal budget watchdog reveals.

Canada has 'tools to deal with new recession'

Country will take a battering if the world tanks, but it has strong companies, a working banking system and a sound fiscal position, says governor of central bank.

Ottawa tells US to back off tax attack on Canadians

US is sowing distress and fear among dual citizens who have innocently failed to file a U.S. return and owe no taxes, finance minister says.

Canadian economy shrinks in Q2 as export market pauses

Key US market fragile but we still expect modest growth, finance minister insists.

Flaherty concedes that global turmoil will impact economy, but will "monitor closely"

Opposition presses finance minister to use stimulus, aim for job creation and growth.

Tax penalties on U.S.-Canadian citizens in Canada "outrageous," MP Don Davies says

American rules a "tax grab" on people living here -- and Ottawa should intervene, critic says.

Amid economic jitters, Canada well positioned to face 'global headwinds': Flaherty

But country not an island, and international stress will affect us, he says.