Liberals present a tight-fisted federal budget

With one eye fixed on the sponsorship scandal fallout, and the other staring down an expected election, Ralph Goodale has delivered a budget aimed at persuading taxpayers the Liberal government is spending their money wisely.

 CTV News: Roger Smith outlines the pre-election budget

New education bond to help low-income families

In their latest budget, the Liberals appear to be trying to win over a new, and much younger, generation of Canadians with new spending initiatives aimed at giving children from lower-income homes a chance to learn.

Soldiers on high-risk missions get tax break

Signalling the nation's gratitude for the risks assumed by Canadian soldiers serving on dangerous missions abroad, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale included a surprise in his budget -- income tax exemption.

Equalization money helps 'bond' Canada: Goodale

It wasn't a word that came up in Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's March 23 budget speech, but equalization is an important issue to Canada's eight "have-not" provinces.

Ottawa to sell off Petro-Canada shares

Ottawa is priming the pumps for a cash infusion. In his federal budget, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale confirmed the government's plan to sell its stake in oil giant Petro-Canada.

• Tax break for overseas soldiers may be extended
• Budget introduces national immunization program
• Budget doesn't give opposition much ammunition
• Quotes: Mixed reaction to Goodale's budget
• Goodale says management a key issue for him
• Budget continues his fiscal plan, Manley says
• Ottawa to clean hotspots, boost green tech
• Cities get cash, municipalities have to wait
• Cash for aboriginals, but no big initiatives
• Budget boosts public health, ignores wait times
• Martin announces nearly $1B in mad cow aid

 Joy Malbon talks to students who give the gov't low grades on education

 Mike Duffy talks with Finance Minister Ralph Goodale

 John Williamson, Canadian Taxpayers Federation

 Craig Oliver with Treasury Board President Reg Alcock

 Patricia Lovett-Reid, TD Waterhouse VP and Jeff Rubin, CIBC World Markets Chief Economist

 Former Finance Minister John Manley