This volume examines the current fiscal, economic, and social policy landscape in Canada and speculates on future paths the federal Liberals may take in light of the events of September 11, 2001. It was hardly an understatement when the heads of governments from around the world suggested thatspending priorities for many countries would change post-September 11, 2001. The Liberal government has been no exception, tabling the December 2001 budget partially in response to altered political and economic circumstances. This reordering of priorities has renewed a common theme in Canadianpolitical life, namely Canada's relationship with the United States. There is now little doubt that integrationist measures will continue with the United States, but at what pace and to what degree? The Minister of Finance has already stated that the December budget will not see the government run adeficit despite the increase to national security spending, adding even more credence to the suggestion that spending priorities will be reordered but overall spending will not be significantly increased. These 12 chapters examine issues such as, innovation policy and the knowledge economy, social welfare policies, sustainable development policies, health care spending, and cultural and arts spending policies, all of which are subject to the reordering of federal fiscal priorities in Canadafollowing the United States' commitment to fight global terror.

G. Bruce Doern is a professor emeritus in the School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University. He is the author and co-author of numerous books on Canadian politics and policy, including Faith and Fear: The Free Trade Story, with Brian Tomlin, and Canadian Public Policy: Ideas, Structure, Process, with Richard Phidd.

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