Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance Diane Ablonczy today thanked the thousands of Canadians who responded to the invitation to offer online comments on the upcoming budget. The initiative, which is the first Web-based consultations with the public by the finance ministry, concluded on April 20.

“Over 5,600 Canadians took the time to send the Minister their comments,” Ablonczy said. “These will be a great help in shaping the budget measures because they provide real insights into the hopes and concerns of Canadians from all provinces and territories.”

Explaining how the process worked and what the next steps will be, she said “every submission has been read by staff, and the suggestions and comments itemized in a summary report for the Minister. These will be factored into the issues being considered for the upcoming budget and future budgets.”

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will introduce his first federal budget May 2. Flaherty confirmed in the House of Commons that his minority Conservative government’s first budget will come down next Tuesday.

The budget is expected to contain several tax cuts, the most notable of which is the one percentage point cut in the Goods and Services Tax, which was a key campaign promise by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The federal government has also been considering other tax cuts as well as a new family allowance program.