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The Finance Department says the federal deficit was $22.7 billion between April and November.
That compares with a $19.1 billion deficit over the same period last year.
According to the monthly fiscal monitor, revenues were up $29.5 billion, or 10.5%, compared with the same stretch in the previous fiscal year.
Program expenses excluding net actuarial losses increased $30 billion, or 11.3%, with increases to elderly and employment insurance benefits, as well as a 54% jump in rebates, partly due to the introduction of the Canada Carbon Rebate for small businesses.
Public debt charges were up by $5.4 billion, or 17.4%, mostly because of higher average rates on the outstanding stock of marketable bonds and treasury bills, as well as an increase in the stock of marketable bonds.
Net actuarial losses were down $2.4 billion, or 46.8%.