Government Departments May Use ‘Musical Ride’ Maneuvers to Avoid Budget Cuts: PBO

Taxpayers need to beware of manipulative maneuvers when it comes to spending on public services and cutting government costs, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Yves Giroux made the comments when testifying before the Senate finance committee on Feb. 13, as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter. “If you tell departments, ‘Cut 5 percent or 10 percent’ and let them do it, there is a chance that some of it will do what we call the Musical Ride, in reference to spending reduction a few decades ago where the RCMP offered to cut the Musical Ride, which was very popular, to avoid cutting services or expenditures,” Mr. Giroux said....