Abigail Sampson, a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing studies in economics and political science at the University of Ottawa, recently coauthored two articles with Kevin Page, President of the University of Ottawa's Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy (IFSD) and former Parliamentary Budget Officer.
Published in Policy Magazine, the two articles provided an in-depth look at the economic and fiscal considerations leading up to the tabling of Canada's 2026 federal budget on November 5.
The first article, Budget 2026 Preview: From Stabilization to Transformation, published on September 30, examines Canada's economic outlook and the challenges facing the federal government as it shifts its focus from economic stabilization toward long-term growth, investment and productivity. The authors explore how the government's economic strategy will need to translate into measurable improvements in Canada's economic performance and living standards.
Their second article, Budget 2026 Preview: Guardrails and Blind Spots, published on October 21, focuses on the importance of fiscal transparency and accountability. Page and Sampson examine key considerations that could shape Canada's financial outlook, including the rising cost of servicing public debt and the growing role of non-budgetary transactions in federal spending and investment.
Through this collaboration, Sampson had the opportunity to contribute to timely economic analysis alongside one of Canada's leading experts in public finance, applying her academic knowledge to issues with significant implications for the country's economic future.
Her contributions also highlight the valuable opportunities available to undergraduate students at the Faculty of Social Sciences to engage in research, contribute to public policy discussions and work alongside leading experts.