Wednesdays with @Kady: What's coming in Flaherty's budget?

There's always plenty to chat about with Kady O'Malley.

On Wednesdays, CBCNews.ca's Politics blogger convenes a "people's caucus" to discuss and debate the issues of the week, so far.

This week:

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's 2013 federal budget has been previewed with media leaks, pre-emptive provincial reaction and even early messaging from the minister himself. Flaherty's in Toronto this morning at a shoe manufacturer for his customary pre-budget photo call, but the numbers themselves have to wait for one more sleep. What are you expecting from tomorrow's budget speech?
As luck (or something else?) would have it, arguments begin tomorrow morning in Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page's federal court challenge of the Harper government's interpretation of his office's mandate. Page himself is out doing a series of exit interviews, including one with CBC Radio's The Current this morning. His office also released another headline-grabbing report about the costs of Canada's criminal justice system today - mere days before his term expires. What do you think of the budget watchdog's work and public statements?
What do you think of the actions and explanations surrounding the resignation of former intergovernmental affairs minister and Labrador MP Peter Penashue?

Replay our live chat:

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Power & Politics Ballot Box question by Rosemary Barton May. 24, 2013 4:48 PM Does Rob Ford's statement put an end to the allegations of crack use?

Will Rob Ford's supporters leave Ford Nation?: The growing controversy over a purported video alleging to show Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine may be testing the faith of even his most die-hard supporters. But experts say Ford's policies may trump whatever personal issues he's facing, and that his supporters may rally behind him. more »

Hockey Canada votes to ban bodychecking in peewee hockey: Hockey Canada's board of directors voted to eliminate bodychecking from peewee-level hockey on Saturday in Charlottetown. more »
Neil Macdonald: How serious is Obama about curbing the drone surge?: In a key speech this week, the U.S. president set out a host of supposed new safeguards for America's controversial practice of remote-controlled rough justice. But as Neil Macdonald writes, the underlying rationale for drone use has not fundamentally changed. more »
Ontario man lost in Australian mountains has survival skills: The sister of an Ontario man who disappeared in Australia's Snowy Mountains nearly two weeks ago says she remains hopeful he will be found, partly because of his training as a Canadian Forces reservist. more »
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford denies using crack cocaine: The mayor of Canada's largest city told a packed news conference that he doesn't use crack cocaine and isn't a crack addict — and new allegations surfaced Saturday involving Ford's brothers. more »

Ethics probe comes with limits, federal watchdog says: As the federal ethics commissioner readies for a third look at Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former chief of staff Nigel Wright, Mary Dawson is reminding Canadians her office can only look so far. more »

PM's credibility at stake in growing Senate expenses crisis: With the prime minister's credibility at stake in a growing political crisis, has Stephen Harper done enough to explain his former chief of staff's $90,000 cheque to Senator Mike Duffy? Listen to CBC Radio's The House with Evan Solomon here. more »
Wallin may be forced to repay thousands in travel expenses: Pamela Wallin, the Senator from Saskatchewan, was back in the news this week, refusing to tell CBC News if she had repaid any travel expense money. more »
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford denies using crack cocaine: The mayor of Canada's largest city told a packed news conference that he doesn't use crack cocaine and isn't a crack addict — and new allegations surfaced Saturday involving Ford's brothers. more »
Feds look to snag corporate sponsors for Ottawa events: McDonald's golden arches on Parliament Hill? Tim Hortons billboards at the Governor General's residence? Nothing quite so crass is in the works, but a cash-strapped federal agency is actively looking for corporate sponsors to fill gaping holes in its budget. more »

Harper's credibility at stake in growing Senate expenses crisis May. 25, 2013 2:21 PM This week on The House, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel and Liberal Senator James Cowan on the Senate expenses scandal. Former chief of staffs Keith Beardsley and David McLaughlin on Nigel Wright's $90,000 gift to Senator Mike Duffy. Plus, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall on his plea to abolish the Senate. All that and much more!