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. 22, 2013 5:39 PM Do you believe the P.M. learned about the Duffy/Wright deal through the media?

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Harper 'not consulted' about Duffy Senate expense repayment: Prime Minister Stephen Harper says that not only did he not know about his chief of staff's "gift" to repay Senator Mike Duffy's expenses before the story broke in the media, he was not consulted and did not sign off on Nigel Wright's decision to write a personal cheque. more »

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Wallin refuses to answer questions about repaying expenses: Speaking as an independent Saskatchewan senator for the first time, Pamela Wallin is not answering any questions about whether or not she has repaid expense money. more »

Questions mount for Harper and chief of staff Nigel Wright in Senate scandal May. 18, 2013 1:15 PM This week on The House, with Senators Wallin and Duffy now out of the Conservative caucus, we get reaction from NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus. We also hear directly from Senator Patrick Brazeau who says the Conservatives have thrown him under the bus. Plus we speak with B.C. Premier Christy Clark after her stunning victory.