The twenty-sixth edition of How Ottawa Spends examines the policy initiatives, priorities, and initial spending of Martin's Liberals in an era where a political coronation seemed inevitable but high expectations had to be managed downwards almost immediately. Carleton University's School of Public Policy and Public Administration's annual study focuses on key issues, including Canada-US cross-border relations, health care reform, public safety and security, and the role of public inquiries. A less-than-buoyant fiscal surplus, escalating concerns about Liberal Party ethics and corruption, and a growing volatility in public opinion are examined, as are Canadians' increasingly uncertain views about the new leadership, particularly after a ten-year hold on power by the Liberal Party.

Contributors include Frances Abele (Carleton University), Barbara Allen (University of Birmingham and Carleton University), Gerry Baier (University of British Columbia), Herman Bakvis (Dalhousie University), Gerry Boychuk (University of Waterloo), Douglas Brown (Queen's University), John Chenier (ARC Publications and the Lobby Monitor), Michael Dewing (Library of Parliament), Monica Gattinger (University of Ottawa), Geoffrey Hale (University of Lethbridge), Ian Hodges (Carleton University), Rachel Laforest (Queen's University), Russell Lapointe (Carleton University), Allan Maslove (Carleton University), Michael Prince (University of Victoria), Jack Stillborn (Library of Parliament), Christopher Stoney (Carleton University), and Reg Whitaker (University of Victoria).