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(Reuters)
TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's government is looking at all of its holdings as part of an asset sale as it grapples with a record deficit, the Globe and Mail newspaper said on Tuesday.
The government is depending on billions of dollars from asset sales as part of its plan to re-balance the books by 2013-2014.
Among the government holdings under consideration are the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Via Rail and the Royal Canadian Mint.
"Everything's going to be included. We're not going to exclude anything off the top," a government source told the Globe. "Everything's in."
While all of the assets are up for consideration, sources said it was unlikely that the government would spin off "highly iconic elements" such as the CBC or Via Rail anytime soon.
The review includes all government assets including Crown corporations as well as billions of dollars in federal lands and buildings.
Last week, it said it planned to seek buyers for the nuclear reactor business of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
It's expected that the asset review could take four to five years, with about 20 percent to 25 percent of the holdings reviewed each year, the Globe said.
The minority government is under pressure to pare down its debt. Last week Finance Minister Jim Flaherty warned that the Canada's deficit could be a record C$50 billion.
($1=$1.08 Canadian)
(Reporting by Scott Anderson; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)
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