For starters it was $55.6 billion during a worldwide economic crisis which we presently aren't in. Also, the minority Harper government originally wanted the 2009-10 deficit to be considerably less but was forced into the $55.6 billion number by the Opposition which wanted an even greater deficit.
The $55.6 billion was as low as Harper could get to make Parliament work with the Opposition with his minority government.

Remember supporting all the jobs in Ontario's failing auto industry? Remember maintaining annual 6% health care increases during the worst economic crisis since the 1930's? JTZ has no comparative economic burden today other than the self-imposed destruction he has inflicted on Canada's economy with his idiotic carbon policy he's forced on the provinces.

Pretty easy stuff to figure out if you actually put some thought into it.