[ Backgrounder ]
For immediate release
October 27, 2005
OTTAWA - The Government of Canada today tabled in the House of
Commons the 2005-2006 Supplementary Estimates (A)
totalling
$13.5 billion.
"These Supplementary Estimates are essential in delivering on the
Government's priorities and moving forward on its agenda, as articulated in the
Budget 2005 and in the Speech from the Throne," said Minister Alcock.
These Supplementary Estimates are within and consistent with the
$196.4 billion in overall planned spending for 2005-2006, as set out in the
February 23, 2005 Budget.
With these Supplementary Estimates, the government is seeking
Parliament's approval to spend $7 billion in expenditures that were not
sufficiently developed or known to be reflected in the Main Estimates
tabled on February 25, 2005. The Government already has approval for the
remaining $6.5 billion through enabling legislation for priorities such as
transfer payments to provinces and territories and the Gas Tax fund Transfer
Payment Program. Also contained in the 2005-2006 Supplementary Estimates
is information on the government's expenditure review committee savings that
were announced in Budget 2005.
The government is delivering on public priorities. In this context, and as
enunciated in Budget 2005, a large portion of the spending (60%) is linked to
the following four priorities: equalization payments to provinces and
territories, health transfers, defence spending and cities.
"As part of our commitment to greater transparency and accountability to
Parliament and Canadians, which was stipulated in the recent report "Management
of the Government of Canada - a commitment to continuous improvement",
we've introduced changes to the format for the Supplementary Estimates to
provide more whole-of-government and meaningful information - a clearer
understanding of how taxpayers' dollars are spent," added Minister Alcock.
These Supplementary Estimates continue to build on improvements that
were introduced in the last document as well as introducing some new elements.
In particular, a table has been added to each organization's page to reflect all
transfers between votes, both within and across organizations, including a full
description of the transfer.
The Estimates and the Budget reflect the government's annual
resource planning and allocation priorities. In combination with the subsequent
reporting of financial results in the Public Accounts and of
accomplishments achieved in Departmental Performance Reports, this
information helps Parliament hold the government accountable for the allocation
and management of public funds.
Please refer to the attached backgrounder for further
details on the 2005-2006 Supplementary Estimates (A). The Supplementary
Estimates and related documents are posted on the Treasury Board of Canada
Secretariat Web site at:
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/sups0506_e.asp.
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For more information, contact:
Lise Jolicoeur
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
of Canada and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board
(613) 957-2666
Robert Makichuk
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391
If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the electronic
version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail
TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090
Backgrounder
Overview of the 2005-2006 Supplementary Estimates (A)
The Government of Canada presents its overall spending priorities through the
expense plan set out by the Minister of Finance in the Budget, with the most
recent being tabled on February 23, 2005. The plan is implemented through
a series of legislative measures, including the Estimates and related
appropriation bills.
The 2005-2006 Supplementary Estimates (A) seek Parliament's approval
to spend a total of $7 billion on expenditures that were not sufficiently
developed or known to be reflected in the 2005-2006 Main Estimates, tabled
two days after the 2005 Budget, on February 25, 2005.
These Supplementary Estimates are within and consistent with the
$196.4 billion in overall planned spending for 2005-2006, as set out in the
February 2005 Budget but not included in the 2005-2006 Main Estimates.
Supplementary Estimates also provide information on adjustments to statutory
spending amounting to $6.5 billion that have been previously authorized by
Parliament. It is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Again, these are consistent with the frameworks included in the Budget following
discussions with First Ministers.
Total Supplementary Estimates ($ billions)
Budgetary
Non-Budgetary
Total
Voted Appropriations
$6.9
$0.1
$7.0
Statutory Authorities
$6.3
$0.2
$6.5
Total
$13.2
$0.3
$13.5
Improvements
A number of improvements have been made to the form and content of the
Supplementary Estimates over the past year to increase the transparency and
usability of the information. Building on those changes new refinements to
the presentation of the departmental Estimates have been introduced in order to
deliver on the government's commitment to improve reporting to Parliament.
Most importantly, a table detailing all the transfers has been added to
departmental pages. It provides more visibility on the reallocation of
funding between organizations.
Moving the Government Agenda Forward
These Supplementary Estimates will play an essential role in moving the
government's agenda forward of securing Canada's social foundation, implementing
policies that support a productive and growing economy, developing a green
economy and sustainable communities, meeting Canada's global responsibilities
while maintaining sound and prudent financial management.
The 2005-2006 Supplementary Estimates (A) seek Parliament's approval
for expenditures that were not anticipated or sufficiently developed to include
in the 2005-2006 Main Estimates when first tabled on February 25, 2005
and include such major budgetary items as:
$1.1 billion for the Department of National Defence to enhance operational
sustainability;
$954.2 million for Operating budget carry forward for 95 departments and
agencies from 2004-2005;
$854.2 million in compensation adjustments to departments and agencies for
signed collective agreements and other related adjustments to terms and
conditions of service or employment made between August 1, 2004 and
July 31, 2005;
$197.8 million for investments in public infrastructure projects designed
to improve the quality of life in both urban and rural communities;
$163.0 million for Public security initiatives;
$148.4 million to support Government-On-Line;
$140.0 million to Industry Canada for a strategic investment in Canadian
automotive engineering, research and development and manufacturing
modernization under the Program for Strategic Industrial Projects;
$130.9 million to Foreign Affairs and International Trade (International
Trade) to forgive the debt of six countries (Cameroon, Republic of Congo,
Madagascar, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia);
$119.5 million to promote peace and stability in failed and fragile states
such as Afghanistan, Haiti, and Sudan;
$102.9 million to mitigate the impact of the Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis.
These Supplementary Estimates also include an increase of $6.3 billion in
budgetary statutory spending that has been previously authorized by Parliament.
Adjustments to projected statutory spending are provided for information
purposes only:
$5.8 billion increase as a result of the revised forecast of transfer
payments to provincial and territorial governments;
$600 million for the Gas Tax fund Transfer Payment Program;
$273.5 million in support of Business Risk Management Programs under the
Agricultural Policy Framework;
$220 million for increases to Old Age Security Payments, Guaranteed Income
Supplement Payments, and Allowance Payments;
This is offset by a decrease of $802.6 million in expected public debt
charges resulting from lower than forecast interest rates.
For more detailed information, please refer to the introduction and the
overview of the Supplementary Estimates.
