Backgrounder: Overview of the 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates (B)
February 22, 2007
Ottawa - The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, today tabled in the House of Commons the 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates (B) totalling $110.1 million.
"Through these Supplementary Estimates (B), the Government is moving forward with priorities announced in the Speech from the Throne, Budget 2006 and the November 2006 Economic and Fiscal Update, including increased funding for agriculture, youth justice and measures related to personal
tax credits," said Minister Toews.
The 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates (B) seek Parliament's approval to spend a total of $424.5 million on expenditures that were not sufficiently developed or known at the time of the 2006-2007 Main Estimates or the 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates
(A). They also provide information to Parliament about reductions totalling $314.4 million to projected statutory spending that Parliament has already approved in legislation, for a net Supplementary Estimates of $110.1 million.
The 2006-2007Supplementary Estimates (B) are fully consistent with the overall planned spending level of $222.2
billion for 2006-2007 as set out in the November 2006 Economic and Fiscal Update. This reflects the Government's approach to effective and transparent management of
taxpayers' dollars.
Please refer to the attached backgrounders for further details on the 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates (B) and information on the Estimates process. The Supplementary Estimates and related documents are posted on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Web site at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca
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For more information, contact:
Mike Storeshaw
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
(613) 957-2666
Robert Makichuk
Chief, 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.
Backgrounder: Overview of the 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates (B)
The Government of Canada presents its overall spending priorities through the expense plan set out by the Minister of Finance in the Budget and the Economic and Fiscal Update. The plans are implemented through a series of legislative measures, including the Estimates and related
appropriation bills.
The 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates (B) seek Parliament's approval to spend a total of $424.5 million on expenditures that were not sufficiently developed or known at the time of the 2006-2007 Main Estimates or the 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates
(A). They also provide information to Parliament about reductions totalling $314.4 million to projected statutory spending that Parliament has already approved in legislation, for a net Supplementary Estimates of $110.1 million.
Moving the Government Agenda Forward
Through these Supplementary Estimates (B), the Government is moving forward with priorities announced in the Speech from the Throne, Budget 2006 and the November 2006 Economic and Fiscal Update, including increased funding for agriculture, youth justice and measures related to personal
tax credits.
Included among the expenditures tabled for approval by Parliament in these Supplementary Estimates (B) are:
Agriculture and Agri-Food ($74.2 million):
Increase in funding in support of the Cover Crop Protection Program in response to flood damage in 2005 and 2006 ($40.4 million); and
Funding for New Opportunities for Agriculture Initiatives to foster investments that support the transition of farmers, agri-food and agri-products into new areas of opportunity ($33.8 million).
Youth Justice ($32.6 million):
Funding to provincial and territorial governments for the delivery of youth justice services and programs.
Measures related to personal tax credits ($30.7 million):
Funding to implement the Goods and Services Tax rate reduction and for measures related to personal tax credits.
Updated forecasts of statutory spending already approved by Parliament, and provided for information purposes, include a projected increase of $421.3 millionin the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program, a forecasted decrease of $184 million in interest charges against the public debt,
and a decrease of $747.7 million in the account for Employment Insurance benefits, due primarily to improved labour market conditions.
Total Supplementary Estimates (B) ($ millions)
Budgetary**
Non-Budgetary
Total
Voted Appropriations*
404.6
19.9
424.5
Statutory Authorities
(211.1)
(103.3)
(314.4)
Total
193.5
(83.4)
110.1
The 2006-2007Supplementary Estimates (B) are fully consistent with the overall planned spending level of $222.2
billion for 2006-2007 as set out in the November 2006 Economic and Fiscal Update. This reflects the Government's approach to effective and transparent management of
taxpayers' dollars.
Increased Transparency in Accountability and Reporting
A number of improvements have been made to the form and content of the Supplementary Estimates in recent years to enhance transparency and accountability. Improvements include more analysis and summary information; initiative-based information on spending; depiction of gross requirements
with separate treatment of additional spending authorities resulting in a net figure; and a new treatment of transfers between Votes allowing for consistent reporting and increased transparency when moving money previously approved by Parliament between organizations.
The Budget and the Estimates, in conjunction with the Economic and Fiscal Update, reflect the Government's annual resource planning and allocation priorities. The subsequent reporting of financial results in the Public Accounts of Canada, as well as the Departmental
Performance Reports (DPR's), assists Parliament in holding the Government to account for the allocation and management of public funds.
* Voted appropriations are those for which parliamentary authority is sought through an annual appropriation bill.
** Budgetary expenditures include cost of servicing the public debt; operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.
