Backgrounder: Overview of the 2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (B)
Backgrounder - Estimates
Process
For immediate release
February 14, 2008
Ottawa - The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the
Treasury Board, today tabled in the House of Commons the
2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (B) totalling $4.3
billion.
"Through these Supplementary Estimates (B), the
Government continues to move forward with its commitments and
priorities announced in Budget 2007. These Estimates reflect
our commitment to sound management of tax dollars, to effective
spending and to ensuring value for money for Canadians," said
Minister Toews.
The 2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (B) provide
information to Parliament, in support of $4.3 billion in
expenditures, including $1.3 billion in voted appropriations, that
were not sufficiently developed or known at the time of the
2007-2008 Main Estimates or the
2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (A).
The 2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (B) are
fully consistent with the overall planned spending level of $233.4
billion for 2007-2008 as set out in Budget 2007 and the October 2007
Economic and Fiscal Update .
Please refer to the attached backgrounders for further details
on the 2007-2008 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 2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (B)
The Government of Canada presented its overall spending
priorities through the expense plan set out by the Minister of
Finance in Budget 2007 and the October 2007 Economic and Fiscal
Update. The plans are implemented through a series of legislative
measures, including the Estimates and related Appropriation
bills.
The 2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (B) provide
information in support of $4.3 billion in supplementary
expenditures that were not sufficiently developed or known at the
time of the 2007-2008 Main Estimates or the
2007-2008 Supplementary Estimates (A), including $1.3
billion in voted appropriations. An Appropriation Act reflecting
these requirements will be tabled for Parliament's approval in
March 2008.
Moving the Government Agenda Forward
Included among the expenditures tabled for approval by
Parliament in these Supplementary Estimates (B) are:
$1.1 billion to the Québec Cree in relation to implementation
of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement;
$211 million in additional grants to international
organizations for development assistance, programming against
hunger, malnutrition and disease and international humanitarian
assistance;
$163.4 million to support a Budget 2007 commitment to create
a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization Program;
$150 million in support of the First Nations Market
Housing Fund; and,
$89 million in increases to pay and allowances for Canadian
Forces members.
These Supplementary Estimates (B) also include $2.9
billion in changes to statutory budgetary spending, for which
parliamentary approval has already been provided. These
adjustments to projected statutory spending are provided for
information purposes only. This figure includes:
$1.15 billion to the Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Resource
Revenue Fund;
$1 billion to compensate individuals infected with the
Hepatitis C virus through the Canadian blood supply before 1986
and after 1990;
$437 million to provinces under the Softwood Lumber
Products Export Charge Act; and
$189 million to Newfoundland for Fiscal Equalization Offset
Payments.
These Supplementary Estimates (B) also include an
increase of $78.4 million in non-budgetary appropriations related
to net loans disbursed under the Canada Student Financial
Assistance Act. Non-budgetary expenditures are outlays
that represent changes to the composition of the financial assets
of the government, such as loans and investments.
Total Supplementary Estimates
(B) ($ millions)
Budgetary**
Non-Budgetary
Total
Voted Appropriations*
$1,266.3
$0
$1,266.3
Statutory Authorities
$2,948.1
$78.4
$3,026.5
Total
$4,214.4
$78.4
$4,292.8
As a result of these Supplementary Estimates, total estimated
expenditures for 2007-2008 now stand at $228.6 billion; well within
the Government's overall planned spending level of $233.4
billion for 2007-2008 as set out in Budget 2007 and the October 2007
Economic and Fiscal Update. This reflects the Government's
commitment to controlling government spending and effectively
managing 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. The Treasury Board Secretariat has
worked with departments and agencies to improve the quality of
information presented for their individual requirements, resulting
in better information describing the nature of transactions,
including the offset of new spending requirements through the use
of existing spending authorities.
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,
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.
