Date: November 24, 2008
Ottawa – The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, today tabled in the House of Commons the 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates (B).
"Through these Supplementary Estimates (B), the Government of Canada continues to invest in the priorities of Canadians in line with our disciplined approach to keep spending in check," said President Toews.
The 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates (B) seek Parliament's approval of $2.8 billion in expenditures that were already planned for in Budget 2008 and do not represent an increase to spending already included in that plan. They reflect the Government's disciplined approach to spending.
Each year, the Government of Canada prepares Main Estimates, and Supplementary Estimates, in support of its request to Parliament for authority to spend public funds. This request is formalized through the introduction of appropriation bills in Parliament.
Please refer to the attached backgrounders for further details on the 2008-09 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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Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
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Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
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Backgrounder
Overview of the 2008-09 Supplmentary 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. These plans are implemented through a series of legislative measures, including the Estimates and related appropriation bills.
The 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates (B) provide information in support of $2.8 billion for requirements that were not sufficiently developed at the time of the 2008-09 Main Estimates or the 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates (A). This amount includes $445 million previously approved by Parliament through legislation, leaving a net amount of $2.3 billion to be approved through these Supplementary Estimates.
Moving the Government Agenda Forward
Through these Supplementary Estimates (B), the government is continuing to move forward with priorities and policy initiatives announced in Budget 2008, and Cabinet related decisions, in such areas as defence and infrastructure.
Included among the expenditures tabled for approval by Parliament in these Supplementary Estimates (B) are:
- $331.1 million for Canada's military mission in Afghanistan;
- $326.7 million to provide long-term, predictable and flexible funding to provinces and territories for infrastructure;
- $261.1 million in compensation adjustments (including $90.4 million for Canadian Forces members);
- $234.4 million representing the amount owed the Province of Nova Scotia in Crown share payments to March 31, 2008 under the terms of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord (1986); and
- $156.2 million for the operations of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Forecasts of statutory spending already approved by Parliament are provided for information purposes in these Supplementary Estimates. They include $500 million for the Public Transit Capital Trust and $400 million for the Police Officers Recruitment Fund, both announced in Budget 2008, and $419 million in payments to the provinces under the Softwood Lumber Products Export Charges Act, as well as a forecast decrease of $2.174 billion in interest charges against the public debt.
Total Supplementary Estimates (B) ($ millions)
| Voted Appropriations* |
2,772.2 |
14.0 |
2,786.2 |
| Statutory Authorities |
(445.4) |
- |
(445.4) |
| Total |
2,326.8 |
14.0 |
2,340.8 |
The 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates (B) are fully consistent with the overall planned spending level of $239.6 billionfor 2008-09 as set out in Budget 2008. 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. The Treasury Board Secretariat continues to work with departments and agencies to improve the quality of information presented for their individual requirements.
Whereas the fall Supplementary Estimates are normally the first presented after the Main Estimates, this year, these fall Supplementary Estimates (B) represent the second request in 2008-09 for Parliament's approval of detailed departmental spending requirements that flow from the overall spending plans announced in Budget 2008. The first request of $4.1 billion, included in Supplementary Estimates (A), was approved in June 2008, providing parliamentarians with information earlier than in previous years.
The Budget and the Estimates, in conjunction with the Economic and Fiscal Update, reflect the Government of Canada'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 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.
Backgrounder
Estimates Process
The Government of Canada is committed to pursuing management excellence, and ensuring value for money to Canadians by providing an effective, transparent and accountable government. Consequently, the Government has improved parliamentary reporting-in order to better meet the information needs of parliamentarians and better support their oversight role in the use of public funds. It is important for parliamentarians, and through them, all Canadians, to understand what the Government is doing, why it is doing it, how much each program or service costs, and what results are being achieved.
Each year, the Government of Canada prepares Main Estimates, and Supplementary Estimates as required, in support of its request to Parliament for authority to spend public funds. This request is formalized through the introduction of appropriation bills in Parliament. The normal tabling dates in Parliament are:
| The Government Expenditure Plan (Part I) |
On or before March 1 |
| Main Estimates (Part II) |
On or before March 1 |
| Interim Supply for Main Estimates |
Mid March |
| Reports on Plans and Priorities (Part III) |
On or before March 31 |
| Supplementary Estimates (A) |
Mid May |
| Full Supply for Main Estimates |
Mid June |
| Departmental Performance Reports (Part III) |
Late October / early November |
| Supplementary Estimates (B) |
Late October |
| Supplementary Estimates (C) |
Late February |
The Estimates, which are tabled in the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board, consist of three parts:
- Part I - The Government Expense Plan provides an overview of federal spending and summarises the relationship of the key elements of the Main Estimates to the current Expense Plan.
- Part II -The Main Estimates identify the spending authorities (votes) and amounts to be included in subsequent appropriation bills. Parliament will be asked to approve these Votes to enable the Government to proceed with its spending plans.
- Part III - Departmental Expenditure Plans, which are divided into two components:
- Reports on Plans and Priorities (RPPs) are individual expenditure plans for each department and agency (excluding Crown Corporations). They describe departmental priorities and strategic outcomes, expected results and the associated resource requirements covering a three-year period.
- Departmental Performance Reports (DPRs) are individual department and agency accounts of accomplishments against plans and expected results set out in their RPP. DPRs provide information on how the department or agency is progressing towards its strategic outcomes.
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 of Canada to account for the allocation and management of public funds.
