Date: February 12, 2009
Ottawa – The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, today tabled the 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates (C) in the House of Commons.
The tabling of the Supplementary Estimates (C) represents the final request for funding from Parliament for the 2008-09 fiscal year. They include a total of $3.937 billion in expenditures planned for in Budget 2008. They do not represent an increase to planned spending for this fiscal year.
"Through this process, our Government continues to invest in the priorities of Canadians. Supplementary Estimates are part of the regular parliamentary approval process to ensure previously planned government initiatives receive necessary funding," said President Toews.
The Supplementary Estimates do not reflect the spending announced in Budget 2009. The Government's priorities as set out in Budget 2009 will be reflected in Supplementary Estimates expected to be tabled in the spring.
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 backgrounder for further details on the 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates (C).
For more information, contact:
Christine Csversko
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.
TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) — 613-957-9090
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 (C) seek Parliament's approval of $1.477 billion in expenditures that were already planned for in Budget 2008 and do not represent an increase to spending included in that plan.
They also provide information to Parliament about a net increase of $2.460 billion to projected statutory spending that Parliament has already approved in legislation, for total Supplementary Estimates of $3.937 billion. They reflect the Government's disciplined approach to spending.
A number of improvements have been made to the form and content of the Supplementary Estimatesin 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.
Normally, the Supplementary Estimates are first presented in the fall. This year, the Supplementary Estimates (A) requesting $4.1 billion were presented and approved in spring 2008, providing parliamentarians with information earlier than in previous years. The Supplementary Estimates (B) were tabled on November 24, 2008, a month later than planned, due to the general election in October. They were then re-tabled on January 29, 2009 as prorogation of Parliament on December 4, 2008 interrupted the Supply cycle. The tabling of Supplementary Estimates (C) represents the final request for incremental funding from Parliament for 2008-09.
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.
