For immediate release
November 3, 2011
Backgrounder
Ottawa – The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor, today tabled the 2011–12 Supplementary Estimates (B) in the House of Commons.
"These Supplementary Estimates reflect the Government's commitment to the responsible use of taxpayer dollars," said Minister Clement. "We will continue investing in the Canadian economy so that it can continue to grow and create jobs, while keeping taxes low."
The 2011–12 Supplementary Estimates (B) support the request for Parliament's approval of $4.3 billion in expenditures in 68 organizations, including expenditures that were already planned for in Budget 2011, but for which the necessary approval had not been obtained in time to be included in the 2011–12 Main Estimates, tabled on June 3, 2011.
"This process is planned to ensure that Government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move forward and meet the needs of Canadians," added Minister Clement.
The Supplementary Estimates and related documents are posted on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat website.
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The Supplementary Estimates support the request for Parliament's approval for expenditures that were already planned for in the Budget, but for which the necessary approval had not been obtained in time to be included in the Main Estimates.
The Government typically tables Supplementary Estimates three times a year, in May/June, in October/November, and towards the end of the fiscal year in February/March.
They include two different types of expenditures: voted and statutory. Voted expenditures require annual approval from Parliament, which is sought through an appropriation bill. The Supplementary Estimates are used to support that request.
Statutory expenditures represent payments to be made under legislation previously approved by Parliament. Forecasts of statutory expenditures are included in these estimates to provide a more complete picture of total estimated expenditures.
Upon royal assent of the appropriation act, Government organizations receive the necessary expenditure authority to deliver programs and services to Canadians.
The 2011–12 Supplementary Estimates (B) document supports the request for Parliament’s approval of $4.3 billion in expenditures in 68 organizations.
Table 1 provides an overview of these supplementary estimates.
Budgetary expenditures refer to the 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.
Non-budgetary expenditures (for loans, investments and advances) are expenditures that result in changes in the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.
Voted appropriations are those for which parliamentary authority is sought through an appropriation bill.
Statutory expenditures are those authorized by Parliament through separate enabling legislation.
The Government seeks Parliamentary approval for annual expenditures through two processes:
- The Budget identifies the broad spending priorities of the Government and details how the Government plans to collect and invest taxpayers' money.
- The Estimates (Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates A, B and C) seek approval for the details of the spending levels planned for in the Budget.
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 in Departmental Performance Reports, helps Parliament hold the Government of Canada to account for the allocation and management of public funds.
For more information on the reporting cycle, please visit the Tools and Resources page.
