For immediate release
February 25, 2013
Ottawa – The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board, introduced the lowest budgetary estimates in three years with the tabling today of the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2012-13 in the House of Commons.
“Our Government is committed to finding savings and streamlining government operations,” said Minister Clement. “We have overseen a steady decline in requested spending authorities over the past three years, reflecting the success of the strategic reviews and cost containment exercises we have undertaken since 2007.”
The Supplementary Estimates (C), 2012-13 provide information to support the Government's request for Parliament to approve $1.5 billion in voted appropriations for 49 organizations. These include planned expenditures for which spending authority has not yet been sought.
To date this fiscal year, the budgetary estimates total $259 billion. This is the lowest amount since 2010–11 and shows a steady decline in requested spending authorities over the past three years as a result of the cost containment exercises undertaken by the Government of Canada.
Supplementary Estimates present information to Parliament on the Government of Canada's spending requirements that were either not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates, or have been refined to account for new developments in programs or services.
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The Main and Supplementary Estimates provide information on the planned spending levels for federal departments and agencies. Main Estimates must be tabled by March 1 and are followed by the Supplementary Estimates, which are normally tabled three times a year—in May, late October and late February. The financial information found in the Estimates is presented in support of an appropriation bill seeking parliamentary approval for expenditures incurred throughout the year.
The Supplementary Estimates support the Government's request for Parliament's approval of expenditures that were already planned in previous budgets but were either not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates, or have subsequently been refined. They include information on budgetary and non-budgetary expenditures.
Budgetary expenditures include 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 (loans, investments and advances) are outlays that represent changes in the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.
The Supplementary Estimates (C), 2012–13 tabled on February 25, 2013, provide information in support of the request for Parliament's approval of $1.5 billion in voted appropriations. The Estimates also present a forecast decrease of $0.1 billion in statutory expenditures for a total of $1.4 billion in budgetary estimates.
Voted appropriations are those for which parliamentary authority is sought through an appropriation bill. The “Vote” sets out the maximum amount and the purpose for which funds may be spent in the fiscal year. An organization cannot exceed the amount of the Vote, but may spend less. The Public Accounts of Canada, as well as the quarterly financial reports for departments and agencies can be used to compare planned and actual expenditures as well as comparative information for the preceding fiscal year.
Statutory expenditures are those authorized by Parliament through specific legislation that authorizes payments and sets out the amounts and time periods for expenditures such as payments to Provinces under the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act.
The budgetary estimates to date for the 2012–13 fiscal year total $259 billion.
There has been a steady decline in requested spending authorities over the past three years reflecting the success of the Strategic Review, Strategic Operating Review and Cost Containment exercises undertaken by the Government of Canada.
The Estimates, along with the Budget, reflect the Government's annual budget planning and resource allocation priorities. In combination with the subsequent reporting of financial results in the Public Accounts and of accomplishments achieved in departmental performance reports, this material helps Parliament hold the Government to account for the allocation and management of public funds.
Upon tabling, Supplementary Estimates are referred to various standing committees by subject matter, and to the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance. In considering Estimates, committees may approve, reduce, or deny a “Vote.” A committee may not increase a Vote, or change or redirect funds. The necessary appropriation bill is considered by the House of Commons on the last Opposition day in each supply period.
