OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 8, 2012) - The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor, today tabled in the House of Commons the 2012-13 Supplementary Estimates (B).
"Our Government remains committed to reining in spending and keeping taxes low," said Minister Clement. "Sound public finances are a cornerstone of our Government and we will continue to keep parliamentarians and Canadians informed of the Government's spending plans through this important financial reporting tool."
The 2012-13 Supplementary Estimates (B) provide information to support the Government's request for Parliament to approve $2.5 billion in voted appropriations for 63 organizations. These include planned expenditures for which spending authority has not yet been sought.
The Supplementary Estimates (B) also include a number of measures from Economic Action Plan 2012:
- $162 million to continue to support the implementation of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan;
- $91.4 million for the Industrial Research Assistance Program which supports research and development by small and medium sized firms; and,
- $75 million for the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.
Supplementary Estimates present information to Parliament on the Government of Canada's spending requirements which 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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BACKGROUNDER
Tabling of 2012-13 Supplementary Estimates (B)
The Budget is a broad policy document that sets out the Government's economic and fiscal plan for the upcoming five fiscal years. It identifies the broad spending priorities of the Government and details how the Government plans to collect and invest taxpayers' money. The Estimates support an Appropriation Act seeking Parliamentary approval for cash expenditures to be incurred during the year.
The Estimates (Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates A, B and C) provide information on the planned spending levels for each department and agency.
The purpose of Supplementary Estimates is to present to Parliament information on the Government of Canada's spending requirements that were either not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates, or have subsequently been refined to account for developments in particular programs and services.
Supplementary Estimates are normally tabled three times a year, the first document in May, the second in late October and the final in late February. Each Supplementary Estimates document is identified alphabetically A, B, and C.
The Estimates, along with the Minister of Finance's 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.
The 2012-13 Supplementary Estimates (B) provide information in support of the request for Parliament's approval of $2.5 billion in voted appropriations. For information on major changes to planned expenditures in the 2012-13 Supplementary Estimates (B), consult the introduction to Supplementary Estimates.
Total 2012-13 Supplementary Estimates (B) ($billions)
| |
Budgetary |
Non-Budgetary |
| Voted Appropriations |
2.5 |
0.0 |
| Statutory Expenditures |
0.3 |
0.0 |
| Total |
2.8 |
0.0 |
The Supplementary Estimates presents 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.
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. 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.
Departments and agencies have one or more of the following types of votes:
- Capital expenditures vote if capital expenditures exceed $5 million for the year.
- Grants and contributions vote if annual grants and/or contributions exceed $5 million.
- Operating expenditures vote if the department has a separate capital and/or grants and contributions vote.
- Program expenditures vote if capital and grants and contributions expenditures do not exceed $5 million.
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 appropriations bill is considered on the last Opposition day in each supply period.