Minister Brison tables 2018-19 Interim Estimates, a milestone in Estimates Reform that improves reporting to Parliament and Canadians

OTTAWA, Feb. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government is committed to strengthening the oversight of taxpayer dollars and the clarity and consistency of financial reporting to parliamentarians and Canadians.

For fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020, the Main Estimates will be tabled by April 16, instead of by March 1. This is intended to allow parliamentarians and Canadians to see better alignment between the budget and estimates, making it easier for them to hold the government to account. This change also helps to fulfill a key government commitment to improve reporting to Parliament.

With the Main Estimates being tabled at a later date, the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, tabled Interim Estimates for fiscal year 2018 to 2019 in Parliament today to support the government's request for sufficient funding to begin the fiscal year.

The Government also tabled the Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year 2017 to 2018. Among other things, these estimates provide better support to the families of ill and injured veterans, help attract talent to strengthen university research, build strong Indigenous communities and support innovation to solve Canada's big challenges, which are all priorities announced in Budget 2017.

All detailed information on planned government spending is available online, with the goal of continually advancing Canada's international open government leadership role.

Quote

"We are committed to making sure parliamentarians have the information they need to do their jobs effectively. By adjusting the timing of the Main Estimates so they follow the federal Budget, we are providing parliamentarians and Canadians a clear line of sight as they review government spending."

- The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

Quick Facts

• For fiscal year 2018 to 2019, the Interim Estimates are a new information document for Parliament, setting out the voted budgetary and non-budgetary expenditures to support the government's first request to Parliament for funds for the beginning of the fiscal year starting April 1, 2018.
• These interim authorities will allow the government to continue delivering programs and services to Canadians, without interruption, in the first three months of fiscal year 2018 to 2019.
• In June 2017, the House of Commons approved a motion to change Standing Order 81 in order to allow the tabling of Main Estimates as late as April 16. This change will be in effect for the next two years, on a pilot basis.
• Through Supplementary Estimates (C), the government is seeking $4.0 billion in funding on behalf of 48 organizations for a range of initiatives, including creating more opportunities to support Indigenous people, attracting talent to strengthen universities, and implementing innovative climate change solutions.
• The Supplementary Estimates (C) set out voted and non-voted government planned spending needs for the rest of the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year to Parliament for approval on 10 major initiatives of $150 million or more and 12 horizontal initiatives, involving two or more federal organizations.

Associated Links

• Interim Estimates for fiscal year 2018 to 2019
• TBS InfoBase - Finances
• Supplementary Estimates

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SOURCE Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat