Government of Canada Tables 2015-16 Main Estimates with Continued Focus on Responsible Government Spending

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 24, 2015) - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Today, the Government of Canada tabled the 2015-16 Main Estimates in the House of Commons.

The Main Estimates provide information on $241.6 billion in planned budgetary expenditures for the 2015-16 fiscal year. This amount includes $88.2 billion in planned voted expenditures, which has increased from $86.3 billion in 2014-15, largely due to the implementation of the Canada Job Fund and the Canada First Defence Strategy. Statutory spending has increased by $4.3 billion compared to last year, largely due to changes in the forecast of elderly benefits and the Canada Health Transfer.

Quick Facts

• The Main Estimates support the Government's request for Parliament's approval of expenditures that were already planned for in Canada's Economic Action Plan 2014 or in previous decisions.
  
  
• The Main Estimates reflect the Government's resource allocation priorities for the fiscal year. The voted amounts represent maximum "up to" ceilings or estimates and may not be fully spent during the course of the year. Actual expenditures are found in the Public Accounts.
  
  
• These estimates, combined with the Reports on Plans and Priorities, Public Accounts, and Departmental Performance Reports, help inform Parliament and hold the Government to account for allocating and managing public funds.
  
  
• The Main Estimates voted appropriations include the following items:
  
  
  • Employment and Social Development's $499 million of the Canada Job Fund and Job Grant to help equip Canadians with the skills and training they need to fill available jobs;
    
    
  • $447.9 million for the Canada First Defence Strategy for the modernization of the Canadian Forces.
    
    
  • $315.6 million in funding for the operations, repairs and maintenance of the Jacques-Cartier and Champlain bridges.
    
    
  • $211.7 million increase in funding for Infrastructure Canada's Building Canada Fund.
    
    
• Any planned expenditures to be announced in Budget 2015 will be included in future estimates documents.
  
  

Quotes

"This year's Main Estimates reinforces our commitment to responsible government spending and a return to balanced budgets in 2015."

- Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board

Related products

- 2015-16 Main Estimates

Associated Links

- The Reporting Cycle for Government Expenditures

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