Minister Brison Tables 2016-17 Main Estimates

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 23, 2016) - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, today tabled the 2016-17 Main Estimates in the House of Commons.

The 2016-17 Main Estimates provide information to support the Government's request for Parliament to approve $250.1 billion in spending to deliver existing programs and services in the fiscal year starting April 1.

An interim supply bill seeking Parliament's approval to spend funds in line with these Main Estimates will be tabled no later than March 26. The interim supply bill will seek approval for monies that would cover planned government expenditures for the first three months of the fiscal year.

The Government has committed to strengthening oversight of spending by aligning the Budget and Estimates processes. It has started discussions on this complex process that will make the planning, spending and tracking of tax dollars more timely and more transparent.

Quick Facts

• The Main Estimates include $89.8 billion in planned voted expenditures and $160.3 billion in statutory expenditures.
• Main Estimates reflect spending proposals that are already planned and represent "up-to" amounts.
• According to the current parliamentary supply process, details of new expenditures announced in the upcoming Budget will be presented by the Government through Supplementary Estimates (A) in spring- 2016, or later, as these details become available.
• The Government has already improved reporting on spending by adding, for the first time, an online annex to the 2015-16 Supplementary Estimates (C) listing the anticipated lapses of federal organizations.

Quotes

"Oversight of government spending is one of the most important roles that parliamentarians play on behalf of their constituents. To do that, they need access to accurate and timely information."

"While Canadians rightfully expect transparency from government, the ability of their elected representatives to scrutinize government spending has slowly eroded over time."

"I am committed to working with parliamentarians and other stakeholders to find ways to improve parliamentary oversight of government spending. Better aligning processes and timing for the Budget and Estimates will strengthen the clarity and consistency of financial reporting."

- Honourable. Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

Associated Links

2016–17 Main Estimates

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