The Government of Canada Tables the Supplementary Estimates (A), 2013-14

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 10, 2013) - Today, the Government of Canada tabled the Supplementary Estimates (A), 2013-14 in the House of Commons.

"Through Economic Action Plan 2013, our Government remain focused on the priorities of Canadians, creating jobs and economic growth while keeping taxes low and balancing the budget by 2015," said the Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board.

The Supplementary Estimates present information to Parliament on elements of the Government of Canada's spending requirements that were already planned for in Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 or in previous budgets. They include items 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.

The Supplementary Estimates (A), 2013-14 provide information on $1.1 billion in voted appropriations for 16 organizations, as well as information on $8 million in statutory expenditures. This includes items such as:

• $230 million for Public Safety Canada to increase funding for the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement program, which provides the Government of Canada the means to assist provincial and territorial governments in the event of a large-scale natural disaster.
• $47 million for Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to provide financial support to farmers against market volatility and agricultural disasters.
• $260 million to allow Atomic Energy of Canada Limited to continue isotope production; wind down the Dedicated Isotopes Facility; and complete infrastructure and operational upgrades related to health, safety, security, and environmental priorities or regulatory requirements during the restructuring of the Nuclear Laboratories.

For more information on these or other initiatives found in the Supplementary Estimates (A), 2013-14, please contact the responsible departments.

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BACKGROUNDER

TABLING OF SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES (A), 2013-14

The Main and Supplementary Estimates provide information on the planned spending levels for each federal department and agency. 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.

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 (A), 2013-14 provide information on $1.1 billion in voted appropriations for 16 organizations and $8 million in statutory expenditures:

• Voted Appropriations are those for which parliamentary authority is sought through an appropriation bill. The "Vote" sets out the maximum "up to" amount that may be spent in the fiscal year, as well as the broad funding purpose. An organization cannot exceed the amount of the Vote, but may spend less. The Public Accounts of Canada and 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 Main and Supplementary Estimates, as well as Budgets and Updates of Economic and Fiscal Projections, reflect the Government's financial plans and resource allocation priorities at different points in the fiscal year. In combination with the subsequent reporting of financial results and actual expenditures in the Public Accounts and of results achieved in Departmental Performance Reports, Estimates documents help Parliament hold the Government to account for the allocation and management of public funds.

Upon tabling, the Main and Supplementary Estimates are referred to various parliamentary standing committees, 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 transfer funds to another Vote. After review by committees, an appropriation bill is tabled for Parliament's approval.