Summary#
This bill temporarily changes how the federal government can approve urgent spending when Parliament cannot meet. It lets the Governor in Council (Cabinet) issue a “special warrant” (a legal order to spend without a prior vote) while Parliament is in session but not sitting, if no other approved funding exists. On June 24, 2020, this change expires and the law reverts to the usual, tighter rules.
- Allows urgent payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (the federal government’s main account) while Parliament is in session but not sitting, if no appropriation exists (s.30(1)(a)-(b) as amended).
- Requires a report from the President of the Treasury Board and the responsible minister stating there is no appropriation and the payment is urgently required for the public good (s.30(1)).
- Until June 24, 2020: sends each warrant to party representatives and the Clerk, and publishes it in the Canada Gazette within 7 days (s.30(3)(a)-(c) as amended).
- On June 24, 2020: restores the prior regime—special warrants only when Parliament is not in session during the post‑election period; bars use during prorogation in that 60‑day window; publishes within 30 days and tables a statement in the House at the next session (s.30(1), s.30(1.1), s.30(3); Coming into Force).
What it means for you#
- Households and businesses:
- Government can fund urgent programs or payments during adjournments when Parliament is in session but not sitting, until June 24, 2020. This applies only if no approved funding exists and the payment is “urgently required for the public good” (s.30(1)).
- Service users (people relying on federal services or benefits):
- Fewer delays in urgent payments during non‑sitting periods before June 24, 2020, because Cabinet can authorize spending by special warrant (s.30(1)).
- Members of Parliament and recognized parties:
- Receive copies of each warrant as soon as issued; the Clerk receives a copy within 7 days; the public notice appears in the Canada Gazette within 7 days (s.30(3)(a)-(c) as amended).
- After June 24, 2020, a statement listing all warrants must be laid before the House within 15 days of the next session start, and Gazette publication occurs within 30 days (s.30(3) as restored).
- Federal departments and agencies:
- May request a special warrant only when no appropriation exists and the payment is urgent. The President of the Treasury Board and the responsible minister must certify these conditions (s.30(1)).
- After June 24, 2020, special warrants are limited to the period from dissolution to 60 days after the return of writs following a general election, and cannot be used during prorogation within that 60‑day period (s.30(1) and s.30(1.1)).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.
- No direct appropriation in the bill. It changes when and how special warrants can be issued; it does not set amounts (s.30(1)).
- Any spending occurs via individual warrants approved under the “urgent and no existing appropriation” test. Amounts and purposes are not in the bill text (Data unavailable).
- Transparency requirements:
- Until June 24, 2020: send to party representatives and the Clerk, and publish in the Canada Gazette within 7 days (s.30(3)(a)-(c)).
- From June 24, 2020: publish in the Canada Gazette within 30 days and table a statement in the House within 15 days of the next session (s.30(3)).
Proponents' View#
- Ensures continuity of government services during adjournments. Allows urgent payments when Parliament is in session but cannot sit, and no appropriation exists (s.30(1)(a)-(b)).
- Includes safeguards. Requires reports from the President of the Treasury Board and the responsible minister that the payment is urgent and lacks an appropriation (s.30(1)).
- Time‑limited authority. The temporary expansion ends on June 24, 2020, restoring the usual restrictions and adding a bar on use during prorogation in the post‑election window (s.30(1.1); Coming into Force).
- Quick transparency. Copies go to recognized party representatives immediately, to the Clerk within 7 days, and publication occurs in the Canada Gazette within 7 days (s.30(3)(a)-(c)).
- Maintains parliamentary awareness. After the sunset, a consolidated statement must be laid before the House early in the next session (s.30(3) as restored).
Opponents' View#
- Weakens parliamentary control temporarily. Allows executive spending without a prior vote while Parliament is in session but not sitting, rather than limiting it to when Parliament is not in session (s.30(1) as temporarily amended).
- Vague urgency standard. “Urgently required for the public good” is not defined in the bill, which could permit broad interpretation (s.30(1)).
- No spending cap in statute. The bill sets no dollar limits on warrants; amounts are not disclosed in advance (s.30(1); Data unavailable).
- Ex ante oversight is limited. Decisions rest on internal ministerial reports; Parliament is informed after issuance, not before (s.30(1); s.30(3)).
- Reporting gap during the temporary period. The requirement to table a consolidated statement in the House applies only after June 24, 2020; before then, notice is by transmission and Gazette publication (s.30(3)).