Summary#
Appropriation Act No. 2, 2022–23 authorizes the federal government to withdraw up to CAD $115,056,882,851 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover voted program spending for the year ending March 31, 2023 that is not otherwise provided for. It implements the 2022–23 Main Estimates items listed in Schedules 1 and 2, effective April 1, 2022 (Bill, Summary; Bill, “There may be paid…”; Effective date). Some Schedule 2 amounts can be paid through March 31, 2024 (Schedule 2; Order of payment).
- Keeps federal programs and services operating in 2022–2023 across health, defence, Indigenous services, benefits administration, infrastructure, and more (Schedules 1–2).
- Largest voted lines include Indigenous Services ($39.47 billion), National Defence ($24.29 billion), Employment and Social Development ($11.40 billion), Public Health Agency ($8.42 billion), and Treasury Board central votes ($7.82 billion) (Schedule 1).
- Authorizes many departments to re‑spend certain revenues to offset costs (e.g., under Financial Administration Act s.29.1(2)(a)) (Schedule 1, multiple votes).
- Unspent Schedule 2 funds lapse after the following fiscal year, with payments allowed until March 31, 2024 (Schedule 2; Order of payment).
What it means for you#
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: CAD $115,056,882,851 (FY2022–2023).
- Total authorized by this Act: $115,056,882,851, composed of:
- $110,368,266,209 for Schedule 1 items, net of interim appropriations (Bill, paragraph (a); Schedule 1 heading).
- $4,688,616,642 for Schedule 2 items, net of interim appropriations (Bill, paragraph (b); Schedule 2 heading).
- Gross schedule totals and prior interim appropriations:
- Schedule 1 gross: $184,288,798,540; less $73,920,532,331 granted earlier (Appropriation Act No. 1, 2022–23) (Schedule 1 heading).
- Schedule 2 gross: $6,251,488,857; less $1,562,872,215 granted earlier (Appropriation Act No. 1, 2022–23) (Schedule 2 heading).
- Selected large voted amounts (FY2022–2023):
| Item | Amount | Fiscal availability | Source |
|---|
| Indigenous Services Canada | $39,465,816,483 | FY2022–23 | Schedule 1 |
| National Defence | $24,291,816,334 | FY2022–23 | Schedule 1 |
| Employment and Social Development | $11,397,344,129 | FY2022–23 | Schedule 1 |
| Public Health Agency of Canada | $8,415,625,733 | FY2022–23 | Schedule 1 |
| Treasury Board Secretariat (central votes total) | $7,818,222,862 | FY2022–23 | Schedule 1 |
| Infrastructure Canada | $7,061,893,193 | FY2022–23 | Schedule 1 |
| Global Affairs Canada | $7,288,792,552 | FY2022–23 | Schedule 1 |
| Canada Revenue Agency (Schedule 2) | $4,119,778,629 | FY2022–23 to FY2023–24 | Schedule 2 |
| Canada Border Services Agency (Schedule 2) | $2,131,710,228 | FY2022–23 to FY2023–24 | Schedule 2 |
- Central votes include, for example: Government Contingencies $750,000,000; Operating Budget Carry Forward $2,100,000,000; Capital Budget Carry Forward $700,000,000; Paylist Requirements $600,000,000; Public Service Insurance $3,195,856,257; Government‑wide Initiatives $152,305,896 (Schedule 1: Treasury Board Secretariat).
- Some items are loan authorities (e.g., Finance loan to International Development Association up to USD $287,710,000; Global Affairs share purchases/loans in USD; Industry loans) and many votes include revenue re‑spend authorities under the Financial Administration Act, which can lower net cash outlays (Schedule 1: Finance L10; Global Affairs L25, L30; Industry L20; multiple 29.1(2)(a) references).
Proponents' View#
- Ensures continuity of essential services and payments across government for 2022–2023, including health ($3.71 billion for Health; $8.42 billion for PHAC), defence ($24.29 billion), Indigenous services ($39.47 billion), and employment and social programs ($11.40 billion) (Schedule 1).
- Aligns with Main Estimates; Parliament votes on detailed items listed in Schedules 1–2, with purposes and conditions stated for each vote (Schedule 1; “Purpose of each item”).
- Includes controls and timelines: funds must be used only for the stated purposes; Schedule 2 amounts lapse after the following fiscal year; adjustments after year‑end cannot draw new cash (Bill, Purpose clause; Schedule 2; Adjustments clauses).
- Provides operational flexibility to manage urgent or unforeseen needs through central votes (e.g., Government Contingencies $750 million) and carry‑forward mechanisms, avoiding service interruptions (Schedule 1: Treasury Board Secretariat).
- Allows cost recovery and revenue re‑spending in many organizations (e.g., regulators, service agencies), which can offset gross spending and reduce pressure on general revenues (Schedule 1, multiple 29.1(2)(a) authorities).
Opponents' View#
- Scale and complexity make scrutiny difficult; the Act bundles hundreds of items and authorities into one supply bill, which can limit detailed parliamentary review within tight timelines (Schedules 1–2).
- Central votes give the Treasury Board broad authority to supplement other appropriations and adjust grants and contributions during the year, which can reduce upfront transparency (Schedule 1: Treasury Board “Government Contingencies,” “Operating/Capital Carry Forward,” “Paylist Requirements”).
- Two‑year appropriation for CRA and CBSA (Schedule 2) can shift spending into the next year; unspent balances lapse after 2023–2024, creating risks of deferrals or year‑end spending pressures (Schedule 2; Order of payment).
- Many votes include wide revenue re‑spending authorities under the Financial Administration Act s.29.1(2)(a), which can obscure the net fiscal impact when comparing gross voted amounts to actual cash needs (Schedule 1, multiple votes).
- Loan and share‑purchase authorities introduce repayment and foreign‑exchange risks, even when aimed at international institutions (e.g., Finance L10: USD $287,710,000; Global Affairs L25: USD $113,066,671; L30: $201,000,000) (Schedule 1).