Summary#

This supply bill authorizes the federal government to spend up to CAD $20,796,964,176 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover 2022–2023 expenses not already approved in earlier estimates. It implements Supplementary Estimates (B), setting out department-by-department items and conditions. Most items take effect retroactively to April 1, 2022, and some can be spent until March 31, 2024 (Schedule 2).

• Total authorized: $20,796,964,176, split between Schedule 1 ($20,385,294,997) and Schedule 2 ($411,669,179) (Schedules 1–2).
• Funds may be used only for the stated purposes in each item (Bill — Purpose of each item).
• Items are deemed effective April 1, 2022; Schedule 2 items can be paid through March 31, 2024, with unspent balances then lapsing (Bill — Effective date; Order of payment; Schedule 2).
• Adjustments to the accounts are allowed after year-end for items in Schedules 1–2, without further cash payments (Bill — Adjustments in accounts).
• Transfers listed in the Estimates are deemed authorized as of April 1, 2022 (Bill — Transfers of appropriations).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • Core federal services continue. This bill keeps departments funded through March 31, 2023, avoiding service interruptions (Authorization clause; Schedules 1–2).
  • Public health programs are supported by $1,362,767,516 for the Public Health Agency of Canada and $170,395,528 for Health Canada (Schedule 1).
  • Housing programs administered by CMHC receive $694,622,759 in reimbursements for loan forgiveness and related costs under the National Housing Act (Schedule 1).

• Indigenous peoples and communities

  • Significant funding authority to Crown‑Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs ($6,295,072,424) and Indigenous Services Canada ($2,220,494,576) for operating costs and contributions, including capital at ISC (Schedule 1).

• Newcomers and refugees

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is authorized $1,181,595,286 for operations, capital, and contributions “including the provision of goods and services” (Schedule 1).

• Travelers and border users

  • Canada Border Services Agency receives $217,846,786 (operating and capital) that can be charged to 2022–2023 or 2023–2024, payable through March 31, 2024 (Schedule 2; Order of payment).

• Businesses and nonprofits

  • Regional development agencies (e.g., Western Economic Diversification $106,130,786; Quebec $126,642,591; Pacific $85,535,883; Atlantic $20,000,000) receive contribution authority (Schedule 1).
  • Global Affairs Canada is authorized $1,210,664,263 for trade promotion, international assistance, and related contributions (Schedule 1).

• Public servants and pension/benefit plan members

  • Treasury Board Secretariat central votes cover compensation adjustments ($385,380,126), public service insurance and benefits ($536,506,604), and operating budget carry-forward ($415,000,000) (Schedule 1).

• Local and provincial governments

  • Several votes allow contributions to provinces and municipalities for projects (e.g., Fisheries and Oceans capital contributions; Environment capital; Parks Canada contributions) (Schedule 1 — DFO 5b; Environment 5b; Parks Canada 1b).

• Arts, culture, and media users

  • Funding authority for CBC ($21,000,000), Canada Council ($9,200,000), Telefilm ($9,200,000), museums, and galleries supports ongoing operations (Schedule 1).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: CAD $20,796,964,176 (FY2022–2023).

• Key totals from the bill:
  • Schedule 1 total: $20,385,294,997 (Schedule 1).
  • Schedule 2 total: $411,669,179 (Schedule 2).
  • Combined: $20,796,964,176 (Summary; Authorization clause).

• Other notable items:
  • Transport Canada $151,570,682; Health Canada $170,395,528; Agriculture and Agri‑Food $149,214,887; Public Services and Procurement $192,728,830 (Schedule 1).
  • Departments and agencies often have authority to spend revenues they collect to offset related expenditures (multiple votes in Schedule 1).

Proponents' View#

• Ensures continuity of government services by providing $20,796,964,176 in additional 2022–2023 authority based on Supplementary Estimates (B) (Summary; Schedules 1–2).
• Targets priority areas with large, specified allocations, including Indigenous services and settlements ($8.52 billion combined for CIRNAC and ISC), public health ($1.36 billion to PHAC), and public safety ($1.66 billion) (Schedule 1).
• Supports immigration processing and newcomer services through IRCC operating, capital, and contribution authority totaling $1.18 billion (Schedule 1).
• Provides central funding for negotiated pay and benefits ($385.38 million compensation adjustments; $536.51 million public service insurance) to avoid ad hoc pressures on departments (Schedule 1 — TBS 15b, 20b).
• Allows timely response to late‑year needs by deeming items effective April 1, 2022 and permitting certain payments to be made up to March 31, 2024 (Bill — Effective date; Order of payment; Schedule 2).

Opponents' View#

• Oversight limits: A single omnibus appropriation makes it hard to scrutinize program‑level impacts despite precise totals (Schedules 1–2). Many items are broad (e.g., “the grants listed in any of the Estimates for the fiscal year”).
• Retroactive effect reduces in‑year parliamentary control, since items are deemed effective April 1, 2022 even if passed later (Bill — Effective date).
• Carry‑forward risk: Schedule 2 funds can be paid until March 31, 2024, and lapsing rules may blur year‑end accountability (Bill — Order of payment; Schedule 2).
• Large central votes concentrate spending authority at Treasury Board Secretariat ($1.37 billion total, including $415 million operating budget carry‑forward), which may weaken line‑department transparency (Schedule 1 — TBS 25b).
• Future‑year commitments: National Defence is authorized total commitments of $52,571,272,691, with $28,418,149,125 due in future years, raising concerns about long‑term liabilities beyond the fiscal year (Schedule 1 — DND 1b).
• Widespread authority to “expend revenues received” across departments can reduce visibility on gross spending and service cost recovery (multiple votes in Schedule 1).