Summary

Bill C-79, titled "Appropriation Act No. 4, 2024-25," is a legislative measure that proposes to allocate a total of $21,632,370,126 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support the various charges and expenses of Canada's federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The amount included in the bill is designated for expenditures that are not covered by the previous budgets and involves several specific allocations detailed in the supplementary estimates provided.

What it means for you

The bill will affect several groups including:

• Government Employees and Federal Agencies: The bill provides funding for salaries and operational costs, which may positively impact employees working in federal agencies and programs funded through this bill.
• Service Recipients: Various services and programs funded through this act, including health, social services, public safety, and environmental initiatives, may see enhancements or continued support, benefiting citizens reliant on these services.
• Taxpayers: The funding requires appropriations from government revenues, which could have long-term implications for taxpayers in terms of future taxation or budget allocations.
• Indigenous and Minority Groups: Specific provisions for Indigenous services and contributions towards equity initiatives may positively impact these communities.

Expenses

The bill presents a comprehensive list of appropriations, detailed in two schedules. Below are the detailed expenditures as specified in Schedule 1:

Schedule 1 - Part 1

| Vote No. | Items | Amount ($) | Total ($) | |----------|-------|-------------|-----------| | 1b | ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS SUPPORT SERVICE OF CANADA | 1,705,807 | 1,705,807 | | 1b | ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY | 327,851 | 7,634,421 | | 5b | Contributions | 7,306,570 | | | 1b | CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION | 742,513,960 | 742,513,960 | | 1b | CANADIAN AIR TRANSPORT SECURITY AUTHORITY | 16,461,023 | 16,461,023 | | 1b | CANADIAN ENERGY REGULATOR | 1,457,588 | 1,457,588 | | 1b | CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY | 9,734,281 | 10,334,281 | | 5b | Capital Expenditures | 600,000 | | | 1b | CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC RESEARCH STATION | 3,500,000 | 3,500,000 | | 1b | CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION | 1,158,787 | 1,158,787 | | 1b | CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH | 1,214,467 | 55,357,745 | | 5b | The grants listed in any of the Estimates for the fiscal year | 54,143,278 | | | 1b | CANADIAN NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY | 738,307 | 8,602,513 | | 5b | The grants listed in any of the Estimates for the fiscal year | 7,864,206 | | | 1b | CANADIAN RACE RELATIONS FOUNDATION | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | | 1b | CANADIAN RADIO-TELEVISION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION | 668,334 | 668,334 | | 1b | CANADIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE | 50,053,928 | 50,053,928 | | 1b | CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY | 14,233,340 | 258,708,060 | | 5b | Capital Expenditures | 244,474,720 | | | 1b | COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT | 48,436,903 | 48,436,903 | | 1b | CORRECTIONAL SERVICE OF CANADA | 489,611,180 | 506,855,428 | | 5b | Capital Expenditures | 17,244,248 | | | 1b | COURTS ADMINISTRATION SERVICE | 5,990,525 | 5,990,525 | | 1b | DEPARTMENT FOR WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY | 99,942 | 4,464,942 | | 5b | Contributions | 4,365,000 | |

Schedule 1 - Part 2

| Vote No. | Items | Amount ($) | Total ($) | |----------|-------|-------------|-----------| | 1b | DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD | 14,466,757 | 116,586,002 | | 5b | Capital Expenditures | 21,809 | | | 5b | Contributions | 102,097,436 | | | 1b | DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE | 10,725,771 | 262,956,090 | | 5b | Contributions | 252,230,319 | | | 1b | DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION | 398,814,693 | 1,222,173,237 | | 5b | Capital Expenditures | 619,135 | | | 5b | Contributions, including the provision of goods and services | 822,739,409 | | | 1b | DEPARTMENT OF CROWN-INDIGENOUS RELATIONS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS | 137,084,672 | 1,385,445,915 | | 10b | Contributions | 1,248,361,243 | | | 1b | DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT | 44,921,808 | 108,862,572 | | 5b | Contributions | 63,940,764 | |

Note: Due to length, only part of Schedule 1 is displayed here. The same level of detail applies to other sections.

Schedule 2

The specific amounts and allocations under Schedule 2 will exhibit similar categorizations with additional appropriated sums.

Proponents' View

Supporters of Bill C-79 argue that the bill is essential for maintaining and improving necessary government services. They believe that the funding ensures the stability of ongoing programs that support public health, infrastructure, security, and social services. Proponents claim that timely appropriations will minimize disruptions to government operations and improve the quality and efficiency of services provided to citizens.

Opponents' View

Critics of the bill express concerns about the large size of the appropriations and the implications for future government borrowing and taxation. They may argue that the bill reflects a lack of fiscal restraint and poses risks to future budgetary flexibility. Opponents also highlight the possibility of misallocation or mismanagement of resources, urging for greater accountability and scrutiny before approving such large sums.

Overall, Bill C-79 is a significant legislative act, with wide-ranging implications for public administration financing and numerous stakeholders, including government employees, service recipients, and taxpayers.