Summary#

This bill authorizes the federal government to spend up to CAD $4,680,112,624 to cover extra 2022–23 costs that were not already funded, based on Supplementary Estimates (C). It is a supply bill (permission to spend public money) that keeps programs and services running through March 31, 2023, with some items allowed to be paid through March 31, 2024 (Schedule 2). It does not change tax rates or set new programs; it funds existing purposes listed in the Estimates (Bill — Amount granted; Schedule 1; Schedule 2).

• Funds major top-ups for National Defence ($897.7 million), Indigenous Services ($764.1 million), and Foreign Affairs ($589.1 million) (Schedule 1).
• Supports Immigration operations and grants ($318.9 million), Employment and Social Development ($302.6 million), Health ($180.3 million), and Public Safety ($145.8 million) (Schedule 1).
• Lets the government write off 23,142 defaulted student/apprentice loan debts totaling $227.5 million (accounting action) (Schedule 1 — ESDC Vote 10c).
• Allows up to $115.0 million for the World Bank’s Ukraine Multi-Donor Trust Fund and up to $338.2 million to international financial institutions (Schedule 1 — Finance Vote 15c; Foreign Affairs Vote 20c).
• Gives the Canada Revenue Agency ($337.2 million) and Canada Border Services Agency ($40.9 million) funding that can be spent through March 31, 2024 (Schedule 2).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • Student and apprentice borrowers with very old, uncollectible debts: Government writes off 23,142 debts totaling $227,472,139. This is an accounting step under the Financial Administration Act. It does not create a new benefit or application process (Schedule 1 — ESDC Vote 10c).
  • Veterans and families: Veterans Affairs gets $97,427,000 for grants and contributions and $1,411,000 for operations to support existing programs; no new benefit rules are set in this bill (Schedule 1 — VAC).
  • Health users: Health Canada and the Public Health Agency receive $212,926,000 combined for operations and contributions to maintain services; no new entitlements are created (Schedule 1 — Health; PHAC).
  • Immigration clients: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada receives $318,913,000 for operations, capital, and grants/contributions. This supports services listed in the Estimates; the bill does not specify recipients (Schedule 1 — IRCC).

• Workers

  • Federal employees and contractors: Departments receive operating funds to pay staff and suppliers through year‑end (e.g., National Defence $616.8 million operating; Health $176.6 million; IRCC $114.3 million) (Schedule 1).
  • Researchers and students: Granting councils get added funds (NSERC $21.7 million; SSHRC $12.0 million). The National Research Council gets $59.5 million for grants/contributions, including for the Thirty Meter Telescope (Schedule 1).

• Businesses

  • Suppliers: More procurement opportunities where capital or operating funds increase (e.g., Defence $20.3 million capital; Transport $26.7 million capital) (Schedule 1).
  • Regulated firms: Added operating funds for regulators may affect service times and oversight (Canadian Food Inspection Agency $27.6 million; Canadian Energy Regulator $9.2 million; Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission $3.6 million) (Schedule 1).
  • Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation: Authorized to borrow from non‑government lenders; no amount specified (Schedule 1 — FFMC).

• Local and Indigenous governments

  • Indigenous communities: Indigenous Services gets $692,039,922 for grants/contributions; Crown‑Indigenous Relations gets $62,153,389 for grants/contributions. Uses are as listed in the Estimates, not detailed in the bill (Schedule 1).
  • Provinces/municipalities: Smaller contributions may flow via Transport ($19,306,536), Fisheries and Oceans ($2,250,000), Infrastructure Canada ($7,279,352), and Parks Canada programs, as listed in the Estimates (Schedule 1).

• Service users

  • Taxpayers and travelers: CRA ($337,177,267) and CBSA ($40,858,545) receive funds that can be spent up to March 31, 2024 to support operations (Schedule 2).
  • International assistance: Up to $115,000,000 to the World Bank’s Ukraine fund and up to $338,181,748 to international financial institutions; not domestic programs (Schedule 1 — Finance Vote 15c; Foreign Affairs Vote 20c).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: CAD $4,680,112,624 (FY2022–23), of which $378,035,812 may be spent through March 31, 2024 (Schedule 2).

• Total voted in Schedule 1: $4,302,076,812 (Schedule 1).
• Total voted in Schedule 2: $378,035,812 (Schedule 2).
• Key items are summarized below.

Notes:

• Each item must be spent only for the purpose listed in the Estimates (Bill — Purpose of each item).
• Many votes say “grants listed in any of the Estimates.” Specific recipients are in Supplementary Estimates (C), not in the bill (Schedule 1).
• Schedule 2 items can be paid until March 31, 2024; unspent balances then lapse (Bill — Schedule 2; Order of payment).

Proponents' View#

• Ensures essential services continue by topping up departments before year‑end, a normal step in the supply cycle (Bill — Amount granted; Schedule 1).
• Targets urgent pressures, including Indigenous services ($692.0 million in grants/contributions) and defence ($897.7 million), which proponents say address health, infrastructure, and security needs (Schedule 1 — ISC; DND).
• Supports international commitments, including up to $115.0 million for Ukraine’s World Bank fund and up to $338.2 million for international financial institutions (Schedule 1 — Finance Vote 15c; DFATD Vote 20c).
• Cleans up the public accounts by writing off long‑uncollectible student/apprentice loan debts ($227.5 million; 23,142 accounts), improving financial reporting (Schedule 1 — ESDC Vote 10c).
• Allows CRA and CBSA to carry funds into 2023–24 to maintain operations during peak periods, reducing rushed year‑end spending (Schedule 2).

Opponents' View#

• Limited transparency in the bill text: many lines authorize “grants listed in any of the Estimates” without naming programs or recipients; Parliament votes large sums with details only in Supplementary Estimates (C) (Schedule 1).
• Retroactive effect (items deemed effective April 1, 2022) and broad transfer authorities may reduce real‑time scrutiny of changes (Bill — Effective date; Transfers of appropriations).
• Risk of year‑end rush or lapses: most funds must be spent by March 31, 2023, except Schedule 2; hurried spending can reduce value for money (Bill — Schedule 2; Lapse rule).
• Foreign assistance caps (up to $115.0 million and up to $338.2 million) may draw concern about prioritizing international over domestic uses within a late‑year package (Schedule 1 — Finance Vote 15c; DFATD Vote 20c).
• The loan “write‑off” item is an accounting action, not targeted relief; critics may argue it does not fix causes of defaults or improve current borrower supports (Schedule 1 — ESDC Vote 10c).