Summary#

This bill authorizes the federal government to spend up to CAD $8,911,403,788 for 2023–2024, as set out in Supplementary Estimates (C). It is a year-end appropriation that funds ongoing programs and specific pressures across departments. It also sets rules for timing, accounting adjustments, and limited carry-forward into 2024–2025 (Schedules 1–2).

• Total authorized: $8,743,160,420 in Schedule 1 for 2023–2024, plus $168,243,368 in Schedule 2 available through March 31, 2025 (Schedules 1–2).
• Largest items: National Defence ($2,180,791,583), Indigenous Services ($2,039,010,190), and Treasury Board Secretariat compensation and benefits ($1,559,972,399) (Schedule 1).
• Student and apprentice loan debts: 20,201 debts written off, totaling $215,518,566 (Schedule 1, Employment and Social Development 10c).
• Indigenous loan guarantees: increases the cap the Minister may guarantee from $2.2 billion to $3.0 billion (authority change; no direct dollar outlay) (Schedule 1, Indigenous Services 15c).
• Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority: $507,329,726 to continue the Gordie Howe International Bridge project (Schedule 1).
• No tax changes; items are deemed effective April 1, 2023 (Bill clause “Effective date (2)”; Schedules 1–2).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • No change to tax rates or new permanent programs. This is spending authority to continue existing services in 2023–2024 (Bill preamble; Schedule references).
  • Program-level details are in Supplementary Estimates (C), which this Act references; the Act itself lists votes and totals, not service standards (Schedules 1–2).

• Students and apprentices

  • The government will write off 20,201 Canada Student Loans and Apprentice Loans debts totaling $215,518,566. This is an accounting write‑off for uncollectable debts under the Financial Administration Act (Schedule 1, Employment and Social Development 10c). It does not create a new forgiveness program.

• Indigenous communities and organizations

  • $2,039,010,190 to Indigenous Services, mostly for grants and contributions that flow through existing programs (Schedule 1, Indigenous Services 1c, 10c, 15c).
  • The cap on federal loan guarantees for eligible Indigenous projects increases from $2.2 billion to $3.0 billion, which can help communities access financing. It also increases the federal contingent liability (Schedule 1, Indigenous Services 15c).

• Federal employees and retirees

  • Funding for compensation adjustments ($1,171,701,202), paylist requirements like parental allowances and severance ($200,000,000), and public service insurance and benefits ($179,303,530) supports wage settlements and benefits administration (Schedule 1, Treasury Board Secretariat 15c, 30c, 20c).

• Commuters and border users

  • $507,329,726 to the Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority supports ongoing construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge (Schedule 1).
  • Canada Border Services Agency ($45,314,164) and Canada Revenue Agency ($122,929,204) receive funds that can be used this year or by March 31, 2025, supporting service continuity (Schedule 2; “Order of payment (2)”).

• Businesses and contractors

  • Capital and operating funds at National Defence ($2,180,791,583) and Public Works ($236,215,793) sustain procurement and facility projects (Schedule 1).
  • Other opportunities exist in Public Safety, RCMP, Transport, Fisheries and Oceans, and Indigenous Services through grants, contributions, and contracts (Schedule 1).

• Provinces, municipalities, and local partners

  • Certain votes allow contributions toward construction or local projects (e.g., Fisheries and Oceans capital; Environment; Public Works). Specific recipients and amounts are detailed in the Estimates, not this Act (Schedule 1, DFO 5c; Environment 5c; Public Works 5c).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: CAD $8,911,403,788 (FY2023–2024).

• Totals by Schedule:
  • Schedule 1 (available for 2023–2024): $8,743,160,420 (Schedule 1).
  • Schedule 2 (can be charged to 2023–2024 or 2024–2025; lapses after March 31, 2025): $168,243,368 (Schedule 2; “Order of payment (2)”).

Key line items (selected):

Notes:

• Items are spending authority “not exceeding” the stated amounts; actual spending may be less (Bill clause “$8,911,403,788 granted for 2023–24”).
• Many votes refer to “the grants listed in any of the Estimates for the fiscal year.” Program-level breakdowns are in Supplementary Estimates (C), not in this Act (Schedule 1, multiple departments).

Proponents' View#

• Ensures departments can meet late‑year pressures without interrupting services, since all items are effective as of April 1, 2023 (Bill clause “Effective date (2)”; Schedules 1–2).
• Supports public service wage settlements and benefits administration, reducing payroll backlogs and ensuring mandated payments, via $1,171,701,202 (Compensation Adjustments), $200,000,000 (Paylist Requirements), and $179,303,530 (Public Service Insurance) (Schedule 1, Treasury Board Secretariat 15c, 30c, 20c).
• Advances critical infrastructure and trade by funding the Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority with $507,329,726 to keep the Gordie Howe International Bridge on track (Schedule 1).
• Provides significant funding for Indigenous services ($2,039,010,190) and increases the federal loan guarantee cap to $3.0 billion to facilitate community projects (Schedule 1, Indigenous Services 1c, 10c, 15c).
• Maintains national security and readiness with $2,180,791,583 for National Defence operations, capital, and grants (Schedule 1).
• Cleans up uncollectable student debt (20,201 accounts; $215,518,566), reducing administrative costs of pursuing debts unlikely to be recovered (Schedule 1, Employment and Social Development 10c).

Opponents' View#

• Adds $8,911,403,788 late in the fiscal year through Supplementary Estimates (C), raising concerns about budget discipline and limited time for parliamentary scrutiny (Schedules 1–2).
• Large compensation and paylist items total $1,559,972,399, which may reflect ongoing pressures and could contribute to structural spending growth (Schedule 1, Treasury Board Secretariat 15c, 20c, 30c).
• Many votes allow “the grants listed in any of the Estimates,” leaving program‑level details outside the Act and making it harder to assess specific outcomes from this appropriation alone (Schedule 1, multiple departments).
• Increasing the Indigenous loan guarantee cap to $3.0 billion expands federal contingent liabilities and exposes taxpayers if projects default (Schedule 1, Indigenous Services 15c).
• Big capital allocations (e.g., Defence; Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority at $507,329,726) carry delivery and cost‑overrun risks typical of large projects (Schedule 1).
• Schedule 2 funds can be paid up to March 31, 2025, which may weaken fiscal‑year discipline and blur accountability on when results are delivered (“Order of payment (2)”; Schedule 2).