Summary#

This is the federal interim spending bill for Canada’s 2024–2025 fiscal year. It authorizes the government to spend up to CAD $74,011,525,281 to keep programs and services running until full-year funding is approved. Amounts are tied to the 2024–25 Main Estimates and are released in fractions of annual funding (“twelfths”) to match early-year needs (Bill s. 2).

• Keeps federal services funded through March 31, 2025; some items may be charged through March 31, 2026 (Schedule 2).
• Directs large interim funding to Indigenous services and settlements, veterans’ programs, health, research councils, and core operations (Schedules 1.1–1.8).
• Sets aside $687.5 million for urgent or unforeseen needs under Government Contingencies (Schedule 1.8).
• Caps international development payments for 2024–25 under existing laws (Schedule 1.9).
• Requires money be used only for the stated purposes of each vote (Bill “Purpose of each item”).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • Federal services (tax filing support, benefits delivery channels, passports, borders) continue without interruption; funding flows to CRA and CBSA operations (Schedule 2; Schedule 1.1 Statistics Canada; Bill s. 2).
  • Public health operations and grants continue; PHAC operating ($702.3 million, six twelfths) and grants ($249.2 million, eight twelfths) (Schedules 1.3, 1.5).
  • Marine Atlantic ferry service between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be funded ($53.0 million interim) (Schedule 1.1).
  • Parks Canada sites continue operations; some contributions can flow to provinces/municipalities ($219.3 million interim) (Schedule 1.1).

• Indigenous communities

  • Interim contributions for programs and agreements are large and front‑loaded: Indigenous Services contributions ($13.753 billion, nine twelfths) and Crown‑Indigenous Relations contributions ($7.424 billion, ten twelfths) (Schedules 1.6, 1.7).

• Veterans

  • Grants and contributions to veterans’ programs continue ($2.000 billion, five twelfths) (Schedule 1.2).

• Workers (federal and RCMP members)

  • Public Service Insurance (health, pension, benefits) receives $1.281 billion (four twelfths) (Schedule 1.1).
  • RCMP member health and disability programs receive $317.4 million (four twelfths) (Schedule 1.1).

• Students and researchers

  • Research grants continue through NSERC ($439.4 million, four twelfths) and SSHRC ($383.0 million, four twelfths) (Schedule 1.1).

• Businesses and contractors

  • Procurement continues across Shared Services Canada (IT) ($786.4 million combined operating and capital, four twelfths) and Public Works (accommodation and central services, $1.0499 billion, four twelfths) (Schedule 1.1).

• Travelers and commuters

  • VIA High Frequency Rail project office and related work continue ($41.5 million interim) (Schedule 1.8).
  • Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority continues construction/operations funding ($317.2 million interim) (Schedule 1.1).

• Culture and communications

  • Telefilm Canada operations continue ($94.7 million interim) and CRTC operations continue ($7.39 million interim) (Schedule 1.8).

• Accountability and timing

  • Most amounts must be spent by March 31, 2025; select items (CRA, CBSA) may be charged through March 31, 2026 (Schedule 2).
  • This bill does not change taxes or create new permanent programs; it authorizes spending for listed purposes in the Main Estimates (Bill s. 2; Schedules).

Expenses#

Estimated gross spending authority: CAD $74,011,525,281 for FY2024–2025 (Bill s. 2).

• Key components by Act reference (fractions refer to portions of full‑year Main Estimates authority released now) (Bill s. 2; Schedules 1.1–1.9):
  • Three twelfths across remaining Main Estimates votes: $24,716,610,903 (Bill s. 2(a)).
  • Schedule 1.1 (four twelfths): $9,402,339,421.
  • Schedule 1.2 (five twelfths): $6,172,164,025.
  • Schedule 1.3 (six twelfths): $8,733,804,026.
  • Schedule 1.4 (seven twelfths): $836,989,879.
  • Schedule 1.5 (eight twelfths): $249,169,510.
  • Schedule 1.6 (nine twelfths): $15,458,217,923.
  • Schedule 1.7 (ten twelfths): $7,423,697,296.
  • Schedule 1.8 (eleven twelfths): $1,018,532,295.
  • Schedule 1.9 (twelve twelfths): $3.

Table: selected items and special authorities

• International payment caps for 2024–25: up to $486,916,000 to the International Development Association, and up to $249,404,568 to international financial institutions (Schedule 1.9).

Proponents' View#

• Ensures continuity of government services from April 1 without disruption by providing interim supply based on the Main Estimates (Bill s. 2).
• Uses “twelfths” to meter cash flow and align funds to early‑year needs, which supports control until full supply is passed (e.g., four twelfths to NSERC/SSHRC; six twelfths to ESDC and Health grants) (Schedules 1.1, 1.3).
• Targets priority areas with significant interim funding: Indigenous Services ($13.753 billion, nine twelfths) and Crown‑Indigenous Relations ($7.424 billion, ten twelfths) to maintain agreements and services (Schedules 1.6, 1.7).
• Maintains research, health, and veterans’ supports with measurable amounts, such as Health grants ($2.712 billion) and Veterans Affairs ($2.000 billion) (Schedules 1.3, 1.2).
• Preserves transparency and safeguards: spending must match stated purposes; unspent Schedule 2 amounts lapse after the following year; payments are drawn against the oldest appropriation first; adjustments are limited to non‑cash accounting before Public Accounts are tabled (Bill “Purpose of each item”; Adjustments clauses; Schedule 2).
• Provides a contingency reserve ($687.5 million) for urgent or unforeseen needs within legal mandates, allowing timely responses (Schedule 1.8).

Opponents' View#

• Large front‑loaded amounts reduce later parliamentary leverage; for example, nine twelfths for Indigenous Services ($15.458 billion total across Schedule 1.6 items) and ten twelfths for Crown‑Indigenous Relations contributions ($7.424 billion) are available early (Schedules 1.6, 1.7).
• Flexibility can dilute line‑item control: some votes allow increasing or decreasing specific grants with Treasury Board approval (e.g., RCMP grants; Veterans Affairs grants), shifting detail outside the Act (Schedule 1.1 RCMP; Schedule 1.2 Veterans).
• The Government Contingencies vote ($687.5 million) permits funding miscellaneous or new grants and contributions not otherwise provided for, which may reduce program‑specific scrutiny even if within legal mandates (Schedule 1.8).
• Two‑year charge authority for CRA and CBSA ($1.772 billion) can blur fiscal‑year accountability; payments may be applied until March 31, 2026, complicating year‑over‑year tracking despite lapse rules (Schedule 2).
• Many organizations may “net” revenues against spending under Financial Administration Act section 29.1(2)(a) (e.g., Health, Justice, Shared Services, Public Works), which can make gross spending less visible in interim figures (Schedules 1.1–1.3).