Summary#

This bill, Appropriation Act No. 4, 2024–25, authorizes CAD $21,632,370,126 for federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, based on Supplementary Estimates (B), 2024–25 (Preamble; Schedules 1–2). It allows payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and sets timing rules for when amounts can be charged and when they lapse. All items take effect as of April 1, 2024 (Effective date (2)).

• Funds cover operating, capital, and grants/contributions across many entities, including Indigenous Services, National Defence, Veterans Affairs, Immigration, Public Safety, and VIA Rail (Schedule 1).
• A small set of items can be spent through March 31, 2026, then lapse if unused (Schedule 2; Order of payment (2)).
• Some votes authorize the government to purchase capital in international financial institutions in USD and EUR within set limits (Department of Finance L10b, L15b).
• No tax changes are included in the bill text.
• Transfers of appropriations in the Estimates are deemed authorized as of April 1, 2024 (Transfers of appropriations).

What it means for you#

• Households and service users

  • Continued funding for health programs and contributions through Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2024–25 (Health: $428,333,736; PHAC: $81,425,890) (Schedule 1).
  • Housing-related support via Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reimbursements and the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities (CMHC: $742,513,960; Housing Dept.: $201,367,503) (Schedule 1).
  • Immigration and settlement services funded through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada contributions and operations ($1,222,173,237) (Schedule 1).
  • Veterans’ programs and benefits funded through Veterans Affairs ($952,695,590) (Schedule 1).
  • Passenger rail and ferry services supported via VIA Rail and Marine Atlantic (VIA Rail: $825,740,402; Marine Atlantic: $35,962,795) (Schedule 1).

• Indigenous peoples and communities

  • Large funding for services, infrastructure, and contributions via Indigenous Services Canada ($4,463,320,533) and Crown‑Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs ($1,385,445,915) in 2024–25 (Schedule 1).

• Travelers and commuters

  • Ongoing support for VIA Rail and Marine Atlantic operations, capital, and services (VIA Rail: $825,740,402; Marine Atlantic: $35,962,795) (Schedule 1).
  • Funding for the Windsor‑Detroit Bridge Authority ($256,365,548) (Schedule 1).
  • Border services and enforcement receive additional funds, some available through March 31, 2026 (CBSA: $33,939,607) (Schedule 2).

• Businesses and non‑profits

  • Regional development agencies receive operating and contribution funding (e.g., ACOA: $7,634,421; PacifiCan: $17,060,873; FedDev Ontario: $27,283,207; FedNor: $10,220,032; Western Economic Diversification: $32,139,242; Quebec Economic Development: $18,381,948) (Schedule 1).
  • Departments with industry programs receive contributions (e.g., Industry/Innovation, Science and Economic Development: $251,692,966) (Schedule 1).

• Local and provincial governments

  • Departments have authority to make contributions toward construction and other works involving provinces and municipalities (e.g., Fisheries and Oceans capital; Environment capital; Transport capital) (Schedule 1).

• Federal employees and contractors

  • Central votes fund compensation adjustments and public service insurance ($970,804,972 and $643,626,442) (Treasury Board Secretariat Votes 15b and 20b) (Schedule 1).
  • Departments can charge some adjustments after year‑end when no cash payment is needed, to finalize accounts (Adjustments in accounts of Canada; Schedules 1–2).
  • Select items can be spent into 2025–26 and must be charged in order against the earliest appropriation (Schedule 2; Order of payment (2)).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: CAD $21,632,370,126 in FY2024–25 (Schedules 1–2).

• Total voted amounts: $21,353,050,122 (Schedule 1) and $279,320,004 (Schedule 2), together $21,632,370,126.
• Effective date for all items: April 1, 2024 (Effective date (2)).
• Select Schedule 2 items may be spent until March 31, 2026; remaining balances then lapse (Schedule 2; Order of payment (2)).

Other authorities:

• Department of Finance: authority to purchase shares in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development up to EUR €137,150,000 over 2025–26 to 2029–30 (L10b) and to purchase hybrid capital in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development up to USD $200,000,000 in 2024–25 (L15b) (Schedule 1).
• Many votes include authority to “expend revenues to offset expenditures” under the Financial Administration Act; net impact by department: Data unavailable (various votes, Schedule 1–2).

Proponents' View#

• Ensures core services and transfers continue through March 31, 2025, across health, housing, immigration, transport, public safety, and Indigenous services, with specific voted amounts in Schedule 1 (Schedule 1).
• Targets urgent operational and capital needs, such as National Defence capital ($1,747,202,986) and Public Works capital ($619,865,441), reducing risks to readiness and federal assets (Schedule 1).
• Supports mobility and trade by funding VIA Rail ($825,740,402), Marine Atlantic ($35,962,795), and the Windsor‑Detroit Bridge Authority ($256,365,548) (Schedule 1).
• Provides major support for Indigenous communities through Indigenous Services ($4,463,320,533) and Crown‑Indigenous Relations ($1,385,445,915) to deliver programs and contributions (Schedule 1).
• Includes central funding to honor collective agreements and employee benefits, improving workforce stability (TBS Compensation Adjustments: $970,804,972; Public Service Insurance: $643,626,442) (Schedule 1).
• Allows certain items to be spent into 2025–26 (CBSA; CRA), adding flexibility to finish projects and avoid lapses (Schedule 2; Order of payment (2)).

Opponents' View#

• The bill bundles many large sums under generic “grants and contributions” without project‑level detail, limiting transparency for Parliament and the public (numerous “The grants listed in any of the Estimates” items, Schedule 1).
• Multi‑year charging and order‑of‑payment rules for Schedule 2 can defer spending and accountability into the next year, making tracking harder (Schedule 2; Order of payment (2)).
• Significant capital votes risk lapses or delays if procurement or delivery slips (e.g., National Defence capital $1,747,202,986; Public Works capital $619,865,441; Canadian Space Agency capital $244,474,720) (Schedule 1).
• Central votes concentrate funds at the Treasury Board Secretariat ($1,654,545,508), which may reduce line‑by‑line scrutiny compared to department‑specific appropriations (Schedule 1).
• Authorities to purchase capital in international financial institutions commit sizable foreign‑currency sums (EUR €137,150,000; USD $200,000,000) with limited detail in the bill on expected returns or timing (Department of Finance L10b, L15b; Schedule 1).
• Many votes permit departments to “expend revenues to offset expenditures,” which can obscure net program costs without detailed reporting; net offsets by entity are not stated here (various votes, Schedule 1–2).