AN ACT GRANTING TO HIS MAJESTY CERTAIN SUMS OF MONEY FOR DEFRAYING CERTAIN EXPENSES OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2027 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Summary#

This is the province’s interim supply (short-term funding) law for the 2026–27 fiscal year. It lets the government use up to about $3.986 billion from its main bank account to keep public services running from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, until the full budget is passed.

• Authorizes up to $3,985,930,500 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (the government’s main bank account) for government operations in 2026–27.
• Sets out how much each department can spend; the largest shares go to Health, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Education.
• Allows the Treasury Board (the committee that manages government spending) to move certain funds between departments for pay and benefit adjustments, financial assistance, emergencies, federally funded programs, and disaster recovery.
• Takes effect April 1, 2026.

What it means for you#

• General public

  • Day-to-day services continue without interruption, like health care, schools, snow clearing, ferries, and social programs.
  • Capital projects (roads, bridges, buildings) can keep moving, helping with travel and public facilities.
  • No tax changes are included in this act.

• Patients and families

  • Health services stay funded; hospitals, clinics, and community care continue operating.

• Parents, students, and educators

  • Schools and early childhood programs remain open and funded.

• Workers and public servants

  • Government salaries and benefits can be paid on time.
  • The province can make special payments for retirements, contract adjustments, and other employee-related costs if needed.

• Municipalities and community groups

  • Provincial operating support and grants can continue to flow.
  • There is flexibility to move money quickly for disaster recovery and unplanned needs.

• Businesses and contractors

  • Government can keep paying invoices for goods, services, and construction projects.
  • Funds can be shifted to match federal cost-shared programs, helping projects start or continue.

Expenses#

Estimated annual cost: about CAD $3.986 billion.

• Largest allocations:
  • Health and Community Services: about $1.47 billion
  • Transportation and Infrastructure: about $1.03 billion
  • Education and Early Childhood Development: about $499 million
• Other notable allocations (rounded):
  • Social Supports and Well-Being: $175 million
  • Executive Council: $118 million
  • Justice and Public Safety: $94 million
  • Jobs, Growth and Rural Development: $100 million
  • Municipal and Community Affairs: $56 million
  • Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation: $63 million
  • Forestry, Agriculture and Lands: $48 million
  • Environment, Conservation and Climate Change: $36 million
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation: $35 million
  • Energy and Mines: $21 million
  • Labrador Affairs: $7.8 million
  • Legislature: $11.9 million
  • Government Services: $14.6 million
  • Finance: $38 million
  • Consolidated Fund Services: $150 million
  • Fisheries and Aquaculture: $3.7 million
  • Public Service Commission: $3.6 million
  • Public Procurement Agency: $0.7 million
  • Seniors: $0.74 million

Notes:

• This act authorizes spending and transfers for the interim period; it does not set new programs or tax rates.
• Treasury Board may move certain funds between departments to respond to pay changes, contingencies, federal-program funding, and disaster recovery.

Proponents' View#

• Keeps essential services running on April 1 so people are not affected while the full budget is finalized.
• Provides flexibility to handle emergencies, disasters, and unplanned costs without delays.
• Lets the province accept and deploy federal funding quickly for shared programs and projects.
• Ensures public employees, contractors, and municipalities get paid on time.
• Is a routine, yearly practice that supports stable government operations.

Opponents' View#

• Moving money between departments may reduce detailed legislative oversight on how funds are used.
• Broad contingency and “other payments” lines can be less transparent to the public.
• Interim supply gives only a high-level view; it lacks program-by-program detail that helps people track outcomes.
• The large sums approved at once could mask cost overruns or shifting priorities before full budget debate.