45th Parliament · Session 1
Bill C-17: An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026
Appropriation Act No. 3, 2025-26
Introduced
December 9, 2025
Current Stage
RoyalAssentGiven
Last Updated
December 11, 2025
Sponsor
Shafqat Ali
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Bill C-17
Thu Dec 11 2025
An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026
Impact Rating
2/5
Short Summary
Authorizes the government to legally spend an additional $10.8 billion to fund specific federal programs and operations for the current year.
This bill is a routine, but necessary, financial measure that authorizes the federal government to spend an additional $10.8 billion from the public treasury for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. This money is not for new, surprise programs, but for specific costs that were detailed in the government's Supplementary Estimates (B). Without this bill, federal departments and agencies would not have the legal authority to pay for certain operations, grants, and programs that have already been approved by Parliament through the Estimates process.
Why does this bill exist?
Origin (Routine Update)
This bill is a standard and required step in the government's financial management cycle to legally authorize new or adjusted spending needs identified after the main budget was passed.
Legally grants the federal public administration the authority to spend a maximum of $10,848,320,356 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
This money is intended to cover charges and expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, which were not covered in previous spending bills.
The bill's purpose is purely administrative and financial, allowing the government to implement spending decisions already detailed in the Supplementary Estimates (B).
Any transfers of funding between different government accounts, as outlined in the Estimates, are deemed to have been authorized retroactively to April 1, 2025.
The money can only be used for the exact purposes, and subject to the terms, specified in the accompanying Estimates (Schedules 1 and 2).
Everyday Citizens
(Neutral)
No direct change to daily life, but it guarantees that the federal services they rely on—like passport processing or veterans' benefits—are properly funded for the year.
Federal Departments/Agencies
(Easier)
Gives them the legal green light to spend money that was budgeted for new or adjusted programs, allowing them to pay salaries, acquire necessary supplies, or issue grants.
Provincial Impact
Provincial Impact
This bill deals strictly with the financial administration of the federal government and does not require provinces to change their laws, spend money, or take any action.
Benefits & Pros
Ensures that essential federal government services, programs, and grants can continue to operate and be paid for throughout the year.
Provides the necessary legal authority for the government to manage its finances as planned and approved by Parliament.
Maintains the constitutional requirement that all government spending must first be authorized by an Act of Parliament.
Beneficiaries
Risks & Cons
The bill itself does not allow for a debate on the merits of the spending, only the legal authorization of the total amount already approved in the Estimates.
Adds over $10.8 billion to the total authorized federal spending for the fiscal year, contributing to the overall public debt.
The complex nature of appropriation bills makes it difficult for the public to track the specific policy decisions being funded.
Affected Groups
Before & After
Currently, the government has identified a need for $10.8 billion in funding for certain programs but cannot legally spend it. Under this bill, the government receives the legal authority to withdraw and spend that $10.8 billion for the exact purposes listed in the Estimates.
Real World Scenario
Currently: The Department of Indigenous Services is ready to launch a new mental wellness program for a specific community, but the funding is locked in the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Under this Bill: The funding is legally released, allowing the Department to sign contracts, hire staff, and deliver the necessary services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sponsor
Member of Parliament
House of Commons
First reading
Completed on December 9, 2025
Second reading
Completed on December 9, 2025
Consideration in committee
Completed on December 9, 2025
Report stage
Completed on December 9, 2025
Third reading
Completed on December 9, 2025
Senate
First reading
Completed on December 9, 2025
Second reading
Completed on December 10, 2025
Third reading
Completed on December 10, 2025
Royal Assent
Royal assent
Completed on December 11, 2025
Abuse Potential
The abuse potential of the Appropriation Bill itself is minimal because it only grants legal authority to spend funds that have already been detailed in the publicly tabled Estimates. The risk lies in the lack of granular scrutiny; the bill authorizes a single, massive sum, and Parliament's debate focuses on the total amount rather than the individual spending items (the Estimates). A future government could theoretically use the complex nature of the Estimates process to bundle controversial spending items with essential departmental funding, ensuring their passage with less public transparency and debate.
Implementation Risk
Low. This is a standard, recurring financial process that the government executes multiple times each year, and the mechanisms for payment are well-established.
Broad Economic Impact
Indirect
Everyday Life
Minimal impact
Admin Burden
Automatic
Timeline
Immediate upon Royal Assent, with funding decisions being retroactively effective to April 1, 2025.
