Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for the invitation to appear before you today.

We are pleased to be here to discuss our report on the supplementary estimates (A) 2024-25, which was published on May 30, 2024. With me today are Jill Giswold, the lead analyst on the report, and Chris Matier, a senior adviser in my office.

The government's supplementary estimates (A) 2024-25 outline an additional $12.7 billion in budgetary authorities. Voted authorities, which require approval by Parliament, total $11.2 billion. Statutory authorities, which the government already has Parliament's approval to spend through other legislation, are forecast to increase by a total of $1.5 billion.

The forecasted increase in statutory authorities reflects updated forecasts from budget 2024 and is primarily attributable to two items. One is an increase of $1.9 billion in public debt costs, primarily due to higher projected interest rates and higher borrowing requirements. Another is a decrease of $533 million in elderly benefits due to revisions to the projected number of beneficiaries.

Almost two-thirds of the spending proposed in these supplementary estimates, or $7.8 billion, falls within the indigenous portfolio and is primarily earmarked for indigenous settlements and claims.

Planned spending on professional and special services totals $704 million, bringing the total proposed authority for 2024-25 to $19.8 billion for this line item.

Approximately $1.6 billion, or 12.5%, is allocated to 11 measures in the 2024 budget, including $605 million for the incentives for zero-emission vehicles program.

To assist parliamentarians in their review of budget 2024 implementation, we have prepared tracking tables that list all budget initiatives, planned spending amounts as well as corresponding legislative funding authorizations. These tables, which can be viewed on our website, will be updated throughout the year as the government presents its legislative agenda.

Ms. Giswold, Mr. Matier and I will be happy to answer your questions about our analysis of the Supplementary Estimates (A) 2024–2025.

Transcript

Discussions (0)