Question Period Note: Supplementary Estimates (A) 2019-2020

The tabling of the 2019-20 Supplementary Estimates (A) is planned for December 5, 2019 and represents a total increase of $68.0 million for the department.

Facts
Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) chose items to be included in the fall Supplementary Estimates and some of those items belong to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The net impact for Canadian Heritage is a Vote 1 – Operating increase of $9.5 million, a Vote 5 – Grants and Contributions increase of $58.3 million and an increase of $0.2 million in statutory items.

The net increase for the department of Canadian Heritage is mainly explained by funding to support the following items:
Minority-language education in Canada – total: $15,000,000
• The Government announced additional funding of $60 million over four years, starting in
2019–20, to improve its support for education in the minority language by further supporting the provinces and territories. The one-time top-up of transfer funds to provincial and territorial governments will be provided on the condition that new bilateral agreements with stronger accountability measures and a commitment to consultation are reached.
Local journalism initiative – total: $10,000,000
• Following Budget 2018, the Government announced funding of $50 million over five years to support the production of original civic journalism for underserved communities. The funding was approved from 2019–20 to 2023–24.
Sport for social development in indigenous communities – total: $9,456,151
• Following Budget 2018, the Government announced funding of $47.5 million over five years, and $9.5 million per year ongoing, to expand the use of sport for social development in more than 300 Indigenous communities.
Strengthening multiculturalism and addressing the challenges faced by black canadians – total: $7,582,951
• Following Budget 2018, the Government announced funding of $19 million over three years, starting in fiscal year 2018–19, to address the challenges faced by Black Canadians. Further, a carry-forward of funds of $2.5 million resulting from changes to the terms of the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program is included in the amount.
Harbourfront Centre – total: $7,500,000
• Top-up funding of $7.5 million for priority infrastructure projects to modernize broadcasting and recreation facilities, particularly those related to health, safety and accessibility, to improve the public and artist experience and increase the potential for self-generated revenue.
Grants and Contributions Modernization Project– total: $6,383,746
• Funding resulting from a carry-forward of funds due to changes to the scope and timeline of the project.
French-language digital platform with TV5 Monde public broadcasters – total: $6,115,214
• Following the 2018 Fall Economic Update, the Government of Canada announced that it would invest $14.6 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, to support the creation, development and launch of a French-language digital platform with TV5MONDE public broadcasters.
Safety and security of the 2019 Canada day celebrations on parliament hill – total: $1,762,625
• One-time funding in 2019–20 to cover the additional costs of partners (City of Ottawa and Parliamentary Protective Service) related to the safety and security of the 2019 Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill.
Awareness initiative piloted by Pride Toronto as part of the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality – total: $250,000
• Funding to support an awareness initiative piloted by Pride Toronto as part of the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality.
Transfer from the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada to Canadian Heritage for the Modernized Youth Employment Strategy – total: $3,970,465
• In accordance with measures in Budgets 2018 and 2019, a “modernized Youth Employment Strategy and strengthening support for learning,” the Government announced an investment of $374 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, to implement the modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy as a horizontal initiative. This initiative is spearheaded by the Department of Employment and Social Development and involves 10 departments, agencies and Crown corporations.

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