Question Period Note: ESTIMATES REFORM – NEXT STEPS

What will be new or different in the Government's approach to the Estimates for the next fiscal year and their alignment with Budget 2020?

• The Government is committed to supporting parliamentarians in their role to provide sound oversight, and make it easier for Canadians to understand how their tax dollars are spent.
• In 2017, a temporary change in Standing Orders allowed the Main Estimates to be tabled at a later date to reflect Budget measures.
• This two-year change to the Standing Orders has now expired.
• The Government will be taking stock of the changes made before proposing any next steps.

• There are currently no major changes planned for the upcoming fiscal year.
• On Estimates processes:
o In 2017, provisional changes to House of Commons Standing Orders had allowed for Main Estimates to be tabled in the House of Commons by April 16.
o As these expired at the end of the last Parliament, the previous procedural requirements are back in place. Under these requirements, the President will table the 2020-21 Main Estimates in the House of Commons no later than February 28, 2020 as March 1st falls on a Sunday.
• On Budget implementation in the Estimates:
o After the 2018 and 2019 federal Budgets, the next Estimates reflected the new voted spending in Treasury Board controlled budget implementation votes. This mechanism allowed for complete alignment and reconciliation of the accrual-based Budget with the cash-based Estimates.
o It also reduced the delay for departments to obtain Parliamentary authority for new spending, by securing the appropriation before the Treasury Board approved departmental submissions. Monthly online reporting ensured transparency on timing of Treasury Board approvals and the disposition of funds.
o However, there were mixed reviews of the implementation votes. Departments appreciated the flexibility in the timelines for obtaining Treasury Board approvals, and having fewer new approvals to risk-manage through the fiscal year.
o Many Parliamentarians perceived a reduced opportunity to influence or exert control over government spending – which greatly outweighed any process efficiencies the government achieved.

KEY FACTS • This two-year change to the Standing Orders has now expired.