Question Period Note: ALLOCATION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA’S BUDGET

• Veterans Affairs Canada’s budget is allocated to align with priorities to ensure that all Veterans and their families receive the support and services they need, when they need it.
• Over 90% of the Department’s budget represents payments to Veterans, their families and other program recipients.
• Eliminating the backlog of disability applications for Veterans remains a priority.

Background - ALLOCATION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA’S BUDGET

The Department’s Budget as of October 2020 is $5,371.3 million.
• Quasi Statutory Funding ($4,888 million – 91% of budget)
• Demand driven programs to provide benefits and services to Veterans which are non-discretionary based on eligibility/need.
• 25 programs in total. Examples include Pain and Suffering Compensation, Income Replacement Benefit, Veterans Independence Program.
• Non-Quasi Statutory Funding ($38 million – < 1% of budget)
• Programs to provide benefits and services for Veterans which have a ceiling which cannot be exceeded.
• Examples include Veterans and Families Wellbeing Fund, Veterans Emergency Fund.
• Operating Budget ($378 million – 7% of budget)
• Funding for the operations of the Department (e.g. Salary and Operating & Maintenance).
• Statutory Funding ($67 million - 1.3% of budget)
• Funding for specific items that have already been authorized by legislation such as Employee Benefit Plans.

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