As a first step, every initiative outlined in the budget requires either policy approval through the cabinet system, or some of them, as the minister noted, could be extensions or top-ups to existing programming, which don't require additional policy approval and would come directly to the board. So on that first step, we've been working very hard with our colleagues in PCO to ensure that the process for policy approval is as swift as possible. That work has largely been done now. At the same time, though, every single item in the budget that has funding associated with it requires Treasury Board approval.
We are not changing our approach here vis-à-vis our own due diligence of the Treasury Board Secretariat, my staff, in assessing every one of those programs. We are looking at every one. Of course, as the minister noted, extensions or top-ups already have clear terms and conditions, so that's less of an issue. It's in a new programming area that we work very closely with our colleagues in the departments to ensure, as a new program comes forward, that the terms and conditions are clear, that the oversight is there, that departments have the appropriate management systems in place. That work is being done, and it means my people are working extraordinarily hard. They're not taking too many days off these days, because we want to apply that same rigour on the approval process and the advice we provide the board, as we always have. We feel we're able to do that, we're able to accomplish the task.
At the same time, though, you have to recognize that at the end of the day it is the departments that are responsible for the spending once the board approves, and they have to ensure that they have their own oversight mechanisms in place to manage spending on a day-to-day basis.
The minister noted that as deputy ministers we are now designated as accounting officers, which gives us a responsibility to ensure that those dollars are being spent prudently. I think it is fair to say that if you look over the last two to three years you'll see there's been a lot of work done through the Comptroller General of Canada to improve overall financial management controls. A lot of work has been done by the board in working with departments in improving the overall management regime.
So for me, yes, it is a significant change in the spending pattern of the Government of Canada, but I do feel, as a personal view, that with the work we're doing at the board, plus the department's overall capacity, we are in a good position to have this funding move forward as expeditiously as everybody wants it to be.
