Evidence of meeting #18 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was billion.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
My second is about the Green Infrastructure Fund.
There was a significant decrease in that fund, in relation to the capital budget of the Correctional Service of Canada. According to the Public Accounts of Canada, about $5 million of that fund has been spent. The budget was $1 billion.
Do you know why that amount has not been spent? We are actually talking about 90%.
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
Are you talking about the Green Infrastructure Fund or the Correctional Service of Canada?
5:10 p.m.
NDP
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
You mentioned the Correctional Service of Canada and I lost the thread of your question.
5:10 p.m.
NDP
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
Are you referring to the public accounts?
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
If we may, we are going to examine the document.
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
It is a supplementary request. I was not prepared to talk about the public accounts. My colleague can—
5:10 p.m.
Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management, Treasury Board Secretariat
While the secretary is looking for that, what you'll find in the public accounts is the actual display of the authorities that were available for use, as well as the actual spending. You will not actually see an explanation as to why. Typically, with a program like that, you're waiting for projects to be submitted and approved and evaluated, and all of those things. The public accounts will tell you what was authorized. It's an “up to” amount, so it's a maximum. It does not force you to spend all of that money.
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
I am looking for infrastructure. I'm sorry.
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
We could perhaps answer you in writing.
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
Perhaps we can reply in writing, rather than my trying to scramble to find it.
5:10 p.m.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
That would be appreciated.
I will ask my final question. In the document from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, it refers to a substantial increase, in percentage terms, in the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada reserve for employee benefits.
Since the government is first spending millions of dollars to make cuts in the public service, are those funds attributable to senior public servants, for example EX-1 to EX-5 positions? Does that include the bonuses?
Once again, my question is very specific. This is information I would very much like to know.
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
To clarify the nature of the question, are you referring to the report of the—
5:10 p.m.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
I am referring to the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada reserve.
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
Are you referring to compensation?
5:10 p.m.
Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
Are you talking about vote 20 or vote—
