Government Operations Committee on Feb. 26th, 2013

[Bill Matthews]

It's on page 17 in both French and English, apparently.

The $1.4 is what is in supplementary estimates (C). When we present horizontal items, we not only show all departments but we also show you the history for the year. What you see for advertising is funding that has been approved through supplementary estimates (A), which was the $51 million. Then you have another subtotal, supplementary estimates (B), which had two amounts: Canadian Heritage and Natural Resources. That's the last round of supplementary estimates.

In these supplementary estimates (C), the $1.4 total relates to Canada Revenue Agency, as the member said. The total is $56.6, which is the annual total of all three together, but what is in supplementary estimates (C) is the Canada Revenue Agency piece for $1.4 related to tax measures.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

So, we are talking about $56 million spending on advertisement.

[Bill Matthews]

If you look at all three combined for the year to date, in terms of what's been asked for, for authority through supplementary estimates, it's $56.6.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

The additional $1 million is related only to Canada Revenue.

[Bill Matthews]

That is correct. What's in the supplementary estimates (C).

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Okay. Thank you for that.

Now for my second question.

I'm going to take advantage of your being here today to ask you a general question that is clearly on the minds of Canadians. I'm talking about the conflict between the Parliamentary Budget Officer and the President of the Treasury Board regarding the impact that the public service cuts will have on services to Canadians.

Could you please tell me whether the PBO's forecasts were taken into account when supplementary estimates (C) were being prepared? And if not, why?

[Bill Matthews]

The Parliamentary Budget Officer typically studies the supplementary estimates after they're tabled. When we're tabling and preparing supplementary estimates, they're based on government spending plans. He will, in all likelihood, issue a report at some point on the supplementary estimates (C) or the next quarterly financial report.

Do we take his forecasts into consideration when we're preparing these? No, we don't, because these are based on departmental spending plans. He will then come along and assess the budget, supplementary estimates, and quarterly financial reports and will give his independent analysis to Parliament. These numbers are based on departmental spending plans, not on the work of the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

I'd like to ask you a question on a more specific item, which is on page 3 in the French version.

It has to do with the Allocations from the Treasury Board Central Votes. In the Privy Council section.

Are you following?

[Bill Matthews]

It's on page 4?

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

It's about the Allocations from the Treasury Board Central Votes.

[Bill Matthews]

Which page is it on?

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

It's on page 4.

[Bill Matthews]

On page 4.

What would you like to know?

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

There is $405,000 that was allocated to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board.

[Bill Matthews]

Forgive me, Mr. Chair, but I can't find page 4 in my document.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

It's from the Internet.

[Bill Matthews]

Okay. Merci.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Are you following now?

Vote 15 pertains to compensation adjustments.

[Bill Matthews]

The Treasury Board of Canada functions as the employer for the Government of Canada. I'll turn this over to the chief financial officer if need be. As departments need resources for some types of collective agreements, etc., the central vote money flows through from the Treasury Board Secretariat to the department. Depending on the nature of the agreement itself, we have some items for which we actually flow money out to departments.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

I understand, but I'd like to know the reason for the transfer. It's under the Privy Council, the amount for the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board.

As you and all Canadians know, cuts were made to Transport Canada's inspections and inspectors. This is a sizeable transfer, and I'd like you to explain it please.

[Bill Matthews]

I'm having a hard time actually finding the transfer from the Privy Council Office.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

We've gone on a little longer than we should just because we're having difficulty finding it.

If you have the answer, Mr. Matthews, if you could, briefly—

[Bill Matthews]

I think we do, actually. This is a presentation issue.

The money actually comes from Treasury Board Secretariat. The issue is that the organization in question actually falls under the Privy Council Office in terms of reporting, so it's not money that's being transferred from the Privy Council Office. We've just grouped departments from a ministry perspective here.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Ah, okay. Thank you for that answer.

[Bill Matthews]

My apologies for not being able to find your reference more quickly.