Each year, the government prepares
Estimates in support of its request to Parliament
for authority to spend public monies.
This request is formalized through the tabling of appropriation bills in Parliament.
The Estimates of the Government of
Canada are structured in several parts. Beginning
with an overview of total government
spending in Part I, the documents become
increasingly more specific. Part II outlines
spending according to departments, agencies and
programs and contains the proposed wording of
the conditions governing spending which Parliament
will be asked to approve.
The Report
on Plans and Priorities provides
additional detail on each department and its programs primarily in terms of
more strategically oriented planning and results
information with a focus on outcomes.
The Departmental
Performance Report provides
a focus on results-based accountability by reporting on accomplishments
achieved against the performance expectations and
results commitments as set out in the
spring Report
on Plans and Priorities.
The Estimates, along with the
Minister of Finance's Budget, reflect the
government's annual budget planning and resource
allocation priorities. In combination with the
subsequent reporting of financial results in
the Public Accounts and of accomplishments
achieved in Departmental Performance Reports,
this material helps Parliament hold the government
to account for the allocation and
management of funds.
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