REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
TWELFTH REPORT
Your Committee has approved the Senate Main Estimates for the fiscal year 2015-2016 and recommends their adoption. (Annex A)
Your Committee notes that the proposed total budget is $88,747,958.
Respectfully submitted,
PIERRE CLAUDE NOLIN
Chair
APPENDIX A
2015-2016 MAIN ESTIMATES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This executive summary is presented to you in the context of the 2015-2016 main estimates process.
The Proposed Main Estimates for 2015-2016
This section contains the proposed main estimates as well as supporting documents to assist Senators in making a decision on an appropriate level of funding for 2015-2016 as well as an update on the Senate’s three year reduction plan.
ORGANIZATIONAL ESTIMATES
The 2015-2016 Expenditure Plan totaling $88,747,958 is presented for consideration by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Table 1.1: Organizational Estimates (dollars) - The Senate (presentation as requested by TBS)
Note: there will also be a section called « highlights » which will contain explanation of trends, anomalies or variances; and use of funds to achieve organizational plans and priorities, among other things.
|
2013–14 Expenditures |
2014–15 Main Estimates |
2014–15 Estimates To Date |
2015–16 Main Estimates |
Budgetary |
||||
Voted |
|
|
|
|
1 Program expenditures |
53,815,856 |
57,532,359 |
58,432,359 |
57,031,359 |
Total voted |
53,815,856 |
57,532,359 |
58,432,359 |
57,031,359 |
Total Statutory |
30,878,194 |
33,952,818 |
33,952,818 |
31,716,599 |
Total budgetary |
84,694,050 |
91,485,177 |
92,385,177 |
88,747,958 |
PRESENTATION BY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
The following table displays the financial information for the Senate by Program Activities. This format is used to present to Parliament and the Canadian public the government’s estimates and Public accounts information.
A. BUDGETARY SPENDING AUTHORITIE
The Senate’s Main Estimates include two separate budgetary programs: the Statutory budget and the Non-Statutory (voted) budget. Included in the Statutory budget are amounts which are authorized by the Parliament of Canada Act (sections 55(1), 60 to 62, 63(1)) such as Senators’ indemnities, allowances, and certain other expenses. These expenditures have been given continuing authority by Parliament in previous years and no further approval is required.
Also included in the Statutory budget is the Employee Benefit Plan. This component of the budget represents the costs for the employer’s matching contributions to the Public Service Superannuation Plan, Canada or Quebec Pension Plan, Supplementary Death Benefits, and the Employment Insurance Account.
The Program Expenditures budget represents the amounts that are voted on an annual basis by Parliament. Included are all salary, operating, and capital requirements for committees, Senators’ office expenses and Senate Administration.
B. SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTSThe 2015-2016 Expenditure Plan, by program, is attached for information as Appendix B. This report presentation model reflects how the Senate manages its sectors. It is a high level management report meant to show the voted portion of the budget.
C. SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR 2015-2016
- Senators’ Basic and Additional Allowance and Pensions (increase of $459K)
- Senators’ travel (decrease of $3M)
- Employee benefits plan adjusted to 16.8% of voted salary envelope (increase of $305K)
- Reduction to the Senator’s Research and Office expenses budget (temporary decrease of $765K)
- Senate Committees budget (temporary decrease of $1.2M)
- 24th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (increase of $327K)
- Increases for Senate Administration (salaries and operating increase of $1.1M)
APPENDIX B