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Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

Issue 4 - Thirteenth Report of the Committee

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its

THIRTEENTH REPORT

Your committee has approved the Senate Main Estimates for the fiscal year 2011-2012 and recommends their adoption. (Annex A)

Your committee notes that the proposed total budget is $93,956,182.

An overview of the 2011-2012 budget will be forwarded to every Senator's office.

Respectfully submitted,

DAVID TKACHUK

Chair

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Annex A

2011-2012 MAIN ESTIMATES

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION 

The 2011-2012 Expenditure Plan totaling $93,956,182 has been approved by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.   The amounts have been incorporated into the Government’s Main Estimates for 2011-2012.

 

Table 1.1:  Senate budget for 2011-2012

Vote  (thousands of dollars)			2011-2012 Main Estimates	2010-2011 Main Estimates
1	Program expenditures		59,490	59,490
(S)	Officers and Members of the Senate - Salaries, allowances and other payments to the Speaker of the Senate, Members  and  other officers of the Senate under the Parliament of Canada Act; contributions to the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Account, and Members of Parliament Retirement Compensation Arrangements Account.		26,655	26,655
(S)	Contributions to employee benefits plan		7,811	6,726
	Total		93,956	92,871

 

A.   buDgetary Spending Authorities               

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 requirements 

The 2011-2012 Expenditure Plan is summarized in the following table by program, consistent with the information presented in the Main Estimates:

 

C.  BUDGETARY ASSUMPTIONS 

The following internal assumptions were used in preparing the budget for 2011-2012: 

Ø  There will be an average of 102 Senators. 

Ø  The total number of standing committees, including standing joint committees will remain the same.   

Ø  The structure of the Senate Administration, and its mandate and objectives, will remain relatively stable. 

 

 D.  SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR 2011-2012 

Ø  $1.1 million increase in the Senate’s contribution to Employee Benefit Plan.
 

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