Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

Thursday, June 11, 2026

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

FIFTH REPORT

Pursuant to Chapter 3:04 of the Senate Administrative Rules, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA) is responsible for ensuring the preparation of any supplementary estimates required from Parliament and for presenting those estimates to the Senate for adoption.

Following the adoption of the Sixth Report of the Subcommittee on the Senate Estimates and Committee Budgets on 11 December 2025, the 2026-27 Main Estimates for the Senate were tabled in the House of Commons alongside the Government’s Main Estimates during the winter of 2026.

As part of its budget strategy for the 2026-27 fiscal year, CIBA authorized the Senate Administration to request the carry forward of eligible operating funds through the 2026-27 Supplementary Estimates process. The Operating Budget Carry Forward (OBCF) mechanism, established by the Treasury Board Secretariat, allows federal organizations to carry forward a portion of their unused Vote 1 — Operating Expenditures from one fiscal year to the next.

CIBA also approved a reduction of $3.4 million to the Senate’s 2026-2027 budget, consisting of:

•$2.4 million related to Senators and House Officers; and

•$1 million related to Senate committees.

This reduction decreases the amount of funding available in the current fiscal year to address unfunded pressures. As a result, the carry forward request is necessary to ensure that the Senate can meet its operational requirements.

The requested carry forward will support the Senate in addressing unfunded operational pressures, including:

•Economic salary increases effective in 2026;

•Implementation of the Pay Equity Plan; and

•Other essential operational requirements.

This supplementary amount will ensure that the Senate meets all of its financial obligations without compromising the quality of services provided to Senators, while supporting sound financial stewardship and prudent budget management.

Under Treasury Board rules, the eligible amount for the Operating Budget Carry Forward is the lesser of:

1.5% of the eligible Main Estimates gross operating budget, and

2.The total adjusted operating lapse eligible for carry forward.

For the Senate, the 5% limit amounts to $4,857,482, based on the 2025-2026 Main Estimates operating budget of $97,149,640 (Vote 1, excluding Grants and Contributions). As the Senate’s 2025-26 operating lapse of $7,927,620 exceeds this limit, it is recommended that the Senate request the maximum allowable carry forward of $4,857,482.

Adding this amount to the Senate’s 2026-27 budget of $141,409,806 would bring total available funding for the fiscal year to $146,267,288, ensuring the Senate has the necessary resources to meet its operational requirements.

This amount would be made available to the Senate through Supplementary Estimates (B) in the fall 2026.

Recommendation

That the Senate adopt the 2026-2027 Supplementary Estimates (B) for the Senate of Canada, including the request for an Operating Budget Carry Forward of $4,857,482, as authorized by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

Respectfully submitted,