Aligning the Budget and the Main Estimates — Recent Changes to the Parliamentary Financial Cycle

(Disponible en français : Assurer la cohésion entre le budget et le budget principal des dépenses — Changements récents apportés au cycle financier parlementaire)  The Government of Canada outlines its spending and tax priorities to Parliament and Canadians in its annual budget, and presents its spending plans for parliamentary approval in estimates documents. In the past,…

Peace Tower close-up of clock face with detail, Parliament of Canada

The Parliamentary Financial Cycle: An Introduction

(Disponible en français : Introduction au cycle financier parlementaire) One of Parliament’s fundamental roles is to review and approve the federal government’s taxation and spending plans. While budget-setting is an executive function, the government cannot change taxation rates, impose new taxes or spend public funds without Parliament’s approval. This document provides an introduction to the…