Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): The supplementary estimates provide information on $13.2 billion in new voted spending for 70 organizations. They also present information on a $3.9-billion increase in forecast statutory expenditures.

The $3.9-billion increase in statutory expenditures is due to expenditures proposed in the Main Estimates. This amount includes the following increases, and note that figures have been rounded: $2.4 billion for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit; a $1.6-billion increase in interest on unmatured debt; $300 million in proposed payments to provinces and territories for proof-of-vaccination initiatives; $100 million for ventilation improvement projects in schools; a $209.1-million increase to Canada Student Grants.

[English]

For context and awareness, I think it may be helpful to break down spending found in the estimates for the current fiscal year. In these Supplementary Estimates (C), the proposed budgetary authorities for 2021-22 amount to $415 billion, including $188.8 billion in planned voted expenditures and $226.2 billion in forecast statutory expenditures.

The 2021-22 Main Estimates presented $342.2 billion in planned budgetary spending for 123 organizations to deliver programs and services to Canadians. This consisted of $141.9 billion in voted expenditures and $200.3 billion in statutory spending, authorized or proposed through other legislation.

The Supplementary Estimates (A), which were tabled last spring, included an additional $24 billion in voted budgetary spending and $17.2 billion in forecast budgetary statutory expenditures across 45 federal organizations.

The Supplementary Estimates (B), tabled last November, proposed additional authorities of $13.4 billion in forecast statutory expenditures. Voted expenditures require annual approval from Parliament through appropriation bills, like the one before us today, whereas statutory spending is approved by Parliament through legislation other than an appropriation bill.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, I would also like to point out that nearly $2.2 billion of the budgetary expenditures presented in Supplementary Estimates (C) relates to announcements made in Budget 2021, including $148.4 million for the Small Craft Harbours program, $126.9 million to promote our official languages, and $91 million to advance clean fuel markets and carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies.

Allow me to present a breakdown of the proposed spending in these supplementary estimates. The government is focusing its efforts on important priorities for Canadians, including climate change, housing, education, water treatment, health services and emergency response activities for Indigenous Canadians and their communities, as well as housing and infrastructure projects.

Approximately 81% of the voted spending sought through these supplementary estimates is being requested by 10 organizations. Of those 10 organizations, 6 are each seeking more than $500 million to support their priorities.

Today, I will be providing a breakdown of the major expenditures. The largest expenditures are attributable to the Department of Health, which is seeking $3.7 billion, and to the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is seeking $3 billion. Next, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development is seeking $828.2 million. A sum of $766.4 million is set aside for the Department of Indigenous Services. A sum of $638.3 million is earmarked for the Department of National Defence, and $521.8 million is proposed for the Office of Infrastructure of Canada.

[English]

As with recent supplementary estimates, the top priority remains the health and safety of Canadians. Honourable senators, I’m pleased to say that we have come a long way in our battle with COVID-19. Hospitalizations are decreasing, the rate of infection is decreasing and many provinces have either removed or have begun to remove various public health restrictions.

But let us be clear: The reason we can begin to ease certain restrictions with confidence is because of vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines save lives and greatly reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. When paired with other public health measures and tools at our disposal, we are better able to manage the virus and mitigate its impact.

These supplementary estimates propose $6.9 billion for the government’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has committed to support provinces and territories through the pandemic, with procurement and distribution of COVID-19 rapid tests being an important tool.

With the spread of the Omicron variant, demand for rapid tests has grown, causing existing inventories to deplete at a faster rate than predicted. Funding was requested in Bills C-8, C-10 and Supplementary Estimates (C) to support the procurement of rapid tests.

Requesting both statutory and voted spending authorities means that Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have maximum flexibility to address this urgent need.

The tabling of Supplementary Estimates (C) in Parliament allowed the immediate signing of new or increased contracts for test kits with payment upon Royal Assent. The estimates also allow for repayment of funds that were temporarily reallocated to make some purchases earlier.

Bills C-8 and C-10 are complimentary, funding purchases during the current or subsequent fiscal year. The expense for each shipment will ultimately be charged to either the stand‑alone statutory authority of Bills C-8 and C-10 or their voted appropriations.

The reality is that several potential treatments for COVID-19, including oral antivirals, are in various stages of development and study, and global demand is competitive. Supplementary Estimates (C) include new funding of $1 billion, specifically for therapeutics, treatments for infected individuals that can reduce the severity of COVID-19 for individuals and reducing the strain on the health care system. Another $1 billion has been earmarked for a wide range of possible needs, including contracting, staffing or acquisition of assets needed to respond to the pandemic. This funding may also be used to exercise options under advanced purchase agreements, as well as funding for secondary costs associated with storage distribution and deployment logistics.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, we all know how important COVID-19 vaccines are for saving lives. That is why the government is requesting $687 million to procure additional COVID-19 vaccines for future variants of concern. To ensure COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available, the Government of Canada has signed an advance purchase agreement with Pfizer Canada.

I will now talk about the proposed spending for combatting climate change. Honourable senators, it is no exaggeration to say that climate change is one of the greatest threats that we face, and it is up to the international community to find solutions to this global challenge. Canada recognizes this, which is why the government allocated $2.65 billion from 2016 to 2021 to combat climate change in developing countries, as part of the commitment we made under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

In June 2021, the Prime Minister announced that Canada would allocate an additional $5.3 billion over the next five years to continue supporting initiatives to fight climate change and biodiversity loss in developing countries.

In November, the government announced it will provide up to $1 billion to the Climate Investment Funds Accelerated Coal Transition initiative. This program is an initiative led by multiple donors that will provide funding for public sector investments to help developing countries transition from coal-fired electricity to clean power as quickly as possible. The Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa and India have already been selected for the first phase of the program.

In these supplementary estimates, the government is seeking $653.7 million for Global Affairs Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada to help developing countries address the impact of climate change. This funding will help developing countries transition towards low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature‑positive economies, in support of the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Those departments will also receive operating funds to build their capacity to implement Canada’s new commitment to funding the fight against climate change.

[English]

Honourable senators, the government is committed to tackling this unprecedented global challenge.

Another major area of proposed funding is targeted at infrastructure needs. Honourable senators, the government is committed to developing infrastructure while ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Infrastructure Canada is requesting $349.3 million for the P3 Canada Fund in these supplementary estimates. This funding will support the delivery of the remaining, approved and ongoing projects that Canada has legally committed to under the P3 Canada Fund. The projects include the Agence métropolitaine de transport Pointe-Sainte-Charles Maintenance Project in Montreal; the Edmonton Light Rail Transit System; and the Tlicho All-Season Road Project in the Northwest Territories. These are important investments that will help us to make our way out of the pandemic.

The government remains committed to transparency. It continues to prioritize the way these estimates are presented with extensive explanatory documentation readily accessible online to parliamentarians and Canadians alike. I would encourage my colleagues who have not already done so to consult the GC InfoBase, an interactive online tool that presents a wealth of federal data in a visual way.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, the bill I have the honour of introducing today is important for implementing the government’s commitment to the health and well-being of Canadians, as well as other key priorities.

If there’s one thing we have learned from current world events, it’s that we are all in this together. Quality of life improvements and an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic are equally important. The estimates show that the government continues to address immediate needs while also making long-term investments that will benefit all Canadians.

As a final point, I would like to thank all the members of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, especially its chair, Senator Mockler, and its vice-chair, Senator Forest, for their comprehensive study of the supplementary estimates. I really appreciate the work you do. Your thoughtful questions allow us to explore topics in greater depth than our speeches here allow us to do.

I now invite you, colleagues, to vote in favour of this bill without delay. Thank you for your attention.

(On motion of Senator Wells, debate adjourned.)