Memorandum to the Minister of Transport
2020-21 SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES (B)
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For Approval |
Purpose: The purpose of this note is to seek your approval for the items included in the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B) for Transport Canada (TC), the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL), Marine Atlantic Incorporated (MAI), and VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA). Background: Supplementary Estimates are part of the normal parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move forward. The Supplementary Estimates allow the Department to access funding within the fiscal year that was not previously included in the Main Estimates, such as funding announced in the Federal Budget, and are published throughout the year.
Despite the recent prorogation of Parliament, timelines for the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B) remain on schedule. Final Page Proofs are to be delivered to TBS in early October with CFO confirmation that the Deputy Minister and Minister have been briefed and agree with all items included in these Supplementary Estimates.
Analysis and Considerations: The 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B) for the Minister’s portfolio includes the items listed below.
For Transport Canada:
- 17 items totaling $516.6M in voted appropriations for new funding
- 1 statutory adjustment of $0.5M for the Employee Benefit Plan
- 2 external transfers of $0.3M from other government departments
- 2 external transfers of $0.8M in funding to various government departments.
- 3 internal transfers with no financial impact
For CATSA:
- $41.5M for Explosives Detection Systems (EDS)
- $4.1M for Transition and support cost
- For MAI:
- $2.0M for investments in various capital projects
For FBCL:
- $1.9M in statutory funding (COVID-19 related)
- $0.7M in operating funding as a result of decreased revenue due to COVID-19
- One transfer of $240K from TC for Transportation Assets Risk Assessment (TARA) programs
For VIA:
- $187.5M to address revenue shortfalls (COVID-19 related)
- $4.5M for Heritage fleet modernization
Further details on all items are provided in Annex A and B.
Communications: The tabling of the Supplementary Estimates (B) in Parliament is not expected to attract media attention. A responsive communications approach is recommended. Should enquiries be received, existing media lines on Transport Canada’s funding items would be updated or lines would be prepared as needed.
Media enquiries concerning funding requests for CATSA, FBCL, MAI, and VIA Rail, will be directed to those organizations, as they operate at arm’s-length from government and are responsible for their planned spending decisions. Next Steps: It is expected that the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B) will be tabled in the House of Commons as early as November 2020. Following confirmation of your approval for the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B) for the Transport portfolio, Final Page Proofs will be delivered to TBS. Recommendations: It is recommended that the Minister approve the Supplementary Estimates (B).