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Name of Transfer Payment Program: Debt Payments on Behalf of Poor Countries to International Organizations

Start date: 2005–06

End date: Ongoing

Description: Payments for Canada’s commitment to the G8-led Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Responsible administration of financial obligations under the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative

Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance between Actual and Planned Spending is attributable to an increase of $98 million in Vote 5, Grants and contributions, arising from an accelerated payment to the World Bank and African Development Fund to better help these institutions deliver debt relief to low-income, heavily indebted countries. The variance between Actual Spending and Total Authorities arose because of an alternative process for making the $2 million payment to the World Bank for membership in the Debt Management Facility. Payment was made through the International Assistance Envelope inter-pool flexibility mechanism between the Department and the Canadian International Development Agency.

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Compensation to Canadian Agencies or Entities Established by an Act of Parliament for Reduction of Debts of Debtor Countries

Start date: 1991–92

End date: Ongoing

Description: Compensation to Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) for reduction of debts of debtor countries

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments to the EDC and the CWB to compensate for debt relief to debtor countries

Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance between Actual and Planned Spending is attributable to the Republic of Congo and the Ivory Coast not receiving anticipated debt-relief payments because they did not achieve the required debt-relief targets. In addition, debt-relief payments to Haiti, Iraq, and Poland were lower than anticipated because of fluctuations in exchange and interest rates.

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Payments to the International Development Association

Start date: 1960–61

End date: Ongoing

Description: Encashment of demand notes to allow the International Development Association (IDA) to disburse concessional financing for development projects and programs in the world’s poorest countries

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Financial obligations to the IDA were responsibly administrated. The results of IDA operations are detailed in the report on operations under the Breton Woods and Related Agreements Act that is tabled annually in Parliament.

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Payment to Nova Scotia in respect of the Crown Share Adjustment Payment regarding amounts relating to previous years up to March 31, 2008

Start date: 2008–09

End date: 2008–09

Description: On July 13, 2008, Canada signed an agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia to settle that province’s claim in respect of Crown share. Under this agreement, a payment of $234.4 million was made to Nova Scotia in September 2008 relating to previous years up to March 31, 2008.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet terms of the agreement between the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Fiscal Equalization (Part I—Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act)

Start date: 1957

End date: Ongoing

Description: Equalization payments are made to provincial governments in fulfillment of the constitutional commitment to ensure provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation. The new Equalization formula, based on a higher 10‑province standard, brings less prosperous provinces up to the national average fiscal capacity. Equalization payments are unconditional. In 2008–09, five provinces will receive payments under this program.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements for financial support to Canadian provinces to assist them in providing public services

Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance between Actual and Planned Spending is attributable to the Newfoundland and Labrador re-estimate under their Equalization formula. No variance between Actual and Total Authorities.

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Territorial Formula Financing (Part I.1—Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act)

Start date: 1985

End date: Ongoing

Description: Territorial Formula Financing payments are made to all territorial governments to provide the resources they need to deliver services comparable to those delivered by provincial governments, taking into account the high costs and unique challenges in the North.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements for financial support to Canadian territories to assist them in providing public services

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Health Transfer (Part V.1—Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act)

Start date: 2004

End date: Ongoing

Description: The Canada Health Transfer (CHT) provides equal per-capita support for health care, a shared national priority, through cash and tax point transfers to provincial and territorial governments. The CHT supports the government’s commitment to maintain the national criteria and conditions of the Canada Health Act (comprehensiveness, universality, portability, accessibility, and public administration and the prohibitions against user fees and extra-billing) as well as the 2000, 2003, and 2004 Health Accords.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements for financial support to Canadian provinces and territories to assist them in providing health care services reflecting the principles of the Canada Health Act

Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance between Actual and Planned Spending is attributable to prior year adjustments arising from the Estimates cycle as well as deductions made under the Canada Health Act. No variance between Actual and Total Authorities.

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Social Transfer (Part V.1—Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act)

Start date: 2004

End date: Ongoing

Description: The Canada Social Transfer (CST) provides equal per capita cash as well as tax point transfers to provincial and territorial governments to assist them in financing shared national priorities—social programs, post‑secondary education, and programs for children. The CST gives provinces and territories the flexibility to allocate payments among supported areas according to their own priorities and supports the government’s commitment to prohibit minimum residency requirements for social assistance.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements for financial support to Canadian provinces and territories to assist them in providing programs and services related to post-secondary education, social assistance and social services, and programs for children

Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance between Actual and Planned Spending is attributable to prior year adjustments arising from the Estimates cycle as well as a revised estimate of 2008–09 requirements made in October 2008. No variance between Actual and Total Authorities.

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Payment to Ontario (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: Direct payments are made to the Government of Ontario to assist the province in the transition to a single corporate tax administration, in respect of the Canada–Ontario Agreement.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Effective management of payments to provinces, territories, and Aboriginal governments

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Statutory Subsidies (Constitution Act, 1867; Constitution Act, 1982; and other statutory authorities)

Start date: 1867

End date: Ongoing

Description: The statutory subsidies provide a source of funding to provinces in accordance with terms of entry into Confederation.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements for financial support to provinces

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Youth Allowances Recovery (Federal-Provincial Revision Act, 1964)

Start date: 1964

End date: Ongoing

Description: The Youth Allowances Recovery is a recovery from the Province of Quebec for an additional tax point transfer (three points) above and beyond the Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer tax point transfer. In the 1960s, Quebec chose to use the federal government’s contracting-out arrangements for certain federal-provincial programs. Quebec continues to receive the value of these tax points through its own income tax system and reimburses the Government of Canada for the discontinued programs for which it receives tax point transfers. Taken together, the Alternative Payments for Standing Programs and the Youth Allowances Recovery are known as the Quebec Abatement and ensure all provinces are treated similarly.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate recoveries from the Province of Quebec that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements

Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance between Actual and Planned Spending is attributable to prior year adjustments arising from the Estimates cycle as well as a revised estimate of 2008–09 requirements made in February 2009. The $611 million reduced recovery from 2007–08 is a result of Quebec making a payment in 2007–08 toward its 2008–09 obligation as well as changes in the value of tax points used to calculate the recovery. No variance between Actual and Total Authorities.

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Alternative Payments for Standing Programs (Part VI—Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act

Start date: 1977

End date: Ongoing

Description: The Alternative Payments for Standing Programs is a recovery from the Province of Quebec for an additional tax point transfer (13.5 points) above and beyond the Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer tax point transfer. In the 1960s, Quebec chose to use the federal government’s contracting-out arrangements for certain federal-provincial programs. Quebec continues to receive the value of these tax points through its own income tax system in lieu of cash, while other provinces receive the corresponding amounts in cash. Taken together, the Alternative Payments for Standing Programs and the Youth Allowances Recovery are known as the Quebec Abatement and ensure all provinces are treated similarly.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate recoveries from the Province of Quebec that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements

Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance between Actual and Planned Spending is attributable to prior year adjustments arising from the Estimates cycle as well as a revised estimate of 2008–09 requirements made in February 2009. No variance between Actual and Total Authorities.

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Payment to British Columbia (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: A one-time payment to support sustainable land and resource management development in the Great Bear Rainforest on the central coast of British Columbia

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative and regulatory requirements for financial support to British Columbia

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Payment to Northwest Territories (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: To provide for an adjustment to the Government of the Northwest Territories for the portion of the corporate income tax refund paid out by the territory to date. Funding is accounted for in 2006–07 and was paid in 2007–08, once authorizing legislation received Royal Assent.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative requirements for financial support to the Northwest Territories

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Clean Air and Climate Change Trust Fund (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: A one-time payment to provide support to provinces and territories for projects designed to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Funding is accounted for in 2006–07 and was paid into a third-party trust in 2007–08, once authorizing legislation received Royal Assent. Funding is notionally allocated over three years (2007–08 to 2009–10), and provinces and territories have the flexibility to draw down funds according to their respective needs and priorities over the lifespan of the trust.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative requirements for financial support to provinces and territories

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: : Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Patient Wait Times Guarantee Trust Fund (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: A one‑time payment to provide support to provinces and territories for development of patient wait times guarantees in at least one of the five identified priority areas (cancer treatment, heart procedures, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement, and sight restoration). Funding is accounted for in 2006–07 and was paid into a third-party trust in 2007–08, once authorizing legislation received Royal Assent. Funding is notionally allocated over three years (2007–08 to 2009–10), and provinces and territories have the flexibility to draw down funds according to their respective needs and priorities over the lifespan of the trust.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative requirements for financial support to provinces and territories

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transitional Payments (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: One-time transitional payments for outstanding commitments to Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan for training and for post-secondary education. Funding is accounted for in 2006–07 and was paid into a third-party trust in 2007–08, once authorizing legislation received Royal Assent. Funding is notionally allocated over three years (2007–08 to 2009–10), and provinces have the flexibility to draw down funds according to their respective needs and priorities over the lifespan of the trust.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all legislative requirements for financial support to Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Child Care Spaces (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: A one-time payment to provide support to provinces and territories for the creation of child care spaces through a direct payment for 2007–08; funding will be included in the Canada Social Transfer beginning in 2008–09.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative requirements for financial support to provinces and territories

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Human Papillomavirus Immunization Trust Fund (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2006–07

End date: 2007–08

Description: A one-time payment to provide support to provinces and territories to launch a national human papillomavirus vaccine program to protect women and girls from cervical cancer. Funding is accounted for in 2006–07 and was paid into a third-party trust in 2007–08, once authorizing legislation received Royal Assent. Funding is notionally allocated over three years (2007–08 to 2009–10), and provinces and territories have the flexibility to draw down funds according to their respective needs and priorities over the lifespan of the trust.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payments that meet all the legislative requirements for financial support to provinces and territories

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: Audit of the Management of Transfer Payments to Provinces and Territories

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Incentive for Provinces to Eliminate Taxes on Capital (Budget Implementation Act, 2007)

Start date: 2008–09

End date: 2010–11

Description: Financial incentive to encourage provinces to accelerate the elimination of provincial capital taxes or restructure an existing capital tax on financial institutions into a minimum tax

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Increased competitiveness of Canadian businesses by strengthening Canada’s business tax advantage

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Public Transit Capital Trust 2008

Start date: 2007–08

End date: 2008–09

Description: The Public Transit Capital Trust 2008 was put in place to support provinces and territories in the establishment of public transit infrastructure. Funding is notionally allocated over two years (2008–09 to 2009–10) and was distributed on an equal per capita basis among provinces and territories.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate administration of payment to provinces and territories for targeted support

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Police Officers Recruitment Fund

Start date: 2007–08

End date: 2008–09

Description: The Police Officers Recruitment Fund was established to support provinces and territories in recruiting 2,500 new front-line police officers. Funding is notionally allocated over five years (2008–09 to 2013–14) and was distributed proportionally among provinces and territories.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate administration of payments to provinces and territories for targeted support

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Saskatchewan Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstration Trust

Start date: 2007–08

End date: 2008–09

Description: The Saskatchewan Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstration Trust was put in place to support Saskatchewan in the establishment of a full-scale commercial demonstration of carbon capture and storage in the coal-fired electricity sector. Funding is notionally allocated over four years (2008–09 to 2012–13).

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate administration of the payments to provinces and territories for targeted support

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Social Transfer Transition Protection Payment to Saskatchewan

Start date: 2008–09

End date: 2008–09

Description: A one-time payment to Saskatchewan to protect the province against declines in its Canada Social Transfer (CST) cash payment for 2008–09 to 2012–13, relative to what it would have received in 2007–08 when the CST was moved to equal per capita cash plus its relative share of $250 million for child care. This additional $250 support for child care was provided outside the CST in 2007–08 and was rolled into the CST for 2008–09 and subsequent years.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate payment to Saskatchewan that meets the legislative and regulatory requirements

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Payment to Nova Scotia for Carbon Storage

Start date: 2007–08

End date: N/A

Description: Budget 2008 provided $5 million in 2007–08 that, along with complementary investment by the province, will support geological research examining the potential for carbon storage in the province.

Strategic Outcome: A strong and sustainable economy, resulting in increasing standards of living and improved quality of life for Canadians

Results Achieved: Timely and accurate administration of the payments to provinces and territories for targeted support

Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A

Audit completed or planned: None