Bill C-18 explained in plain English
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill C-18 grants the federal government authority to spend $55,143,895,167 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 across multiple federal departments and agencies.
Bill C-18 is an appropriation bill that authorizes the federal government to spend $55,143,895,167 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. Appropriation bills are laws that allow the government to spend money that was not authorized in earlier appropriation acts. This particular bill provides funding for various federal departments and agencies for operations, capital projects, grants, contributions, and other expenditures. The money comes from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (the federal government's general treasury). The bill specifies different amounts for different departments across multiple schedules, with different payment timelines. Some amounts are available only for the fiscal year 2020–21, while others may be charged across 2020–21 and the following fiscal year. The bill became law on June 26, 2020.
- Authorizes spending of $55,143,895,167 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for federal government operations and expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 that were not authorized in earlier appropriation acts
- Allocates specified amounts to various federal departments and agencies including Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canadian Heritage, Citizenship and Immigration, Fisheries and Oceans, Foreign Affairs, Health, Justice, Indigenous Services, Veterans Affairs, and many others
- Provides funds for different types of expenditures including operating costs, capital projects, grants, contributions, and special payments such as ministerial salaries
- Establishes that amounts must be used only for the purposes specified in the estimates and subject to any applicable terms and conditions
- Allows certain appropriations to be charged after the fiscal year ends for accounting adjustments, with specific timelines for different schedules
- Specifies that amounts allocated under this Act and previous appropriation acts are paid in a specific order of priority
- Designates the effective date of the provisions as April 1, 2020, the start of the fiscal year
- Federal government departments and agencies receiving funding allocations, including the Department of Indigenous Services, Department of Health, Department of Justice, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Canada Revenue Agency, and numerous others
- Crown corporations receiving funding, such as Via Rail Canada Inc., Marine Atlantic Inc., and Parks Canada Agency
- Federal public service employees whose compensation and benefits are funded through appropriations, including salaries and payroll adjustments
- Ministers without portfolio and ministers of state who do not preside over a ministry of state (regarding salary payments)
- Members of the Canadian Forces (regarding compensation adjustments)
- Canadian taxpayers who fund government operations through the Consolidated Revenue Fund
- Members of Parliament (the House of Commons receives funding for program expenditures)
- Federal departments and agencies may use appropriations only for the purposes and subject to the terms and conditions specified in the estimates (Section 4)
- The Treasury Board has authority to supplement other appropriations for operating budget carry-forward from the previous fiscal year (Schedule 1.1, Vote 25)
- The Treasury Board has authority to supplement appropriations for parental and maternity allowances, cessation of service or employment entitlements, and compensation adjustments (Schedule 1.1, Vote 30)
- Various departments have authority to expend revenues received during the fiscal year to offset related expenditures, in accordance with the Financial Administration Act (multiple schedules)
- Appropriations may be charged after the fiscal year ends for accounting adjustments, but only before the Public Accounts are tabled in Parliament (Sections 5 and 6)
- For certain appropriations in Schedules 2.1 and 2.2, amounts may be paid and applied until March 31, 2022, with payments charged first against the earliest-available appropriation under any Act until exhausted (Section 6(2))
- Effective date of April 1, 2020 for the provisions of each item (this marks the start of the fiscal year 2020–21) (Section 4(2))
- The bill received Royal Assent on June 26, 2020
- Fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 (the period for which these appropriations are granted)
- For appropriations in Schedules 2.1 and 2.2, amounts may be charged until March 31, 2022 (Section 6(2))
- Total appropriation of $55,143,895,167 authorized for withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021
- Broken down into multiple allocations by proportional fractions of Main Estimates amounts across different schedules
- The bill does not impose new taxes or tax changes; it authorizes spending of existing government revenues
- Authorized spending includes operating expenditures, capital expenditures, grants, contributions, employee compensation, insurance and benefits, and ministerial salaries across federal government operations
- The bill does not contain explicit enforcement mechanisms or penalties; it is an authorization measure for government spending
- Enforcement of proper use of appropriations would fall under general government financial management and audit procedures, including Treasury Board oversight and Parliamentary scrutiny through the Public Accounts
- The bill references multiple schedules and Main Estimates documents that are not included in the provided text, so the specific details of how each allocation will be used depend on those detailed estimates
- The bill uses fractions of Main Estimates amounts (ranging from one-twelfth to nine-twelfths across different schedules), the reasoning for these different fractions is not explained in the bill text itself
- While the bill authorizes spending of these amounts, the actual timing and flow of payments is not specified in detail
- The bill does not specify how departments should prioritize their spending if needs change during the fiscal year
- Some items reference Treasury Board discretion for certain decisions (e.g., grants may be increased or decreased subject to Treasury Board approval), but the criteria for such decisions are not detailed in this bill
The bill authorizes the federal government to withdraw $55,143,895,167 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (the federal government's main treasury account) to pay for various federal government expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.
Source: Section 2
The bill references and applies various authorities granted under the Financial Administration Act, including the ability to expend revenues received to offset certain expenditures, and authorities related to recoverable expenditures.
Source: Section 2, Schedules 1.1-1.7 and 2.1-2.2
The bill references section 67 of the Parliament of Canada Act regarding the payment of salaries to ministers without portfolio and ministers of state who do not preside over a ministry of state.
Source: Multiple items in Schedules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5
The bill references the Salaries Act as establishing the baseline for calculating ministerial salaries authorized under this appropriation.
Source: Multiple items in Schedules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5
The bill allows appropriations to be charged for accounting adjustments only before the Public Accounts for the relevant fiscal year are tabled in Parliament.
Source: Sections 5 and 6
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
This artifact documents the first reading of Bill C-18 in the Senate on June 18, 2020, and notes its subsequent progression through the Senate and eventual receipt of royal assent.
This record shows that Bill C-18, an act to grant money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, had its first reading in the Senate on June 18, 2020. It also indicates that the bill later received royal assent on June 26, 2020, becoming chapter 9 of the Statutes of Canada 2020. The artifact also shows that the bill had a prior legislative path in the Senate on June 17, 2020, including first and second readings, committee referral, report stage, and third reading, with all stages agreed to. Subsequently, on June 22, 2020, the bill had its second reading again, and on June 23 and June 25, 2020, it proceeded to third reading.
The Senate's first reading of Bill C-18 occurred during a sitting that also addressed urgent matters of racism, committee reports, and other legislative business.
On June 18, 2020, the Senate held its first reading of Bill C-18, an act granting funds for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. The sitting also included tributes, discussions on urgent public interest matters like racism, presentation of committee reports, and question period on various topics including foreign affairs, finance, and public safety. Several other legislative items and motions were debated, including amendments to the Constitution Act, studies on the future of workers, and discussions on Senate procedures.
The Senate completed the second reading of Bill C-18 on June 22, 2020, as part of its passage through Parliament.
This record shows that on June 22, 2020, the Senate completed the second reading stage of Bill C-18. The second reading stage was agreed to. This procedural step moves the bill forward for further consideration. It is important to note that this artifact is a procedural record and not the full text of the bill. The bill ultimately received royal assent on June 26, 2020, and became chapter 9 of the Statutes of Canada, 2020.
On June 22, 2020, the Senate debated and processed various items, including the tabling of Charter Statements for Bill C-18 and Bill C-19, heard statements on diverse topics, held Question Period on multiple foreign and domestic policy issues, and began second reading debates for two appropriation bills.
On June 22, 2020, the Senate sat and addressed various matters. This included tabling of a Charter Statement related to Bill C-18 and Bill C-19, presentation of committee reports, and adoption of a motion to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to discuss the Main Estimates and the government's role in combating racism. The Senate also heard statements on Food Day Canada, Manitoba's 150th anniversary, systemic racism, charitable and non-profit sectors, and World Refugee Day. Question Period covered topics such as consular services, the UN Security Council, the Safe Third Country Agreement, temporary foreign workers, support for Black-owned businesses, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, and human rights in Iran. The Senate then proceeded to second reading debates on Appropriation Bill No. 2 (Bill C-18) and Appropriation Bill No. 3 (Bill C-19), and continued debates on other bills. Motions were also made regarding committee procedures and the establishment of a special committee on systemic racism.
During the Senate's second reading debate of Bill C-18 on June 22, 2020, senators discussed the bill's interim supply purpose, raised concerns about financial transparency, and addressed a wide range of other pressing national and international issues through statements, questions, and debates on various procedural and legislative matters.
On June 22, 2020, the Senate convened for its second reading debate on Bill C-18, an act to grant funds for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. During the proceedings, senators also engaged in discussions on various other matters, including Food Day Canada, Manitoba's 150th anniversary, systemic racism, charitable and non-profit sectors, and World Refugee Day. Procedural matters included the tabling of Charter Statements for Bills C-18 and C-19, a report from the Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators committee, and a motion to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to discuss the 2020-21 Main Estimates and the government's role in combating racism. Question Period addressed issues such as the detention of Canadians in China, Canada's pursuit of a UN Security Council seat, the Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S., support for Black-owned businesses, and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. The debate on Bill C-18 involved Senator Marc Gold explaining the bill's purpose as a second interim supply bill to cover expenses from June to December 2020, due to the extended study of Main Estimates necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Elizabeth Marshall raised concerns about transparency and the pace at which money bills were being processed, while Senator Scott Tannas inquired about global financial disclosure practices and bond purchasers. The Senate also debated Bill C-19, an act for granting sums of money for federal public administration. Senator Marshall again expressed concerns about the study of Supplementary Estimates (A) and the lack of transparency regarding government borrowing and Crown corporation finances. Additionally, the Senate debated other bills, including an amendment to the National Capital Act, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a bill to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada, a bill to amend the Canada Elections Act regarding the voting age, and a report from the Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators committee concerning Senator Victor Oh. The Senate also continued debate on an inquiry regarding Arctic issues and debated motions concerning the composition of Senate committees and the establishment of a Special Senate Committee on Systemic Racism.
The Senate completed the third reading of Bill C-18 on June 17, 2020, and the bill subsequently received royal assent on June 26, 2020.
The Senate completed the third reading of Bill C-18 on June 17, 2020. This is a procedural step where the bill is considered for final approval before potentially moving to the next stage. The bill later received royal assent on June 26, 2020, becoming law as chapter 9 of the Statutes of Canada, 2020.
On June 23, 2020, the Senate held a sitting that featured Question Period on diverse issues, adopted the third report on Supplementary Estimates (A), adjourned debates on appropriation bills and the third reading of Bill C-18, and addressed ongoing debates on ethics, systemic racism, and proposed changes to Senate rules.
On June 23, 2020, the Senate convened for a sitting that included tributes to departing pages, statements on various observances (International Thalassemia Day, Fighting Terrorism, National Sickle Cell Awareness Day), and routine proceedings such as adjournment notices. The majority of the sitting was dedicated to Question Period, where senators raised concerns on a range of topics including foreign affairs (Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 tragedy, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, China-United States relations), finance (Guaranteed Livable Income), agriculture (Temporary Foreign Workers), Crown-Indigenous Relations, Infrastructure Canada, and health (COVID-19 pandemic). Following Question Period, the Senate proceeded to Orders of the Day. Significant agenda items included the debate and adjournment of the Third Report of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators concerning Senator Beyak, the adoption of the National Finance Committee's Third Report on Supplementary Estimates (A), and the adjournment of the third reading debates for Appropriation Bill No. 2 and Bill C-18. Other items included continued debates on various bills and motions concerning the Criminal Code, the Constitution Act, 1867, the Parliament of Canada Act, the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, national security, systemic racism, and proposed amendments to the Senate's rules and procedures. The sitting concluded with the adoption of a motion regarding adjournment.
The Senate convened on June 25, 2020, to discuss tributes, national and international issues, and the government's role in combating racism, before proceeding to the third reading of an appropriation bill.
On June 25, 2020, the Senate convened for a sitting that included tributes to departing pages and discussions on various important issues including tributes to departing pages, the commemoration of the Korean War, the role of women in environmental issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and racism, and Canada-China relations. The sitting also featured Question Period covering topics such as Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Agri-Food, Foreign Affairs, Health, National Capital Commission, and Finance. Later in the sitting, the Senate moved into a Committee of the Whole to discuss the Government of Canada’s role in combatting racism. The sitting concluded with the third reading of Bill C-18, an appropriation bill, and the continuation of debates on other bills and inquiries, including those related to the Criminal Code, Criminal Records Act, and systemic racism.
Bill C-18, an act granting funds for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, completed its legislative journey through the House of Commons and Senate, receiving royal assent on June 26, 2020.
This record shows the procedural steps for Bill C-18 in the House of Commons on June 17, 2020. The bill moved through first, second, and third readings, with second reading being agreed to and referred to a committee. The bill also had report stage and third reading completed on the same day. Later, on June 18, 2020, the bill proceeded to first reading in the Senate, followed by second reading on June 22, 2020. Major speeches were shown at second reading, and third reading occurred on June 23 and June 25, 2020. The bill ultimately received royal assent on June 26, 2020, becoming Statutes of Canada 2020, c. 9.
During a House of Commons sitting on June 17, 2020, members debated and approved supplementary estimates and passed Bill C-18 (interim supply) to grant funds for the federal public administration for the upcoming fiscal year.
On June 17, 2020, the House of Commons debated and passed Bill C-18, the interim supply bill, which grants the government funds for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. The sitting included discussions on supplementary estimates for 2020-21, covering various government spending areas, including measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, support for Indigenous peoples, and departmental operations. There were also debates concerning the government's response to the pandemic, economic measures, and international relations, including Canada's bid for a UN Security Council seat. Procedurally, the House went into a committee of the whole to examine the supplementary estimates and then passed Bill C-18, allowing for the continued funding of federal public administration.
Bill C-18 completed its second reading in the House of Commons on June 17, 2020, and was referred to committee, with Royal Assent granted on June 26, 2020.
This record shows that Bill C-18, an Act for granting certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, completed its second reading in the House of Commons on June 17, 2020. The bill was then referred to a committee for consideration. It also notes that the bill received Royal Assent on June 26, 2020.
On June 17, 2020, the House of Commons debated and passed interim supply and Bills C-18 and C-19 concerning Supplementary Estimates (A) for the 2020-21 fiscal year, amidst discussions on government spending and pandemic-related measures.
This record details a sitting of the House of Commons on June 17, 2020, where the House considered and debated Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. The sitting included discussions and votes on interim supply and the passage of Bill C-18, an act for granting certain sums of money for the federal public administration. Members from various parties raised questions and concerns regarding government spending, the allocation of funds, and the procedures being followed, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sitting also included proceedings on supplementary estimates related to Bill C-19. The session concluded with expressions of thanks from various House leaders and the Speaker.
On June 17, 2020, the House of Commons completed its committee stage review of Bill C-18, subsequently passing report stage and third reading.
This artifact details the completion of the 'Consideration in committee' stage for Bill C-18 in the House of Commons on June 17, 2020. This stage, where a bill is examined clause by clause by a committee, was completed on this date. The bill then moved through report stage and third reading in the House of Commons on the same day.
The House of Commons considered and passed Bill C-18 concerning supplementary estimates for the federal public administration on June 17, 2020, amidst debates on COVID-19 spending and other government business.
On June 17, 2020, the House of Commons sat to consider the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. This involved a debate and committee of the whole process for Bill C-18, an Act for granting certain sums of money for the federal public administration. The House also dealt with other government business, including a motion regarding Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752 and a motion to amend the membership of a Standing Committee. During the consideration of the estimates, a point of order was raised concerning comments made by the Member for Burnaby South, which led to a Speaker's ruling and the member being ordered to withdraw from the House. The debate saw exchanges between government ministers and opposition members on various spending items, including COVID-19 related expenditures, support for small businesses, programs for students and seniors, and departmental budgets. Ultimately, Bill C-18 was passed by the House. The sitting concluded with remarks from various House leaders expressing thanks and well wishes.
The House of Commons completed the Report stage for Bill C-18 on June 17, 2020, after which it moved to Third Reading.
The House of Commons completed its Report stage for Bill C-18 on June 17, 2020. This stage is where the House reviews amendments proposed by a committee. Following this, the bill proceeded directly to Third Reading.
During the June 17, 2020 House of Commons sitting, members debated and approved supplementary spending estimates and interim supply bills, addressing topics from COVID-19 relief to departmental funding, amidst procedural discussions and a point of order.
On June 17, 2020, the House of Commons sat and considered the "Supplementary Estimates (A), 2020-21" as part of the "Business of Supply". This process allows the House to review and approve the government's spending plans. During the sitting, members debated various aspects of the proposed spending, including the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB), support for students and youth, funding for Indigenous services, and procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE). There was also a point of order raised regarding comments made by a Member of Parliament, which led to a Speaker's ruling and the member being asked to withdraw. The House then proceeded to vote on and pass two interim supply bills (Bill C-18 and Bill C-19), which grant the government funds for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. The sitting concluded with remarks from various MPs expressing thanks to House staff and acknowledging the unique circumstances of the sitting.
On June 17, 2020, the House of Commons completed the third reading of Bill C-18, after which the bill proceeded to the Senate and eventually received Royal Assent on June 26, 2020.
The House of Commons completed the third reading stage of Bill C-18 on June 17, 2020. This stage is a final review before a bill is considered by the Senate. Following this, the bill moved to the Senate for its own readings and committee reviews. The artifact indicates that the bill received royal assent on June 26, 2020, becoming chapter 9 of the Statutes of Canada 2020.
The House of Commons debated and approved the Supplementary Estimates (A) for 2020-21 and passed Bill C-18 at its third reading, authorizing government spending for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.
This document details the House of Commons proceedings on June 17, 2020, concerning the Third Reading of Bill C-18, an Act for granting certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. The sitting included debates on the Supplementary Estimates (A) for 2020-21, covering various government expenditures and COVID-19 related measures. Members of Parliament from different parties raised questions and concerns regarding government spending, program details, and the overall handling of the pandemic. The House also addressed a point of order concerning comments made by a Member, leading to their withdrawal from the House. Procedurally, the House considered and approved the Supplementary Estimates (A) and subsequently passed Bill C-18, which was then granted Royal Assent, marking the completion of this stage of the legislative process.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Debates of the Senate yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
This bill does not have a published recorded division in the current official sources, so representative-by-representative vote counts are not shown.
No published representative vote breakdown
The current official sources do not publish a recorded division breakdown for this bill, so there is no representative-by-representative table to show.
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced