SoVote

Bill C-43

44th Parl. 1st Sess.

March 30, 2023

This bill, titled Appropriation Act No. 5, 2022-23, grants a total of $4,680,112,624 to the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. This money is provided to cover charges and expenses that are not otherwise funded. The bill outlines the specific amounts allocated to various government departments and agencies, along with the purposes for which they are granted. The bill also includes provisions for adjustments in the accounts of Canada and the order of payment for the appropriated amounts.

A steelman argument in favor of this Act could be that it is necessary to ensure the functioning of the federal public administration and the provision of essential services to the Canadian population. The allocation of $4,680,112,624 towards defraying charges and expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 is essential to fund various government departments and agencies, such as the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canadian Energy Regulator, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and others, which play crucial roles in maintaining the well-being and security of the country. This Act allows for the proper management of financial resources, ensuring that the appropriations are used for specific purposes and subject to terms and conditions set out in the Act. Additionally, the Act allows for flexibility in adjusting the accounts of Canada and ensures that unallocated amounts lapse at the en

One possible steelman argument against this Act is that granting such a large sum of money to the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 without specifying how it will be allocated or ensuring transparency and accountability may lead to potential misuse or wastage of taxpayer funds. This lack of specificity in the Act raises concerns about whether the funds will be used efficiently and effectively to address the pressing needs of the country. Without clearer guidelines on how the money will be spent, there is a risk that it may be allocated to unnecessary or low-priority projects, leading to a misuse of public resources. Additionally, without proper oversight and reporting measures in place, it may be difficult to hold the government accountable for how the funds are used. This lack of transparency undermines public trust in the government and can also hinder the evaluation of the effectiveness of the pr