2017–18 Departmental Plan

Spending and Human Resources

Elections Canada's Financial Framework

Elections Canada's unique dual funding mechanism and planning practices are a function of its mandate. The agency is funded in part by an annual appropriation that covers the salaries of its indeterminate positions and is not affected by the electoral cycle. The agency also has a statutory authority that allows it to draw directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for all other expenses. The statutory authority serves to recognize Elections Canada's independence from the government. It also ensures that Elections Canada has access to the funds required for elections that may occur at any time.

Under Canada's parliamentary system, general elections are scheduled to take place on fixed dates but can still be called in advance. This is particularly the case in a minority government situation. By-elections, which take place whenever seats in the House of Commons become vacant, are also unpredictable. For these reasons, Elections Canada does not normally forecast election readiness and delivery activities.

Planned Spending

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

Agency Spending Trend – Text version

Budgetary Planning Summary for Programs and Internal Services (dollars)

Programs and Internal Services	2014–15 Expenditures	2015–16 Expenditures	2016–17 Forecast Spending	2017–18 Main Estimates	2017–18 Planned Spending	2018–19 Planned Spending	2019–20 Planned Spending
Electoral Operations	90,292,796	331,586,802	48,566,302	53,556,884	53,556,884	39,431,253	36,663,769
Regulation of Electoral Activities	18,101,587	116,777,324	13,901,273	11,219,651	11,219,651	9,248,769	9,244,062
Electoral Engagement	8,261,985	8,244,303	8,723,030	9,279,980	9,279,980	8,941,792	8,653,721
Subtotal	116,656,368	456,608,429	71,190,605	74,056,515	74,056,515	57,621,814	54,561,552
Internal Services	34,110,007	29,797,925	35,806,083	38,151,475	38,151,475	35,448,730	35,731,739
Total	150,766,375	486,406,354	106,996,688	112,207,990	112,207,990	93,070,544	90,293,291

The agency spending fluctuation is dictated mostly by election dates. As the 42nd general election was held on October 19, 2015, the peak of expenditures required for its conduct was in 2015–16, and there were higher expenditures in 2014–15, when activities required to achieve operational readiness took place. In the years following an election, expenditures drop sharply, returning to their usual level as election activities wind down. This pattern is a result of the election cycle and is typical for the agency. In 2016–17, Elections Canada initiated a process for asset renewal and electoral services modernization; the bulk of the expenditures will be incurred in 2017–18, and expenditures will then diminish until 2019–20. These variations affect only the statutory portion of the funding.

Planned Human Resources

Human Resources Planning Summary for Programs and Internal Services
(full-time equivalents [FTE])

Programs and Internal Services	2014–15 Full-Time Equivalents	2015–16 Full-Time Equivalents	2016–17 Forecast Full-Time Equivalents	2017–18 Planned Full-Time Equivalents	2018–19 Planned Full-Time Equivalents	2019–20 Planned Full-Time Equivalents
Electoral Operations	309	444	273	257	229	220
Regulation of Electoral Activities	70	81	87	75	71	71
Electoral Engagement	57	68	71	67	67	67
Subtotal	436	593	431	399	367	358
Internal Services	120	131	153	152	148	152
Total	556	724	584	551	515	510

The FTE fluctuation, like the agency's spending, is dictated mostly by election dates. During 2016–17 most post-election activities took place, including reporting, evaluation, and the audit of candidate election returns. Also in 2016–17, Elections Canada initiated a process for asset renewal and electoral services modernization, with the majority of FTEs being planned for 2017–18.

Estimates by Vote

For information on Elections Canada's organizational appropriations, consult the 2017–18 Main Estimates.^{Footnote xiii}

Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations

The Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations provides a general overview of Elections Canada's operations. The forecast of financial information on expenses and revenues is prepared on an accrual accounting basis to strengthen accountability and to improve transparency and financial management.

Because the Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations is prepared on an accrual accounting basis, and the forecast and planned spending amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan are prepared on an expenditure basis, amounts may differ.

A more detailed Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations to the requested authorities, can be found on Elections Canada's website.^{Footnote xiv}

Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended March 31, 2018 (dollars)

Financial Information	2016–17 Forecast Results	2017–18 Planned Results	Difference (2017–18 Planned Results Minus 2016–17 Forecast Results)
Total expenses	116,387,828	116,744,369	356,541
Total revenues	-	-	-
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers	116,387,828	116,744,369	356,541

Elections Canada estimates about the same level of expenses for both 2016–17 and 2017–18.

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