Government Introduces Interim Supply Bills #nlpoli

The Provincial Government has introduced two interim supply bills.

The total of both interim supply bills is $3,458,446,300 and is based on allocations approved during Budget 2020.

Approval of the first bill will serve to confirm the amount issued by special warrant for the two-month period (April 1 to May 31) with a total allocation of $2,086,721,900. Bringing the special warrant allocation to the House of Assembly is consistent with the spirit and intent of the Financial Administration Act which specifies that appropriations should be approved in the legislature.

The second interim supply bill is required to be passed in the House of Assembly to continue ongoing operations for the period from June 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021 while Budget 2021 and the associated main supply bill is being introduced, debated and approved by the legislature. The total allocation is $1,371,724,400. This legislation will need to be passed by the House of Assembly and receive Royal Assent of the Lieutenant Governor by May 20, 2021 in order to meet payroll, income support and other expenditures effective June 1, 2021.

Government operations include payroll, income support and other expenditure obligations such as the calling and awarding of tenders, as well as annual contractual obligations that must be encumbered pursuant to the Financial Administration Act.