Subhead:A total of $40.3 billion in Special Warrants was posted Saturday to fund federal departments and agencies—without parliamentary approval.#
Cabinet used a special warrant to spend $40.3 billion, preventing the shutdown of federal functions at the start of the new budget year. “Any initiative that is to be considered for funding through a special warrant must have the appropriate cabinet and Treasury Board approval,” reads a 2011 report Special Warrants.
Stephen Harper’s cabinet last used Special Warrants in 2011 to keep essential services running during an election. They spent 9% of their yearly budget this way after losing a confidence vote.
A total $40,343,209,650 in Special Warrants was posted Saturday to fund federal departments and agencies, reported Blacklock’s, until Parliament votes on budget bills after the next election.
