2018 to 2019 Public Accounts: Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates—March 12, 2020

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2018 to 2019 Public Accounts and report

In this section

Background: Public accounts

The Public Accounts of Canada is a report prepared annually by the Receiver General, as required under section 64 of the Financial Administration Act. The information contained summarizes the financial transactions of all government departments and agencies, as well as the detailed records maintained by each department and agency, including Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

The Public Accounts of Canada covers the fiscal year of the government ending on March 31. It provides information to Parliament, and thus to the public, which will enable them to understand and evaluate the financial transactions of the government for transparency and to present a fair picture of the country’s financial position.

Each department is responsible for submitting financial information to the Receiver General who then consolidates the government-wide information into the Public Accounts of Canada. Responsibility for the form and content of the Public Accounts of Canada rests with the minister of Finance, as well as the president of the Treasury Board who is responsible for tabling the Public Accounts of Canada in the House of Commons.

The department is accountable for preparing its financial information and undertakes a rigorous annual process to ensure that what is reflected in the Public Accounts of Canada accurately captures the relevant information and proper recording of financial transactions. The Office of the Auditor General performed an audit of our Public Accounts of Canada and determined that no material misstatements were identified.

In the past few years, our department has not received significant media attention. However, areas that could attract interest have been detailed in this document.

Key messages: Public accounts

Contractual obligations

Environmental liabilities

Losses of public money

Losses of public property

Payments of claims against the Crown

Court awards

Professional and special services

Expenses for the Minister’s Office

Accountable advances

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