Departmental Quarterly Financial Report (April - June 2026)

Departmental Quarterly Financial Report (April - June 2026)

I. Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program for the quarter ended 30 June 2026

1. Introduction

This quarterly report has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates.

A summary description of Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) program activities can be found in Part II of the Main Estimates.

As a result of the Government’s expenditure management cycle, there are often fluctuations by quarter and between fiscal years when comparing budgets and expenditures. This is primarily a result of the quasi-statutory nature of the Department’s programs, which are demand-driven and based on need and entitlement. In other words, Veterans who meet the eligibility criteria for VAC’s programs, are paid as they apply for benefits.

We build our annual budget to respond to Veterans in need of benefits and services. A key part of this process is forecasting, which helps ensure there is enough funding for all eligible Veterans who are likely to need help in a given year.

Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes VAC’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the Department, consistent with the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates for the 2026-27 fiscal year. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities. The authority of Parliament is required before monies can be spent by the Government. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.

When Parliament is dissolved for the purposes of a general election, section 30 of the Financial Administration Act authorizes, under certain conditions, the preparation of a special warrants to be signed by the Governor General authorizing payments to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Special warrants are deemed to be an appropriation for the fiscal year in which they are issued.

When Parliament is dissolved for the purposes of a general election, section 30 of the Financial Administration Act authorizes, under certain conditions, the preparation of a special warrants to be signed by the Governor General authorizing payments to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Special warrants are deemed to be an appropriation for the fiscal year in which they are issued.

The Department uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual departmental financial statements that are part of the departmental results reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

The quarterly report has not been subject to an external audit but has been reviewed by the Departmental Audit Committee.

2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date (YTD) results

This section highlights the significant elements that contributed to the changes in Authorities available (i.e. budget) for the fiscal year, as well as the year-to-date expenditures for the quarter ended 30 June 2026.

The following tables provide a comparison of the authorities available for use and the expenditures for the quarters ending 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026 for the Department.

2.1 Statement of authorities

2.1.1 Changes in fiscal year-to-date authorities available
Table 1: Changes in year-to-date authorities available for the year ending 31 March 2027 (in thousands of dollars)
Authorities (available at quarter-end) 2026-27 2025-26 Variance ($) Variance (%)
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures 1,769,034 1,993,350 (224,316) (11.3)
Vote 5 – Grants and contributions 6,353,813 5,785,482 568,331 9.8
Budgetary statutory authorities 50,440 51,903 (1,463) (2.8)
Total authorities $8,173,287 $7,830,735 $342,552 4.4%

As at 30 June 2026, total authorities available (i.e. budget) at quarter end were $343M more (4.4% increase) when compared to amounts available at the same quarter-end the previous year, from $7,831M in 2025-26 to $8,173M in 2026-27.

Much of this increase in total authorities can be attributed to an increase in client demand for many of our benefits and services.

2.1.2 Changes in year-to-date expenditures
Table 2: Changes in year-to-date expenditures used as of 30 June 2026 and 30 June 2025 (in thousands of dollars)
Expenditures (year-to-date as at quarter end) 2026-27 2025-26 Variance ($) Variance (%)
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures 328,316 345,658 (17,342) (5.0)
Vote 5 – Grants and contributions 1,587,776 1,465,763 122,013 8.3
Budgetary statutory authorities 12,561 12,910 (349) (2.7)
Total expenditures $1,928,653 $1,824,331 $104,322 5.7%

Year-to-date expenditures for Veterans Affairs Canada are $104M more (5.7% increase) when compared to the same timeframe in 2025-26. This increase can be explained by the variances detailed below.

Vote 1 - Operating expenditures – decrease of $17M

  • Overall expenditures to date have decreased, primarily due to lower spending in 2026–27 compared to 2025-26, for the Manuge class action settlement, as most payments were processed in prior years. This class action sought damages as a result of alleged miscalculation of the annual adjustment of basic pension under the Pension Act from 2003 to present, resulting in underpayment to class members.

Vote 5 - Grant and contribution - increase of $122M

  • VAC’s expenditures fluctuate each year due to the demand-driven nature of its programs which are based on Veterans’ needs and entitlements.
  • Increases for this period are attributed to the cumulative increase in clients accessing our programs that have a lifelong benefit.

Budgetary statutory authorities – decrease of $349k

  • Expenditures are being recorded based on initial budgets. They will be updated at the end of the fiscal year to reflect the actual salary costs.

3. Risks and uncertainties

VAC is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of Veterans and their families. The Department recognizes that its ability to fulfill this mandate is closely tied to the effective management of risk. Strong risk management practices allow VAC to respond proactively to change and uncertainty, using risk-based information to support informed decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for Canadians.

More information on the risks facing the Department and the mitigation strategies in place can be found on VAC's website.

4. Significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs

Mandate commitments

The Department continues to experience growing demand for many programs and services. We remain focused on reducing the existing backlog, improving wait times for disability benefits, enhancing service and program delivery for Veterans and their families, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services through efficient and cost-effective operations.

Commemorative activities

During the first quarter of 2026–27, key milestones and anniversaries were marked through domestic and international programming. Activities included the 35th Anniversary of Operation Friction and Canadian Armed Forces in the Americas learning events held across the country. In France, commemorative events took place at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, including the 109th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the annual Canada Day ceremony at Vimy, and the installation and unveiling of the Dange Tree replica. In addition, a significant milestone was achieved in May 2026 with the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan. Construction of the monument is expected to begin in summer 2026.

5. Approvals by senior officials

Original signed by:

__________________________________

Nancy Gardiner
Deputy Minister

__________________________________

Jonathan Adams
Acting Chief Financial Officer


II. Financial statements

Veterans Affairs Canada
Quarterly financial report for the quarter ended 30 June 2025
Statement of authorities (unaudited)
Fiscal year 2025-26
(in thousands of dollars) Total available for use for the year ended 31 March 2026* Used during the quarter ended 30 June 2025 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 – Net operating expenditures 1,993,350 345,658 345,658
Vote 5 – Grants and contributions 5,785,482 1,465,763 1,465,763
Statutory authority – Minister's salary and motor car allowance 102 9 9
Statutory authority – Refunds of previous years revenue 0 0 0
Statutory authority – Contributions to employee benefit plans - program 51,604 12,901 12,901
Statutory authority – Veterans insurance actuarial liability adjustment 175 0 0
Statutory authority – Returned soldiers insurance actuarial liability adjustment 10 0 0
Statutory authority – Re-establishment credits under Section 8 of the War Services Grants Act 2 0 0
Statutory authority – Repayments under Section 15 of the War Services Grants Act 10 0 0
Total statutory 51,903 12,910 12,910
Total budgetary authorities 7,830,735 1,824,331 1,824,331
Non-budgetary authorities 0 0 0
Total authorities 7,830,735 1,824,331 1,824,331

* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.


Veterans Affairs Canada
Quarterly financial report for the quarter ended 30 June 2026
Statement of authorities (unaudited)
Fiscal year 2026-27
(in thousands of dollars) Total available for use for the year ending 31 March 2027* Used during the quarter ended 30 June 2026 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 – Net operating expenditures 1,769,034 328,316 328.316
Vote 5 – Grants and contributions 6,353,813 1,587,776 1,587,776
Statutory authority – Minister's salary and motor car allowance 106 27 27
Statutory Authority – Refunds of previous years revenue 0 0 0
Statutory authority – Contributions to employee benefit plans - program 50,137 12,534 12,534
Statutory authority – Veterans insurance actuarial liability adjustment 175 0 0
Statutory authority – Returned soldiers insurance actuarial liability adjustment 10 0 0
Statutory authority – Re-establishment credits under Section 8 of the War Services Grants Act 2 0 0
Statutory authority – Repayments under section 15 of the War Services Grants Act 10 0 0
Total statutory 50,440 12,561 12,561
Total budgetary authorities 8,173,287 1,928,653 1,928,653
Non-budgetary authorities 0 0 0
Total authorities 8,173,287 1,928,653 1,928,653

Veterans Affairs Canada
Quarterly financial report for the quarter ended 30 June 2025
Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object (unaudited)
Fiscal year 2025-26
Expenditures
(in thousands of dollars)
Planned expenditures for the year ended 31 March 2026* Expended during the quarter ended 30 June 2025 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
01 Personnel 388,987 103,686 103,686
02 Transportation and communications 50,596 9,094 9,094
03 Information 10,932 74 74
04 Professional and special services 799,604 105,842 105,842
05 Rentals 36,007 5,586 5,586
06 Repair and maintenance 7,764 91 91
07 Utilities, materials and supplies 466,167 117,048 117,048
08 Acquisition of land, buildings and works 2,161 0 0
09 Acquisition of machinery and equipment 6,661 46 46
10 Transfer payments 5,785,679 1,465,763 1,465,763
11 Public debt charges 0 0 0
12 Other subsidies and payments 276,177 17,101 17,101
Total gross budgetary expenditures 7,830,735 1,824,331 1,824,331
Less revenues netted against expenditures 0 0 0
Total revenues netted against expenditures: 0 0 0
Total net budgetary expenditures 7,830,735 1,824,331 1,824,331

* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.


Veterans Affairs Canada
Quarterly financial report for the quarter ended 30 June 2026
Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object (unaudited)
Fiscal year 2026-27
Expenditures
(in thousands of dollars)
Planned expenditures for the year ending 31 March 2027 Expended during the quarter ended 30 June 2026 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
01 Personnel 355,956 99,075 99,075
02 Transportation and communications 38,254 10,452 10,452
03 Information 5,108 135 135
04 Professional and special services 615,536 160,019 160,019
05 Rentals 23,093 4,511 4,511
06 Repair and maintenance 3,495 32 32
07 Utilities, materials and supplies 360,633 61,320 61,320
08 Acquisition of land, buildings and works 2,551 0 0
09 Acquisition of machinery and equipment 1,503 53 53
10 Transfer payments 6,353,210 1,587,776 1,587,776
11 Public debt charges 0 0 0
12 Other subsidies and payments 413,948 5,280 5,280
Total gross budgetary expenditures 8,173,287 1,928,653 1,928,653
Less revenues netted against expenditures 0 0 0
Total revenues netted against expenditures 0 0 0
Total net budgetary expenditures 8,173,287 1,928,653 1,928,653

* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.