Table of contents
- I. Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program for the quarter ended 30 June 2026
- II. Financial Statements
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
| 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 $8,173M in 2026-27.
Much of this increase in total authorities can be attributed to an increase in client demand for many of our benefits and services.
2.1.2 Changes in year-to-date expenditures
| Expenditures (year-to-date as at quarter end) | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | Variance ($) | 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
| (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.
| (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 |
|
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.
|
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.