Governor General's Warrant
Encyclopedia
A Governor General's Warrant is a document authorizing Canada
's President of the Treasury Board to spend money appropriated by Parliament
. The Governor General
may also issue a Special Warrant, allows the government to spend funds without an appropriation from Parliament. A Special Warrant may only be issued when money is "urgently needed" after Parliament has been dissolved and until 60 days after the dates set for the return of election writs
.
Until 1997, when an act sponsored by Peter Milliken
received Royal Assent, Special Warrants were available whenever Parliament was not is session, including adjournments and prorogation
s. Milliken had introduced similar bills since 1989 in response to the use of Special Warrants in 1988. Parliament convened in December 1988 and adjourned quickly without considering appropriations. During the adjournment and subsequent prorogation, the Government resorted to Special Warrants to fund operations. The issue was raised in both chambers after Parliament returned.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's President of the Treasury Board to spend money appropriated by Parliament
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
. The Governor General
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
may also issue a Special Warrant, allows the government to spend funds without an appropriation from Parliament. A Special Warrant may only be issued when money is "urgently needed" after Parliament has been dissolved and until 60 days after the dates set for the return of election writs
Writ of election
A writ of election is a writ issued by the government ordering the holding of a special election for a political office.In the United Kingdom and in Canada, this is the only way of holding an election for the House of Commons...
.
Until 1997, when an act sponsored by Peter Milliken
Peter Milliken
Peter Andrew Stewart Milliken, UE is a Canadian lawyer and politician. He was a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 until his retirement in 2011 and served as Speaker of the House for 10 years beginning in 2001. Milliken represented the Ontario riding of Kingston and the Islands as a...
received Royal Assent, Special Warrants were available whenever Parliament was not is session, including adjournments and prorogation
Prorogation
Prorogation is the time between legislative sessions.*For general information on the procedure see Legislative session.*For prorogation in the constitution of ancient Rome, see Prorogatio.*For the use of the mechanism in Canada, see Prorogation in Canada....
s. Milliken had introduced similar bills since 1989 in response to the use of Special Warrants in 1988. Parliament convened in December 1988 and adjourned quickly without considering appropriations. During the adjournment and subsequent prorogation, the Government resorted to Special Warrants to fund operations. The issue was raised in both chambers after Parliament returned.