RSNL1990 CHAPTER F-8 - FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION ACT

RSNL1990 CHAPTER F-8 FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION ACT Amended: 1991 c22; 1992 c48 ss11 & 28; 1994 c33; 1995 c13 & c28; 1996 cR-10.1 s30; 1996 cT-0.01 s15; 1997 c13 s21; 1997 c27; 1998 c6 s11; 1998 c23; 1999 c10; 1999 c27; 2001 c11; 2001 c32; 2001 c43 s2; 2001 cN-3.1 s2; 2004 c12; 2004 cL-3.1 s34; 2004 c46; 2005 c35; 2006 c40 s21; 2013 c13 s4; 2016 c10; 2017 c1; 2017 c2; 2018 cT-4.01; 2018 c17; 2019 cP-44.01 s36; 2021 cA-22.1 s43; 2022 c8 CHAPTER F-8 AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC REVENUE, THE RAISING OF CERTAIN LOANS AUTHORIZED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND THE AUDITING OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS Analysis 1. Short title 2. Definitions PART I TREASURY BOARD 3. Treasury Board 4. Rules 5. Secretary and deputy 6. Functions 7. Powers 8. Application to boards 9. Regulations 10. Reports 11. Power of Lieutenant-Governor in Council PART II PUBLIC MONEY 12. Consolidated Revenue Fund 13. Payment into fund 14. Duty on receiving public money 15. Investments 16. Late receipts and refunds 17. Settlement of debt 18. Write-offs 19. Remission of forfeitures, etc. PART III PUBLIC DISBURSEMENTS 20. Comptroller General of Finance 21. Where no comptroller general 22. Charges on fund 22.1 Payment under tax agreement 22.2 Reimbursement under tax agreement 23. Estimates 24. General warrant for expenditure 25. Appropriation accounts 26. Commitments 27. Ledger 28. Where no appropriation 29. Duty of comptroller general 30. Prohibition of expenditures 31. Contra accounts 31.1 Recovery from refund or repayment 32. Withholding money 33. Refusal to make payments 34. Advance for expenses 34.1 Advance re: credit card expenses 35. Credit of refunds 36. Where payment withheld PART IV PUBLIC DEBT 37. Raising of loans 38. Method 39. Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund 40. Winding-up of sinking fund 41. Payment of loan expenses 42. Repayment of loans by new issues 43. Appointment of agent 44. Powers of Lieutenant-Governor 45. Immunity of officers 46. Loans in foreign currencies 47. Change in form of funded debt 48. Temporary loans 49. Idem 50. Effect of recital in order 51. Disposition of proceeds 52. Authority of Legislature 53. Protection of holders of securities 54. Guaranteed securities interest 55. Power to borrow re guarantees 55.1 Assumption of guaranteed loans 56. Execution of bonds, etc. 57. Regulations PART V PUBLIC ACCOUNTS 58. Accounts of the province 59. Public Accounts 60. Tabling of Public Accounts 61. Alteration of time 62. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 63. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 64. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 65. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 66. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 67. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 68. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 69. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 70. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 71. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 72. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 73. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 74. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 75. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 76. Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 PART VI CIVIL LIABILITY AND PENALTIES 77. Failure to account 78. Evidence 79. Penalty for not reporting 80. Liability for loss PART VII OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 81. Offences 82. Bribe 83. Saving or other remedies PART VIII MISCELLANEOUS 84. Books etc. property of the Crown 85. Oath or affirmation 86. Recovery and disposition of penalty 87. Regulations Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Financial Administration Act. 1973 No86 s1 Back to Top Definitions 2. (1) In this Act (a) "auditor general" means the Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador appointed under the Auditor General Act, 2021 and includes all employees acting under the auditor general's direction; (b) "board" means the Treasury Board appointed under this Act; (c) "commitment" means an obligation arising out of an agreement between the government and another person to make payment from an appropriation of the Legislature; (d) "comptroller general" means the Comptroller General of Finance appointed under section 20; (e) "department" means a department of the public service of the province or other division, branch or part of the public service of the province; (f) "fiscal agent" means a fiscal agent appointed under section 44; (g) "fiscal year" means the period beginning on April 1 in a year and ending on March 31 in the next year; (h) "government" means the government of the province; (i) "minister" means the minister appointed under the Executive Council Act to administer this Act; (j) "money" includes negotiable instruments; (k) "negotiable instrument" includes a cheque, draft, traveller's cheque, bill of exchange, money order and other similar instruments; (k.1) "pension administrator" means (i) the Public Service Pension Plan Corporation continued under the Public Service Pensions Act, 2019 , (ii) the Teachers' Pension Plan Corporation established under the Teachers' Pensions Act , 2018 , and (iii) the minister responsible for the Pensions Funding Act ; (l) "public body" means a board, corporation, commission or similar body, established by or under an Act to which paragraph 6(c), paragraph 7(1)(f) and paragraphs 7(2)(b) to (f), inclusive, are made to apply by order of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council; (m) "public money" means all money received, held or collected for or on behalf of the province by the minister or other public officer in the minister's or public officer's official capacity or a person authorized to receive, hold or collect the money, and includes (i) all revenues of the province, (ii) money borrowed by the province or received through the issue and sale of securities, and (iii) money paid to the province for a special purpose; (n) "registrar" means a registrar appointed under section 44; (o) "regulations" means regulations made by the board or the Lieutenant-Governor in Council; and (p) "securities" means securities of the province and includes stocks, bonds, debentures, interest bearing and non-interest bearing treasury bills, notes, deposit certificates and other securities representing part of the public debt of the province. (2) In this Act, a reference to an issue or issues of public money or to payment out of public money means the (a) issuing of a cheque or negotiable instrument, including electronic chequing and fund transfers; or (b) recording of an accrual entry against an appropriation at the time and for the purpose which the board may establish. 1973 No86 s2; 1978 c48 s1; 1981 c9 s5; 1991 c22 s36 ; 1999 c10 s1 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 ; 2006 c40 s21 ; 2018 cT-4.01 s27 ; 2018 c17 s1 ; 2019 cP-44.01 s36 ; 2021 cA-22.1 s43 ; 2022 c8 s1 PART I TREASURY BOARD Back to Top Treasury Board 3. (1) There shall be a Treasury Board composed of not less than 7 members of the Executive Council designated by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, 1 of whom shall be designated as the president by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. (2) The president shall preside over meetings of the board and shall in the intervals between meetings of the board exercise or perform those powers, duties or functions of the board that the board may, with the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, determine. (3) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may designate other members of the Executive Council to serve as alternates in the absence of members of the board. 1973 No86 s3; 1974 No108 s2 Back to Top Rules 4. The board may determine its rules and methods of procedures and shall keep a minute book in which shall be recorded the proceedings of the board. 1973 No86 s4 Back to Top Secretary and deputy 5. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may appoint (a) an officer called the Secretary of the Treasury Board to hold office during pleasure and to perform the duties and functions that may be assigned by the board, and the secretary shall rank as and have all the powers of a deputy head of a department; and (b) an officer called the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Board, who, where there is no secretary or the secretary is absent, has the powers and shall perform the functions and duties of the secretary. (2) Those other officers, clerks and employees that are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the board shall be appointed in the manner authorized by law. (3) The board may communicate with a department or an officer or other person through the secretary, the deputy secretary or through another employee of the board designated by the board for that purpose. 1973 No86 s5; 2022 c8 s2 Back to Top Functions 6. The board shall act as a committee of the Executive Council on all matters relating to (a) the financial management of the province; (b) administrative policy in the public service; (c) personnel management in the public service and of a public body; and (d) those other matters that may be referred to it in accordance with this Act, or by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. 1973 No86 s6 Back to Top Powers 7. (1) The board may (a) prescribe the manner and form in which the accounts of the province and the several departments are to be kept; (b) prescribe the manner and form in which the estimates of revenue and expenditure shall be prepared by the several departments; (c) prescribe the manner and form in which the public accounts of the province shall be prepared; (d) direct a person receiving, managing or disbursing public money to keep those books, records and accounts that the board considers necessary; (e) require from a department, an office, a board, an officer or other person or body, bound by law to furnish it to the government, an account, a return, a statement, a document or information which the board considers necessary for the performance of its duties; and (f) determine the conduct of collective bargaining negotiations within the public service and for a public body. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of another Act, the board may (a) establish standards of discipline in the public service and prescribe the penalties that may be applied for breaches of discipline; (b) determine the personnel requirements and provide for the allocation and effective utilization of personnel within the public service and of a public body; (c) provide for the classification of positions within the public service and of a public body; (d) determine the pay to which persons employed in the public service or with a public body are entitled for services rendered, the hours of work and leave of those persons and related matters; (e) consider proposals for pensions or gratuities, other than those which are specifically provided for; and (f) provide for those other matters, including terms and conditions of employment not otherwise specifically provided for in this subsection, that the board considers necessary for effective personnel management within the public service and of a public body. 1973 No86 s7 Back to Top Application to boards 8. The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may by order make paragraph 6(c), paragraph 7(1)(f) and paragraphs 7(2)(b) to (f), inclusive, apply to a board, corporation, commission or similar body, established by or under an Act, named in the order. 1973 No86 s8 Back to Top Regulations 9. Subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, the board may make regulations (a) respecting the collection, management, disbursement and administration of, and accounting for, public money; (b) respecting the retention and disposal of records; (c) for a purpose necessary for the efficient administration of the public service; (c.1) prescribing the requirements for funds to be granted in a subsequent fiscal year; and (d) respecting those other matters or things referred to it by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. 1973 No86 s9; 2017 c2 s1 Back to Top Reports 10. (1) The board shall report to the Lieutenant-Governor in Council upon a matter which it considers of sufficient importance to warrant this action. (2) Where a report is made under subsection (1), a member of the board may record the member’s dissent in the minutes and may submit a minority report to the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. 1973 No86 s10; 2022 c8 s3 Back to Top Power of Lieutenant-Governor in Council 11. The board in the exercise of its powers, functions and duties under this or another Act is subject to a direction given to it by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, and the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, by order, amend or revoke an action of the board. 1973 No86 s11 PART II PUBLIC MONEY Back to Top Consolidated Revenue Fund 12. All public money over which the Legislature has power of appropriation, excepting money that is otherwise specially disposed of by the Legislature, shall form a Consolidated Revenue Fund to be appropriated to the public service of the province. 1973 No86 s12 Back to Top Payment into fund 13. All public money unless otherwise provided by statute shall be paid promptly to the credit of the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the manner prescribed by the board. 1973 No86 s13 Back to Top Duty on receiving public money 14. (1) A person who collects or receives public money shall (a) immediately deposit it to the credit of an account of the province at those places and at those times and in the manner prescribed by the board; (b) keep a record of receipts and deposits of public money in the form and manner that the board directs; (c) account for that public money in the manner and at the times that the board directs; and (d) enter into and give security by bond or otherwise where so required by the board. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) or another section of this Act, where a department enters into a written agreement with a person who collects, manages or accounts for public money, that person may deduct a fee or charge from that money as reimbursement for expenses or services incurred or carried out in accordance with the agreement. (3) A fee or charge deducted in accordance with subsection (2) shall be recorded in an account in the books of the province and charged to an appropriation under this Act. 1973 No86 s14; 1999 c10 s2 Back to Top Investments 15. (1) Where the minister considers it to be in the interests of the province to do so, the minister may, on those terms and conditions that the minister considers advisable, hold all or a portion of the Consolidated Revenue Fund by way of investment (a) in stock, debentures, bonds, treasury bills, treasury notes and other securities, (i) issued by the Government of Canada or the government of a province of Canada , or (ii) guaranteed by the Government of Canada or by the government of a province of Canada ; (b) in bonds, debentures or other securities issued by the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro-Electric Corporation otherwise known as the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro; (c) in bonds, debentures or other securities issued by the City of St. John's ; (d) in deposits in a bank to which the Bank Act (Canada) applies including investments in bearer deposit notes, term deposit receipts, bankers acceptances and similar bank investment instruments; (e) in securities unconditionally guaranteed by a chartered bank as to repayment of principal and interest; (f) with the prior approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council in each case, in deposits in a bank situated outside Canada including investments in bearer deposit notes, term deposit receipts, bankers acceptances and similar bank investment instruments; (g) in securities issued by (i) the Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Financing Corporation, or (ii) the Newfoundland and Labrador Industrial Development Corporation, where the securities are acquired in accordance with the Act governing the corporation; (h) in securities, issued or guaranteed by a corporation or trust company, that have been included in the highest rating category in each of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of investment by at least 2 security rating institutions in Canada or the United States and are approved by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council prior to being acquired; (i) in securities which are secured by collateral consisting of treasury bills, treasury notes and other securities (i) issued by the Government of Canada or the government of a province of Canada , or (ii) guaranteed by the Government of Canada or by the government of a province of Canada ; and (j) in securities which are secured by collateral consisting of bearer deposit notes, bankers acceptances and similar bank investment instruments (i) issued by a chartered bank, or (ii) guaranteed by a chartered bank as to repayment of principal and interest. (2) [Rep. by 1998 c23 s1] (3) The minister may sell securities purchased, acquired or held under this section and the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited to the credit of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (4) Fees, commissions or expenses incurred in respect of the purchase, acquisition, holding or sale of a securities under this section are a charge upon and payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. 1978 c48 s2; 1984 c45 s1; 1987 c29 s1; 1995 c13 s6 ; 1998 c23 s1 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 ; 2022 c8 s4 Back to Top Late receipts and refunds 16. (1) Where, within a period of 30 days following the close of a fiscal year or a further period that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may order, amounts are received from the Government of Canada in respect of that year or of a previous fiscal year, the amounts may be included in the public accounts as if they had been revenue in the fiscal year just closed. (2) A commission, rebate or refund payable under an Act is to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and charged to the appropriate revenue but, where that source of revenue is no longer available, the payments are considered to be expenditures and shall be charged to an appropriate subhead. (3) Notwithstanding another provision of this Act, the comptroller general may apply all or a portion of refunds received with respect to expenditures of the previous fiscal year against the expenditure of that year prior to the preparation and submission of the relevant account for audit as a preliminary to incorporation in the public accounts for that year for submission to the House of Assembly. 1973 No86 s16; 1981 c9 s5 Back to Top Settlement of debt 17. (1) In this section, "debt" and "claim" do not include an amount which may be remitted under section 19. (2) The minister may, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council and to another Act, negotiate and accept a settlement of a debt or claim due or made by or on behalf of the province in full settlement of that debt or claim. (3) The minister of a department may, upon the recommendation of the board, negotiate and accept a settlement of a debt or claim due or made by or on behalf of the minister in right of the province in full settlement of that debt or claim where the settlement results in a deficit of $5,000 or less. (4) The board may authorize a deputy minister of a department, in accordance with rules that the board may establish, to negotiate and accept settlements of debts or claims due or made by or on behalf of the province in full settlement of those debts or claims where each settlement results in a deficit of $1,000 or less. 2004 c46 s1 Back to Top Write-offs 18. (1) Where it appears unlikely that an amount due to the Crown will be paid, but the amount has not been settled under section 17 or remitted under section 19, the board may direct that the deficit be written off. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the board may authorize deputy ministers of the departments of government, subject to the rules that the board may establish, to write off deficits of $1,000 or less. (3) The writing off of a deficit under subsection (1) or (2) does not affect the obligation of a person from whom the deficit was due to pay it or the right of the Crown to recover it. 1973 No86 s18; 2001 c32 s1 ; 2004 c46 s2 Back to Top Remission of forfeitures, etc. 19. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, where the Lieutenant-Governor in Council considers it right and conducive to the public good, remit a duty, tax, toll or fine payable to the Crown, imposed or authorized to be imposed by an Act, or a fine, forfeiture or pecuniary penalty imposed or authorized to be imposed by an Act for a contravention of the laws relating to the collection of public money or to the management of a public work producing toll or revenue, even though a part of the fine, forfeiture or penalty is given by law to the informer or prosecutor or to another person. (1.1) The minister may, upon the recommendation of the board, remit a duty, tax, toll, fine, forfeiture or pecuniary penalty referred to in subsection (1) or approve a settlement in relation to the duty, tax, toll, fine, forfeiture or pecuniary penalty where the remission is in an amount of $5,000 or less or the settlement results in a deficit of $5,000 or less. (1.2) The board may authorize a deputy minister of a department, in accordance with rules that the board may establish, to remit a duty, tax, toll, fine, forfeiture or pecuniary penalty referred to in subsection (1) and approve a settlement in relation to the duty, tax, toll, fine, forfeiture or pecuniary penalty where the remission is in an amount of $1,000 or less or the settlement results in a deficit of $1,000 or less. (2) A remission may be total or partial, conditional or unconditional, and may be granted either before or after or pending a suit or proceeding for the recovery of the duty, tax, fine, toll, penalty or forfeiture, and either before or after a payment of it has been made or enforced by process or execution. (3) A remission may be exercised by forbearance from instituting an action or proceeding for the recovery of the duty, tax, fine, toll, penalty or forfeiture, or where an action or proceeding has been already instituted, then by delay, stay or discontinuance of the action or proceeding or by the forbearance to enforce or by the stay or abandonment of an execution or process upon a judgment or by the entry of satisfaction upon a judgment or by the refund of a sum of money paid to the minister for the duty, tax, fine, toll, penalty or forfeiture, or where payment has been enforced by an execution or process upon a judgment as previously stated. (4) Where the remission is conditional, the condition, where accepted by the person to whom the remission is accorded, shall be lawful and valid and the performance of it or the remission only where unconditional shall have the same effect as if the remission had been made after the duty, tax, fine, toll, penalty or forfeiture had been sued for and recovered; and where the condition is not performed it may be enforced or all proceedings may be had as if there had been no remission. (5) [Rep. by 2004 c46 s3] (6) [Rep. by 2004 c46 s3] (7) Nothing in subsection 8(4) of the Limitations Act affects the authority of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to remit a duty, tax, toll or fine payable to the Crown under this section. 1973 No86 s19; 1995 c28 s1 ; 2001 c32 s2 ; 2001 c43 s2 ; 2004 c46 s3 ; 2022 c8 s5 PART III PUBLIC DISBURSEMENTS Back to Top Comptroller General of Finance 20. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor may for the purpose of maintaining more complete control over the administration of the Consolidated Revenue Fund appoint an officer under the Great Seal of Newfoundland and Labrador, who shall be called the Comptroller General of Finance. (2) The comptroller general shall discharge the duties assigned to the comptroller general by this Act and those other duties that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may assign. (3) The comptroller general or a person acting under the direction of the comptroller general has free access to the books, accounts, files, documents or other records of a department, and is entitled to require and receive from the officers, clerks or employees of the public service the information and explanations that are considered necessary for the proper performance of the comptroller general’s duties. (4) The comptroller general may establish accounts with accredited banks or financial institutions for the deposit and payment of public money subject to any directive of the board. (5) The comptroller general holds office during good behaviour but is removable by the Lieutenant Governor on address of the House of Assembly. (6) The comptroller general shall have those leave and pension rights that are awarded to civil servants under the provisions of the Public Employees Act and the Public Service Pensions Act, 2019. 1973 No86 s20; 1974 No88 s2; 1981 c9 ss1 & 5; 1992 c48 s28 ; 1996 cR-10.1 s30 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 ; 2013 c13 s4 ; 2019 cP-44.01 s36 ; 2022 c8 s6 Back to Top Where no comptroller general 21. Where there is no comptroller general or where the comptroller general is absent, an assistant comptroller general, or an officer or clerk designated by name or office by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, has the powers and shall perform the duties of the comptroller general. 1973 No86 s21; 1981 c9 ss2&5 Back to Top Charges on fund 22. No issue of public money shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund except under authority of the Legislature, except that (a) issues of public money received for special purposes or in trust may be made for the express purposes for which the money was received without further legislative authority than the provisions of this paragraph, subject however to the provisions of a particular statute dealing with that special or trust money; (b) issues may be made for the service of the public debt by way of interest payments and the redemption of loans; (c) issues may be made in accordance with sections 15, 38, 41, 42 and 44, regulations made under section 57 and all other provisions of this Act authorizing those issues; (d) issues may be made in respect of the annual salaries of the comptroller general and of the auditor general; (e) issues may be made to pay all pensions and gratuities authorized by or under a statute, whether or not the statute authorizing the pension or gratuity provides for the payment of it out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund; (f) issues may be made to satisfy the government's payment requirements to a pension plan administered by the pension administrator; and (g) issues may be made in respect of obligations of Her Majesty in Right of the province arising under clauses 7.3.1 to 7.6.11, inclusive, of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement as defined in the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act . 1973 No86 s22; 1981 c9 s5; 1998 c23 s2 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 ; 2004 cL-3.1 s34 ; 2018 c17 s2 Back to Top Payment under tax agreement 22.1 (1) Notwithstanding section 22, an issue of public money may be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for payment of a tax referred to in an agreement between the province and the Government of Canada which provides for the rebate of that tax. (2) A tax paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund under subsection (1) shall be recorded as a receivable in the books of the province and a rebate of that tax received shall be recorded as a reduction of the receivable account. 1996 cT-0.01 s15 Back to Top Reimbursement under tax agreement 22.2 A refund, rebate or reimbursement of an amount equal to tax paid by a recipient under Part IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada) and referred to in the Tax Agreement Act or provided for in the agreement referred to in the Tax Agreement Act , shall be considered to be a reduction of the revenue which would otherwise be payable to the province in accordance with that agreement or the Tax Agreement Act . 1997 c13 s21 Back to Top Estimates 23. (1) All estimates of expenditure submitted to the House of Assembly shall be for all goods and services coming in the course of payment during the fiscal year to which the estimates relate and all balances of appropriations remaining unexpended at the close of a fiscal year shall lapse and be written off. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), invoices or accounts for goods supplied or services rendered during the then expiring fiscal year shall be charged to and form part of the expenditure of that fiscal year where (a) the invoices or accounts are received by the comptroller general for payment in the then expiring fiscal year or within 30 days after the expiration of that fiscal year or within another period that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may order; and (b) there is a balance at the credit of the appropriation authorized for the payment of the goods supplied or services rendered for that fiscal year. (3) The total amount appropriated by the Legislature, the expenditure of which has been assigned to a particular department, shall be referred to as the "Head of Expenditure" of that department. (4) The Head of Expenditure of each department shall be divided in the manner that the board may direct and the divisions shall be referred to as subheads of the Head of Expenditure and shall be exhibited in the estimates for each fiscal year. (5) The board may from time to time make those divisions of the subheads of a Head of Expenditure that it considers necessary and the divisions shall be referred to as subdivisions of the subheads of the Head of Expenditure and may, where practical, be exhibited in the estimates for each fiscal year. 1973 No86 s24; 1984 c45 s2 Back to Top General warrant for expenditure 24. Where a sum of money has been granted to the Crown by an Act to defray expenses of a part of the public service, the Lieutenant-Governor may under the Lieutenant-Governor's signature, countersigned by a member of the board other than the minister, authorize and require the minister to issue out of the money appropriated for defraying the expenses of that service and in the minister’s hands the sums required from time to time to defray those expenses, not exceeding the sum voted or granted. 1973 No86 s25; 2022 c8 s7 Back to Top Appropriation accounts 25. (1) Where a sum of money has been granted to the Crown by an Act to defray expenses of the public service, as soon as the Lieutenant-Governor in Council has issued a warrant authorizing the payment of those sums that are required to defray those expenses and the expenditure of those sums has been assigned to the several departments, the comptroller general shall credit the appropriation accounts maintained in the comptroller general’s office with the amounts of the appropriations so authorized to be expended. (2) At the commencement of each fiscal year there shall be entered against each Head of Expenditure all unpaid balances of contractual obligations or commitments originating in previous fiscal years. (3) All issues of public money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be made, under the direction and control of the comptroller general, by cheque or other similar instrument as the board may from time to time direct but no issue shall be made in excess of an appropriation authorized by the Legislature or by special warrant, and those cheques or other instruments shall be in the form and authorized in the manner that the board may direct. (4) Every application of a department for an issue of public money to defray the expenses of the services coming under its control shall be in the form, accompanied by the documents and certified in the manner that the comptroller general may require. (5) Except as provided in this Act, no issue of public money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be made unless the comptroller general or an officer designated by the comptroller general has certified that there is a balance available in the appropriation authorized by the Legislature for the specified services. (6) Except as otherwise provided in an Act, it is a condition of every contract providing for the payment of money by the Crown that payment under the contract is subject to there being an appropriation for the particular goods or services for the fiscal year in which payment under that contract falls due. (7) The comptroller general shall prepare and forward to the auditor general a statement of all issues of public money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, together with supporting accounts at those times that the auditor general may reasonably require. 1973 No86 s26; 1978 c48 s4; 1981 c9 s5; 2022 c8 s8 Back to Top Commitments 26. (1) Each deputy minister or other officer charged with the administration of a Head of Expenditure or a subhead of expenditure shall notify the comptroller general of a commitment chargeable against that Head of Expenditure or subhead of expenditure. (2) A deputy minister or other officer charged with the administration of a Head of Expenditure or a subhead of expenditure shall not enter into a commitment unless an appropriation exists or is in a sufficient amount to meet the commitment. (3) The comptroller general shall except in cases described in subsection (4) report to the board a commitment for which there is no or insufficient appropriation of the Legislature. (4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Act, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, on the written recommendation of the board, authorize an agreement to be entered into for the purchase of goods or services to be delivered in a subsequent fiscal year so long as (a) the payment resulting from the agreement is due in a subsequent fiscal year; and (b) the minister or the deputy minister or other officer charged with the administration of the relevant Head of Expenditure or subhead of expenditure reports that it is, in the opinion of that person, necessary to make the agreement at that time. (4.1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Act, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, on the written recommendation of the board, authorize an agreement to be entered into for funds to be granted in a subsequent fiscal year where the requirements prescribed in the regulations are satisfied. (5) Where the Lieutenant-Governor in Council authorizes an agreement under subsection (4) or (4.1), all relevant documents, including the amount involved and the reasons for the agreement, shall be (a) tabled in the House of Assembly within 3 days of the authorization or where the House of Assembly is not then sitting, on one of the first 15 days that the House of Assembly is next sitting; and (b) included in the estimates of expenditure submitted to the House of Assembly for the fiscal year in which the payment is due. (6) In this section, "other officer" means an officer of the government of the province or the House of Assembly as prescribed by statute or by order of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. 1978 c48 s4.1; 1981 c9 s3; 1984 c45 s3; 2017 c2 s2 Back to Top Ledger 27. (1) The comptroller general shall keep a ledger in which shall be entered the departmental appropriations by Heads of Expenditure and by subheads and subdivisions in accordance with the subhead and subdivision allocations exhibited in the estimates for the fiscal year concerned, as amended in accordance with this Act, against which shall be charged all authorized expenditures. (2) The comptroller general shall establish and maintain a record of commitments chargeable to each appropriation in the form that the board may prescribe. (3) The comptroller general shall furnish to each deputy minister or other officer charged with the administration of a Head of Expenditure a statement of the charges entered against the Head of Expenditure or a subhead or subdivision of a Head of Expenditure and those statements shall be furnished at those periods that the deputy minister may reasonably require and shall show the charges made during the report period together with the balances at the credit of the Head of Expenditure or subheads or subdivisions at the end of each period concerned. (4) When a subhead or a subdivision is exhausted, the comptroller general shall at once notify the deputy minister concerned and the comptroller general shall not sanction a further charge to be entered against that subhead or subdivision except as provided in this Act. 1973 No86 s27; 1981 c9 s5 Back to Top Where no appropriation 28. (1) Where the money provided by the Legislature and allocated as a subhead or subdivision has been expended or commitments have been incurred which will take up the whole of that money, a department may, with the prior consent in writing of the board, where countervailing savings can be effected from other subheads of its Head of Expenditure, apply those savings to meet the excess expenditure, whether or not the Legislature is in session. (2) Where the sum appropriated by the Legislature for a continuing service is insufficient to meet the requirements of that service during the year for which the appropriation has been made, then, upon the report of the minister that there is insufficient legislative provision and that no countervailing savings are available from other subheads of the Head of Expenditure concerned and upon the report of the minister having charge of the service in question that the necessity is urgent, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, on the recommendation in writing of the board, order that a special warrant be prepared for signature by the Lieutenant-Governor for the issue of the amount estimated to be required, and the amount shall be added to the Head of Expenditure. (3) Where, when the Legislature is not in session, or when the House of Assembly has been adjourned for more than 30 days, an expenditure not foreseen and not provided for by the Legislature in respect of a new service is urgently and immediately required for the public good, then, upon the report of the minister that there is no legislative provision and of the minister having charge of the new service in question that in the minister’s opinion the necessity is urgent, giving reasons for the opinion, and that where the expenditure is not made, grave damage to the interests of the Crown or the public will result from delaying the expenditure until the necessary legislative provision has been made, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, on the recommendation in writing of the board, order (a) that a special warrant be prepared for signature by the Lieutenant-Governor for the issue of the amount estimated to be required, and an additional subhead be set up in the books of the comptroller general against which expenditure on the new service shall be charged; or (b) where countervailing savings are available from other subheads of the Head of Expenditure concerned, that an additional subhead be set up in the books of the comptroller general to which those countervailing savings can be transferred and against which expenditures on the new service shall be charged, and where the countervailing savings are less than the amount estimated to be required that a special warrant be prepared for signature by the Lieutenant-Governor for the issue of an amount equal to the difference between the countervailing savings and the estimated amount, and that amount shall be added to the additional subhead of the relevant Head of Expenditure. (3.1) Where at the end of a fiscal year the House of Assembly is dissolved and an appropriation to defray expenses of the public service is required for a period not exceeding the first 4 months of the following fiscal year, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, upon the recommendation in writing of the board, order that a special warrant be prepared for signature by the Lieutenant-Governor for the issue of the amount estimated to be required. (3.2) A warrant issued under subsection (3.1) shall not authorize the expenditure of amounts greater than those required to defray expenses of the public service for a period not exceeding the first 4 months of the following fiscal year for which appropriations were made in the previous fiscal year. (4) Each Minute of Council authorizing (a) a special warrant; (b) the creation of an additional subhead of a Head of Expenditure to which countervailing savings can be transferred; or (c) the creation of an additional subhead to which countervailing savings can be transferred and a special warrant, shall quote the special reasons for doing so, and a certified copy of the Minute of Council shall, together with certified copies of the reports referred to in subsection (2) or (3), the recommendation of the board and the special warrant, where issued, be tabled in the House of Assembly, (d) in the case of a special warrant issued under subsection (2) while the Legislature is in session, within 3 days of the issue of the special warrant; or (e) in all other cases, within 15 days from the opening of the next ensuing session. 1973 No86 s28; 1981 c9 s5; 2001 c32 s3 ; 2022 c8 s9 Back to Top Duty of comptroller general 29. The comptroller general shall ensure that no payment of public money is made (a) for which there is no legislative appropriation; (b) for which no other appropriation has been provided under this Act; (c) which is in excess of an appropriation; or (d) which is in excess of sums that may have been deposited with the government in trust for a person, and the comptroller general shall report to the board a case which comes to the comptroller general’s notice in which liability has been incurred by a minister, deputy minister or other officer or person which contravenes this Act and the board may take whatever action in the matter that it considers necessary. 1973 No86 s29; 1978 c48 s5; 1981 c9 s5; 2022 c8 s10 Back to Top Prohibition of expenditures 30. (1) No application for payment out of public money shall be made (a) for the performance of work, the supply of goods or the rendering of services, whether under contract or not, in connection with a part of the public service, unless, in addition to any other voucher or certificate that is required, the appropriate deputy minister, or another authorized person, certifies (i) that the work has been performed, the goods supplied or the service rendered and that the price charged is according to contract, or where not specified by contract, is reasonable, or (ii) where a payment is to be made before the completion of the work, delivery of the goods or rendering of the service that the payment is in accordance with the contract; or (b) for expenses incurred by persons while travelling on government business, unless the person who has incurred the expenses certifies that the expenses were incurred on government business and are in accordance with the rates, amounts and allowances prescribed by the board. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the government may pay interest on overdue accounts subject to an appropriation and as prescribed by the board. (3) The comptroller general shall see that no cheque is issued in respect of applications received from departments covering expenditures which contravene this section, but should a cheque be issued in respect of an application which by the audit of the auditor general or otherwise is subsequently discovered to contravene this section, the fact that the expenditures referred to in the application were paid by a cheque issued by the comptroller general shall not relieve the responsibility of the deputy minister of the department concerned to provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the expenditure concerned was necessary in the public interest, and where the board is not satisfied that that is the case the board may require the deputy minister to make good the amount irregularly expended. (4) [Rep. by 1996 cR-10.1 s30] 1973 No86 s30; 1980 c20 s1; 1981 c9 s5; 1996 cR-10.1 s30 ; 2022 c8 s11 Back to Top Contra accounts 31. (1) Where an officer in a department dealing with a claim against the Crown knows that the claimant is in arrears in respect of a debt due to the Crown, whether the indebtedness is of record in the department in which the officer is employed or not, the officer shall ensure that an application made to the comptroller general for the issue of public money to that claimant is clearly annotated so that the comptroller general may take those steps that appear to be necessary to effect recovery, including the application of all or part of the payment in question towards the liquidation of the claimant's indebtedness. (2) The comptroller general may recover an overpayment made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for salary, wages, pay, gratuities, allowances or pensions out of a sum of money that may be due or payable by the province to the person to whom the overpayment was made. (3) Where this section conflicts with the provisions of the Public Officials Garnishee Act, this section prevails. 1973 No86 s31; 1981 c9 s5; 1982 c9 s1; 2022 c8 s12 Back to Top Recovery from refund or repayment 31.1 The minister may refer a debt due to the Crown or to a Crown agency to the Minister of National Revenue for Canada for recovery from the amount of a refund or repayment that may otherwise be made under section 164 of the Income Tax Act ( Canada ) or under the Income Tax Act, 2000 . 2004 c12 s1 Back to Top Withholding money 32. (1) Where (a) the Crown commences an action or makes a counterclaim for money as a debt due the Crown or where there is a criminal charge in relation to money of or due the Crown; and (b) the person against whom that action is commenced or counterclaim is made claims an amount of money from the Crown, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may order that of the amount claimed against the Crown by that person, an amount not greater than the amount claimed by the Crown may be held by the Crown until final disposition by the courts of the action or counterclaim. (2) The Crown may hold money under subsection (1) notwithstanding the provisions of the Public Service Pensions Act, 2019. 1981 c9 s4; 2019 cP-44.01 s36 Back to Top Refusal to make payments 33. (1) Where the comptroller general declines to issue public money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund on the ground that the money is not justly due or that it is in excess of the authority granted by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council or that there is no legislative authority, or where the comptroller general is in disagreement with the deputy head of a department charged with the administration of a particular service as to the state of the unencumbered balance of the appropriation authorized for that service, or where the auditor general objects, then upon a report of the case being submitted to the board, the board shall be the judge of the sufficiency of the objections and may sustain them or order payment to be made. (2) The comptroller general shall prepare a statement together with copies of all relevant documents, relating to all issues made over the comptroller general’s protest and of all expenditures incurred in consequence of those issues. (3) The comptroller general shall deliver the statement to the minister, and the minister shall present the statement to the House of Assembly not later than the 15th day of the next ensuing session. 1973 No86 s32; 1981 c9 s5; 2022 c8 s13 Back to Top Advance for expenses 34. (1) The comptroller general may advance money to a member of the public service or other person employed upon the public business for the purpose of disbursement upon travelling or other necessary expenses, where the expenses when incurred are properly chargeable to an available appropriation. (2) Notwithstanding section 30, but subject to a directive of the board, the comptroller general may advance money where an immediate cash settlement is required to a member of the public service or other person employed upon the public business for the purpose of paying for work performed, goods supplied or services rendered in connection with a part of the public service, provided that the expenses are properly chargeable to an available appropriation when incurred. (3) An advance or portion of an advance referred to in this section that is not repaid or accounted for, subject to a directive of the board, may be recovered by the comptroller general out of money payable by the province to the person who received the advance. 1973 No86 s33; 1981 c9 s5; 1987 c29 s2; 1988 c54 s13; 1996 cR-10.1 s30 Back to Top Advance re:

credit card expenses 34.1 (1) Notwithstanding section 30, but subject to a directive of the board, the comptroller general may advance money to satisfy an obligation to the provider of a corporate credit card. (2) Notwithstanding that payment has already been made under subsection (1), (a) money advanced under that subsection shall be charged to an available appropriation in the fiscal year in which the advance was made; and (b) a transaction giving rise to the obligation referred to in that subsection shall be certified in the manner referred to in subsection 30(1) in the fiscal year in which the advance was made. (3) An advance or portion of an advance referred to in subsection (1) that was not properly chargeable to an available appropriation when incurred may be recovered by the comptroller general out of money payable to the person from whom the amount is due, subject to a directive of the board. (4) For the purpose of subsection (1), (a) "corporate credit card" means a credit card for the acquisition of goods or services on behalf of the government limited to those goods or services determined by a directive of the board; and (b) "provider of a corporate credit card" means a bank referred to in Schedule I of the Bank Act (Canada) where that bank provides the government with corporate credit card services under an agreement. 2016 c10 s1 Back to Top Credit of refunds 35. (1) Where a refund or repayment of an expenditure is received in the same fiscal year in which the appropriation was made against which the expenditure was charged, the refund or repayment is to be credited to that appropriation. (2) Where a refund or repayment of an expenditure is received in a year other than the fiscal year in which the appropriation was made, against which the expenditure was charged, the refund or repayment is revenue in the year in which it is received. 1973 No86 s34 Back to Top Where payment withheld 36. Where a payment under a contract is withheld to ensure the performance of the contract, the payment may, subject to this Act, be charged to the appropriation for that contract, and the amount so charged may be credited to a special account in the Consolidated Revenue Fund, to be paid out in accordance with the contract under the regulations. 1973 No86 s35 PART IV PUBLIC DEBT Back to Top Raising of loans 37. No money shall be raised by way of loan by the province except under this or some other Act of the Legislature. 1973 No86 s36 Back to Top Method 38. (1) Where in an Act authority is given to the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to raise by way of loan a sum of money, unless there is some provision to the contrary in the Act, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may raise that money by the issue and sale of securities in a form, at a price, whether at par value or less or more than par value, at a rate of interest and upon those other terms and conditions that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, or the Minister of Finance, where the minister is appointed under section 43, may approve, and the principal amount of and interest on all securities so issued and sold is a charge on and shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (1.1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may issue a debenture from time to time to a pension administrator in an amount that shall not exceed an amount sufficient to satisfy the government's payment requirements to a pension plan administered by the pension administrator, at a rate of interest and upon those other terms and conditions that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may approve, and the principal amount of and interest on all debentures issued is a charge on and shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (2) On authorizing an issue of securities or a debenture the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may provide for the creation of a sinking fund amounting to the sum that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council approves with respect to the issue. (3) Money in a sinking fund created with respect to securities may, at the direction of the board, be invested in bonds, debentures or other securities (a) of the Government of Canada or of a province of Canada; (b) the payment of which is guaranteed by the Government of Canada or by the government of a province of Canada; (c) guaranteed by a chartered bank; (d) of a chartered bank; (e) of a company incorporated under the Corporations Act to hold title to a building in the province which is leased to the government, where all of the shares of the company are held by or on behalf of the government; (f) secured by collateral consisting of treasury bills, treasury notes and other securities (i) issued by the Government of Canada or the government of a province of Canada, or (ii) guaranteed by the Government of Canada or by the government of a province of Canada; (g) secured by collateral consisting of bearer deposit notes, bankers acceptances and similar bank investment instruments (i) issued by a chartered bank, or (ii) guaranteed by a chartered bank as to repayment of principal and interest, and where bonds, debentures or other securities of a company referred to in paragraph (e) are acquired with money from that sinking fund, the government shall not part with the ownership of the shares of that company until all securities so acquired have been redeemed by the company; (h) which are bonds or debentures issued or guaranteed by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; (i) of a municipality of a province of Canada; or (j) issued or guaranteed by a trust company or corporation resident in Canada or the United States which are (i) bonds or debentures that have an investment grade credit rating of Baa3, BBB- or higher as published by a securities rating institution that is recognized as such by the investment industry in Canada or the United States in each of the 2 years immediately preceding the date of investment, (ii) common or preferred shares of publicly traded corporations of the United States which are included in the S&P 500 Index, or (iii) common or preferred shares of publicly traded corporations of Canada which are included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index. (4) Securities of the province acquired with money from a sinking fund established with respect to those securities may be cancelled, but where they are cancelled, no others shall be issued in substitution for those securities and the aggregate amount of the issue in question shall be reduced accordingly. (5) Interest earned on a sinking fund shall be applied for the benefit of that sinking fund and the holders of the securities secured by it. (6) Subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, securities issued in respect of a loan may contain provisions for the redemption before maturity of all or any of those securities either with or without premium, and a premium payable on redemption shall be a charge on and paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (7) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may approve the issue of securities in any currency or partly in 1 currency, and partly in another or other currencies, and may approve a change in the currency or currencies during the life of the loan, where this is agreeable to the lender, and the securities shall be paid in the designated currency at maturity and the Canadian equivalent of that currency shall be a charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (8) Where a statute giving authority to raise money by way of loan prescribes the rate of interest or maximum rate of interest on the loan, that rate of interest or maximum rate of interest shall be considered to be the rate of interest to be stated or the maximum rate of interest which may be stated in the securities to be issued notwithstanding that the securities issued are sold for less or more than their par value. (9) The minister, or another person designated by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council for that purpose, may enter into those contracts or agreements relating to the borrowing of money or the issue or sale of securities relating to the borrowing of money that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may approve. (10) The contracts and agreements referred to in subsection (9) may include forward exchange contracts, currency exchange contracts and interest exchange contracts. 1973 No86 s37; 1984 c45 s4; 1987 c29 s3; 1994 c33 s1 ; 1998 c6 s11 ; 1998 c23 s3 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 ; 2018 c22 s3 ; 2022 c8 s14 Back to Top Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund 39. (1) For the more convenient administration of the sinking funds of the province, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the minister, may, notwithstanding section 38 or an Act of the Legislature, from time to time direct that any or all of the sinking funds together with all money provided or paid from time to time for their respective creation and maintenance and all securities representing the investment of money comprised in the sinking funds be consolidated into 1 sinking fund to be known as the "Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund", for the purpose of retiring the public debt of the province at maturity. (2) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may make regulations or provisions providing for the repayment of every loan forming part of the public debt of the province, including the liability of the province under a guarantee of securities, the sinking fund of which is consolidated into the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund under this section, by paying out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund amounts sufficient for the maintenance of the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund, and providing for the investment from time to time of the amount of the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund or a part of the fund. (3) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may direct and authorize the trustee appointed to manage, control and operate the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund to make provision for the creation and maintenance of a consolidated bank account for the receipt and disbursement of sinking fund money, providing always for the requirements of the sinking fund of every debt obligation. (4) The expenses incurred in the management and operation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund shall be paid out of the interest earned from the investments held by the fund subject to the approval of the trustee as to the amount of the expenses. (5) Upon the approval of the minister, the trustee may sell securities held by the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund under section 38. (6) Upon the approval of the minister, the trustee may lend to a company, bonds and securities held by the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund under section 38, provided that (a) neither the company nor the trustee is an associate of each other; (b) the book value of bonds or securities that the trustee lends to any one company is not more than 10% of the book value of the assets held by the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund; (c) investment income of the bonds or securities loaned under this subsection continues to accrue to the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund; (d) in return for the bonds or securities loaned under this subsection, the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund receives collateral equal in value to not less than 105% of the market value of the bonds or securities loaned by the trustee and 100% of the accrued interest on those bonds or securities and provided that those values continue throughout the period of time that the lending agreement for the bonds or securities is in force; (e) the collateral referred to in paragraph (d) is a readily marketable investment permitted under subsection 38(3); and (f) a market evaluation of the loaned bonds or securities and of the collateral referred to in paragraph (d) is made not less than once weekly. (7) For the purpose of subsection (6), the words "associate" and "company" have the meanings assigned to them under the Securities Act . 1975-76 No77 s1; 1984 c45 s5; 1998 c23 s4 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 Back to Top Winding-up of sinking fund 40. (1) Notwithstanding sections 38 and 39, where money in a sinking fund or in the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund in respect of an issue of securities is not required to redeem the issue of securities, the money in the sinking fund or in the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund may be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund as the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may direct. (2) Notwithstanding sections 38 and 39, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may approve the winding-up, in whole or in part, of a sinking fund created under section 38 where the establishment of the sinking fund is not a requirement under the terms and conditions of the issue of the securities, and where the fund is wound-up, in whole or in part, the proceeds from the sale of investments in the sinking fund shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund as the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may direct. 1999 c27 s1 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 Back to Top Payment of loan expenses 41. All money required to provide and maintain a sinking fund or other means securing repayment of securities, for the remuneration and compensation of registrars and fiscal agents and, subject to section 51, all costs, expenses and charges incurred in the negotiation or raising of loans or in the issue, redemption, servicing, payment and management of a loan and securities issued in respect of that loan, shall be a charge on and be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. 1973 No86 s38 Back to Top Repayment of loans by new issues 42. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may raise, by way of loan in the manner prescribed in subsection 38(1), the sum of money required to repay, renew or refund, in whole or in part, securities issued under the authority of this or another Act, including the sum of money required to make payments into the Newfoundland and Labrador Government Sinking Fund or another sinking fund established for the retirement or repayment, in whole or in part, of securities issued under this Act or another Act, whether or not the raising of the loan may have the effect of increasing the amount of the public debt or of extending the term of years prescribed in the Act authorizing the issue of the securities proposed to be repaid, renewed or refunded. (1.1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may raise, by way of loan in the manner prescribed in subsection 38(1), the sum of money that may be required to satisfy the government's payment requirements to a pension plan administered by the pension administrator, without the further authority of the legislature. (2) A sum raised under the authority of subsection (1) shall be applied to repay, renew or refund the securities for the repayment, renewal or refunding of which the sum was raised without a further appropriation than is provided by this Act. 1973 No86 s39; 1998 c23 s5 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 ; 2005 c35 s1 ; 2018 c17 s4 Back to Top Appointment of agent 43. The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may appoint the minister or another person as the agent of the government for the purpose of negotiating a loan authorized by an Act, and the minister or other appointed person may arrange all details and do, transact and execute the deeds, matters and things that may be required during the conduct of negotiations for the purpose of placing the loan. 1973 No86 s40 Back to Top Powers of Lieutenant-Governor 44. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may (a) appoint one or more registrars to perform the services in respect of the registration of securities prescribed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council; (b) appoint one or more fiscal agents to perform the services in respect of loans prescribed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council; (c) prescribe the duties of registrars and fiscal agents; (d) fix the remuneration or compensation of a registrar or fiscal agent; (e) appoint trustees to manage, control and operate sinking funds (i) created under this Act, or (ii) of a Crown corporation or agency of the Crown where a loan guarantee has been given by the province, prescribe their duties and authorize them to invest sinking fund money in accordance with subsection 38(3); and (f) empower a fiscal agent appointed under paragraph (b) or a trustee appointed under paragraph (e) to accept service of process, issued by a court or other tribunal in any country, arising out of or incidental to securities issued to secure a loan raised under this or another Act and sold or outstanding in the country concerned. (2) Every registrar and fiscal agent shall as often as required by the minister give to the minister an accounting in the form and containing the information that the minister may prescribe of all the registrar's or fiscal agent's transactions as registrar or fiscal agent. (3) Where, prior to the coming into force of this subsection, sinking funds of the Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Financing Corporation were managed, controlled and operated by trustees appointed under paragraph (1)(e), those trustees are considered to have had full authority to so manage, control and operate those sinking funds, notwithstanding there may have been a defect in the authority of the trustees to do so. 1973 No86 s41; 1974 No88 s3; 2001 c11 s1 ; 2001 cN-3.1 s2 ; 2022 c8 s15 Back to Top Immunity of officers 45. An officer or person employed in the inscription, registration, transfer, management or redemption of securities, or in the payment of interest on securities, is not bound to see to the execution of a trust, expressed or implied, to which those securities are subject, or is liable in any way to a person for anything so done in accordance with the regulations. 1973 No86 s42; 2022 c8 s16 Back to Top Loans in foreign currencies 46. (1) Where an Act, passed before or after May 1, 1973, authorizes the raising by way of loan a specific or maximum number of dollars by the issue and sale of securities, where the amount of the loan is raised, in whole or in part, by the issue and sale of securities payable in the currency of a country other than Canada, the Act authorizes the raising of an equivalent amount in that other currency calculated in accordance with the nominal rate of exchange between the Canadian dollar and that currency as of any time on the business day next preceding the day on which the Lieutenant-Governor in Council authorizes the issue of the securities as that nominal rate is determined by a chartered bank in Canada. (2) For the purpose of a loan raised under this or another Act, the principal amount of securities previously issued or authorized to be issued, payable in a currency of a country other than Canada , shall be considered to be the equivalent of the amount in Canadian dollars as calculated in accordance with subsection (1). (3) The minister, or a departmental official designated in writing by the minister, may enter into contracts or agreements for the purchase or sale of foreign currencies, on a current or future delivery basis, for the purpose of paying interest, principal or premiums on outstanding debt payable in that foreign currency. 1974 No88 s4; 1987 c29 s4 Back to Top Change in form of funded debt 47. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, as the interests of the public service require, change the form of a part of the then existing funded debt of the province, including securities for which the province is liable, by substituting 1 class of the securities for another, where neither the capital of the debt nor the annual charge for interest is increased by the change. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where securities bearing a lower rate of interest are substituted for securities bearing a higher rate of interest the amount of the capital may be increased by an amount not exceeding the difference between the then present value of the security bearing the higher rate of interest and that of the security substituted for it. (3) Subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, the minister may enter into an agreement with, or issue replacement securities to, a holder of securities issued with respect to a loan, for the purpose of postponing the maturity of the securities or for the re-financing of the securities. 1973 No86 s43; 1999 c27 s2 Back to Top Temporary loans 48. (1) Subject to those terms and conditions that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may prescribe, the minister may raise by temporary loans (a) in the manner and form; (b) in the amounts; (c) for the period, not exceeding 1 year; (d) at the rates of interest; and (e) on the conditions, including conditions relating to discounts, premiums, charges and commissions, that the minister may determine, sums which may be necessary to meet the exigencies of the public service. (2) The aggregate of all outstanding amounts raised by temporary loans under this section shall not at any time exceed the sum that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may from time to time determine. (3) A loan may be raised under this section whether or not the raising of it may have the effect of increasing the amount of the public debt of the province or of extending the term of years prescribed in an Act authorizing the issue of securities proposed to be repaid, renewed or refunded with the proceeds of the loan. 1973 No86 s44 Back to Top Idem 49. (1) A sum may be raised by temporary loan in the manner and subject to the conditions set out in section 48 for the purpose of paying off other temporary loans raised under this Act. (2) The minister shall lay a detailed account of all temporary loans raised under section 48 and this section before the House of Assembly within 15 days after the commencement of the next session. 1973 No86 s45 Back to Top Effect of recital in order 50. A recital or declaration, in an order of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council made under this or another Act authorizing the issue and sale of securities, to the effect that the amount of that issue so authorized is necessary to realize the net sum required to be raised by way of loan, is conclusive evidence of that fact. 1973 No86 s46 Back to Top Disposition of proceeds 51. All money raised by the issue and sale of securities, other than the expenses connected with the issue and sale, shall be paid into an account of the province and shall form part of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. 1973 No86 s47 Back to Top Authority of Legislature 52. Except as provided in subsection 38(1), section 42, and sections 47, 48, 55 and 55.1, nothing in this Act authorizes an increase in the public debt without the express authority of the Legislature. 1973 No86 s48; 1997 c27 s1 Back to Top Protection of holders of securities 53. Nothing in this Act impairs or prejudicially affects the rights of the holders of securities issued by the province before or after May 1, 1973 . 1973 No86 s49 Back to Top Guaranteed securities interest 54. (1) Where under an Act passed either before or after May 1, 1973, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council is authorized to guarantee the principal and interest of the bonds, debentures, debenture stock or other securities of a company or corporation, public or private, and that Act provides that the money realized by sale, hypothecation, pledge or otherwise of those securities shall be paid into a bank to the credit of the minister or to the credit of another account that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may direct or approve, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may make those arrangements that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council considers expedient with that bank and with that company or corporation, notwithstanding anything contained in that Act, for the payment to the company or corporation or the nominees of that company or corporation of the whole or a portion of the interest that has or may have accumulated upon that deposit and has or may have been credited to the minister or other account that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council has directed or approved. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) no payment shall be made of the whole or a portion of the accumulated interest so credited unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council that there are no arrears of principal or interest due upon those bonds, debentures, debenture stock or other securities. 1973 No86 s50; 2022 c8 s17 Back to Top Power to borrow re guarantees 55. (1) Where under an Act passed either before or after May 1, 1973 a guarantee has been given by or on behalf of the province or the province is liable as guarantor for the payment of the principal or interest or both of a loan or obligation or of securities, and it becomes necessary under the terms of a guarantee to make a payment under the guarantee, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may raise by way of loan in the manner provided by this Act the sum necessary to fulfil a guarantee or a part of a guarantee and may expend the sum without a further or other appropriation than is provided by this section. (2) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may raise by way of loan the sum necessary to fulfil a guarantee referred to in subsection (1) or a part of a guarantee, whether or not the raising of that sum may have the effect of increasing the amount of the public debt or of extending the term of years prescribed in the Act authorizing the giving of the guarantee. (3) The minister shall make an annual report of all guaranteed loans paid in part or in whole and shall lay the report before the House of Assembly within 15 days after the opening of the next session, and the report shall show the name of the individual, society or organization whose guarantees have been paid, the full amount guaranteed and the amount of payment in each case. 1973 No86 s51 Back to Top Assumption of guaranteed loans 55.1 (1) Notwithstanding subsection 55(1), where under The Loan and Guarantee Act, 1957 or another Act a guarantee for the payment of a debt consisting of the principal, interest or sinking fund payment of a loan, debenture, bond or other security of a Crown corporation or agency has been given by the province, the province may assume or have assigned to it that debt for which the guarantee was given and that debt shall become a part of the debt of the province and the principal, interest or sinking fund payment on that debt shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (2) The minister shall make an annual report of all debts assumed by or assigned to the province under subsection (1) and shall lay the report before the House of Assembly within 15 days after the opening of the next session, and the report shall show the name of the Crown corporation or agency whose debt has been assumed or assigned and the full amount of the debt. 1997 c27 s2 Back to Top Execution of bonds, etc. 56. When a security is issued or guaranteed by the province, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may by order direct (a) that the security or guarantee be executed in the manner and by the persons designated in the order; and (b) that 1 of the signatures on the security and the signature on the coupons attached to the securities be lithographed or otherwise mechanically reproduced; or (c) that all or more than 1 of the signatures on a security and the signatures on coupons attached to the security be lithographed or otherwise mechanically reproduced, where measures satisfactory to the Lieutenant-Governor in Council are taken to ensure the control of the issue of the security. 1973 No86 s52 Back to Top Regulations 57. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may make regulations (a) for the management of the public debt; (b) for the inscription of securities; and (c) for the registration, transfer, management, exchange, redemption, cancellation and destruction of securities. (2) Regulations may be made under subsection (1) for the issue of securities or making of payments in respect of damaged, defaced, mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed securities or interest coupons, and of the cheques pertaining to them and prescribing conditions to the issue or payment, including conditions respecting the furnishing of bonds of indemnity in respect of that issue or payment. (3) Regulations referred to in subsection (2) may provide for the making of payments out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. 1973 No86 s53 PART V PUBLIC ACCOUNTS Back to Top Accounts of the province 58. The accounts of the province shall be kept in the Department of Finance by double entry, under the general direction of the comptroller general, who shall maintain an accounting system to show, among other things (a) the current state of the Consolidated Revenue Fund; (b) the revenue and expenditures of the current fiscal year; (c) the commitments for the current fiscal year chargeable against each Head of Expenditure; and (d) the charges expended under section 22 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. 1973 No86 s54; 1981 c9 s5 Back to Top Public Accounts 59. (1) The comptroller general shall as soon as possible after the end of each fiscal year prepare a report to be called the Public Accounts, and shall submit it for audit by the auditor general and onward transmission to the minister for submission to the House of Assembly. (2) The Public Accounts shall show in respect of the fiscal year to which they relate (a) the state of the public debt; (b) the revenue and expenditure; (c) all compromises, remissions, refunds and amounts written off; and (d) those other accounts and statements that may under good accounting practice be required to show the financial positions of the province at the end of the fiscal year. 1973 No86 s55; 1981 c9 s5 Back to Top Tabling of Public Accounts 60. (1) The minister shall lay the Public Accounts required under section 59 before the House of Assembly or submit them in accordance with subsection (4) before November 1 in the following fiscal year. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), in a year in which a general election is to be held in accordance with subsection 3(2) of the House of Assembly Act , the Public Accounts shall be laid before the House of Assembly or submitted in accordance with subsection (4) no less than 15 days before the date fixed for the general election. (3) In addition to the requirement under subsection (1), in a year in which a general election is to be held in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the House of Assembly Act , other than subsections 3(2) to (5), an unaudited report on the financial state of the province shall be laid before the House of Assembly or submitted in accordance with subsection (4) no less than 15 days before the date fixed for the general election unless one of the following has occurred within 3 months of the date fixed for the general election: (a) the Public Accounts for the previous fiscal year have been laid before the House of Assembly; (b) the Budget Speech has been delivered; or (c) a report on the financial state of the province has been laid before the House of Assembly. (4) Section 19.1 of the House of Assembly Act applies to the tabling of Public Accounts under this section as if that report were a report of an officer of the House of Assembly. 2017 c1 s1 Back to Top Alteration of time 61. The board may alter the period at or within which a public officer, corporation or institution is required to render an account or to make a return, where in the opinion of the board the alteration will facilitate the correct preparation of the statement of the Public Accounts to be submitted to the House of Assembly or of the annual estimates. 1973 No86 s57 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 62. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 63. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 64. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 65. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 66. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 67. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 68. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 69. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 70. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 71. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 72. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 73. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 74. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 75. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 Back to Top Rep. by 1991 c22 s36 76. [Ss. 62 to 76 (old 58-71) Rep. by 1991 c22 s36] 1991 c22 s36 PART VI CIVIL LIABILITY AND PENALTIES Back to Top Failure to account 77. (1) Where the minister has reason to believe that a person (a) has received public money and has not paid it over; (b) has received public money for which the person is accountable and has not accounted for it; or (c) has possession of public money applicable to a purpose and has not applied it to that purpose, the minister may serve a notice on that person or on the person’s personal representative, in case of the person's death, requiring the person or personal representative, within the time from the service of the notice that is stated in the notice, to pay over, account for, or so apply the public money, and to transmit to the minister proper vouchers that it has been done. (2) The notice referred to in subsection (1) may be served by delivering a copy to the person to whom it is addressed or by leaving it at the person’s usual place of residence. (3) Where a person has failed to comply with a notice served on the person under subsection (1) within the time stated in the notice, the minister shall state an account between that person and the Crown, showing the amount of public money not paid over, accounted for or applied and, in the discretion of the minister, charging interest on the whole or a part of the amount at the rate of 6% a year from a date that the minister may determine. (4) In a proceeding for the recovery of public money a copy of the account stated by the minister, certified by the minister, is evidence that the amount stated in the account, together with interest, is due and payable to the Crown, without proof of the signature of the minister or the minister’s official character and that amount and interest may be recovered as a debt due to the Crown. 1973 No86 s72; 2022 c8 s18 Back to Top Evidence 78. Where it appears to the minister (a) by the books or accounts kept by or in the office of a person employed in the collection or management of public money; (b) in an accounting by that person; or (c) by the person’s written acknowledgment or confession, that that person has, by virtue of the person’s office or employment, received public money and has refused or neglected to pay over the public money to the proper persons at the proper times, an affidavit deposing to those facts, taken by a person having knowledge of the facts, shall, in a proceeding for the recovery of that public money, be received in evidence and is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the facts stated in the affidavit. 1973 No86 s73; 2022 c8 s19 Back to Top Penalty for not reporting 79. (1) An officer or person who refuses or neglects to transmit an account, statement or return, with proper vouchers, to the officer or department to whom the officer or person is lawfully required to do so, on or before the day appointed for that transmission, is liable to a penalty of $100. (2) A penalty imposed under subsection (1) is recoverable with costs as a debt due to the Crown and in an action for the recovery of the penalty the evidence of a witness or other evidence that the account, statement or return ought to have been transmitted by the defendant on the appointed day constitutes, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, evidence of the facts alleged by the Crown. 1973 No86 s74; 2022 c8 s20 Back to Top Liability for loss 80. Where, by reason of an unlawful act, wilful neglect of duty or gross negligence by a person employed in collecting or receiving a public money, a sum of money is lost to the province, that person is accountable for that sum as if it had been collected and received and it may be recovered from that person as if it had been collected and received. 1973 No86 s75 PART VII OFFENCES AND PENALTIES Back to Top Offences 81. An officer or person acting in an office or employment connected with the collection, management or disbursement of the public money who (a) receives compensation or a reward for performance of an official duty, except prescribed by law; (b) conspires or colludes with a person to defraud the Crown or makes opportunity for a person to defraud the Crown; (c) designedly permits a violation of the law by another person; (d) wilfully makes or signs a false entry in a book or wilfully makes or signs a false certificate or return in a case in which it is the officer's or person's duty to make an entry, certificate or return; (e) having knowledge or information of the violation of a revenue law by a person, or of fraud committed by a person, against the Crown under a revenue law of the province, fails to report in writing that knowledge or information to the officer's or person's next superior officer; or (f) demands or accepts or attempts to collect directly or indirectly as payment or gift or otherwise a sum of money or anything of value for the compromise, adjustment or settlement of a charge or complaint for a violation or alleged violation of law, except as expressly authorized to do by law or by the authority of the department of which the person is an officer, shall be dismissed from office and is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $500 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year. 1973 No86 s76; 2022 c8 s21 Back to Top Bribe 82. (1) A person who (a) promises, offers or gives a bribe to an officer or a person acting in an office or employment connected with the collection, management or disbursement of public money, with intent (i) to influence the officer's or person's decision or action on a question or matter that is then pending, or may, by law, be brought before that person in that person’s official capacity, or (ii) to influence that officer or person to commit, or aid and abet in committing a fraud on the revenue, or to connive at, collude in, or allow or permit an opportunity for the commission of a fraud; or (b) accepts or receives a bribe, is guilty of an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 3 times the amount so offered or accepted, and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year. (2) An officer or person who holds an office or place under the Crown and is convicted under this section shall forfeit the office or place, and a person who is convicted under this section shall be forever disqualified from holding an office of trust, honour or profit under the Crown. 1973 No86 s77; 2022 c8 s22 Back to Top Saving or other remedies 83. Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent, lessen or impair a civil or criminal remedy which the Crown or another person has against a person offending against this Act or the person’s sureties, or against another person but nevertheless the conviction of an offender shall not be received in evidence in an action against that person. 1973 No86 s78; 2022 c8 s23 PART VIII MISCELLANEOUS Back to Top Books etc. property of the Crown 84. All books, papers, accounts and documents kept or used by, or received or taken into the possession of a person who is or has been employed in the collection or management of public money or in accounting for public money, by virtue of that employment, shall be considered to be chattels belonging to the Crown, and all money or valuable securities received or taken into the possession of an officer or person by virtue of the officer's or person's employment shall be considered to be money and valuable securities belonging to the Crown. 1973 No86 s79; 2022 c8 s24 Back to Top Oath or affirmation 85. Testimony taken for the purpose of this Act shall be taken under oath or solemn affirmation administered by the person making the examination or inquiry. 1973 No86 s80 Back to Top Recovery and disposition of penalty 86. (1) The Minister of Justice may sue for and recover in the Crown's name a penalty, or enforce a forfeiture imposed by a law relating to public money, before a court or other judicial authority before which that penalty or forfeiture is recoverable or enforceable under that law, or may direct the discontinuance of a suit in respect of a penalty or forfeiture by whom or in whose name the suit has been brought. (2) The whole of the penalty or forfeiture when recovered or enforced shall belong to the Crown for the public use of the province, but the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may allow a portion to the seizing officer or other person by whose information or aid the penalty or forfeiture has been recovered or enforced. 1973 No86 s82 Back to Top Regulations 87. (1) [Rep. by 1996 cR-10.1 s30] (2) [Rep. by 1996 cR-10.1 s30] (3) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the board, make regulations to give effect to the provisions of this Act and to provide for a deficiency in the Act. 1973 No86 s83; 1974 No88 s6; 1981 c9 s5; 1991 c22 s36 ; 1992 c48 s11 ; 1996 cR-10.1 s30