Public Safety
How Public Safety spent its budget in fiscal year 2023-24, on a Volume II appropriations basis.
Department Spending
In FY 2023-24,
$16.09B
was spent by Public Safety
In FY 2023-24,
3.1%
of federal spending was by Public Safety
Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Canada (Public Safety Canada) is the federal department responsible for national security, emergency preparedness, and community safety. Established in 2003, it consolidates security, law enforcement, and emergency management functions. It includes the RCMP, CSIS, and CBSA and coordinates federal responses to threats and develops policies on crime prevention, cyber resilience, and disaster preparedness while overseeing intelligence-sharing with domestic and international partners.
Public Safety Canada spent $16.09B in fiscal year (FY) 2024, accounting for 3.1% of the $513.9 billion in total federal spending. While not among the largest departments by expenditure, Public Safety Canada plays a crucial role in national security and emergency management, working in tandem with multiple agencies to mitigate threats and enhance public safety.
Federal spending on public safety fluctuates based on evolving security threats, emergency events, and changes in government policy. Since 2005 shortly after it was established, Public Safety Canada's expenditures have increased by 69.6%, reflecting heightened investments in counterterrorism, cyber defence, and disaster response capabilities. The department's share of the federal budget has remained relatively flat from 2.6% in 2005 to 3.1% in 2024.
Major policy shifts, unforeseen events such as natural disasters, and global security concerns can significantly impact the department's annual spending. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, led to a sharp increase in federal emergency response funding in 2020.
In FY 2024, Public Safety's budget was allocated across several key areas, including:
The Department is led by the Minister of Public Safety, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and then formally sworn into office at Rideau Hall. They take the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance and become a member of the King's Privy Council for Canada.
These Ministers are some of the cabinet members who serve at the Prime Minister's discretion. Their tenure typically ends when they resign, are replaced, or when a new Prime Minister takes office and appoints a new cabinet. Outgoing ministers remain in their roles until their successors are sworn in.
How did Public Safety spend its budget in 2023-24?
Spending by entity, FY 2023-24
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Correctional Service of Canada
Canada Border Services Agency
Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
Parole Board of Canada
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat
Office of the Correctional Investigator of Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee
Leaders' Debates Commission
$7.28B
$3.38B
$2.73B
$1.49B
$828.4M
$249.1M
$77.6M
$25.1M
$15.8M
$7.9M
$5.8M
$5.4M
$644K
Public Safety’s share of federal spending
Percentage of federal spending, 1995–2025
Line items
Complete appropriation (vote/allotment) and transfer-payment lines, in dollars. Search, sort, and download the full table.
| Vote | Description | Total available | Used ▼ | Lapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vote 1 | Operating expenditures | $5,822,946,568 | $5,671,083,321 | $151,863,247 |
| Vote 1 | Operating expenditures, grants and contributions | $3,131,607,235 | $2,842,929,932 | $288,677,303 |
| Vote 1 | Operating expenditures | $2,564,854,021 | $2,335,785,867 | $229,068,154 |
| Vote 5 | Grants and contributions | $2,706,414,555 | $1,212,784,586 | $1,493,629,969 |
| Vote 1 | Program expenditures | $777,300,520 | $770,301,653 | $6,998,867 |
| Vote 10 | Grants and contributions | $760,969,616 | $706,255,215 | $54,714,401 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $575,231,095 | $574,476,979 | $754,116 |
| Vote 5 | Capital expenditures | $452,648,820 | $327,098,197 | $125,550,623 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $301,397,053 | $279,586,726 | $21,810,327 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $263,128,406 | $262,629,524 | $498,882 |
| Vote 5 | Capital expenditures | $269,045,794 | $256,362,934 | $12,682,860 |
| Vote 1 | Operating expenditures | $270,146,893 | $247,374,744 | $22,772,149 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $184,282,610 | $184,282,610 | $0 |
| Vote 5 | Capital expenditures | $266,525,296 | $127,867,879 | $138,657,417 |
| Vote 1 | Program expenditures | $73,382,585 | $69,173,489 | $4,209,096 |
Explore other federal departments
Public Safety figures are on a Volume II appropriations basis and will not match the Volume I consolidated headline totals. See the methodology for details.
