Transport
How Transport spent its budget in fiscal year 2023-24, on a Volume II appropriations basis.
Department Spending
In FY 2023-24,
$5.2B
was spent by Transport
In FY 2023-24,
1.0%
of federal spending was by Transport
The Department of Transport (Transport Canada) is the federal department responsible for developing and enforcing transportation policies, regulations, and infrastructure projects to ensure safe and efficient movement of people and goods across Canada. It oversees aviation, rail, marine, and road transportation systems, working to enhance national connectivity and economic growth.
Transport Canada spent $5.2B in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 1.0% of the $513.9 billion in overall federal spending. The department ranked fourteenth among federal departments in total spending.
Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Since 1995, overall federal spending has risen 74.9%, while Transport spending has remained relatively flat.
In FY 2024, Transport Canada accounted for 1.0% of all federal spending, 0.74% percentage points lower than in 1995.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can significantly influence government spending year to year. For instance, during the pandemic, the Government of Canada's total expenses rose from $410.2 billion in 2019 to $420 billion in 2020 and further to $720.3 billion in 2021.
Similarly, Transport Canada's expenditures experienced fluctuations during this period, increasing from approximately $3.2 billion in 2019 (adjusted for inflation) to $5.2B in 2024.
Federal government spending isolated to FY 2024
Federal departments often contain other entities including offices, crown corporations and agencies. In FY 2024, Transport Canada reported total expenditures of $5.2B across the following entities:
Transport Canada is led by the Minister of Transport, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and formally sworn into office at Rideau Hall. Upon appointment, the Minister takes the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance, becoming a member of the King's Privy Council for Canada.
The Minister of Transport is one 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 appoints a new cabinet. Outgoing ministers continue in their roles until their successors are sworn in.
The Minister is responsible for overseeing Canada's transportation policies, ensuring safety regulations, investing in infrastructure, and leading climate initiatives related to aviation, rail, marine, and road transportation.
How did Transport spend its budget in 2023-24?
Spending by entity, FY 2023-24
Department of Transport
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Marine Atlantic Inc.
Canadian Transportation Agency
VIA HFR - VIA TGF Inc.
The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited
$3.12B
$971.2M
$804M
$191.7M
$55.3M
$49.5M
$7M
Transport’s share of federal spending
Percentage of federal spending, 2014–2025
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 10 | Grants and contributions | $2,457,570,200 | $1,572,423,661 | $885,146,539 |
| Vote 1 | Operating expenditures | $1,358,325,764 | $1,123,993,900 | $234,331,864 |
| Vote 1 | Payments to the Authority for operating and capital expenditures | $1,074,515,043 | $971,162,874 | $103,352,169 |
| Vote 1 | Payments to the Corporation | $1,482,511,019 | $803,950,034 | $678,560,985 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $263,900,009 | $257,160,453 | $6,739,556 |
| Vote 1 | Payments to the Corporation | $211,305,507 | $191,685,507 | $19,620,000 |
| Vote 5 | Capital expenditures | $288,068,654 | $163,900,002 | $124,168,652 |
| Vote 1 | Payments to the corporation for operating and capital expenditures | $51,670,000 | $49,503,355 | $2,166,645 |
| Vote 1 | Program expenditures | $49,596,707 | $49,211,579 | $385,128 |
| Vote 1 | Payments to the Corporation | $7,381,000 | $7,044,809 | $336,191 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $6,064,145 | $6,064,145 | $0 |
Explore other federal departments
Transport figures are on a Volume II appropriations basis and will not match the Volume I consolidated headline totals. See the methodology for details.
