The Public Accounts of Ontario 2016-17
The Public Accounts looks back at the government’s revenues and expenses. It compares the province’s financial performance with the goals outlined in the budget.
Overview
The Public Accounts presents the government’s financial statements and gives a picture of how finances were managed over the last fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
The Auditor General reviews the Public Accounts before it is released and gives an opinion on whether Ontario is following independently established accounting standards.
Public Accounts are made up of:
- an annual report
- consolidated financial statements
- three supporting volumes
It is typically released in the fall of the following fiscal year.
Annual report
The annual report is a high-level summary. It includes financial statements and analysis, as well as achievements for the fiscal year.
Read the annual report (2016-17)
Download data from the annual report on the government’s five-year trends for:
Consolidated financial statements
These statements compare government revenues to its expenses (the cost of providing programs and services and financing debt). The result is the annual surplus or deficit. These statements also include the budget plan and last year’s numbers for comparison.
Read the consolidated financial statements (2016-17)
Volume 1: ministry statements and schedules
Volume 1 contains ministry statements, detailed schedules of debt and other items. This volume details where government revenue comes from, including taxes, non-tax revenue and income from enterprises (such as the LCBO), alongside the expenses of ministries.
Ministry spending
Health And Long-Term Care
Education
Finance
Community And Social Services
Training, Colleges And Universities
Select the show more/show less button to expand or hide the ministry spending bar chart.
Transportation
Children And Youth Services
Community Safety And Correctional Services
Attorney General
Municipal Affairs And Housing
Economic Development, Employment And Infrastructure /Ministry Of Research And Innovation
Tourism, Culture And Sport
Treasury Board Secretariat
Northern Development And Mines
Agriculture, Food And Rural Affairs
Energy
Natural Resources And Forestry
Government And Consumer Services
Environment And Climate Change
Labour
Citizenship, Immigration And International Trade
Office Of The Assembly
Aboriginal Affairs
Cabinet Office
Office Of The Chief Electoral Officer
Office Of The Auditor General
Ombudsman Ontario
Office Of Francophone Affairs
Office Of The Premier
Office Of The Lieutenant Governor
Volume 2: financial statements of government organizations and business enterprises
Volume 2 contains the individual financial statements of government organizations, business enterprises and other financial statements. These organizations and enterprises include agencies, such as Metrolinx and Hydro One, and organizations like the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
Volume 3: detailed schedules of payments
Volume 3 contains the transfer payments made by ministries to recipients that are not a part of the Government of Ontario, such as hospitals, community agencies and schools. It also includes payments to vendors for goods and services, such as third-party staffing agencies, consultants and telecom providers.