Why do government surplus and deficit data published by Statistics Canada differ from that published by federal and provincial government finance departments?
Government surplus and deficit data will always differ as they are compiled using a different accounting system. The Financial Management System (FMS) is based on modified cash accounting while the public accounts use accrual accounting. Also, revenue and expenditure series published by Public Sector Statistics Division (PSSD) on a FMS basis are using a much broader definition than Finance data published on a Public Accounts basis. The FMS accounting system uses the Public Accounts of federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as financial statements of local governments, and adds all agencies, funds and other organizations that belong to each level of government, as defined in the Public Sector Universe of Canada. You publish statistical data for federal government revenue and expenditures at the Canada level. Do you also publish federal government revenue and expenditures by province and territory on a Financial Management System basis? Statistical data on federal gover
