In Canada, public money refers to all funds received and collected by the Receiver General (or any other public officer or authorized person) in an official capacity. For example, public money might include duties and revenues; money received or collected for, or on behalf of, Canada; any money paid to or received by a public officer and to be disbursed for specific reasons outlined in acts, trusts, treaties or other undertakings; or money Canada borrows or receives by issuing or selling securities.

At EY, we help governments strategically manage and reallocate resources (with a particular focus on technology investments and transformation). This enables governments to better manage public money while driving productivity, fiscal sustainability, economic competitiveness and growth.

Many governments around the world are in a fiscal fix. Demographic change is driving the need for more spending on public services and programs. The climate transition and requirement to expand defence capabilities demand investment. And government debts and borrowing costs have been rising. Meanwhile, governments are struggling to improve or even sustain socio-economic outcomes. 

At EY, we believe that governments can reframe how public money is allocated and managed, to improve the sustainability of public finances and create better outcomes for people and communities. 

Governments can achieve this by taking action in the four areas of the public money agenda: economic and public finance strategy and management; performance, risk, accountability and reporting; operational efficiency and cost reduction; technology and transformation.