The federal government spent $1.5 billion on office supplies, machinery and equipment in a mad dash to burn through cash before the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to government records obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“If you want proof that government bureaucrats have way too many tax dollars on their hands, look no further than the government’s March Madness spending sprees,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “It sure seems like government bureaucrats look for ways to burn through cash at the end of each year so they can keep demanding more money from taxpayers the next year.”

The federal government’s fiscal year ends on March 31 of each year.

Federal departments and agencies spent $382 million on supplies and $1.1 billion on machinery and equipment during a 10-day span between March 22 and March 31, 2025.

The government released the data in response to an order paper question submitted by Conservative MP Connie Cody (Cambridge). Cody asked departments and agencies for total spending on “materials and supplies” and “acquisition of machinery and equipment” between March 22 and 31, 2025.

National Defence was by far the biggest spender in terms of dollar amount. The department spent $771 million on supplies and equipment in 10 days. That included everything from gasoline to machinery parts, paint and plumbing supplies. It also included $205,000 for office furniture.

The other big spenders were Fisheries and Oceans Canada ($99.3 million), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ($89 million) and Shared Services Canada ($78.5 million), according to the records.

The Canada Revenue Agency spent nearly $50,000 patting its employees on the back with “long service awards.” The Department of Canadian Heritage spent more than $12,000 on “non-monetary awards.”

VIA Rail spent $1.5 million on new Apple iPhones for its staff.

The Department of Immigration spent more than $152,000 on “office furniture and furnishings,” while the Privy Council office dropped $60,000 on furniture during those 10 days in March.

Global Affairs Canada spent $128,500 on “household appliances” and $4,220 on artwork. The Bank of Canada dropped $446 on linen services.

The Department of Justice and the Treasury Board spent $2.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively, on computer equipment.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police spent $89 million, Correctional Service Canada spent $32 million and Environment and Climate Change Canada spent $18 million, but they all declined to provide details about the spending.

Multiple agencies and Crown corporations refused to submit any expense information. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Parks Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canada Post, the National Capital Commission, among others, refused to disclose the requested information.

“Maybe the CRA should figure out how to operate a phone before it spends tens of thousands of dollars showering its bureaucrats with awards,” Terrazzano said. “If you asked Canadians whether they would rather pay for a brand-new hospital or bureaucrats’ 10-day March madness spending spree, I bet most Canadians would choose the hospital.

“Prime Minister Mark Carney needs to remind bureaucrats that the government is broke and taxpayers can’t afford any more March Madness spending sprees.”