16. Deviation from the primary expenditure ceiling

Any deviation from the primary expenditure ceiling specified in the medium-term fiscal framework for any financial year, may be made by the Government only under the circumstances specified in subsection (2) and shall be subject to the procedures specified in subsection (3).

The Government may exceed the primary expenditure ceiling specified in the medium-term fiscal framework only in the unanticipated events or natural disaster posing significant threats to national security, national economic security or the public health and safety of the country which necessitate additional, temporary and targeted public expenditure beyond any contingencies included in the annual budget.

Where any situation specified in subsection (2) arises or is likely to arise that requires expenditure in excess of the primary expenditure ceiling specified in the medium-term fiscal framework, the Minister of Finance shall request by way of resolution, the approval of Parliament for the deviation from the primary expenditure ceiling and supplementary appropriations in excess of the primary expenditure ceiling specified in the medium-term fiscal framework.

The request referred to in subsection (3) shall be accompanied by, at a minimum –

The documents specified in subsection (4) shall be published on the official website of the Ministry of the