Same here in the Great White. Even worse. I won't get into it in detail, but, the "main estimates" get approval on April 1. Spending authority slowly goes through the maze and reaches some poor dumb animal, say, a gnu, in late May or even as late as July (sometimes later) for some of the money. The gnu is asked to analyze and cost a number of proposals for priority and planning, and that takes time and money, neither of which are afforded the gnus in the herd.

Okay... enough detail... an example.

August 15: gnu... how much $ will it take for you to build a new ferry terminal building in Goose Bay, Labrador? Need $ figure RFN. Same day, I said $500k and I'll give you change.

Sept 1: Do it.

Sept 4: Here is my layout.

Sept 30: Go.

One week tender prep. 3 week tender (company policy). One week to get approvals and signatures.

Oct 7: Let contract.

Oct 15: Company says shutting ferry service down early this year.

Nov 21: FLY prefab builing into Goose to avoid lawsuit. Get approval for overbudget expenditure due to weather delays.

Dec 1: Issue Progress Payment for 2/3 of tender price.

Dec 15: Issue PP for remainder and take home cheque from accounting dept for safe keeping.

Dec 28: Issue PP for holdback and take home.

Feb 1: Tell the miserable little prick from internal audit that is threatening to try to get me fired that I don't give a fuck about the pencil pushing accountants and government bureaucrats that can't understand that it gets cold in Goose Bay, Labrador in the winter. No, the cheques haven't been cashed. No, I don't know why... maybe they got lost in The Queen's Mail?

March 31: Building complete, cheques cashed.

April 1: Repeat.