Quarterly Financial Report of Transport Canada (Unaudited) - For the quarter ended June 30, 2015

From: Transport Canada

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Table of contents

Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program

1. Introduction

This quarterly financial report has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board Accounting Standard 1.3. The quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A).

This quarterly report has not been subject to an external audit or review.

1.1 Authority, Mandate and Program Activities

A summary description of Transport Canada's program activities is presented in Part II of the Main Estimates.

1.2 Basis of Presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes Transport Canada's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the Department consistent with the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A) for the 2015-16 fiscal year. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.

The authority of Parliament is required before moneys can be spent by the Government. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.

When Parliament is dissolved for the purposes of a general election, section 30 of the Financial Administration Act authorizes the Governor General, under certain conditions, to issue a special warrant authorizing the Government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. A special warrant is deemed to be an appropriation for the fiscal year in which it is issued.

Transport Canada uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual departmental financial statements that are part of the departmental performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

2. Highlights of Fiscal Quarter and Fiscal Year to Date (YTD) Results

2.1 Statement of Authorities

Transport Canada's total authorities available for use increased by approximately $2 million, from $1,656 million as of June 30, 2014 to $1,658 million as of June 30, 2015, as summarized below:

Changes in Authorities:

Description (in millions of dollars)
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures 37
Vote 5 – Capital expenditures 19
Vote 10 – Grants and contributions (90)
Budgetary statutory authorities 36
Total change in authorities 2

Note: Totals may not add or may not agree with details provided elsewhere due to rounding.

The Statement of Authorities attached at the end illustrates the total authorities available for use, the authorities used for the quarter and the year-to-date authorities used for the current fiscal year as well as the comparative figures for the previous year. The major year-to-year changes for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 are explained below.

2.1.1 Vote 1 – Operating expenditures (increase of $37M)

Planned operating authorities increased by $37 million from 2014-2015 to 2015-2016 mostly explained by the following factors:

  • Increase in planned spending in new funding from Budget 2014 and the fiscal framework of:
    • $18 million for the Port Assets Management Program;
    • $10 million for the Ferry Services Program; and
    • $10 million as a result of the ratification of various collective agreements.
2.1.2 Vote 5 – Capital expenditures (increase of $19M)

Capital expenditures authorities increased by $19 million from 2014-15 to 2015-16, largely explained by the following factors:

  • Increase in planned spending of:
    • $58 million to upgrade several federally-owned airports and to retrofit an ecoTECHNOLOGY vehicles facility; and
    • $10 million in new funding from Budget 2014 for the Ferry Services Program.
  • Offset by decrease in planned spending of:
    • $42 million for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project mostly as a result of a transfer of funds to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to deliver a new publicly-owned bridge at this crucial border crossing; and
    • $7 million for various other projects.
2.1.3 Vote 10 – Grants and contributions (decrease of $90M)

Grants and contributions authorities decreased by $90 million from 2014-15 to 2015-16, largely explained by the following factors:

  • Decrease in planned spending of:
    • $95 million for the Asia Pacific Gateways and Corridors Transportation Infrastructure Fund, as the program approaches its maturity date;
    • $15 million for the transfer to Canada Border Services Agency for the renewal of border facilities and related infrastructure;
    • $7 million for the Outaouais Road Development Agreement;
    • $7 million for Contributions to Support the Clean Transportation Initiatives; and
    • $6 million for the sun-setting of funding for the Oshawa Harbour Port Consolidation project.
  • Offset by increase in planned spending in new funding from Budget 2014 of:
    • $18 million for the Ferry Services Contribution Program;
    • $13 million for the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund;
    • $7 million for the Oceans Networks Canada – Smart Oceans Contribution Program; and
    • $4 million for the Contribution Program for the Centre of Excellence for Marine Transportation of Oil and Liquefied Natural Gas.
2.1.4 Budgetary statutory authorities (increase of $36M)

The budgetary statutory authorities increased by $36 million mainly as a result of an increase of $32 million in capital and operating requirements associated with the St. Lawrence Seaway and an increase of $3 million for the department's Employee Benefit Plan.

2.2 Statement of Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object

The statement of Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object attached at the end illustrates the annual planned expenditures, the expenditures for the quarter and the year-to-date expenditures for the current fiscal year as well as the comparative figures for the previous year. Overall, the year-to-date expenditures at the end of the first quarter of 2015-16 represent 15% of the annual planned expenditures, compared to 14% in 2014-15.

Historically, most spending on high-dollar value, major infrastructure grants and contribution programs occurs in the fourth quarter. This is due to the fact that the majority of recipients submit their claims for reimbursement in the last quarter following the summer and fall construction period.

The major year-to-year variances as at June 30, 2015 are as follows:

  • Personnel
  • The planned expenditures related to Personnel for 2015-16 increased by approximately $11 million compared to the 2014-15 planned expenditures primarily due to the ratification of various collective agreements.
  • The year-to-date expenditures related to Personnel at June 30, 2015 increased by approximately $9 million when compared to the 2014-15 first quarter year-to-date expenditures. This is largely attributed to an increase in the number of employees for oversight activities within Marine Safety, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Rail Safety, and Aviation Safety.
  • Professional and special services
  • The planned expenditures related to Professional and special services for 2015-16 increased by approximately $26 million compared to the 2014-15 planned expenditures. The increase is largely attributed to increases in professional services for the Ports Assets Management and the Ferry Services Programs as a result of new funding from Budget 2014.
  • Acquisitions of land, buildings and works
  • The planned expenditures related to Acquisitions of land, buildings and works for 2015-16 increased by approximately $28 million compared to the 2014-15 planned expenditures. The increase is mainly due to an increase of $48 million in Infrastructure funding for the upgrade of several federally-owned airports and retrofit of ecoTECHNOLOGY vehicles facility, offset by a decrease of $10 million in funding for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and a decrease of $10 million in various other projects.
  • Acquisitions of machinery and equipment
  • The planned expenditures related to Acquisitions of machinery and equipment for 2015-16 decreased by approximately $24 million compared to the 2014-15. The decrease is mainly due to planned reductions of $33 million related to the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, offset by an increase of $10 million in Infrastructure funding for the upgrade of several federally-owned airports and retrofit of ecoTECHNOLOGY vehicles facility.
  • Transfer payments
  • The planned expenditures related to Transfer payments for 2015-16 decreased by approximately $89 million when compared to the planned expenditures for 2014-15. The causes of the variances are explained in section 2.1.3.
  • The year-to-date expenditures related to Transfer payments at June 30, 2015 increased by approximately $10 million when compared to the 2014-15 first quarter year-to-date expenditures. The increase is largely attributed to year-to-date expenditures to the Province of British Columbia in respect of the provision of ferry and coastal freight and passenger services.
  • Other subsidies and payments
  • The planned expenditures related to Other subsidies and payments for 2015-16 increased by approximately $40 million when compared to the planned expenditures for 2014-15. The variance is mainly due to an increase of $32 million in the annual statutory payments to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation as a result of increased asset renewal costs associated with the its modernization project and a reallocation of planned expenditures from other areas.
  • The year-to-date expenditures related to Other subsidies and payments at June 30, 2015 decreased by approximately $7 million when compared to the 2014-15 first quarter year-to-date expenditures. The decrease is mainly due to a one-time transition payment of $15 million made last year for implementing salary payment in arrears by the Government of Canada, offset by an $8 million larger cashflow requirement to the St. Lawrence Seaway Corporation when compared to the same prior year period.

3. Risks and Uncertainties

Transport Canada maintains a Corporate Risk Profile which identifies and assesses high-level risks that could affect the achievement of the Department's objectives and priorities. The identification of risks and the development of risk responses contribute to making decisions related to setting departmental priorities, planning, allocating resources, developing policies, managing programs and reporting on performance. Additional information regarding the Department's key risk areas is presented in the Report on Plans and Priorities.

Certain risks could have financial impacts should they materialize, for example many factors affecting the timing of transfer payments lie outside the control of the Department and could require funds to be re-profiled to future years. To minimize these impacts, the Department continuously monitors its program funding and expenditures, including a monthly senior management review of plans and forecasts.

4. Significant Changes in Relation to Operations, Personnel and Programs

On June 26, 2015, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Jean-François Tremblay to the position of Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, effective July 20, 2015.

Approved by

Original signed by

Helena Borges,
Acting as Deputy Minister
Ottawa, Canada

August 24, 2015

Original signed by

André Lapointe,
Chief Financial Officer
Ottawa, Canada

August 14, 2015

 

Statement of Authorities (Unaudited)

Statement of Authorities (Unaudited) (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal year 2015-2016 Fiscal year 2014-2015
Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2016 (1) Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 Year-to-date used at quarter-end Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2015 (1) Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures 632,048 141,380 141,380 600,566 143,305 143,305
Vote 1 – Revenues credited to the vote (80,923) (13,752) (13,752) (86,667) (17,333) (17,333)
Vote 5 – Capital expenditures 165,177 3,583 3,583 145,753 1,556 1,556
Vote 10 – Grants and contributions 667,887 20,152 20,152 757,957 11,265 11,265
Budgetary statutory authorities
Contributions to employee benefit plans 71,192 - - 68,507 - -
Minister of Transport – Salary and motor car allowance 82 41 41 80 40 40
Refunds of amounts credited to revenues in previous years - 7 7 - - -
Payments to the Canadian National Railway Company – Victoria Bridge, Montreal 3,300 165 165 3,300 116 116
Northumberland Strait Crossing Subsidy Payment 63,789 62,335 62,335 62,836 61,733 61,733
Payments in respect of St. Lawrence Seaway Agreements 135,300 36,600 36,600 103,350 28,600 28,600
Total authorities 1,657,852 250,511 250,511 1,655,682 229,282 229,282

(1) Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter end.

Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (Unaudited)

Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object
(Unaudited) (in thousands of dollars) 		Fiscal year 2015-2016 Fiscal year 2014-2015
Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2016 Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 Year-to-date expended at quarter-end Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2015 Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 Year-to-date expended at quarter-end
Expenditures:
Personnel 495,038 113,741 113,741 483,781 104,275 104,275
Transportation and communications 27,543 7,765 7,765 26,885 5,901 5,901
Information 2,844 391 391 3,017 355 355
Professional and special services 145,542 13,076 13,076 119,074 11,469 11,469
Rentals 9,135 796 796 6,045 1,055 1,055
Repair and maintenance 13,123 489 489 15,259 1,483 1,483
Utilities, materials and supplies 16,893 3,628 3,628 15,091 3,388 3,388
Acquisition of land, buildings and works 119,903 152 152 91,883 418 418
Acquisition of machinery and equipment 30,041 5,321 5,321 53,871 1,953 1,953
Transfer payments 734,976 82,651 82,651 824,093 73,114 73,114
Other subsidies and payments 143,737 36,253 36,253 103,350 43,204 43,204
Total gross budgetary expenditures 1,738,775 264,263 264,263 1,742,349 246,615 246,615
Less revenues netted against expenditures:
Vote-netted revenues (80,923) (13,752) (13,752) (86,667) (17,333) (17,333)
Total Revenues netted against expenditures: (80,923) (13,752) (13,752) (86,667) (17,333) (17,333)
Total net budgetary expenditures 1,657,852 250,511 250,511 1,655,682 229,282 229,282

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