Archived - Department of Finance Canada Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited)

For the year ending
March 31, 2021

Notes to the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited)

 1. Methodology and significant assumptions

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared on the basis of the government priorities and departmental plans as described in the Departmental Plan.
The information in the forecast results for fiscal year 2019-20 is based on actual results as at January 13, 2020 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts have been made for the planned results for fiscal year 2020-21.
The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows:

• Operations and statutory requirements of the Department of Finance (the Department) will remain substantially the same as the previous year.
• Significant management estimates are consistent with those disclosed in the most recently published departmental financial statements unless otherwise indicated.
• Expenses and revenues, including the determination of amounts internal and external to the government, are based on past experience. The general historical pattern is expected to continue.
• Foreign exchange gains and losses are not forecasted past the actual results as at January 13, 2020 given the high degree of uncertainty inherent in forecasting these items.
• External economic and other market variables which can impact the net cost of operations of the Department are assumed to be consistent throughout the forecast periods in order to permit comparability of financial results. These variables can fluctuate significantly.

These assumptions are made as at January 13, 2020.

2. Variations and changes to the forecast financial information

Although every attempt has been made to forecast final results for the remainder of 2019-20 and for 2020-21, actual results achieved for both years are likely to differ from the forecast information presented, and this variation could be material.
In preparing this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, the Department has made estimates and assumptions about the future. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the subsequent actual results. Estimates and assumptions are based on past experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Factors that could lead to material differences between the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and actual results include:

• Foreign-exchange and interest rates;
• Future legislative changes or changes in policy requirements;
• Borrowing requirements of Crown corporations participating in the Crown Borrowing Program;
• Material changes in the levels or mix of the Official International Reserves of Canada;
• Further changes to the operating budget through additional new initiatives or technical adjustments later in the year;
• Implementation of new collective agreements; and
• Economic conditions, which may affect both the amount of revenue earned and the collectability of loans receivable.

After the Departmental Plan is tabled in Parliament, the Department will not be updating the forecasts for any changes in financial resources made in ensuing supplementary estimates.

3. Summary of significant accounting policies

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared using the Government of Canada’s accounting policies in effect for fiscal year 2019-20, and is based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.
Significant accounting policies are as follows:

a) Expenses

• The Department reports expenses on an accrual basis.
• Transfer payments are recognized as expenses when authorization for the payment exists and the recipient has met the eligibility criteria or the entitlements established for the transfer payment program. In situations where payments do not form part of an existing program, transfer payments are recorded as expenses when enabling legislation or authorization for the payment receives parliamentary approval prior to the completion of the financial statements.
• Interest and other costs are recognized when incurred and include interest, amortization of debt discounts, premiums and commissions, and servicing and issue costs. Amortization of discounts and premiums is performed on a straight line basis.
• Operating expenses are recognized as incurred.
• The cost of domestic coinage sold is recognized in the period in which the related sale takes place.
• Vacation pay and compensatory leave are accrued as the benefits are earned by employees under their respective terms of employment.
• Services provided without charge by other government departments for accommodation, employer contributions to the health and dental insurance plans and legal services are recorded as operating expenses at their estimated cost.
• Expenses also include amortization of tangible capital assets, which are capitalized at their acquisition cost. Tangible capital assets used in operations are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

b) Revenues

• The Department reports revenues on an accrual basis.
• Investment income is recognized as revenue in accordance with the terms and conditions of underlying agreements or relevant legislation as applicable.
• Interest on bank deposits is recognized as revenue when earned.
• Sale of domestic coinage is recognized in the period that the sale takes place.
• Guarantee fees are recognized when earned and are determined by reference to the terms of the guarantee program or underlying contract.
• Uncashed Receiver General cheques, warrants and bank account cheques for all departments and agencies are recognized as revenue of the Department if they remain outstanding for 10 years after the date of issue.
• Unclaimed matured bonds are recognized as revenue if they remain unredeemed for 15 years after the date of call or maturity, whichever is earlier.
• Unclaimed bank balances are recognized as revenue when there has been no owner activity in relation to the balance for a period of 40 years for amounts under one thousand, and for 100 years for amounts over one thousand.
• Other revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event that gave rise to the revenue takes place.
• Revenues earned on behalf of the Government are non-respendable revenues which are not available to discharge the Department’s liabilities. While the Deputy Minister is expected to maintain accounting control, he has no authority regarding the disposition of non-respendable revenues. As a result, non-respendable revenues are presented as a reduction of the Department’s gross revenues.

4. Parliamentary authorities

The Department is financed by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the Department differs from financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles because authorities are based mainly on cash flow requirements. Items recognized in the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations in one year may be funded through parliamentary authorities of prior, current, or future years. Accordingly, the Department has a different net cost of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables: