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Natural Resources Canada Quarterly Financial Report (Unaudited) for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2018

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

1. Introduction

This quarterly financial report should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates and any Supplementary Estimates approved in a given year by the date of this report, as well as Canada’s Budget 2018. It has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act and in the form and manner prescribed by Treasury Board. This quarterly financial report has not been subject to an external audit or review.

1.1 Authority, Mandate and Programs

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) works to improve the quality of life of Canadians by ensuring that our natural resources are developed sustainably, providing a source of jobs, prosperity, and opportunity, while preserving our environment and respecting our communities and Indigenous peoples.

Further details on NRCan’s authority, mandate and programs can be found in Part II of the Main Estimates.

1.2 Basis of Presentation

This quarterly financial report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes NRCan’s spending authorities granted by Parliament, and those used by NRCan for the 2018-19 fiscal year are consistent with the Main Estimates, and allocations from Treasury Board central votes for the Operating and Capital budget carry forward and Budget Implementation. 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 money 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.

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

2. Highlights of Fiscal Quarter and Fiscal Year-to-Date Results

This Departmental Quarterly Financial Report reflects the results as of September 30, 2018, which include Main Estimates and allocations from the Budget Implementation Vote for which full supply was released, whereas the September 30, 2017 results include Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A). The details presented in this report focus on and compare the second quarter results of 2018-19 with those of 2017-18.

2.1 Authorities

As per Table 1, presented at the end of this document, and on Graph 1 below, as at September 30, 2018, NRCan has authorities available for use of $1,500.9 million in 2018-19 compared to $1,385.4 million as of September 30, 2017, for a net increase of $115.5 million or 8%.

Variance in Authorities as at September 30, 2018, described below.
Text version
Graph 1 Variances in Authorities as at September 30, 2018
(in millions of dollars) Fiscal year 2017-18 Fiscal year 2018-19
total available for use for the year ending
31-Mar-18
total available for use for the year ending
31-Mar-19
Vote 1 - Operating 521 564
Vote 5 - Capital 68 31
Vote 10 - Grants and contributions 333 438
Statutory 463 468
Total budgetary authorities 1,385 1,501

The increase of $115.5 million in authorities in 2018-19 compared to 2017-18 is explained by the net change within Vote 1 operating expenditures, Vote 5 capital expenditures, Vote 10 grants and contributions, and statutory authorities. The following table provides a detailed explanation of these changes.

Changes to Voted and Statutory Authorities (2018-19 compared with 2017-18)
(in $000s)
Vote 1 - Operating
New and increased funding for the Green Infrastructure initiative 20,177
Wage increases as part of the new Collective Agreements 13,155
New funding for Advancing Clean Technology 8,791
New funding for the Implementation of the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committees for Energy Infrastructure Projects 3,904
New funding for Greening Government Operations 2,527
New funding for Green Construction Through Wood 2,306
New funding for Softwood Lumber 2,010
Reduction in funding year-over-year for the Federal Infrastructure Initiative (FII) as the program nears completion (5,977)
Transfers from Operating to Capital, as part of a planned increase in capital spending (5,907)
Various minor net increases 1,401
Sub total Vote 1 - Operating 42,387
Vote 5 - Capital
Transfers from Operating to Capital, as part of a planned increase in capital spending 5,907
Proceeds from the sale of real property 4,900
Reduction in funding year-over-year for the FII as the program nears completion (45,956)
Decrease in Capital Budget Carry Forward (1,789)
Various minor net decreases (560)
Sub total Vote 5 - Capital (37,498)
Vote 10 - Grants & Contributions
New and increased funding for the Green Infrastructure initiative 58,722
New funding for Advancing Clean Technology 46,070
New funding for the Impact Canada initiative 26,283
New funding for the Implementation of the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committees for Energy Infrastructure Projects 13,500
New funding for Protecting Jobs Eastern Canada’s Forestry Sector (Spruce Budworm Early Intervention Strategy) 9,200
Increased funding for Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change 4,900
Increased funding for Gunnar due to reprofile from 2017-18 4,668
Sunsetting of the Oil and Gas Clean Technology Program in 2017-18 (44,478)
Reduction in funding year-over-year for the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program as the program nears completion (12,875)
Various minor net increases (390)
Sub total Vote 10 - Grants & Contributions 105,600
Statutory
Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Resource Revenue Fund, as it was forecasted at the time of Main Estimates that more revenue would be collected in 2018-19 than in 2017-18, due to fluctuations in oil prices and variances in productionTable note * 5,140
Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) adjustments, due to increased salaries in 2018-19 compared to 2017-18, which was slightly offset by the EBP rate decrease in 2018-19 compared to 2017-18 2,462
Payments of the Crown Share Adjustment for Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources, as it reflects the declining production at the Sable Energy Project and its expected decommissioning by 2018-19 (1,380)
Nova Scotia Offshore Revenue Account, as it was forecasted at the time of Main Estimates that less revenue would be collected in 2018-19 than in 2017-18 due to variances in production and fluctuations in natural gas pricesTable note * (1,268)
Minister of Natural Resources – Salary and motor car allowance 2
Sub total Statutory 4,956
Total Variance 115,445

2.2 Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object

The spending for the quarter ending September 30, 2018 amounts to $299.2 million or 20% of total funding available for the fiscal year, compared to $284.3 million or 21% for the same quarter last year. This increase of $14.9 million in spending is mainly related to an increase in expenditures for transfer payments in 2018-19 compared to the same type of expenditures in 2017-18 offset by a decrease in personnel expenditures in 2018-19 compared to the same type of expenditures in 2017-18. Below further analysis is presented for standard objects with significant expenses. Table 2 at the end of this document presents the spending for all standard objects.

Variance in Expenditures for Significant Standard Objects at September 30, 2018, described below.
Text version
Graph 2 Variance in Expenditures for Significant Standard Objects at at September 30, 2018
(in thousands of dollars) Fiscal year 2017-18 Fiscal year 2018-19
Expended during the quarter ended
30-Sep-17
Expended during the quarter ended
30-Sep-18
Personnel 119,696 107,153
Professional and special services 18,877 24,051
Transfer payments  114,565 147,016
All Other Standard Objects 31,202 21,022
Total net budgetary expenditures 284,340 299,242
Variance in Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (2018-19 compared with 2017-18)
(in $000s)
Standard Object Explanation Variance between
2018-19 and 2017-18
Q2 expenditures
July 1 to September 30
Variance between
2018-19 and 2017-18
year-to-date expenditures
April 1 to September 30
Personnel The decrease in salary spending is mainly due to the higher expenses incurred in Q2 last year related to retroactive payments and wage increases from collective bargaining settlements. This decrease is slightly offset by increases due to new hires to support new programs. (12,543) (12,090)
Professional and Special Services The increase in professional and special services is mainly due to the timing of payments to and from Other Government Departments from one year to the next and increased training related to new programs in current year. 5,174 2,507
Acquisition of land, buildings and works The decrease is related to FII, due to the majority of projects nearing completion. (6,256) (5,024)
Transfer Payments The increase is mainly attributed to Statutory Atlantic Offshore transfers mainly as a result of higher production and oil prices compared to last year. This is offset by a decrease in grants and contributions compared to last year due to some programs starting to end and contribution agreements are expiring. 32,451 24,877
All Other Standard Objects The net increase is due to minor increases and decreases within different standard objects. (3,924) 3,062
Total Variance 14,902 13,332

3. Risks and Uncertainties

NRCan recognizes that a solid understanding of its risk environment (both internal and external) is fundamental to the delivery of its mandate and fulfilment of its core responsibilities. Risk management equips the department to respond proactively to change and uncertainty by defining and understanding its operating environment and the factors that drive risk. Risk considerations are integrated into strategic and operational decision- making, priority setting, and resource allocation in order to minimize potential negative impacts and maximize opportunities across the diverse range of services and operations. NRCan’s approach to risk management is codified in the Integrated Risk Management Policy Framework, which is aligned with the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Risk.

Natural resources are at the nexus of Canada’s economic and environmental agendas. They confer significant large economic benefits, accounting for about 17% of Canada’s nominal Gross Domestic Product and the creation of 1.8 million jobs in 2017. Furthermore, our natural resources sectors inform Canada’s environmental performance. Our collective challenge is to set and implement a plan that will ensure the growth of the resource sectors and the achievement of our goals in terms of the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions.

During the second quarter of 2018-19, the department focused on managing its risks to advance priorities in the areas of energy infrastructure, softwood lumber; regulatory review, Canada-U.S. relations (including North American Free Trade Agreement and aluminium and steel tariffs), clean technology, Indigenous reconciliation and Budget 2018 implementation, including funding for actions to support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

NRCan also managed uncertainties regarding its future funding level and spending. The Department continuously tracks program spending, following best practices that comply with the Financial Administration Act and requesting the reprofiling of funds, as required, to ensure program objectives continue to be met. NRCan pro-actively engages with central agencies to manage the financial uncertainty associated with the sunsetting of specific time-limited programs. The department also continues to assess ways to realign resources to address pressures and multi-year transformation initiatives. NRCan mitigates its financial risks through scenario planning, monthly analysis of trends and forecasting in both salary and non-salary expenditures, and comprehensive quarterly reviews.

NRCan will continue to monitor and integrate risk information into strategic and operational decision-making in support of advancing the prosperity of Canada’s natural resource sectors while also achieving environmental results through sustainable practices.

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

The appointment of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi as the Minister of Natural Resources occurred in the second quarter of 2018-19.

The appointment of Paul Lefebvre as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources occurred in the second quarter of 2018-19.

In addition, the appointment of a new Executive Director and General Counsel of NRCan’s Legal Services Unit occurred in the second quarter of 2018-19.

Original signed by:

Christyne Tremblay
Deputy Minister

November 26, 2018
Ottawa, Canada

Cheri Crosby, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

November 19, 2018
Ottawa, Canada

Table 1: Statement of Authorities (unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year 2018-19 Fiscal Year 2017-18
Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2019Table note * Used during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 Year-to-date used at quarter-end Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2018Table note ** Used during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 - Net Operating Expenditures 563,884 134,966 259,351 521,497 147,739 265,297
Vote 5 - Capital Expenditures 30,947 3,335 5,424 68,445 8,665 12,130
Vote 10 - Grants and Contributions 438,470 32,319 57,581 332,870 43,393 66,687
Statutory Payments
Minister of Natural Resources – Salary and motor car allowance 86 21 43 84 21 42
Contributions to employee benefit plans 55,986 13,903 27,806 53,524 13,350 26,701
Contribution to the Canada/Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board 8,835 4,737 3,207 8,835 4,418 4,418
Contribution to the Canada/Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board 4,355 (513) 563 4,355 - 1,089
Payments to the Nova Scotia Offshore Revenue Account 5,356 1,818 2,423 6,624 2,821 3,561
Payments to the Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Resource Revenue Fund 392,507 108,656 143,717 387,367 63,880 106,805
Crown Share Adjustment Payments for Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources 438 - - 1,818 53 53
Total Statutory Payments 467,563 128,622 177,759 462,607 84,543 142,669
Total Budgetary Authorities 1,500,864 299,242 500,115 1,385,419 284,340 486,783
Table 2: Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars) Fiscal year 2018-19 Fiscal year 2017-18
Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2019Table note * Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 Year-to-date used at quarter-end Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2018Table note ** Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 Year-to-date used at quarter-end
Budgetary Expenditures:
Personnel 425,488 107,153 218,327 395,879 119,696 230,417
Transportation and communication 15,883 4,611 7,790 13,028 4,287 7,092
Information 6,745 911 1,608 4,980 1,270 1,971
Professional and special services 134,811 24,051 39,947 123,224 18,877 37,440
Rentals 18,510 6,046 9,617 33,166 9,201 11,285
Repair and maintenance  7,793 1,279 1,697 5,333 711 1,961
Utilities, materials and supplies 46,311 3,760 5,699 36,987 4,277 6,232
Acquisition of land, buildings and works 14,469 2,848 4,082 2,121 9,104 9,106
Acquisition of machinery and equipment 17,273 2,197 3,936 66,333 1,780 2,726
Transfer payments  849,961 147,016 207,490 741,868 114,565 182,613
Other subsidies and payments 745 3,826 7,869 965 7,468 7,651
Total Budgetary Expenditures 1,537,989 303,698 508,062 1,423,884 291,236 498,494
Less: Total Revenues Netted Against Expenditures 37,125 4,456 7,947 38,465 6,896 11,711
Total Net Budgetary Expenditures 1,500,864 299,242 500,115 1,385,419 284,340 486,783

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