Canadian Space Agency's Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended
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Management Statement for the Quarter Ended
1. Introduction
In this section
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. This quarterly financial report should be read in conjunction with the - Main EstimatesFootnote 1.
1.1 Mandate and Program Activities
The Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) mandate is to promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science and to ensure that space science and technologies provide social and economic benefits for Canadians.
More information is available on the CSA's mandate and on the departmental results framework in the - Departmental PlanFootnote 1.
1.2 Basis of Presentation
This quarterly financial report (QFR) has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The Statement of Authorities annexed to this report includes the CSA's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the CSA, consistent with the Main Estimates and Supplementary estimates voted as at December 31 for fiscal year - compared to -. This QFR 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.
The CSA uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual financial statements, which are part of the departmental performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis, which is, a partial accrual method of accounting. The partial accrual method of accounting includes disbursements as well as some accruals for salaries and salary allowances.
This QFR report has not been subject to an external audit. However, it was reviewed by the members of the CSA Audit Committee, who are satisfied with its presentation and content.
2. Highlights of the Quarterly Financial Results
In this section
This section highlights the significant elements that contributed to the changes to the authorities available for the fiscal year, as well as to the quarterly and year-to-date expenditures for the quarter ended .
The following graph provides an overview of the variations in the available authorities and the expenditures. Additional details on these variations are provided in sections 2.1 and 2.2 as well as in the appended annexes.
| Authorities | Quarterly Expenditures |
Year to Date Expenditures |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Year - | 449.6 | 62.4 | 173.5 |
| Fiscal Year - | 372.3 | 71.0 | 187.0 |
Totals may not add up due to rounding.
2.1 Significant Changes in the Authorities (Total Votes Available for Use) between fiscal years - and -.
The total votes available for use as at , is $449.6 million, which represents an increase of $77.2 million compared to the same period in the previous year.
| Authorities (in thousands of dollars) | - | - | Variance | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 202,886 | 189,678 | 13,208 | 7% |
| Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 155,522 | 113,647 | 41,875 | 37% |
| Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 80,294 | 58,696 | 21,598 | 37% |
| Contributions to employee benefit plans | 10,821 | 10,312 | 509 | 5% |
| Spending of proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 33 | 5 | 28 | 560% |
| Total budgetary authorities | 449,556 | 372,338 | 77,218 | 21% |
The increase of $13.2 million in Vote 1 - Operating expenditures is mainly explained by the following items:
- An increase of $14.3 million for Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) related activities.
- An increase of $6.9 million for International Space Station (ISS) related activities.
- An increase of $3.2 million related to the amount of the Operating Vote carry forward in - higher than that received in -.
- An increase of $2.5 million as a result of funding received from Treasury Board for collective agreements ratification.
- A decrease of $8.6 million for Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) project-related activities.
- The residual difference consists of multiple variations inherent to the Canadian Space Program (CSP) Resource Management. They result from the fact that budgetary requirements by vote are not linear from one year to the next, requiring vote transfers or fund carry forwards to another fiscal year.
The increase of $41.9 million in Vote 5 - Capital expenditures is mainly explained by the following items:
- An increase of $37.8 million for Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) project-related activities.
- An increase of $12.2 million for International Space Station (ISS) related activities.
- The residual difference consists of multiple variations inherent to the Canadian Space Program (CSP) Resource Management. They result from the fact that budgetary requirements by vote are not linear from one year to the next, requiring vote transfers or fund carry forwards to another fiscal year.
The increase of $21.6 million in Vote 10 - Grants and Contributions expenditures is mainly explained by the following items:
- An increase of $15.5 million compared to the same period last year for the contribution program under the Cooperation Agreement between Canada and the European Space Agency, for the Mars program Sample Return (MSR) as well as for related activities to extend Canada's participation in the International Space Station (ISS) mission until .
- An increase of $3.3 million for the Stimulus activities related to the slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Funding comes from the Operating expenditures vote.
2.2 Significant Changes in the Quarterly and Year-to-Date Expenditures (Votes Used) between fiscal years - and -
The quarterly and year-to-date expenditures for the quarter ended , are of $62.4 million and $173.5 million which represents a quarterly decrease of $8.6 million and a year-to-date decrease of $13.5 million compared to the same period in the previous year.
| Expenditures by Vote (in thousands of dollars) |
- | - | Variance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterly | Year to date | Quarterly | Year to date | Quarterly | Year to date | |
| Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 43,508 | 107,801 | 38,551 | 103,057 | 4,957 | 4,744 |
| Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 12,670 | 25,620 | 24,765 | 55,383 | (12,095) | (29,763) |
| Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 3,587 | 32,216 | 5,137 | 20,851 | (1,550) | 11,365 |
| Contributions to employee benefit plans | 2,617 | 7,852 | 2,578 | 7,734 | 39 | 118 |
| Spending of proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total budgetary expenditures by Vote | 62,382 | 173,489 | 71,031 | 187,025 | (8,649) | (13,536) |
The $5.0 and $4.7 million increases in quarterly and year-to-date expenditures in Vote 1 – Operating expenditures, are mainly explained by the following:
- An increase in salary expenses due to the ratification of collective agreements as well as the variations in the payment schedule for the WildFiresat Mission.
The $12.1 and $29.8 million decreases in quarterly and year-to-date expenditures in Vote 5 - Capital expenditures, is mainly explained by the following:
- The variations in the payment schedule for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM).
The decrease of $1.6 million in quarterly expenditures and the increase of $11.4 million in year-to-date expenditures in Vote 10 - Grants and contributions, are mainly explained by the following:
- The variations in the payment schedule to the European Space Agency (ESA).
| Expenditures by Standard Object (in thousands of dollars) | - | - | Variance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterly | Year to date | Quarterly | Year to date | Quarterly | Year to date | |
| Personnel | 20,773 | 60,593 | 17,695 | 56,913 | 3,078 | 3,680 |
| Transportation and communications | 268 | 813 | 1,149 | 3,188 | (881) | (2,375) |
| Information | 355 | 1,231 | 1,674 | 2,281 | (1,319) | (1,050) |
| Professional and special services | 28,805 | 59,784 | 23,879 | 51,817 | 4,926 | 7,967 |
| Rentals | 1,050 | 2,056 | 1,059 | 2,443 | (9) | (387) |
| Repair and maintenance | 1,737 | 2,454 | 238 | 1,116 | 1,499 | 1,338 |
| Utilities, materials and supplies | 239 | 1,026 | 535 | 1,910 | (296) | (884) |
| Acquisition of land, buildings and works | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Acquisition of machinery and equipment | 4,824 | 10,721 | 19,671 | 44,660 | (14,847) | (33,939) |
| Transfer payments | 3,587 | 32,216 | 5,137 | 20,851 | (1,550) | 11,365 |
| Other subsidies and payments | 744 | 2,595 | (6) | 1,846 | 750 | 749 |
| Total budgetary expenditures by Standard Object | 62,382 | 173,489 | 71,031 | 187,025 | (8,649) | (13,536) |
The $3.1 and $3.7 million increases in quarterly and year-to-date expenditures for the Personnel standard object is primarily due to:
- An increase in salary expenses due to the ratification of collective agreements.
The $0.9 and $2.4 million decreases in quarterly and year-to-date expenditures for the Transport and communications standard object is primarily due to:
- The decrease in travel as a result of restrictions and measures put in place due to the pandemic (COVID-19).
The $4.9 and $8.0 million increases in quarterly and year-to-date expenditures for the Professional and special services standard object are primarily due to:
- The variations in the payment schedule for carrying out contractual activities for the maintenance and operations of the Dextre Deployable Vision System (DDVS), for the Space Technologies Development Program (STDP), for the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) and for the WildFireSat Mission.
The $14.8 and $33.9 million decreases in quarterly and year-to-date expenditures for the Acquisition of machinery and equipment standard object are primarily due to:
- The variations in the payment schedule for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM).
The decrease of $1.6 million in quarterly expenditures and the increase of $11.4 million in year-to-date expenditures for the Transfer payments standard object are primarily due to:
- The variations in the payment schedule to the European Space Agency (ESA).
3. Risks and Uncertainties
The year-to-date expenditures for the 3rd quarter of - represent 39% of the planned expenditures for the year ending , whereas 75% of the fiscal year has passed. The level of expenditures is lower than it was in the - fiscal year (50%) and in the - fiscal year (43%). The situation presents no concerns since the cumulative expenditures will be restored at year-end when the accruals are recorded, in accordance with the full accrual method of accounting, combined with the deferral of budgets to the following year.
COVID-19, declared a pandemic in , had an impact on our third quarter financial performance. The pandemic has resulted in governments worldwide enacting emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. The Government of Canada has announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy during this challenging period. In this context, the future impact on the Canadian and global economies, including our business, for the rest of - and thereafter remains uncertain.
The specific nature of the Canadian Space Program confronts the CSA with issues related to the advanced technologies used in space missions as well as the international aspect of some projects. For Canada, activities in space must be carried out in partnership with other spacefaring nations, using innovative and cost-efficient technologies. The international nature and technical challenges associated with developing and implementing disruptive technologies, in collaboration with multiple partners, generate risks in the delivery of projects, and, therefore financial risks associated with the use of funds such as the deferral of funds and costs increases.
Risks also arise from the Canada / European Space Agency (ESA) Cooperation Agreement. They include variations in amounts payable resulting from changes in the Gross National Product (GNP) statistics, the fluctuation of the Canadian dollar against the euro (exchange rate), inflation and the enforcement of the ESA's industrial policy. These risks have an impact on both costs and cash flow profiles.
To mitigate these risks, the CSA regularly reviews its project portfolio, activity plans, schedules and financial management strategies to adjust to changes brought on by the space programs of its key partners (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), ESA and other space agencies). In addition, rigorous project management practices are in place. These initiatives allow the CSA to track and report on the progress of its commitments, to assess the effectiveness of its work, and to align its resources with its priorities.
Furthermore, the CSA manages its financial risks and uncertainties related to Phoenix by adopting risk mitigating strategies. There are a number of actions that the CSA has taken to date to help stabilize the pay system, and to ensure that the employees are being paid accurately and on time. As one of the departments whose accounts have not been migrated to the Pay Centre, the CSA continues to offer on-site compensation services. The compensation team, whose size fluctuates to meet demand, monitors closely for payroll inaccuracies and communicates directly with employees to provide clarifications and to take, when needed, swift actions to rectify issues. The team also participates actively in various working groups and other forums led by Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and/or Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). Beyond this, the staff in Finance regularly performs salary reconciliations to monitor and correct expense variances.
4. Significant Changes in Relation to Operations, Personnel and Programs
During the third quarter of -, the majority of CSA employees continued to work remotely to maintain the department's operations in the context of the pandemic. Presence on site is reserved to personnel identified to support a critical service impossible to perform remotely.
Following the executive-level structure changes announced in the previous quarterly financial report, Luc Brûlé was appointed to the position of Vice-President Science and Technology and Mary Preville to the position of Vice-President Space Program Policy.
Approval by Senior Officials
Approved by,
The original version was signed by Lisa Campbell, President, in Longueuil, Quebec, on .
The original version was signed by Jean-Claude Piedboeuf, B. Ing., Ph.D., Chief Financial Officer and Director General, Corporate Services in Longueuil, Quebec, on .
Annex 1
| Fiscal Year - | Fiscal Year - | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total available for use for the year ending Footnote 2 $ |
Used during the quarter ended $ |
Year to date used at quarter-end $ |
Total available for use for the year ending Footnote 2 $ |
Used during the quarter ended $ |
Year to date used at quarter-end $ |
|
| Vote 1: Operating expenditures | 202,886 | 43,508 | 107,801 | 189,678 | 38,551 | 103,057 |
| Vote 5: Capital expenditures | 155,522 | 12,670 | 25,620 | 113,647 | 24,765 | 55,383 |
| Vote 10: Grants and contributions | 80,294 | 3,587 | 32,216 | 58,696 | 5,137 | 20,851 |
| Contributions to employee benefit plans | 10,821 | 2,617 | 7,852 | 10,312 | 2,578 | 7,734 |
| Spending of proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 33 | - | - | 5 | - | - |
| Total budgetary authorities | 449,556 | 62,382 | 173,489 | 372,338 | 71,031 | 187,025 |
Annex 2
| Expenditures: | Fiscal Year - | Fiscal Year - | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planned expenditures for the year ending $ |
Expended during the quarter ended $ |
Year to date used at quarter-end $ |
Planned expenditures for the year ending $ |
Expended during the quarter ended $ |
Year to date used at quarter-end $ |
|
| Personnel | 82,865 | 20,773 | 60,593 | 80,134 | 17,695 | 56,913 |
| Transportation and communications | 4,330 | 268 | 813 | 4,281 | 1,149 | 3,188 |
| Information | 1,486 | 355 | 1,231 | 1,824 | 1,674 | 2,281 |
| Professional and special services | 244,831 | 28,805 | 59,784 | 164,465 | 23,879 | 51,817 |
| Rentals | 2,972 | 1,050 | 2,056 | 2,983 | 1,059 | 2,443 |
| Repair and maintenance | 2,102 | 1,737 | 2,454 | 3,379 | 238 | 1,116 |
| Utilities, materials and supplies | 3,631 | 239 | 1,026 | 1,702 | 535 | 1,910 |
| Acquisition of land, buildings and works | - | - | - | 650 | - | - |
| Acquisition of machinery and equipment | 24,313 | 4,824 | 10,721 | 51,177 | 19,671 | 44,660 |
| Transfer payments | 80,294 | 3,587 | 32,216 | 58,696 | 5,137 | 20,851 |
| Other subsidies and payments | 2,732 | 744 | 2,595 | 3,047 | (6) | 1,846 |
| Total budgetary expenditures | 449,556 | 62,382 | 173,489 | 372,338 | 71,031 | 187,025 |