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DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
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DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
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2008 | 2007 | |||
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Expenses (Note 4) |
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Expenses from operations | ||||
Common Services and Infrastructure (Missions Abroad) | 573,212 | 622,485 | ||
Global Issues | 490,965 | 473,148 | ||
International Security | 426,104 | 381,798 | ||
Passport Canada Special Operating Agency (Revolving Fund) | 285,349 | 221,028 | ||
Common Services and Infrastructure (Support from HQ) | 233,422 | 190,915 | ||
Bilateral Relations | 144,629 | 123,492 | ||
International Business Development | 55,763 | 93,253 | ||
World Markets/Commercial Relations | 53,842 | 34,344 | ||
Consular Affairs | 52,592 | 111,557 | ||
Trade Policy and Negotiations | 44,828 | 557,991 | ||
Protocol | 43,318 | 42,731 | ||
Strategic Policy and Planning | 42,556 | 50,778 | ||
Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment and Science and Technology Cooperation | 22,504 | 13,331 | ||
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Sub-total expenses from operations | 2,469,084 | 2,916,851 | ||
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Canada Account expenses | 4,414 | (93,165) | ||
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Total expenses |
2,473,498 | 2,823,686 | ||
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Revenues (Note 5) |
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Revenue from operations | ||||
Common Services and Infrastructure (Missions Abroad) | 12,122 | 14,387 | ||
Global Issues | 3,070 | 1,465 | ||
International Security | 4,609 | 1,118 | ||
Passport Canada Special Operating Agency (Revolving Fund) | 286,783 | 235,293 | ||
Common Services and Infrastructure (Support from HQ) | 45,313 | 12,311 | ||
Bilateral Relations | 7,775 | 2,973 | ||
International Business Development | 3,473 | 8,487 | ||
World Markets/Commercial Relations | 4,054 | 533 | ||
Consular Affairs | 101,797 | 80,623 | ||
Trade Policy and Negotiations | 2,931 | 457 | ||
Protocol | 624 | 237 | ||
Strategic Policy and Planning | 5,779 | 1,855 | ||
Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment and Science and Technology Cooperation | 983 | 110 | ||
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Sub-total revenues from operations | 479,313 | 359,849 | ||
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Canada Account revenue | 367,454 | 539,199 | ||
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Total revenues |
846,767 | 899,048 | ||
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Net cost of operations |
1,626,731 | 1,924,638 | ||
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The presentation in the current year has changed to include the Canada Account activities in Notes 4 & 5.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
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2008 | 2007 | |||
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Assets |
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Financial assets | ||||
Accounts receivable and advances (Note 6) | 125,410 | 529,166 | ||
Investments in Crown corporations (Note7) | 991,200 | 991,200 | ||
Canada Account loans (Note 8) | 1,717,161 | 1,975,237 | ||
Inventory held for re-sale | 3,589 | 1,592 | ||
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Total financial assets | 2,837,360 | 3,497,195 | ||
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Non-financial assets | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 15,882 | 8,800 | ||
Consumable inventory | 4,024 | 2,843 | ||
Tangible capital assets (Note 9) | 1,168,898 | 1,027,523 | ||
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Total non-financial assets | 1,188,804 | 1,039,166 | ||
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TOTAL | 4,026,164 | 4,536,361 | ||
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Liabilities |
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Liabilities | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 338,589 | 802,249 | ||
Vacation pay and compensatory leave | 45,458 | 42,418 | ||
Deferred revenue (Note 11) | 373 | 2,376 | ||
Employee severance benefits (Note 12) | 110,392 | 141,205 | ||
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Total | 494,812 | 988,248 | ||
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Equity of Canada |
3,531,352 | 3,548,113 | ||
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TOTAL | 4,026,164 | 4,536,361 | ||
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Contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Contractual obligations (Note 14)
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
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2008 | 2007 | |||
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Equity of Canada, beginning of year |
3,548,113 | 3,860,894 | ||
Net results of operations | (1,626,731) | (1,924,638) | ||
Current year appropriations used (Note 3) | 2,670,911 | 2,803,575 | ||
Revenue not available for spending | (535,084) | (682,288) | ||
Refund of prior year expenditures | (8,002) | (12,473) | ||
Change in net position in the Consolidated Revenue Fund (Note 3) | (595,855) | (578,357) | ||
Services provided without charge by other government departments (Note 15) | 78,000 | 81,400 | ||
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Equity of Canada, end of year |
3,531,352 | 3,548,113 | ||
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The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
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2008 | 2007 | |||
|
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Operating activities |
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Net results of operations | 1,626,731 | 1,924,638 | ||
Non-cash items | ||||
Amortization of tangible capital assets | (81,553) | (74,344) | ||
Gain on disposal and writedown of tangible capital assets | 45,033 | 2,326 | ||
Services provided without charge by other government departments (Note 15) | (78,000) | (81,400) | ||
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Variations in Statement of Financial Position: | ||||
(Decrease) increase in accounts receivable and advances | (403,756) | 395,669 | ||
Decrease in Canada Account loans | (258,076) | (240,571) | ||
Increase (decrease) in inventory held for resale | 1,997 | (915) | ||
Increase in prepaid expenses | 7,082 | 1,644 | ||
Increase in consumable inventory | 1,181 | 167 | ||
Decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 463,660 | (526,582) | ||
Increase in vacation pay and compensatory leave | (3,040) | (3,128) | ||
Decrease (increase) in deferred revenue | 2,003 | (2,225) | ||
Decrease in employee severance benefits | 30,813 | 18,076 | ||
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Cash used by operating activities | 1,354,075 | 1,413,355 | ||
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Capital investment activities |
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Acquisitions of tangible capital assets | 225,562 | 122,232 | ||
Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets | (47,667) | (5,130) | ||
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Cash used by capital investment activities | 177,895 | 117,102 | ||
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Financing Activities |
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Net cash provided by Government of Canada | (1,531,970) | (1,530,457) | ||
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The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (hereinafter called "the department") operates under the legislation set out in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Act, RSC 1985, c. E-22.
The 2007-2008 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) used the Interim Program Activity Architecture (PAA). Financial information in the 2007-2008 Departmental Performance Report (DPR) is reported on this basis. Under the Interim PAA the four strategic outcomes for the department were as follows: Canada's Interest Are Advanced Internationally, Canada’s Commercial Interests Are Advanced Internationally, Government of Canada Is Served Abroad, and Canadians Are Served Abroad. The Interim PAA had 14 program activities as follows:
On June 7, 2007, Treasury Board Secretariat approved the new DFAIT PAA. The new PAA has the following three strategic outcomes: Canada’s International Agenda, International Services for Canadians and Canada’s International Platform.
The department is also responsible for the Canada Account, which is administered by Export Development Canada (EDC) pursuant to section 23 of the Export Development Act. The Canada Account supports export transactions which, though within the scope of EDC’s authority, are considered to be outside of the organization’s risk tolerance. Such transactions may be conducted under the Canada Account if they are deemed to be in Canada’s national interest by the Minister of International Trade and the Minister of Finance.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector.
Significant accounting policies are as follows:
Asset Class | Amortization Period |
Buildings | 20 to 25 years |
Works and infrastructure | 30 years |
Machinery and equipment | 3 to 25 years |
Informatics hardware | 3 years |
Vehicles | 5 to 10 years |
Aircraft | 20 years |
Leasehold improvements | Lesser of the life of the improvement or term of the lease |
Assets under construction | Once in service, in accordance with asset type |
The department receives most of its funding through annual parliamentary appropriations. Items recognized in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Financial Position in one year may be funded through parliamentary appropriations in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, the department has different net results of operations for the year on a government-funding basis than on an accrual-accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Net cost of operations | 1,626,731 | 1,924,638 | ||
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting appropriations: Add (Less): |
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Services provided without charge by other government departments | (78,000) | (81,400) | ||
Amortization of tangible capital assets | (81,553) | (74,344) | ||
Refunds of prior year expenditures | 8,002 | 12,473 | ||
Revenue not available for spending | 535,084 | 682,288 | ||
Gain on disposal and writedown of tangible capital assets | 45,033 | 2,326 | ||
Decrease in the allowance for loans receivable | 327,040 | 195,527 | ||
Decrease (increase) in accounts payable not affecting appropriations | 10,000 | (25,000) | ||
Decrease in the allowance for loan guarantees | 38,916 | 30,580 | ||
Increase in vacation pay and compensatory leave | (3,040) | (3,128) | ||
Decrease in employee severance benefits | 30,813 | 18,076 | ||
Other | (23,937) | (1,589) | ||
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2,435,089 | 2,680,447 | |||
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting appropriations Add (Less): |
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Acquisitions of tangible capital assets | 225,562 | 122,232 | ||
Increase in prepaid expenses | 7,082 | 1,644 | ||
Increase (decrease) in inventory held for re-sale | 1,997 | (915) | ||
Increase in consumable inventory | 1,181 | 167 | ||
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Current year appropriations used | 2,670,911 | 2,803,575 | ||
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Appropriations Provided | ||||
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Vote 1 - Operating Expenditures | 1,275,298 | 1,321,511 | ||
Vote 5 - Capital Expenditures | 206,221 | 143,535 | ||
Vote 10 - Grants and Contributions | 782,158 | 750,714 | ||
Vote 12a - Debt Forgiveness | - | 126,923 | ||
Statutory | 610,928 | 672,696 | ||
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2,874,605 | 3,015,379 | |||
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Less: | ||||
Appropriations available for future years | 75,337 | 55,598 | ||
Lapsed appropriations: Operating | 53,322 | 51,611 | ||
Lapsed appropriations: Capital | 35,299 | 7,136 | ||
Lapsed appropriations: Grants and Contributions | 39,736 | 97,459 | ||
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203,694 | 211,804 | |||
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Total appropriations used | 2,670,911 | 2,803,575 | ||
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2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Net cash provided by Government | 1,531,970 | 1,530,457 | ||
Revenue not available for spending | 535,084 | 682,288 | ||
Refunds of prior year expenditures | 8,002 | 12,473 | ||
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2,075,056 | 2,225,218 | |||
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Change in net position in the Consolidated Revenue Fund | ||||
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable and advances | 403,756 | (395,669) | ||
Decrease in Canada Account loans | 258,076 | 240,571 | ||
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (463,660) | 526,582 | ||
(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue | (2,003) | 2,225 | ||
Adjustment for the allowance for loans receivable | 327,040 | 195,527 | ||
Adjustment for accounts payable not affecting appropriations | 10,000 | (25,000) | ||
Adjustment for the allowance for loan guarantees | 38,916 | 30,580 | ||
Other adjustments | 23,730 | 3,541 | ||
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595,855 | 578,357 | |||
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Current year appropriations used | 2,670,911 | 2,803,575 | ||
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The following table presents details of expenses by category:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Transfer payments | ||||
Non-profit organizations | 378,963 | 275,251 | ||
Other countries and international organizations | 333,231 | 885,649 | ||
Other | 14,391 | 25,583 | ||
Other levels of government in Canada | 11,279 | 10,842 | ||
Industry | 2,336 | 4,925 | ||
Individuals | 182 | 143 | ||
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Total transfer payments | 740,382 | 1,202,393 | ||
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Operating expenses | ||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 923,449 | 876,178 | ||
Foreign exchange loss - Net | 344,360 | - | ||
Professional and special services | 194,952 | 182,951 | ||
Rentals | 182,194 | 173,738 | ||
Transportation and telecommunications | 177,480 | 222,136 | ||
Amortization | 81,553 | 74,344 | ||
Acquisition of machinery and equipment, including parts and consumables | 80,130 | 82,042 | ||
Utilities, materials and supplies | 41,130 | 40,405 | ||
Repairs and maintenance | 38,134 | 41,696 | ||
Information | 21,168 | 8,598 | ||
Loan administration charges | 14,584 | 14,446 | ||
Other | 2,382 | 11,672 | ||
Bad debt | (35,693) | 92,144 | ||
Provision for loans and guarantees | (332,707) | (199,057) | ||
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Total operating expenses | 1,733,116 | 1,621,293 | ||
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Total expenses | 2,473,498 | 2,823,686 | ||
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The presentation in the current year has changed to include expenses related to the Canada Account.
The following table presents details of revenues by category:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Sale of goods and services | 432,206 | 350,902 | ||
Dividend revenue | 250,000 | 350,000 | ||
Interest on non-tax revenues | 76,942 | 78,845 | ||
Gain on disposal of tangible capital assets | 45,033 | 2,326 | ||
Amortization of discounts | 27,220 | 27,225 | ||
Other non-tax revenue | 9,782 | 22,828 | ||
Lease revenue | 5,584 | - | ||
Foreign exchange gain - Net | - | 66,922 | ||
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Total revenues | 846,767 | 899,048 | ||
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The presentation in the current year has changed to include revenues related to the Canada Account.
The following table presents details of accounts receivable and advances:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Receivables from external parties | 223,575 | 630,803 | ||
Other advances | 32,882 | 28,381 | ||
Receivables from other government departments and agencies | 32,271 | 50,912 | ||
Employee advances | 15,147 | 16,146 | ||
Cash in transit | 11,469 | 34,207 | ||
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Sub-total | 315,344 | 760,449 | ||
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Allowance for doubtful accounts on external receivables and advances | (189,934) | (231,283) | ||
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Total receivables and advances, net of allowances | 125,410 | 529,166 | ||
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2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Export Development Canada | 983,200 | 983,200 | ||
Canadian Commercial Corporation | 8,000 | 8,000 | ||
International Development Research Centre | - | - | ||
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Total investments in Crown corporations | 991,200 | 991,200 | ||
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Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Canadian Crown corporation that provides financing and risk-management services to Canadian exporters and investors in up to 200 markets worldwide. EDC is financially self-sufficient and operates on commercial principles. It is wholly owned by the Government of Canada, and is listed in Schedule III to the Financial Administration Act, Part
1. EDC reports to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade. Included in this account are 9.8 million EDC shares issued to the Government of Canada at a value of $100 per share. Total authorized capital of EDC is $1,500,000,000, 15 million shares at a par value of $100 each.
During the year, the department recorded dividend revenue from EDC of $250,000,000 ($350,000,000 in 2007).
Canadian Commercial Corporation
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is an agent Crown corporation listed in Part 1 of Schedule III of the Financial Administration Act. Included within the Corporation’s contributed surplus is paid up capital by the department of $8,000,000.
International Development Research Centre
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a Crown corporation that was created by the Parliament of Canada in 1970. IDRC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Foreign Affairs. IDRC is principally funded by parliamentary appropriations. IDRC was incorporated with no share capital.
This category consists of: loans made to national governments and loans to commercial entities. Loans to national governments and commercial entities are administered by EDC through the Canada Account.
Pursuant to section 23 of the Export Development Act, the Minister of International Trade, with concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may authorize EDC to enter into certain transactions or class of transactions where the Minister is of the opinion it is in the national interest and where EDC has advised the Minister that it will not enter into such transactions. Such transactions could not be supported by EDC for various reasons, one of which would be on the basis of EDC’s risk management practices. Funding for such transactions is provided by the Minister of Finance out of the CRF and the transactions are administered by EDC on behalf of the Government of Canada. The department is authorized to issue a maximum of $13,000,000,000 for Canada Account loans and guarantees.
Loan transactions with long repayment terms and/or low or zero interest rates are recorded in part as expenses (amortized discount) when the economic value is reduced due to such concessionary terms.
The following table presents the balances for loans made to national governments and commercial entities:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Loans to national governments | ||||
1 to 5 year term, 0 percent (London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR) interest per annum, with final repayment December 2010 | 838 | 1,540 | ||
6 to 10 year term, 0.5 percent to 9 percent interest per annum, with final repayments between March 2007 and June 2014 | 32,540 | 37,629 | ||
11 to 15 year term, 0.5 percent (LIBOR) to 5.1 percent (LIBOR) interest per annum, with final repayments between April 2018 and November 2024 | 82,901 | 99,403 | ||
16 to 20 year term, 0 percent interest per annum, with final repayment March 2011 | 4,452 | 6,666 | ||
21 to 25 year term, 0 percent to 3.00 percent interest per annum, with final repayments between November 2015 and April 2018 | 27,041 | 37,019 | ||
31 to 55 year term, 0 percent to 8.97 percent interest per annum, with final repayments between December 2010 and February 2045 | 733,786 | 839,108 | ||
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881,558 | 1,021,365 | |||
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Loans to commercial entities | ||||
1 to 5 year term, 8.5 percent interest per annum, with final repayment April 2000 | 3,399 | 3,812 | ||
6 to 10 year term, 8.97 to 9.00 percent interest per annum, with final repayment February 2008 | 17,107 | 27,178 | ||
11 to 15 year term, 0 percent to 5.89 percent interest per annum, with final repayments between April 2008 and March 2022 | 1,859,753 | 2,281,803 | ||
16 to 20 year term, 0 percent interest per annum, with final repayments between June 2012 and November 2014 | 21,791 | 22,379 | ||
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1,902,050 | 2,335,172 | |||
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Other loans | 31,680 | 43,867 | ||
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Less: | ||||
Portion expensed due to concessionary terms | (676,572) | (703,791) | ||
Allowance for valuation | (421,555) | (721,376) | ||
|
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(1,098,127) | (1,425,167) | |||
|
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Total | 1,717,161 | 1,975,237 | ||
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(in thousands of dollars)
Cost
Capital Asset Class | Opening Balance | Acquisitions | Disposals & Write-offs | Closing Balance |
Land | 216,983 | 24,688 | (1,133) | 240,538 |
Buildings | 1,057,778 | 77,865 | (2,518) | 1,133,125 |
Works and infrastructure | 1,204 | 1,438 | - | 2,642 |
Machinery and equipment | 64,239 | 8,581 | (508) | 72,312 |
Informatic hardware | 52,214 | 6,071 | (440) | 57,845 |
Vehicles | 38,680 | 5,055 | (4,220) | 39,515 |
Aircrafts * | - | 89,335 | - | 89,335 |
Leasehold Improvements | 131,875 | 34,141 | - | 166,016 |
Assets under construction | 111,411 | (21,612) | - | 89,799 |
Total | 1,674,384 | 225,562 | (8,819) | 1,891,127 |
Accumulated amortization
Capital Asset Class | Opening Balance | Amortization | Disposals & Write-offs | Closing Balance | 2008 Net Book Value | 2007 Net Book Value |
Land | - | - | - | - | 240,538 | 216,983 |
Buildings | 479,700 | 48,859 | (1,657) | 526,902 | 606,223 | 578,078 |
Works and infrastructure | - | 36 | - | 36 | 2,606 | 1,204 |
Machinery and equipment | 51,458 | 2,862 | (500) | 53,820 | 18,492 | 12,781 |
Informatic hardware | 41,818 | 4,047 | (440) | 45,425 | 12,420 | 10,396 |
Vehicles | 19,183 | 4,844 | (3,586) | 20,441 | 19,074 | 19,497 |
Aircrafts * | - | 3,320 | - | 3,320 | 86,015 | - |
Leasehold Improvements | 54,702 | 17,585 | - | 72,287 | 93,729 | 77,173 |
Assets under construction | - | - | - | - | 89,799 | 111,411 |
Total | 646,861 | 81,553 | (6,183) | 722,231 | 1,168,896 | 1,027,523 |
Amortization expense for the year ended March 31, 2008 is $81,552,683 (2007 - $74,344,486).
* Aircrafts consists of planes that were returned to the Canada Account due to the restructuring of loan agreements. While the department does not in the ordinary course of business act as lessor, it has engaged in leasing activities to maximize recoveries on these returned assets and minimize potential losses. Operating lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the underlying leases.
The Softwood Lumber Agreement (the "Agreement") between the governments of the United States of America and Canada entered into force on October 12, 2006. Under the authority of the Minister of International Trade, EDC was designated by the Government of Canada to administer the return of duties and interest owed to Canadian companies by the U.S. government. Under this arrangement, EDC purchased the rights to the duties and interest owed to Canadian softwood producers opting to participate in the deposit refund mechanism, with funds advanced by the department from the CRF.
As at March 31, 2007, the department accrued a liability of $502,919,703, representing the net amount due to members of the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, the binational industry council, and meritorious initiatives of the United States of America under the terms of the Agreement. Amounts receivable by the department from EDC as at March 31, 2007 totalled $11,191,307. All outstanding matters in relation to the agreement were settled during 2007-2008 and there are no amounts remaining due or receivable as at March 31, 2008.
Deferred revenue is comprised of monies received as prepayment for services to be performed by the department on behalf of third parties and deposits and unclaimed cheques for passport fees. Details of the transactions related to this account are as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
|
||||
Opening Balance | 2,376 | 151 | ||
Funds Received | 262 | 2,230 | ||
Revenue Recognized | (2,265) | (5) | ||
|
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Closing Balance | 373 | 2,376 | ||
|
(a) Pension benefits: The department's CBS participate in the Public Service Pension Plan, which is sponsored and administered by the Government of Canada. Pension benefits accrue up to a maximum period of 35 years at a rate of 2 percent per year of pensionable service, times the average of the best five consecutive years of earnings. The benefits are integrated with Canada/Québec Pension Plans benefits and are indexed to inflation.
Both the employees and the department contribute to the cost of the Plan. The 2007-2008 departmental expense amounts to $69,837,802 ($66,634,100 in 2006-2007), which represents approximately 2.1 times (2.2 times in 2006-2007) the contributions by employees.
The department's responsibility with regard to the Plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the financial statements of the Government of Canada, as the Plan's sponsor.
Eligible LES participate in locally administered pension plans. These plans are linked to local practises. The departmental contributions are charged to expense in the year incurred. The 2007-2008 departmental expense amounts to $15,165,678 ($17,392,141 in 2006-2007).
(b) Severance benefits: The department provides severance benefits to its employees based on eligibility, years of service and final salary. These severance benefits for CBS and LES are not prefunded. Benefits will be paid from future appropriations. Information about the severance benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
|
||||
Accrued benefit obligation, beginning of year | 141,205 | 159,281 | ||
Expense or adjustment for the year | (18,021) | (3,850) | ||
Benefits paid or adjustment during the year | (12,792) | (14,226) | ||
|
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Accrued benefit obligation, end of year | 110,392 | 141,205 | ||
|
A revision to a management assumption regarding LES severance liability resulted in a $27,530,420 reduction in the estimate of the current year liability. This reduction has been reflected as a reduction to the expense in the current year.
(a) Claims and litigation:
Legal proceedings totalling approximately $12,974,089,247 ($13,263,859,304 in 2006-2007) were still pending at March 31, 2008. Some of these potential liabilities may translate into actual liabilities as a result of court decisions or out-of-court settlements. To the extent to which future legal decisions are assessed as unfavourable, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made,
estimated liabilities are accrued and an expense is recorded in the financial statements.
(b) Loan guarantees:
Loan guarantees relate to guarantees rendered on loans made to national governments and loans to commercial entities which are administered by EDC through the Canada Account.
Loan guarantees by the department at March 31, 2008 amount to $467,964,715 ($532,352,766 at March 31, 2007), for which an allowance of $33,504,028 ($72,420,309 at March 31, 2007) has been recorded. These loan guarantees are subject to payment in the event of the default of the debtor. An allowance for valuation is used to reduce the carrying value of the loans to amounts that approximate their net realizable value. The allowance is determined based on the Government's identification and evaluation of countries that have formally applied for debt relief, estimated probable losses that exist on the remaining portfolio, and changes in the economic conditions of sovereign and non-sovereign debtors.
The nature of the department's activities can result in some large multi-year contracts and obligations whereby the department will be obligated to make future payments when the services/goods are received. These obligations include long-term rental agreements for chancery offices, transfer payments, and loan commitments under the Canada Accounts. Significant contractual obligations that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:
(in thousands of dollars) | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 and there-after | Total |
Lease of office space in Gatineau, Que | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 9,000 | 19,000 |
Lease of office and parking space in Moscow | 3,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 164,000 | 195,000 |
Chancery lease Consul General in New York | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 1,000 | - | 13,000 |
Chancery lease in Chicago | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
Chancery lease PRMNY, New York | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 9,000 | 17,000 |
Undisbursed Canada Account loan commitments | 2,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 2,000 |
Obligation resulting from loan restructuring | 2,400 | 2,400 | 1,200 | 500 | - | - | 6,500 |
Transfer payments to the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 4,000 | - | - | 19,000 |
Total | 19,400 | 21,400 | 21,200 | 19,500 | 13,000 | 187,000 | 281,500 |
The department is related as a result of common ownership to all Government of Canada departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. The department enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. Also, during the year, the department received services which were obtained without charge from other Government departments as presented in part (a).
(a) Services provided without charge by other government departments:
During the year, the department received services without charge from other departments (accommodation, legal fees and the employer's contribution to the health and dental insurance plans). These services without charge have been recognized in the department's Statement of Operations as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
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Accommodation | 28,700 | 28,100 | ||
Employer's contribution to the health and dental insurance plans | 47,500 | 50,400 | ||
Legal services | 1,500 | 2,600 | ||
Workers compensation charges | 300 | 300 | ||
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||||
Total | 78,000 | 81,400 | ||
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(b) Payables and receivables outstanding at year end with related parties:
2008 | 2007 | |||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||
|
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Receivables from other government departments and agencies | 32,271 | 50,912 | ||
Payables to other government departments and agencies | 43,477 | 21,021 | ||
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(c) Administration of programs on behalf of other government departments:
The department has a number of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with partner departments for the administration of unique, in-year programs delivered abroad. These expenses are reflected in the financial statements of our partner departments and not those of DFAIT. The department administered approximately $261,000,000 ($282,000,000 in 2006-2007) for operational and program activities on behalf of partner departments. DFAIT also collected approximately $276,000,000 ($310,000,000 in 2006-2007) in revenues on behalf of our partner departments. These revenues were remitted to the partner departments and are reflected in the financial statements of our partners departments and not those of DFAIT.
(d) Management and administration of Common Services:
In accordance with the Treasury Board Common Service Policy (February 1997), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Act, DFAIT has the mandate to manage the procurement of goods, services and real property at missions abroad. These common services are mandatory for departments to use when required to support Canada's diplomatic and consular missions abroad.
MOUs are in force between DFAIT and other federal government departments, and between DFAIT and co-locators (Crown corporations, non-federal organizations, and may include other federal government departments) to cover the roles and responsibilities of all parties at missions. These MOUs outline the principles and operational guidelines for the management and administration of the common services regime, specifications with respect to services and service delivery standards, the funding of common services, the responsibilities of parties, and dispute resolution.
This activity amounted to approximately $20,552,000 ($22,800,000 in 2006-2007) of in-year funding received via Supplementary Estimates and $17,776,000 ($8,942,000 in 2006-2007) of permanent funding handled through the ARLU.
Comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.