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Section 3: Supplementary Information

3.1  Financial Highlights

The financial highlights presented within this section are intended to provide additional information about the TSB's financial position and operations.

On an accrual accounting basis, the TSB's expenses and net cost of operations were $34.9 million for 2010-11 ($34.8 million in 2009-10). These results include $3.8 million in services received without charge from other federal government departments and other expenses that do not have an impact on the TSB's operating vote, such as the liability for employee benefits.

The decrease in assets on the Statement of Financial Position is primarily explained by a decrease of $488,000 in the net book value of tangible capital assets during 2010-11. This decrease is primarily noted in the category of in-house developed software and is consistent with the deferral of the projects to enhance the TSB's modal databases and to implement an electronic document and records management system. 


Condensed Statement of Financial Position
As at March 31, 2011 ($ denomination)
  % Change 2010-11 2009-10
Total Assets -5.1% 6,995 7,371
Total Liabilities 2.2% 7,055 6,897
Equity of Canada -112.7% (60) 474
Total -5.1% 6,995  7,371 


Condensed Statement of Operations
For the year ended March 31, 2011 ($ denomination)
  % Change 2010-11 2009-10
Total Expenses 0.5% 34,955 34,783
Total Revenues 87.0% 43 23
Net Cost of Operations 0.4% 34,912  34,760 

The TSB started the year with authorities of $29.8 million in the Main Estimates. Additional authorities (Treasury Board vote transfers) in the amount of $2.2 million were approved during the year for total approved funding of $32.0 million. This included $1.0 million for the carry-forward of the previous year's lapse, $0.9 million for collective bargaining adjustments, and $0.2 million for severance and parental benefits expenditures.

As shown in Figure 5, over the past 10 years, the TSB's funding has remained fairly consistent in the range of $31 to $32 million. For the period of 2002–03 to 2004–05, the TSB received short-term funding from Parliament to address specific resource pressures. Funding has subsequently leveled off and increases in funding in the last two years are primarily explained by employee salary increases negotiated through collective bargaining.

Program expenditures in 2010-11 decreased from 2009-10 by $0.8 million or 2.4 per cent. The decrease is explained by several factors:

  • staff turnover which reduced spending on salaries and training;
  • a decrease in the number of deployments to occurrences which reduced travel and overtime costs;
  • delays in the project to update the modal investigation databases which reduced informatics spending; and
  • a planned decrease in discretionary spending in response to restraint measures in Budget 2010.

Figure 6: TSB's Funding and Expenditures from 2001-02 to 2010-11

TSB's Funding and Expenditures from 2001-02 to 2010-11

[text version]

3.2  Financial Statements

The TSB prepares detailed annual financial statements on an accrual accounting basis, which are audited by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. In 2010-11, Treasury Board Secretariat issued a new accounting standard that required changes in the department's financial statements. In particular, the Statement of Operations now presents results by program activity rather than by category of expense. The audited financial statements of the TSB for the year ended 31 March 2011, as well as the related auditor's report and the annual assessment of the effectiveness of the department's internal controls over financial reporting, can be found in Appendix B.

The net cost of operations of the TSB represents an approximate cost of $1.02 per Canadian citizen. For this amount, Canada maintains the capability to investigate major failures in four different modes of the national transportation system.

The following graph shows TSB expenses by major categories.

Figure 7: TSB Expenses by Category

Expenses by Category

[text version]

3.3  List of Supplementary Tables

All electronic supplementary information tables listed below can be found on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's website at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dpr-rmr/2010-2011/index-eng.asp:

  • User Fees Reporting
  • Green Procurement

Section 4: Other Item of Interest

4.1  Organizational Contact Information

Additional information about the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and its activities is available on the TSB website at http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/index.asp or by contacting us at:

Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Place du Centre
200 Promenade du Portage
4th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 1K8

E-mail: communications@bst-tsb.gc.ca
Toll Free: 1 800 387-3557
Fax: 819-997-2239

Appendix A – Glossary


Accident
in general, a transportation occurrence that involves serious personal injury or death, or significant damage to property, in particular to the extent that safe operations are affected (for a more precise definition, see the Transportation Safety Board Regulations)

Incident
in general, a transportation occurrence whose consequences are less serious than those of an accident, or that could potentially have resulted in an accident (for a more precise definition, see the Transportation Safety Board Regulations)

Occurrence
a transportation accident or incident

Recommendation
a formal way to draw attention to systemic safety issues, normally warranting ministerial attention

Safety Concern
a formal way to draw attention to an identified unsafe condition for which there is insufficient evidence to validate a systemic safety deficiency but the risks posed by this unsafe condition warrant highlighting

Safety Advisory
a less formal means for communicating lesser safety deficiencies to officials within and outside the government

Safety Information Letter
a letter that communicates safety-related information, often concerning local safety hazards, to government and corporate officials

 

Appendix B – Audited Financial Statements

Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011 and all information contained in these statements rests with management of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). These financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies which are based on Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector.

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these financial statements. Some of the information in the financial statements is based on management's best estimates and judgment and gives due consideration to materiality. To fulfill its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provides a centralized record of the TSB's financial transactions. Financial information submitted to the Public Accounts of Canada and included in the TSB's Departmental Performance Report is consistent with these financial statements.

Management is also responsible for maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is reliable, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in accordance with the Financial Administration Act and other applicable legislation, regulations, authorities and policies.

Management seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its financial statements through careful selection, training, and development of qualified staff; through organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility; through communications aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards, and managerial authorities are understood throughout the TSB.

An assessment of the Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) for the year ended March 31, 2011 was completed in accordance with the Policy on Internal Control and the results and action plans are summarized in the annex. The system of ICFR is designed to mitigate risks to a reasonable level based on an on-going process to identify key risks, to assess effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments.

The Office of the Auditor General, the independent auditor for the Government of Canada, has expressed an opinion on the fair presentation of the financial statements of the TSB which does not include an audit opinion on the annual assessment of the effectiveness of the department's internal controls over financial reporting.

The original version was signed by
____________________________

Wendy A. Tadros
Chair

The original version was signed by
____________________________

Chantal Lemyre, CGA
Chief Financial Officer

Gatineau, Canada
August 9, 2011



logo of Auditor General's Office

Independent Auditor's Report

To the Chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada
and to the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada

I have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which comprise the statement of financial position as at March 31, 2011, and the statement of operations, statement of equity of Canada and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor's Responsibility

My responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that I comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.

Opinion

In my opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada as at March 31, 2011, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards.

The original version was signed by
____________________________

John Rossetti, CA
Assistant Auditor General
for the Interim Auditor General of Canada

August 9, 2011
Ottawa, Canada


Statement of Financial Position


As at March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
2011 2010
Assets
Financial assets
Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund 1,845 1,625
Accounts receivable and advances  (note 4) 28 90
Total financial assets 1,873 1,715
 
Non-financial assets
Prepaid expenses 79 109
Inventory 113 129
Tangible capital assets (note 5) 4,930 5,418
Total non-financial assets 5,122 5,656
TOTAL Assets 6,995 7,371

Liabilities and Equity of Canada


As at March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
2011 2010
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 6) 1,840 1,688
Vacation pay and compensatory leave 1,007 1,044
Employee future benefits  (note 7) 4,208 4,165
TOTAL Liabilities 7,055 6,897
 
Equity of Canada (60) 474
TOTAL Liabilities and Equity of Canada 6,995 7,371

Contingent liabilities (note 8 )

Contractual obligations (note 9 )

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Wendy A. Tadros
Chair

Chantal Lemyre, CGA
Chief Financial Officer

Gatineau, Canada
August 9, 2011


Statement of Operations


For the year ended  March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
2011 2010
Expenses
Air investigations 16,269 16,098
Marine investigations 5,213 5,535
Rail investigations 5,284 5,431
Pipeline investigations 560 503
Internal services 7,629 7,216
TOTAL Expenses 34,955 34,783
 
Revenues
Air investigations 12 11
Marine investigations 1 4
Rail investigations 11 3
Pipeline investigations - -
Internal services 19 5
TOTAL Revenues 43 23
 
Net Cost of Operations 34,912 34,760

Segmented information (Note 12)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Equity of Canada


For the year ended  March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
2011 2010
Equity of Canada, beginning of the year 474 111
Net cost of operations (34,912) (34,760)
Net cash provided by the Government of Canada 30,360 32,746
Change in Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund 220 (1,465)
Services received without charge (note 10 (a)) 3,798 3,842
Equity of Canada, end of the year (60) 474

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows


For the year ended March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
2011 2010
Operating activities
Net cost of operations 34,912 34,760
Non-cash items:
Services received without charge (note 10(a)) (3,798) (3,842)
Amortization of tangible capital assets (1,054) (1,121)
Net loss on disposal and write-off of tangible capital assets (6) (11)
 
Variations in Statement of Financial Position:
Decrease in accounts receivable and advances (62) (56)
Increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses (30) 39
Increase (decrease) in inventory (16) 10
Decrease (increase) in liabilities (158) 1,907
Cash used for operating activities 29,788 31,686
 
Capital investing activities
Acquisition of tangible capital assets 604 1,068
Proceeds from the disposal of tangible capital assets (32) (8)
Cash used for capital investing activities 572 1,060
 
Net cash provided by the Government of Canada 30,360 32,746

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Authority and Objectives

The Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board (CTAISB) was established in 1990 under the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and is a departmental corporation named in Schedule II to the Financial Administration Act. In its day-to-day activities the CTAISB is also known by the name Transportation Safety Board of Canada, or simply the TSB. The objective of the TSB is to advance transportation safety. It seeks to identify safety deficiencies in transportation occurrences and to make recommendations designed to eliminate or reduce any such safety deficiencies. In addition to investigations, including where necessary public inquiries into selected occurrences, the TSB may conduct studies into more general matters pertaining to transportation safety. The TSB has the exclusive authority to make findings as to causes and contributing factors when it investigates a transportation occurrence. The TSB's operating expenditures are funded by a budgetary lapsing authority whereas contributions to employee benefit plans are funded by statutory authorities.

The TSB has four key program activities, which are the conduct of safety investigations in the following four transportation sectors:

  • Marine
  • Pipeline
  • Rail
  • Air

Within each program, personnel conduct independent safety investigations into selected transportation occurrences. They identify causes and contributing factors, assess risks to the system, formulate recommendations to improve safety, publish investigation reports, communicate safety information to stakeholders, undertake outreach activities with key change agents, as well as assess and follow up on responses to recommendations. These activities are carried out by highly qualified investigators who are experts in the transportation operational sectors. They also work closely with personnel who are responsible for executing specialized work in the following fields: engineering and technical, macro-analysis, human performance and communications.

The Internal Services program activity also contributes to the achievement of TSB's strategic outcome. This program activity includes the functions and resources required to support the needs of the program activities of the four transportation modes and to meet the department's corporate obligations in areas such as human resources, finance, administration, information management and information technology.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies stated below, which are based on Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, except as disclosed in Note 11 – Net Debt Indicator.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

(a) Parliamentary appropriations
The TSB is financed by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary appropriations. Appropriations provided to the TSB do not parallel financial reporting according to Canadian generally accepted accounting principles since appropriations are primarily based on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through appropriations from Parliament. Note 3 provides a high-level reconciliation between the two bases of reporting.

(b) Net Cash Provided by the Government of Canada
The TSB operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), which is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by the TSB is deposited to the CRF and all cash disbursements made by the TSB are paid from the CRF. The net cash provided by Government is the difference between all cash receipts and all cash disbursements including transactions between departments of the federal government.

(c) Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund
Amounts due from the CRF are the result of timing differences at year-end between when a transaction affects appropriations and when it is processed through the CRF. Amount due from the CRF represents the net amount of cash that the TSB is entitled to draw from the CRF, without further appropriations, in order to discharge its liabilities.

(d) Revenues
Revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event occurred that gave rise to the revenue takes place.

(e) Expenses
Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis:

  • Vacation pay and compensatory leave are expensed as the benefits accrue to employees under their respective terms of employment.

  • Services received without charge from other government departments for accommodation, administration of workers' compensation, the employer's contribution to health and dental insurance plans, and external audit services are recorded as operating expenses at their estimated cost.

(f) Employee future benefits

  • Pension benefits: Eligible employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan, a multi-employer plan administered by the Government of Canada. The TSB's contributions to the Plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total TSB obligation to the Plan. Current legislation does not require the TSB to make contributions for any actuarial deficiencies of the Plan.

  • Severance benefits: Employees are entitled to severance benefits under labour contracts or conditions of employment.  These benefits are accrued as employees render the services necessary to earn them.  The obligation relating to the benefits earned by employees is calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benefits for the Government as a whole.

(g) Accounts receivable and advances
Accounts receivables and advances are stated at the lower of cost and net recoverable value.

(h) Inventories
Inventories consist of parts, material and supplies held for future program delivery and not intended for resale. They are valued at cost using the average cost method. If they no longer have service potential, they are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

(i) Tangible capital assets
All tangible capital assets having an initial cost of $2,000 or more are recorded at their acquisition cost. In addition, acquisitions of all general-purpose furniture and informatics hardware are recorded as tangible capital assets.

Amortization of tangible capital assets is done on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Tangible Capital Asset Class Amortization Period
Building 40 years
Furniture 10 years
Office equipment and tools 5 years
Laboratory equipment 15 years
Informatics hardware 4 years
Informatics software (purchased) 7 years
Informatics software (in house developed) 10 years
Motor vehicles 7 years
Other vehicles 15 years
Leasehold improvements Lesser of the remaining term of the lease or useful life of the improvement

During the year, the estimates of the useful life of the TSB's tangible capital assets were reviewed to determine their appropriateness in light of their present and planned usage. As a result of the review, the useful life of the following assets were extended: Building from 30 to 40 years, Laboratory equipment from 10 to 15 years and Informatics software (purchased) from 3 to 7 years.  These changes in accounting estimates were applied prospectively and did not result in a significant variation in amortization expense.

(j) Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are potential liabilities which may become actual liabilities when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. To the extent that the future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, an estimated liability is accrued and an expense recorded. If the likelihood is not determinable or an amount cannot be reasonably estimated, the contingency is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

(k) Measurement uncertainty
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements. At the time of preparation of these statements, management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable. The most significant items where estimates are used are the useful lives of tangible capital assets, the assumptions underlying the employee severance benefits liability, the value of services received without charge and the assessment of contingent liabilities. Actual results could significantly differ from those estimated. Management's estimates are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, they are recorded in the financial statements in the year they become known.

3. Parliamentary Appropriations

The TSB receives 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 TSB 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:

(a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to current year Parliamentary authorities used:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Net cost of operations 34,912 34,760
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:
Add (Less):
Services received without charge (3,798) (3,842)
Amortization of tangible capital assets (1,054) (1,121)
Net loss on disposal and write-off of tangible capital assets (6) (11)
Employee future benefits (43) 542
Vacation pay and compensatory leave 37 (125)
Refund of previous years' expenses 3 1
Miscellaneous revenues 43 23
Accrued liabilities 22 129
Other adjustments 24 (25)
  30,140 30,331
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:
Add (Less):
Acquisition of tangible capital assets 604 1,068
Increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses (30) 39
Increase (decrease) in inventory (16) 11
Current year authorities used 30,698 31,449

(b) Authorities provided and used:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Operating expenditures - Vote 10 26,354 25,635
Transfer from TB - Vote 15- Compensation adjustments 873 1,646
Transfer from TB - Vote 25- Operating Budget Carry Forward 969 664
Transfer from TB- Vote 30- Paylist requirements 235 671
Statutory contributions to employee benefit plans 3,512 3,680
Statutory spending of proceeds from disposal of surplus Crown assets 46 19
Spending of revenues as per Financial Administration Act Section 29.1 29 14
  32,018 32,329
Less:
Authorities available for future years (37) (1)
Lapsed: Operating (1,283) (879)
Current year authorities used 30,698 31,449

4. Accounts Receivable and Advances

The following table presents details of accounts receivable and advances:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Receivables from other Federal Government departments and agencies 1 69
Receivables from external parties 17 13
Employee advances 10 8
TOTAL 28 90

5. Tangible Capital Assets


Cost
(in thousands of dollars)
Opening Balance Acquisitions Disposals and
write-offs
Closing Balance
Building 2,901 39 - 2,940
Furniture 937 34 (7) 964
Office equipment and tool 53 41 (3) 91
Laboratory equipment 2,641 127 (261) 2,507
Informatics hardware 2,462 203 (731) 1,934
Informatics software (purchased) 850 26 (227) 649
Informatics software (in house developed) 3,096 23 - 3,119
Motor vehicles 685 68 (123) 630
Other vehicles 102 - - 102
Leasehold improvements 571 43 (12) 602
TOTAL 14,298 604 (1,364) 13,538

Accumulated amortization
(in thousands of dollars)
Opening Balance Amortization Disposals and
write-offs
Closing Balance
Building 2,516 58 - 2,574
Furniture 343 101 (7) 437
Office equipment and tool 46 5 (3) 48
Laboratory equipment 1,897 68 (261) 1,704
Informatics hardware 1,854 268 (731) 1,391
Informatics software (purchased) 717 30 (226) 521
Informatics software (in house developed) 842 307 - 1,149
Motor vehicles 411 35 (98) 348
Other vehicles 48 7 - 55
Leasehold improvements 206 175 - 381
TOTAL 8,880 1,054 (1,326) 8,608

Net book value
(in thousands of dollars)
Opening Balance     Closing Balance
Building 385     366
Furniture 594     527
Office equipment and tool 7     43
Laboratory equipment 744     803
Informatics hardware 608     543
Informatics software (purchased) 133     128
Informatics software (in house developed) 2,254     1,970
Motor vehicles 274     282
Other vehicles 54     47
Leasehold improvements 365     221
Net Book Value 5,418     4,930

6. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The following table presents details of accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Accounts payable to other government departments and agencies 234 489
Accounts payable to external parties 859 690
  1,093 1,179
Accrued liabilities 747 509
TOTAL 1,840 1,688

7. Employee Future Benefits

(a) Pension benefits

The TSB's employees 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/Quebec Pension Plans benefits and they are indexed to inflation.

Both the employees and the TSB contribute to the cost of the Plan. The 2010-11 employer's contribution expense amounts to $2,465,291 ($2,657,286 in 2009-10), which represents approximately 1.9 times (1.9 in 2009-10) the contributions by employees.

The TSB'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.

(b) Severance benefits

The TSB provides severance benefits to its employees based on eligibility, years of service and final salary. These severance benefits are not pre-funded. Benefits will be paid from future appropriations. Information about the severance benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Employee severance benefits, beginning of year 4,165 4,707
Expense for the year recorded as employee benefits 531 6
Benefits paid during the year (488) (548)
Employee severance benefits, end of year 4,208 4,165

In the 2011 Budget, the Government of Canada announced its intention to revise its employee benefits package to eliminate severance benefits payable upon voluntary separation or retirement of an employee. Collective agreements reflecting this change in employee benefits have been signed with certain bargaining agents. As a result, these employees have been provided the option to be paid in full or a portion of their severance entitlement in fiscal year 2011-12 or to defer payment to a future year. The estimated payout and reduction to the TSB's employee severance liability from this government-wide event cannot be determined at this date. The TSB expects to receive incremental funding from Treasury Board in order to fund the severance payments.

8. Contingent Liabilities

In the normal course of its operations, the TSB becomes involved in legal actions. Some of these potential liabilities may become actual liabilities when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. To the extent that the future event is likely to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, an estimated liability is accrued and an expense recorded on the TSB's financial statements.  The TSB did not have any contingent liabilities as at March 31, 2011.

9. Contractual Obligations

The nature of the TSB's activities can result in some large multi-year contracts and obligations whereby the TSB will be obligated to make future payments when the services/goods are received.

Contractual obligations as at March 31, 2011 represent a total of $295,814, broken down as follows:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
Acquisition of goods and services 267 29 - - -

10. Related Party Transactions

The TSB is related as a result of common ownership to all Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations. The TSB enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. Also, during the year, the TSB received services which were obtained without charge from other Government departments as presented in part (a). Transactions with related parties and payables outstanding at year-end with related parties are presented in (b) and (c).

(a) Services received without charge:
During the year, the TSB received without charge from other departments: accommodation, administration of workers' compensation, the employer's contribution to health and dental insurance plans, and external audit services. These services without charge have been recognized in the TSB's Statement of Operations as follows with a corresponding amount in the Equity of Canada:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Accommodation 1,894 1,950
Employer's contribution to health and dental insurance plans 1,783 1,780
External audit services 100 86
Administration of workers' compensation 21 26
TOTAL 3,798 3,842

The Government has structured some of its administrative activities for efficiency and cost-effectiveness purposes so that one department performs these on behalf of all without charge. The costs of these services, which include payroll and cheque issuance services provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada, are not included as an expense in the TSB's Statement of Operations given that a reasonable amount for those types of services cannot be determined.

(b) Transactions with related parties:

During the year, the TSB reimbursed other departments for certain services purchased on a fee for service basis. The departments with which the TSB incurred significant expenses are as follows:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Treasury Board Secretariat
Employee benefit plans
3,512 3,680
Transport Canada
Aircraft Services
475 586
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Accommodation, translation and others
755 615
TOTAL 4,742 4,881

(c) Payables outstanding at year-end with related parties:

(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Treasury Board Secretariat 80 373
Public Works and Government Services Canada 75 84
Transport Canada 120 60
Other government departments and agencies 9 3
TOTAL 284 520

11. Net Debt Indicator

The presentation of the net debt indicator and a statement of change in net debt is required under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector.

Net debt is the difference between a government's liabilities and its financial assets and is meant to provide a measure of the future revenues required to pay for past transactions and events. A statement of change in net debt would show changes during the period in components such as tangible capital assets, prepaid expenses and inventories. Departments are financed by the Government of Canada through appropriations and operate within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), which is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by departments is deposited to the CRF and all cash disbursements made by departments are paid by the CRF. Under this government business model, assets reflected on the departmental financial statements, with the exception of the Due from the CRF, are not available to use for the purpose of discharging the existing liabilities of the department. Future appropriations and any respendable revenues generated by the department's operations would be used to discharge existing liabilities.


(in thousands of dollars) 2011 2010
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 6) 1,840 1,688
Vacation pay and compensatory leave 1,007 1,044
Employee future benefits (note 7) 4,208 4,165
TOTAL Financial Liabilities 7,055 6,897
Financial Assets
Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund 1,845 1,625
Accounts receivable and advances (note 4) 28 90
TOTAL Financial Assets 1,873 1,715
 
Net Debt Indicator 5,182 5,182

12. Segmented Information

Presentation by segment is based on the TSB's program activity architecture. The presentation by segment is based on the same accounting policies as described in the Summary of significant accounting policies in note 2. The following table presents the expenses incurred and revenues generated for the main program activities, by major object of expenses and by major type of revenues.  The segment results for the period are as follows:

For the year ended March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
Operating expenses Air Marine Rail Pipeline Internal services 2011 2010
Salaries and wages 9,916 3,332 3,286 352 3,998 20,884 20,832
Employee benefits 2,572 857 857 107 966 5,359 4,943
Professional and special services 1,254 152 254 22 981 2,663 2,661
Accommodation 772 309 278 21 514 1,894 1,950
Transportation and communications 608 295 291 24 554 1,772 1,989
Amortization 542 157 166 19 170 1,054 1,121
Repairs and maintenance 252 19 45 6 169 491 621
Utilities, materials, supplies and equipment 182 37 52 3 106 380 397
Rentals 60 12 17 - 150 239 114
Information 108 42 37 6 21 214 144
Net loss on disposal and write-off of tangible capital assets 3 1 1 - - 5 11
TOTAL Expenses 16,269 5,213 5,284 560 7,629 34,955 34,783
Miscellaneous revenues 12 1 11 - 19 43 23
TOTAL Revenues 12 1 11 - 19 43 23
 
Net cost of operations 16,257 5,212 5,273 560 7,610 34,912 34,760

13. Comparative Information

During the year, the TSB adopted the revised Treasury Board Accounting Standard (TBAS) 1.2: Departmental and Agency Financial Statements which is effective for the Department for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The major change required by the revised standard is that the Statement of Operations now presents results by program activity rather than category of expenses and revenues.  In addition, note 12 Segmented Information has been added.

Comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

Annex to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's (TSB) Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

TSB Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Unaudited)

For the year ended March 31, 2011

1.  Introduction

This document is an annex to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's (TSB) Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control Over Financial Reporting which prefaces the financial statements for the fiscal year 2010-11. As required by the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Control, this annex provides summary information on the measures taken by the TSB to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). In particular, it provides summary information on the assessments conducted by the TSB as at March 31, 2011, including progress, results and related action plans, along with some financial highlights pertinent to understanding the control environment of the TSB.

It is important to note that the system of ICFR is not designed to eliminate every possible risk, rather to mitigate risk to a reasonable level with controls that are balanced with and proportionate to the risks they aim to mitigate. The maintenance of an effective ICFR is an ongoing process designed to identify and prioritize risks and the controls to mitigate those risks, as well as to monitor its performance in support of continuous improvement.

1.1  Authority, Mandate and Program Activities

The TSB's sole objective is to advance transportation safety. This mandate is fulfilled by conducting independent investigations into selected transportation occurrences. The purpose of these investigations is to identify the causes and contributing factors and the safety deficiencies evidenced by an occurrence. The TSB then reports publicly and makes recommendations to improve safety and reduce or eliminate risks to people, property and the environment.

Detailed information on the TSB's authority, mandate and program activities can be found in the Departmental Performance Report and in Section I of the Report on Plans and Priorities.

1.2  Financial Highlights

Key financial highlights from the 2010-11 financial statements are:

  • Total expenses are $34.9 million. Salaries and employee benefits comprise the majority at $26.2 million (75%) for about 230 employees.

  • Total revenues are $.04 million, primarily from the delivery of safety investigation courses to other government and external agency employees, cost recovery on an investigation and the disposal of surplus assets.

  • Tangible capital assets represent $4.9 million (70%) of total assets ($7.0 million), and amounts due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to satisfy future cash requirements represent $1.8 million (26%).

  • Accounts payable and accrued liabilities comprise $1.8 million (26%) of total liabilities ($7.0 million). Employee future benefits represent the largest liability at $4.2 million (60%).

Additional departmental financial information for fiscal year 2010-11 can be found under Section III - Supplementary Information of the Departmental Performance Report and in the Public Accounts of Canada.

1.3  Service Arrangements Relevant to Financial Statements

The TSB relies on other organizations for the processing of certain transactions or the provision of information, which impacts its financial statements:

  • Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) centrally administers the payments of salaries and benefits, the procurement of some goods and services, and the provision of accommodations, on behalf of the Department.

  • Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) provides an annual dollar figure for the centrally funded health and dental insurance plans, and provides information used to calculate various accruals and allowances, such as the employee severance benefit.

Further information is available in the financial statements under Note 10- Related Party Transactions.

1.4  Material Changes in Fiscal Year 2010-11

There were no significant departmental changes in the year that impacted the department's financial results. During the year, the TSB adopted the revised Treasury Board Accounting Standard 1.2: Departmental and Agency Financial Statements. The major change required by the revised standard is that the Statement of Operations now presents results by program activity rather than category of expenses and revenues. In addition, Note 12 Segmented Information has been added.

2.  TSB's Control Environment Relevant to ICFR

The TSB recognizes the importance of direction from senior management to help ensure that staff at all levels understand their roles in maintaining effective systems of ICFR and are well equipped to exercise these responsibilities effectively. The TSB's objective is to continually enhance its internal control environment to ensure risks are managed well through a responsive and risk-based approach that enables continuous improvement and innovation.

2.1  Key Positions, Roles and Responsibilities

Below are the TSB's key positions and committees with responsibilities for maintaining and reviewing the effectiveness of its system of ICFR.

Chair - The TSB Chair, as Accounting Officer, assumes overall responsibility and leadership for the measures taken to maintain an effective system of internal control. This position is a Governor-in-Council appointment.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – The COO is the top level public servant within the TSB and is responsible for the leadership over all operational activities in the department.  This position chairs the Executive Committee.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - The CFO reports directly to the COO and provides leadership for the coordination, coherence and focus on the design and maintenance of an effective and integrated system of ICFR, including its annual assessment.

Executive Committee (EC) - As the central decision-making body, the EC reviews, approves and monitors the corporate risk profile and the departmental system of internal control, including the assessment and action plans relating to the system of ICFR. The EC is composed of the department's directors and director general, who are responsible for maintaining the effectiveness of the ICFR falling within their operations. 

2.2  Risk Assessment over Financial Reporting

The key elements that increase the risk of error over financial reporting and by consequence the need for increased controls include:

  • The financial significance of the financial statement element;
  • The extent to which assumptions or judgment are required in determining the financial statement element;
  • The risk of fraud/theft surrounding the financial statement element. For example, cash is more likely to be misappropriated and its reporting altered than a vehicle; and,
  • The level of decentralization of financial operations.

Statement of Operations: The TSB's most significant expense is salaries and wages, which represents approximately 60% of its expenses. The expense for employee benefits is the second largest expense at 15% of total expenses. Hence controls surrounding payroll administration represent the most important controls over financial reporting in the Statement of Operations.

Statement of Financial Position: The most significant element on the TSB's financial statements is tangible capital assets, which amounted to $4.7 million at March 31, 2011, or 70% of total assets. Hence controls surrounding the accounting of capital assets represent the most important controls over financial reporting in the Statement of Financial Position.

The following elements reduce TSB's control risks over financial reporting:

  • Simple financial transactions: the majority of department's expenses are salaries and employee benefits, and operating expenses. The department does not issue grants and contributions, enter into international transactions or other complex transactions. Additionally, the department has few transactions that require the use of TSB assumptions or judgment in determining their value, other than the useful life of tangible capital assets.

  • Centralized financial reporting: Although certain financial transactions are initiated in regional offices, all financial transactions are reviewed by the Finance and Administration Division at Head Office.

The following elements increase TSB's control risks over financial reporting:

  • Turnover: As a small department, many positions are one-deep and functions are performed by a single person in the organization. As a result, the department's financial controls are significantly affected by turnover among staff involved in financial management.

  • Dependence on other departments: Similar to all government departments, the TSB relies on other organizations for the processing of certain transactions, such as payroll systems provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada, and the provision of cost information, such as the costs for services provided without charge (e.g. accommodations and employee benefits). These amounts represent a material amount of the financial statements. They are determined by other government departments and may involve the use of assumptions and professional judgment. The TSB therefore relies on other government departments to ensure they have adequate internal controls over the amounts reported for inclusion in the TSB's financial statements.

2.3  Key Measures Taken by the TSB

The TSB's control environment includes a series of measures to equip its staff to manage risks well through raising awareness, providing appropriate knowledge and tools, as well as developing skills.

Key organization-wide measures include:

  • An established governance structure and provision of strategic direction through the Executive Committee.

  • The department has an established Code of Professional Conduct that is distributed to all employees that outlines the values and ethics and expected behaviours.

  • The financial processes have been established to ensure an adequate segregation of duties through delegated signing authorities and financial system user profiles and passwords.

  • Employees receive appropriate training on financial management requirements. For example, employees must pass mandatory training offered by the Canada School of the Public Service prior to delegated financial signing authority being provided.

  • Regular communications are maintained between the department's central Finance and Administration Division and the Administrative Officers in the branches and regions to ensure ongoing communication and training on financial reporting requirements.

  • Regular reporting of financial performance and annual performance agreements with clearly set out financial management responsibilities.

  • Human resources management plan and policies that support learning and succession planning.

  • The majority of the TSB's employees are located at its Head Office and Laboratory in the National Capital Region. The TSB also maintains staff in eight cities across Canada, in order to rapidly deploy to transportation occurrences. Regional offices initiate, approve, process and record operating expenses however there is a central Finance function that oversees the regional finance activities.

  • The TSB does not maintain an internal audit function. Instead it participates in horizontal audits of small departments and agencies led by the Treasury Board Secretariat. The TSB also occasionally engages external firms to perform ad hoc internal audits.

  • The employee delegation of financial authorities instruments are regularly updated; and

  • The TSB has accounting policies and procedures tailored to the TSB's control environment.

While not part of the internal control framework of the department, each year-end the Office of the Auditor General performs an audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. The audit involves performing procedures to obtain evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The audit also includes an evaluation of the appropriateness of the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of the accounting estimates made by TSB management as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. The TSB financial statements have consistently received a clean audit opinion.

3.  Assessment of the TSB's System of ICFR

The objectives of the TSB's ICFR are to maintain an effective system to provide reasonable assurance that a) transactions are appropriately authorized, b) financial records are properly maintained, c) assets are safeguarded, and d) applicable laws, regulations and policies are complied with.

Over time, this means the TSB must assess the design and operating effectiveness of its system of ICFR, leading to ensuring the on-going monitoring and continuous improvement of its departmental system of ICFR.

The TSB assessment of internal controls in 2010-11 was focused on controls over payroll and capital assets, as these elements represent the most significant elements to the financial statements.

4.  Assessment Results

The review of internal controls was led by the Chief Financial Officer. An external consultant was engaged to assist with the review of the internal control framework over financial reporting. The more significant findings from these assessments of the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting are summarized below.

4.1  Impact of Turnover

An essential element to an effective internal control framework is having trained and knowledgeable financial staff in place. As a small department, the TSB has very few financial officer positions (i.e. one FI-4, FI-3 and FI-2 respectively). Over the last three years, the TSB has experienced considerable turnover among its financial officer employees. This turnover in staff impacts the consistency in the application of controls and increases the likelihood of error. The risk of error is particularly elevated because the TSB's financial system is not commonly used within government or the private sector. As a result, it is almost impossible to hire staff having experience with the system and the learning curve for new finance employees is extended.

Action Taken:

  • For the 2010-11 year-end, the TSB increased its year-end testing of amounts reported in the financial statements to compensate for the lack of a consistent application of the internal control framework during the year. No significant errors were identified.

Actions Planned for 2011-12:

  • The TSB will increase its complement of financial officer positions by one to handle the increase in central agency reporting requirements and help ensure continuity during periods of turnover.

  • The TSB will document a framework of year-end tests to be performed on amounts reported in the financial statements to assess their accuracy. These year-end tests should compensate for the increased risk of an undetected error on the financial statements due to employee turnover.

4.2  Documentation

Documented key business processes and related control points are an essential element to internal controls since they provide employees with the knowledge required of expected performance and behaviours. The TSB needs to update and increase the breadth, depth and format of documentation of controls and procedures.

Action Taken:

  • During fiscal year 2010-11 year-end, the TSB reviewed its capital assets accounting policy and reviewed the historical usage of its assets against the amortization periods established for accounting purposes. As a result, the amortization periods of three categories of assets: building, purchased software and laboratory equipment were extended.

Action Plan for 2011-12:

  • The TSB will increase the documentation and evaluation of financial reporting controls over its two highest financial reporting risk items: salaries and wages expense and tangible capital assets.

Action Plan for Future Years:

  • The TSB will increase the documentation and evaluation of financial reporting controls over the remaining financial statement elements.
4.3  Accounting for Tangible Capital Assets

The TSB has 10 categories of assets in its financial statements with a cost of $13.5million and book value of $4.9 million at March 31, 2011. The accounting of assets is performed by finance staff while the management and tracking of capital assets is performed by administration staff. Year-end testing identified that the capital asset sub-ledger was not maintained current with the recording of financial transactions during the year. As a result, significant work had to be performed at year-end to reconcile the capital assets sub-ledger to the financial trial balance.

Action Taken:

  • During the 2010-11 year-end, the TSB performed a physical count of the tangible capital assets in all its offices and updated its financial records. The update of the individual capital asset sub-ledger records was initiated and should be completed in 2011-12.

Action Planned for 2011-12:

  • The TSB will review its process of accounting, tracking and updating its capital assets within its financial system to identify options for ensuring consistency throughout the year and facilitating the year-end reporting process.

  • The TSB will increase the training and guidance with respect to the tracking and accounting requirements throughout the life cycle of an asset to ensure that all employees involved understand their role in keeping the asset records current.

5.  Action Plan

In addition to the individual action items described above, in fiscal year 2011–12, the TSB will continue the ongoing monitoring of its ICFR and will report the results of this activity in this annex yearly. TSB senior management is committed to sustaining and continuously improving its sound framework of effective ICFR in the department, to ensure that the key controls meet the expectations of management and stakeholders and appropriately mitigate associated risks.


[Footnotes]

  1. A transportation occurrence is any accident or incident associated with the operation of an aircraft, ship, railway rolling stock or pipeline. It also includes any hazard that could, in the Board's judgement, induce an accident or incident if left unattended.

  2. Type is defined as follows: Previously committed to - committed to in the first or second fiscal year before the subject year of the report; Ongoing - committed to at least three fiscal years before the subject year of the report; and New - newly committed to in the reporting of the DPR.

  3. Financial Resources equal the total line for Program Activities and Internal Services. Planned Spending comprises Main Estimates. Total Authorities comprises Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates, carry-forwards and transfers from Treasury Board centrally managed votes.

  4. The difference between Planning Spending and Total Authorities by program activity is explained by a change in 2010-11 in the methodology for allocating costs by program activity.

  5. For definitions of terms such as accident, incident and occurrence, see Appendix A.

  6. Investigations are considered complete after the final report has been issued.

  7. A target for the number of safety communications issued cannot be set because the actual results vary depending on the findings of the investigations into individual transportation occurrences.

  8. A target for the number of safety communications issued cannot be set because the actual results vary depending on the findings of the investigations into individual transportation occurrences.

  9. A target for the number of safety communications issued cannot be set because the actual results vary depending on the findings of the investigations into individual transportation occurrences.

  10. A target for the number of safety communications issued cannot be set because the actual results vary depending on the findings of the investigations into individual transportation occurrences.