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2010-11
Report on Plans and Priorities



Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat






Supplementary Information (Tables)






Table of Contents




Green Procurement

Part A: Green Procurement Capacity Building

In fiscal year 2009–10, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (the Secretariat) underwent two major Order-in-Council machinery changes:
a) Corporate Services as a shared service was created by integrating employees from the Department of Finance Canada and the Secretariat to provide dedicated services;
b) the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer was created from the former Canada Public Service Agency and selected Secretariat functions.
As a result, about 1,000 people were transferred to the Secretariat, and corresponding financial allocations were added.


Activity 2010-11
Level as %
Description/Comments
1a. Training for Procurement and Materiel Management Staff 90%

Individual learning plans will be updated to ensure that all procurement personnel receive green procurement training (Canada School of Public Service course).

The Secretariat notes that setting a target of 100% is difficult due to employee turnover, individual learning requirements, and other challenges.
1b. Training for Acquisition Cardholders 75%

The Secretariat is planning a review of its acquisition card program with a goal to increase usage to gain efficiencies in the procurement process and to support the Green Procurement Initiative. 

Current acquisition cardholders will be required to complete the green procurement training if not already done.

All new acquisition cardholders are to complete green procurement training to receive their acquisition card.

The Secretariat notes that setting a target of 100% is difficult due to employee turnover, individual learning requirements, and other challenges.
2. Performance Evaluations All identified managers and functional heads will have environmental consideration clauses incorporated into their performance evaluations for the 2011–12 fiscal year.

Identify which managers and functional heads should have environmental considerations included in their performance evaluations.

Establish standardized green procurement or other environmental consideration clauses that can be incorporated into performance evaluations.

Establish a system for monitoring the inclusion of environmental or green procurement considerations in performance evaluations as part of the performance management cycle.
3. Procurement Processes and Controls By March 31, 2011, all identified management processes and controls relating to procurement will have incorporated environmental considerations.

Identify all management processes and controls that relate to procurement and that could be modified to include environmental considerations.

Establish a schedule and necessary approval processes for revising the identified management processes and controls.

Establish a system for monitoring the inclusion of environmental considerations in new management processes and controls.

Part B: Use of Green Consolidated Procurement Instruments


Good/Sevice 2010-11
Target as %
Description/Comments
IT peripherals 95% Where exceptions exist for purchases outside of Public Works and Government Services Canada National Master Standing Offers, efforts will be made to ensure that IT hardware purchases incorporate environmental considerations (e.g., ENERGY STAR, non-hazardous materials, Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive).
Vehicles 100% The Secretariat will continue with the practice of purchasing hybrid vehicles for its fleet.

Part C: Reduction Initiatives for Specific Goods (Optional/Where Applicable)

Data is not available. The consumable assets inventory and usage will be reviewed to re‑establish the baseline. Once determined, targets will be set.



Internal Audits

The following audits were included in the Risk-Based Audit Plan 2009–12 approved in June 2009. An annual review and update on planned audit engagements may result in modification to audit engagements conducted.


Name of Internal Audit Internal Audit Type Status Expected Completion Date
Operational Effectiveness Testing of High-Risk Financial Reporting Controls Assurance Planned December 2010
Audit of Management of Public Sector Pension Plans Assurance Planned March 2011
Audit of Budget Office Systems Renewal Assurance Planned March 2011
Audit of Security of Information and Information Technology Assurance Planned March 2011
Audit of Business Continuity Planning and Emergency Preparedness Assurance Planned March 2012
Audit of Management of Contracting Assurance Planned March 2012
Audit of Risk Management Framework Assurance Planned March 2012

Internal Evaluations

Listed below are all upcoming evaluations over the next three fiscal years. The following evaluations were included in the 2008–13 TBS 5-year Evaluation Plan. An annual review and update on planned evaluations may result in modification for evaluations to be conducted.


Name of Internal Evaluation Program Type Status Expected Completion Date
Strategic Investment Framework Initiative In progress May 2010
Policy on Internal Audit Policy Planned October 2010
Joint Learning Program Initiative Planned March 2011
Policy Monitoring Ongoing Planned July 2011
International Public Sector Standards Accounting Board Contributions Planned March 2011
Management of Pensions and Employee Benefits Ongoing Planned March 2012
Compensation Management Ongoing Planned March 2012
Accrual Budgeting and Appropriations Initiative Planned March 2013
Results-Based Management and Evaluation Ongoing Planned March 2013
Management of Government Security Ongoing Planned March 2013
Management of Central Funds Ongoing Planned March 2013



Sources of Respendable and Non-Respendable Revenue


Respendable Revenue
($ thousands)
Program Activity Forecast
Revenue
2009-10
Planned
Revenue
2010-11
Planned
Revenue
2011-12
Planned
Revenue
2012-13
People Management
Revenue related to the administration of the Public Service Superannuation Act1 2,927 3,168 3,122 3,418
Expenditure Management
Revenue related to the administration of the Public Service Superannuation Act1 2,927 3,168 3,122 3,418
Government-wide Funds and Public
 Service Employer Payments
Revenue related to Public Service Insurance2 344,200 370,000 519,900 554,100
Total Respendable Revenue 350,054 376,336 526,144 560,936

1. Respendable revenue is received to cover salaries and operating costs from Public Service Superannuation with respect to chargeable costs associated with administering the Public Service Superannuation Act.

2. Respendable revenue is received to cover health care insurance plans' costs from revolving funds and from departments and agencies that pay for employee benefit plans from a non‑statutory appropriation. This account also is used to record pensioners' share of Pensioners' Dental Services Plan contributions.


Non-Respendable Revenue
($ thousands)
Program Activity Forecast
Revenue
2009-10
Planned
Revenue
2010-11
Planned
Revenue
2011-12
Planned
Revenue
2012-13
People Management
Revenue related to the administration of the Public Service Superannuation Act1 636 755 778 795
Expenditure Management
Revenue related to the administration of the Public Service Superannuation Act1 636 755 778 795
Government-wide Funds and Public
 Service Employer Payments
Revenue from parking fees2 11,742 11,882 12,024 12,168
Total Non-respendable Revenue 13,014 13,392 13,580 13,758
Total Respendable and Non-respendable Revenue 363,068 389,728 539,724 574,694

1. The non-respendable revenue represents the portion received from Public Service Superannuation with respect to chargeable costs associated with administering the Public Service Superannuation Act and covers the costs of employee benefit plans, health, and accommodation.

2. Parking fees collected from public servants in government-owned or leased facilities. This revenue is deposited directly to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and cannot be used to offset operating expenditures.



Future-oriented Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Table of Contents

Statement of Management Responsibility

Responsibility for the compilation, content, and presentation of the accompanying future-oriented financial information for the year ended March 31, 2011 rests with the management of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (Secretariat). The future-oriented financial information has been prepared by management in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector. The future-oriented financial information is submitted for Part III of Estimates (Report on Plans and Priorities), and will be used in the Secretariat's Departmental Performance Report to compare with actual results.

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the future-oriented financial information and for the process of developing forecasts and future projections that are based on information available and known to management at the time of development, reflect current business and economic conditions, and assume a continuation of current governmental priorities and consistency in the Secretariat mandate and strategic objectives. Much of the future-oriented financial information is based on these assumptions, best estimates, and judgment and gives due consideration to materiality. At the time of preparation of these statements, management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable. However, as with all such estimations, there is a measure of uncertainty surrounding them. This uncertainty increases as the forecast horizon extends. The actual results achieved will vary from the forecast information presented, and this variation could be material.

The readers should be advised that the Secretariat is preparing these statements as part of a pilot project involving ten departments. This is the second year of a two year project to develop the methodology to prepare Future-oriented Departmental Financial Statements.

 


Michelle d'Auray
Secretary of the Treasury Board
Ottawa, Canada
March 12, 2010
          Christine Walker
Assistant Secretary and CFO              
Ottawa, Canada
March 12, 2010

 

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Future-oriented Statement of Operations
(Unaudited)
For the year ended March 31


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
Expenses (Note 6)
Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments 2,171,825 2,231,393
Management Frameworks 72,551 65,534
People Management 68,716 62,071
Expenditure Management 36,435 32,912
Financial Management 33,559 30,514
Internal Services 108,347 97,869
Total Expenses 2,491,433 2,520,293
Revenues (Note 7)
Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments 11,762 11,909
Management Frameworks - -
People Management 7,125 7,845
Expenditure Management - -
Financial Management - -
Internal Services - -
Total Revenues 18,887 19,754
Net Cost of Operations 2,472,546 2,500,539

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

 

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Future-oriented Statement of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
At March 31


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
ASSETS
Financial assets
Accounts Receivable and Advances 223,939 235,047
Total financial assets 223,939 235,047
Non-financial assets
Tangible capital assets (Note 8) 13,695 11,246
Total non-financial assets 13,695 11,246
TOTAL ASSETS 237,634 246,293
LIABILITIES
Accounts payables and accrued liabilities 517,314 534,561
Vacation pay and compensatory leave 7,637 7,401
Employee severance benefits (Note 9) 33,137 32,084
558,088 574,046
EQUITY OF CANADA (320,454) (327,753)
TOTAL LIALIBITES AND EQUITY 237,634 246,293

Contingent liabilities (Note 10)

Contractual obligations (Note 11)

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

 

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Future-oriented Statement of Cash Flow
(Unaudited)
For the year ended March 31


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
Operating activities
Net cost of operations 2,472,546 2,500,539
Non-cash items:    
Amortization of capital assets (3,343) (3,104)
Service provided without charge by other government departments (19,703) (19,358)
Variation in Statement of Financial Position:    
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable and advances (6,110) 11,108
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (78,100) (17,247)
Increase (Decrease) in vacation pay and compensatory leave (1,090) 236
Increase (Decrease) in employee severance benefits (4,248) 1,053
Cash used by operating activities 2,359,952 2,473,227
Capital investing activities
Acquisition of tangible capital assets 248 655
Cash used by capital investment activities 248 655
Financing activities
Net cash provided by the Government of Canada (2,360,200) (2,473,882)

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

 

1. Authority and Objectives

Under the broad authority of sections 5 to 13 of the Financial Administration Act, the Secretariat supports the Treasury Board as a committee of ministers in its role as the general manager and employer of the core public administration. It is headed by a Secretary, who reports to the President of the Treasury Board.

The mission of the Secretariat is to ensure that the rigorous stewardship of public resources achieves results for Canadians.

The core business of the Secretariat is currently organized into the following key areas of program activity:

a) Government-wide funds and public service employer payments

The Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments program activity accounts for funds that are held centrally to supplement other appropriations.  From these funds, payments and receipts are made on behalf of other federal organizations. These funds supplement the standard appropriations process and meet certain responsibilities of the Secretariat as the employer of the federal public service. Information on planned spending is provided in Section III, as online supplementary information.

b) Management Frameworks

The Management Frameworks program activity establishes guiding principles and expectations for public sector management.  It includes setting government-wide policy directions in targeted areas, such as governance, regulatory management, the Management Accountability Framework (MAF), service, information management and information technology.  Working with all federal organizations, the Secretariat provides leadership, challenge, and community enablement in policy development, compliance, performance reporting, and functional community development.  This work includes new and emerging issues and priorities, and promoting a cultural shift in the approach to risk and innovation.  In turn, this work informs the policies in the People Management, Expenditure Management, and Financial Management program activities.   

c) People Management

The People Management program activity supports efforts across the federal public service to achieve strong leadership and a well managed workforce and workplace.  Direction-setting activities include the following:

  • Developing and implementing people management- related frameworks and policies;
  • Setting and monitoring departmental people management performance expectations;
  • Conducting research and analysis regarding the state of people management; and
  • Supporting the effective management of the leadership cadre.

The program activity also provides public service-wide leadership on managing compensation, which it shares with the Expenditure Management program activity.  It includes collective bargaining and associated labour relations as well as establishing and maintaining the public service pension and benefits regime. 

d) Expenditure Management

The Expenditure Management program activity helps ensure alignment of resources to achieve government priorities in a way that maximizes value for money and provides a whole-of-government perspective on matters related to direct program spending.  Working with all federal organizations that are subject to budget appropriation, the Secretariat undertakes the review, analysis, and challenge of plans and proposals involving departmental spending, expenditure forecasting and strategies, compensation management, and results-based management.  This program activity includes part of the Expenditure Management System, the framework for the development and implementation of the government's spending plans and priorities within the limits established by the Budget.

e) Financial Management

The Financial Management program activity promotes good financial management practices across government to ensure that financial activities are carried out effectively and efficiently.  Working with all federal organizations, the Secretariat:

  • Develops financial management, accounting, transfer payment and internal audit policies, directives and standards;
  • Assists departments by providing leadership, policy advice and guidance;
  • Sets performance expectations and monitors performance;
  • Builds capacity within functional communities;
  • Plans horizontal audits and conducts audits of small departments;
  • Provides financial oversight and reporting; and
  • Advises departments on financial authority issues associated with the Financial Administration Act (FAA) and Appropriation Acts.

f) Internal Services

The Internal Services program activity is advanced through three program sub-activities (PSA) that support the Treasury Board and the internal management of the Secretariat. PSAs and key functions are the following:

  • Governance and Management Support, including management, oversight, communications, and legal services;
  • Resource Management, which includes human resources management, financial management, information management, information technology, travel, and other administrative services; and
  • Asset Management Services, including real property, materiel management, and acquisitions.

2. Underlying Assumptions

These future-oriented statements have been prepared:

  • on the basis of government policies, government priorities, and  external environment at the time the future-oriented financial information was finalized;
  • according to the requirements of Treasury Board Accounting Policies which are based on Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector;
  • on the basis that the resources provided will enable Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to deliver the expected results specified in the Report on Plans and Priorities, and in consideration of projects pending for approval; and
  • on the basis of historical costs.

3. Variations and Changes to the Forecast Financial Information

While every attempt has been made to accurately forecast final results for 2009-10 and 2010-11, actual results achieved are likely to vary from the forecast information presented, and this variation could be material.

Once the Report on Plans and Priorities is presented, the Secretariat will not be updating the forecasts for any changes to appropriations or forecast financial information made in ensuing supplementary estimates. Variances will be explained in the Secretariat’s Performance Report.

On February 6th, 2009, Prime Minister Harper announced changes to streamline and improve the management of human resources in the Public Service of Canada. As a result, the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada (PSHRMAC) was no longer operating as a separate entity, but housed within the Treasury Board Secretariat under a new Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer. The financial impact of this decision was not reflected in the 2009-2010 Future-oriented Statement of Operations. Therefore, the forecasts for these statements have been restated to reflect this financial impact.

Another structural change that took place in early 2009 is the transfer from the Department of Finance to the Secretariat of the control and the supervision of portions of the federal public administration related to corporate services in the Department of Finance. The financial impact has been reflected in these Future-oriented Financial Statements. 

4. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The future-oriented financial information has 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:

a) Parliamentary appropriations

The Secretariat is financed by the Government of Canada through parliamentary appropriations. Appropriations provided to the Secretariat do not parallel financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles because appropriations are primarily based on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Future-oriented Statement of Operations and in the Future-oriented Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through appropriations from Parliament.  Note 5 provides a high-level reconciliation between the bases of reporting.

b) Net Cash Provided by Government

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

c) Forecasted revenues 

Revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event that gave rise to the revenues took place.

d) Forecasted expenses

Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis:

  • Contributions are recognized in the year in which the recipient has met the eligibility criteria or fulfilled the terms of a contractual transfer agreement.
  • Vacation pay and compensatory leave are expensed as the benefits accrue to employees under their respective terms of employment. 
  • Services provided without charge by other government departments for accommodation and legal services are recorded as operating expenses at their estimated cost.

e) Government-wide employee benefits

Eligible public service employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan sponsored by the Government of Canada. Contributions to the Plan for all departments and agencies, including additional contributions in respect of any actuarial deficiencies, are funded by the Secretariat as centrally managed funds, and they are expensed in the year incurred. The Secretariat recovers a portion of the pension contributions from other departments and agencies.

The Government of Canada also sponsors a variety of other benefit plans that the Secretariat is responsible for administering and/or funding through its centrally managed funds. These benefits are recognized as expenses when they become due. A portion of these benefits is also recovered from other departments and agencies.

For the pension benefits and other future employee benefits covered by these plans, actuarially determined liabilities and related disclosure are presented in the financial statements of the Government of Canada, the ultimate sponsor of these benefits. As administrator of the centrally managed funds, the Secretariat expenses these benefits or contributions as they become due and records no accruals for future benefits. This treatment is consistent with the funding provided to the department through parliamentary appropriations.

f) Departmental employee future benefits

Pension benefits:Eligible employees of the Secretariat participate in the Public Service Pension Plan. The Secretariat’s share of contributions pertaining to the current service cost of its employees is allocated to the program activities which incur salary expenses.

Severance benefits: Employees are entitled to severance benefits, as provided for 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 of the Secretariat is calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benefits for the Government of Canada as a whole.

g) Accounts receivable and advances

Accounts receivable and advances are stated at amounts expected to be ultimately realized. 

h) 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. 

i) Tangible capital assets

All tangible capital assets and leasehold improvements having an initial cost of $10,000 or more are recorded at their acquisition cost. The Secretariat does not capitalize intangibles, works of art, and historical treasures that have cultural, aesthetic, or historical value.

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

Asset class Amortization period
Machinery and equipment 3 to 10 years
Motor vehicles 3 years
Leasehold improvements Term of lease
Assets under construction Once in service, in accordance with asset class

j) Measurement uncertainty

The preparation of the future-oriented financial information requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of all the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the future-oriented financial statements. Assumptions are based upon information available and known to management at the time of development, reflect current business and economic conditions, and assume a continuation of current governmental priorities and consistency in departmental mandate and strategic objectives. At the time of preparation of the Future-oriented Financial Statements, management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable.  Nonetheless, as with all such estimates and assumptions, there is a measure of uncertainty surrounding them. This uncertainty increases as the forecast horizon extends.

5. Parliamentary Appropriations

The Secretariat receives most of its funding through annual parliamentary appropriations.  Items recognized in the Future-oriented Statement of Operations and Future-oriented Statement of Financial Position in one year may be funded through parliamentary appropriations in prior, current, or future years.  Accordingly, the Secretariat 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 appropriations used:


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
Net cost of operations 2,472,546 2,500,539
Adjustment for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting appropriations:    
Add (Less):    
Services provided without charge from other government department (19,703) (19,358)
Revenue not available for spending 13,034 13,419
(Increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave (1,090) 236
(Increase) in employee severance benefits (4,248) 1,053
Amortization of tangible capitals assets (3,343) (3,104)
(15,350) (7,754)
Adjustment for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting appropriations:    
Acquisition of tangible assets 248 655
Appropriations used 2,457,444 2,493,440

b) Appropriations provided and used:


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
Voted Authorities:
Vote 1 - Program expenditures 258,849 236,591
Vote 5 - Government contingencies 750,000 750,000
Vote 10 - Government-wide initiatives 6,636 6,215
Vote 15 - Compensation adjustments 735,441 -
Vote 20 - Public service insurance 2,164,302 2,223,794
Vote 25 - Operating budget carry forward 1,200,000 1,200,000
Vote 30 - Paylist requirements 500,000 500,000
Vote 35 - Budget Implementation Initiatives 3,000,000 -
8,615,228 4,916,600
Statutory authorities:
President of Treasury Board - salary & motor car allowance 78 78
Contribution to employee benefit plans 29,757 29,592
Payments under the Public Service Pension Adjustment Act 20 20
Payments for the pay equity settlement pursuant to section 30 of the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act 200 200
Unallocated employer contributions made under the Public Service Superannuation Act, other retirement acts & the Employment Insurance Act 9,500 9,500
39,555 39,390
Pending Approval:
Vote 1 - Program expenditures 591 -
Vote 1 – Respendable Revenue (5,853) (6,335)
(5,262) (6,335)
Transferred or lapsed authorities:
Vote 5 - Government contingencies (750,000) (750,000)
Vote 10 - Government-wide initiatives (6,636) (6,215)
Vote 15 - Compensation adjustments (735,441) -
Vote 25 - Operating budget carry forward (1,200,000) (1,200,000)
Vote 30 - Paylist requirements (500,000) (500,000)
Vote 35 - Budget Implementation Initiatives (3,000,000) -
(6,192,077) (2,456,215)
Appropriations used 2,457,444 2,493,440

6. Forecasted Expenses

a) The following table presents details of expenses by category and by program activity:


($ thousand)
  Forecast
2010
Total
GF &
PSEP
MF PM EM FM IS Forecast
2010
Total
Transfer payment 200 - - - - 200 - 200
Operating Expenses:                
Government-wide funds and publics service employer payments (Note 6b) 2,171,825 2,231,393 - - - - - 2,231,393
Salary & employee benefits 214,959 - 45,956 43,527 23,080 21,257 68,631 202,451
Professional & Special Services 63,541 - 11,603 10,990 5,827 5,367 17,328 51,115
Accommodation 15,848 - 3,458 3,275 1,737 1,600 5,164 15,234
Transport & telecommunications 7,477 - 1,366 1,294 686 632 2,039 6,017
Machinery, equipment, parts & tools 4,075 - 730 692 367 338 1,091 3,218
Repair & maintenance 877 - 92 88 46 43 138 407
Utilities, materiel & supplies 1,801 - 411 390 207 190 614 1,812
Information 1,642 - 198 187 99 92 296 872
Rentals 1,255 - 262 248 131 121 390 1,152
Amortization 3,343 - 705 667 354 326 1,052 3,104
Other subsidies & payment 4,590 - 753 713 378 348 1,126 3,318
Total Expenses 2,491,433 2,231,393 65,534 62,071 32,912 30,514 97,869 2,520,293

Legend:

GF & PSEP – Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments

MF – Management Framework

PM – People Management

EM – Expenditure Management

FM – Financial Management

IS – Internal Services

b) Government-wide funds and public service employer payments

The Government of Canada sponsors defined benefit pension plans covering most of its employees. The Secretariat funds the employer’s contributions to the Public Service Pension Plan and Retirement Compensation Arrangement, including additional contributions in respect of actuarial deficiencies. 

The Secretariat also funds payments to or in respect of:

  • the employer’s share of contributions to the Public Service Death Benefit Account;
  • the employer’s share of Canada/Quebec Pension Plan contributions and Employment Insurance premiums;
  • the employer’s share of health, disability, and life insurance premiums and related Quebec sales tax;
  • claims and related costs under the Public Service Dental Care Plan and the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan;
  • provincial payroll taxes;
  • pension, benefit, and insurance plans for employees engaged locally outside Canada by Canadian missions abroad; and
  • returns to certain employees of their share of the Employment Insurance premium reduction.

Generally, Public Service Pension Plan contributions, Public Service Death Benefit Account contributions, Canada/Quebec Pension Plan contributions, and Employment Insurance premiums are recovered from all departments, agencies, and revolving funds pro-rata, based on salaries and wages incurred. Contributions to health care plans are recovered from certain departments and agencies and all revolving funds, based on a percentage of salaries and wages incurred. 

A breakdown by major category is as follows:


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
Expenses:
Public Service Pension Plan & Retirement Compensation Arrangement contributions (Statutory) 2,431,874 2,545,306
Public Service Pension Plan & Retirement Compensation in respect of actuarial deficits (Statutory) 9,500 9,500
Public Service Death Benefit Account contributions (Statutory) 10,834 11,253
Canada/Quebec Pension plan contribution (Statutory) 633,297 678,792
Employment Insurance premiums (Statutory) 254,108 259,943
Employment Insurance premiums reduction (Vote 20) 1,300 1,450
Quebec Parental Insurance Plan premiums (Vote 20) 28,000 35,940
Public Service Health Care Plan premiums (Vote 20) 962,733 974,904
Public Service Dental Care Plan claims (Vote 20) 253,928 276,728
Pensioners' Dental Services Plan claims (Vote 20) 116,238 138,936
Provincial Health Insurance Plan premiums (Vote 20) 29,323 31,926
Provincial payroll taxes (Vote 20) 505,806 532,124
Group disability and life insurance premiums (Vote 20) 512,859 526,328
Pension & other government employee benefits in respect of locally engaged staff employed in Canadian missions abroad (Vote 20) 48,360 67,265
Pension & similar payments to former government employees (Vote 20) 520 540
Miscellaneous Special Payments (Vote 20) 200 200
Operating expenses (Vote 20) 5,258 5,552
5,804,138 6,096,687
Recoveries:
Employer's contributions to government employee benefit plans recovered from government departments and agencies (Statutory) 3,330,113 3,495,295
Employer's contributions to government employee insurance plans recovered from government departments and agencies (Vote 20) 132,000 138,290
Employee's contributions to Public Service Health Care Plan recovered from government departments and agencies (Vote 20) 45,000 70,688
Pensioners' contributions to the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan (Vote 20) 125,200 161,021
3,632,313 3,865,294
Net Expenses 2,171,825 2,231,393

7. Forecasted Revenues

The following table presents details of revenues by category and by activities:


($ thousand)
  Forecast
2010
Total
GF &
PSEP
MF PM EM FM IS Forecast
2010
Total
Parking Fees 11,742 11,882 - - - - - 11,882
Recovery of pension admin. Costs 7,125 - - 7,845 - - - 7,845
Other revenues 20 27 - - - - - 27
Total 18,887 11,909 - 7,845 - - - 19,754

Legend:

GF & PSEP – Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments

MF – Management Framework

PM – People Management

EM – Expenditure Management

FM – Financial Management

IS – Internal Services

8. Tangible Capital Assets

The following table presents the details of Tangible Capital Assets:


($ thousands)
Capital asset class Cost Accumulated amortization Forecast Net Book Value
Opening
balance
Acqui-
sitions
Disposals
and
write-offs
Closing
balance
Opening
balance
Amorti-
zation
Disposals
and
write-offs
Closing
balance
2011 2010
Machinery and equipment 24,137 655 - 24,792 10,482 3,082 - 13,564 11,228 13,655
Motor vehicles 97 - - 97 57 22 - 79 18 40
Leasehold improvements 1,952 - - 1,952 1,952 - - 1,952 - -
Total 26,186 655 - 26,841 12,491 3,104 - 15,595 11,246 13,695

9. Employee Benefits

a) Pension benefits

Eligible public service 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 per cent per year of pensionable service, times the average of the best five consecutive years of earnings. The benefits are integrated with the Canada/Quebec Pension Plans benefits and they are indexed to inflation.

The Secretariat funds the employer contributions to the Public Service Pension Plan, including additional contributions in respect of actuarial deficiencies, on behalf of all government departments and agencies, and recovers a portion of those costs.

During 2010, the Secretariat estimated $21,484 thousand ($20,768 thousand in 2011) in respect of its own employees.

b) Severance benefits

The Secretariat 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. The liability for severance for 2009-2010 is estimated to $33,137 thousands.   The estimated amount for 2010-2011 is $32,084 thousands.  The liability is calculated as a percentage of estimated salary expenses which are forecasted to decrease from 2009-10 to 2010-11.

Information about the severance benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows: 


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
Accrued benefit obligation, beginning of year 28,889 33,137
Accrued expense for the year 4,248 (1,053)
Accrued benefit obligation, end of year 33,137 32,084

10. Contingent liabilities

Claims and Litigations

Claims have been made against the Secretariat in the normal course of operations. Legal proceedings for claims carry a potential liability of approximately $62 billion. Some of these potential liabilities may become actual liabilities when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. As the likelihood of these future events occurring is undeterminable and the estimate of losses is not estimable, no accrual for these contingent liabilities has been made in the financial statements.

The most significant of these legal actions is described as follows:

In September 1999, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board Act (Bill C-78) was passed by Parliament, providing for improvements in the financial management of federal public service pension plans, including the Public Service (PSSA), RCMP (RCMPSA), and Canadian Forces (CFSA) superannuation plans. The new Act authorized the President of the Treasury Board to debit the accounts in order to reduce the amount of certain excess balances in the superannuation accounts. In late 1999, the major public service unions and pensioner associations launched three lawsuits against the Crown challenging the validity of the legislation. On November 20, 2007, the plaintiffs' actions were dismissed. In February 2008, all 3 plaintiffs appealed the decisions. Hearing of appeals is scheduled for 19, 20 and 21 April 2010.

11. Contractual obligations

The nature of the Secretariat's activities can result in some large multi-year contracts and obligations whereby the Secretariat could be obligated to make future payments when the services/goods are received.  Significant contractual obligations that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:


  ($ thousands)
2010 2011 2012 Total
Public Service Health/Dental Plans 37,497 45,741 48,829 132,067
Mail and messenger services 270 1,616 1,653 3,539
Other professional services 9,769 992 436 11,197
Management consulting 2,051 989 - 3,040
Computer services 1,546 165 - 1,711
Accounting and Audit Services 1,038 - - 1,038
Total 52,171 49,503 50,918 152,592

12. Related-Party Transactions

Services provided without charge

The Secretariat is related as a result of common ownership to all Government of Canada departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. The Secretariat enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms.

During the year, the Secretariat receives without charge services from other departments as shown in the following table:


  ($ thousands)
Forecast
2010
Forecast
2011
Accommodation 15,848 15,234
Legal services 3,855 4,124
Total 19,703 19,358

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 departments without charge. The costs of these services, which include payroll and cheque issuance services provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), are not included as an expense in the Statement of Operations. The forecast is the amount provided by the Department of Justice and PWGSC.

13. Comparative Information

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



Planned Spending by Vote under Program Activity 5: Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments

Planned spending in this program activity relates mainly to the following votes:

Vote 20—Public Service Insurance

This vote, which supports the Treasury Board's role as employer, is used for the following:

  • Public service pension, benefits, and insurance, including payment of the employer's share of health, income maintenance, and life insurance premiums;
  • Payments to or in respect of provincial health insurance plans;
  • Payment of provincial payroll taxes and Quebec sales tax on insurance premiums;
  • Costs associated with the pension, benefit, and insurance plans for employees engaged locally outside Canada; and
  • The return to certain employees of their share of the employment insurance premium reduction.

Other contingency funds are available to other government departments, if required, and expenditures will be identified under their program activities. The following votes are therefore excluded from the Secretariat's planned spending:

Vote 5—Government Contingencies

This vote provides the government with the authority and flexibility to meet unforeseen or urgent expenditures until parliamentary approval can be obtained. Most of the items in this vote are considered temporary advances to cover items that will be included in subsequent Supplementary Estimates for other departments and agencies and reimbursed when the associated appropriation act is passed.

Vote 10—Government-wide Initiatives

This vote supplements other departments and agencies' appropriations that support the implementation of strategic management initiatives across the public service. Historically, this vote has been used to support such initiatives as Government On-Line, comptrollership innovation and modernization, the Financial Information Strategy, employment equity, and program evaluation and internal audit.

Vote 25—Operating Budget Carry Forward

This vote allows for routine operating budget carry-forward (OBCF) amounts, as established under the OBCF policy, to be transferred directly to departments and agencies, in a timely manner, once eligible amounts have been confirmed by the Secretariat and approved by Treasury Board ministers. The $1.2 billion in this vote, which represents no additional cost to the government, corresponds to the approximate amount of potential requirements that would otherwise have been presented in multiple Supplementary Estimates by departments and agencies.

 Vote 30—Paylist Requirements

This vote covers departments and agencies' paylist shortfalls related to parental benefits, severance, and other allowances. To avoid discrimination in hiring practices, pay-list costs related to these expenditures have been provided for centrally since the introduction of the Operating Budget regime in 1993. This vote provides relief from cash management challenges departments and agencies face for these legal obligations.