2023-24 Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

For the years ending March 31, 2023 and 2024

2023-24 Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (Unaudited) for the years ending March 31, 2023 and 2024 (PDF Version 491 KB)

Table of contents

Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
For the year ending March 31
(in thousands of dollars)
Forecast
results for
2022-23
Planned
results for
2023-24
Expenses
Sector Risk $1,700,357 $780,614
Science and Innovation 765,464 572,576
Domestic and International Markets 446,400 1,219,670
Internal Services 309,761 256,365
Total expenses 3,221,982 2,829,225
Revenues
Sale of goods and services 71,743 73,198
Interest 13,122 13,163
Joint project and cost sharing agreements 6,754 6,513
Gain on disposal of assets 575 936
Miscellaneous Revenue 992 995
Crop Reinsurance Fund 50 48
Revenues earned on behalf of Government (31,006) (31,102)
Total revenues 62,230 63,751
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers $3,159,752 $2,765,474

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations.

Notes to the Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

1. Methodology and significant assumptions

The Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared based on government priorities and departmental plans as described in the Departmental Plan.

The information in the forecast results for fiscal year 2022–23 is based on actual results as at November 30, 2022 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts have been made for the planned results for fiscal year 2023-24.

The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows:

  • The Department's activities will remain substantially the same as in the previous year;
  • Expenses and revenues, including the determination of amounts internal and external to the government, are based on experience. The general historical pattern is expected to continue; and
  • Allowances for uncollectibility are based on experience. The general historical pattern is expected to continue.

These assumptions are made as at December 1, 2022.

2. Variations and changes to the forecast financial information

Although every attempt has been made to forecast final results for the remainder of 2022-23 and for 2023-24, actual results achieved for both years are likely to differ from the forecast information presented, and this variation could be material.

In preparing this Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has made estimates and assumptions about the future. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the subsequent actual results. Estimates and assumptions are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and are continually evaluated.

Factors that could lead to material differences between the Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and the historical statement of operations include:

  • the timing and the amount of acquisitions and disposals of property, plant and equipment, which may affect gains, losses and amortization expense; 
  • the implementation of new collective agreements;
  • economic conditions, which may affect both the amount of revenue earned and the collectability of loan receivables;
  • programming in response to events that occur, or impact the agriculture and agri-food sector;
  • interest rates in effect at the time of issue, which will affect the net present value of non-interest bearing loans; and
  • other changes to the operating budget, such as new initiatives or technical adjustments later in the fiscal year.

After the Departmental Plan is tabled in Parliament, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will not be updating the forecasts for any changes in financial resources made in ensuing supplementary estimates. Variances will be explained in the Departmental Results Report.

3. Summary of significant accounting policies

The Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared using the Government of Canada’s accounting policies in effect for fiscal year 2022-23, and is based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

a) Consolidation

This Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations includes the accounts of the sub-entities that the deputy head is accountable for. The accounts of these sub-entities have been consolidated with those of the Department, and all inter-organizational balances and transactions have been eliminated. The accounting entity comprises the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Farm Products Council of Canada and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency. The Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations does not include the accounts of the Canadian Grain Commission, the Canadian Dairy Commission and Farm Credit Canada because they are not under the control of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and are therefore not consolidated.

b) Expenses

Transfer payments are recorded as an expense in the year the transfer is authorized and all eligibility criteria have been met by the recipient.

Other expenses are generally recorded when goods are received or services are rendered and include expenses related to personnel, professional and special services, repair and maintenance, utilities, materials and supplies, as well as amortization of tangible capital assets. Provisions to reflect changes in the value of assets or liabilities, such as provisions for bad debts, loans, investments and advances and inventory obsolescence, as well as utilization of inventories and prepaid expenses, and other are also included in other expenses.

c) Revenues

Revenues from regulatory fees are recognized based on the services provided in the fiscal year.

Funds received from external parties for specified purposes are recorded upon receipt as deferred revenue. These revenues are recognized in the period in which the related expenses are incurred.

Deferred revenue consists of amounts received in advance of the delivery of goods and rendering of services that will be recognized as revenue in a subsequent fiscal year as it is earned.

Other revenues are recognized in the period the event giving rise to the revenues occurred. Revenues that are non-respendable are not available to discharge the Department’s liabilities. Although the deputy head is expected to maintain accounting control, he has no authority over the disposition of non-respendable revenues. As a result, non-respendable revenues are earned on behalf of the Government of Canada and are therefore presented as a reduction of the Department’s gross revenues.

4. Parliamentary authorities

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is financed by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the Department differs from financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles since authorities are based mainly on cash flow requirements. Items recognized in the Consolidated Future-Oriented Statement of Operations in one year may be funded through parliamentary authorities in prior, current, or future years. Accordingly, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has different net cost 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 requested authorities (in thousands of dollars)
Forecast
results for
2022-23
Planned
results for
2023-24
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers $3,159,752 $2,765,474
Adjustment for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:
Amortization of tangible capital assets (44,099) (44,944)
Gain (loss) on disposal of tangible capital assets 350 275
Services provided without charge by other government departments (63,212) (55,926)
Increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses and inventory (1,010) (77)
Decrease (increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave 1,393 2,033
Decrease (increase) in accrued liabilities not charged to authorities 468,549 (900,000)
Decrease (increase) in environmental liabilities (5,300) 5,000
Decrease (increase) in assets retirement obligations (45,320) (1,360)
Decrease (increase) in employee future benefits 168 1,282
Decrease (increase) in allowances for bad debt expenses (11,506) (8,797)
Refund and adjustment of prior years' expenditures 28,427 28,602
Respendable revenue 4,864 4,524
Other 53,416 13,097
Total items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities 386,720 (956,291)
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:
Acquisition of tangible capital assets 49,080 31,963
Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets (1,053) (978)
Increase (decrease) in loan receivables (13,022) (13,133)
Increase (decrease) in inventory 44 38
Total items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities 35,049 17,890
Requested authorities forecast to be used $3,581,521 $1,827,073
b)  Authorities provided/requested (in thousands of dollars)
Forecast
results for
2022-23
Planned
results for
2023-24
Authorities provided / requested
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures $668,443 $463,607
Vote 5 – Capital expenditures 59,741 31,963
Vote 10 – Transfer payments 748,051 513,063
Statutory amounts 2,134,252 818,440
Total authorities provided/requested 3,610,487 1,827,073
Less: Estimated unused authorities and other adjustments 28,966    -
Requested authorities forecast to be used $3,581,521 $1,827,073