Northern Pipeline Agency Quarterly Financial Report (unaudited) For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2022

Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and programs

1. Introduction

This quarterly financial report should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates and any Supplementary Estimates approved in a given year by the date of this report. It has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act, and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board. This quarterly financial report has not been subject to an external audit or review.

1.1 Authority, Mandate and Programs

The Northern Pipeline Agency (Agency) was established by the Northern Pipeline Act in 1978 and in the context of the 1977 Agreement between Canada and the United States of America on Principles Applicable to a Northern Natural Gas Pipeline. The Agency has a mandate to carry out federal responsibilities in respect of the planning and construction of the Canadian portion of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline (AHGP). The Agency plays a key role in supporting efficient and expeditious regulatory approval, while ensuring environmental protection and social and economic benefits for Canada.

Further details on the Agency’s authority, mandate and programs are available in Part II of the 2022-23 Main Estimates.

1.2 Basis of Presentation

This quarterly financial report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the Agency’s spending authorities granted by Parliament, and those used by the Agency are consistent with the Main Estimates for the 2022-23 fiscal year for which full supply has been released by Parliament. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.

The authority of Parliament is required before money can be spent by the Government. Approvals are given in the form of annually-approved limits through appropriation acts, or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.   

The Agency uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual unaudited departmental financial statements that are part of the departmental results reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

2. Highlights of the Second Fiscal Quarter and Comparative Results

This Quarterly Financial Report reflects the results as at September 30, 2022, including Main Estimates, and the details presented in this report focus on and compare the second quarter results of 2022-23 with those of 2021-22.

2.1 Authorities Available for Use and Planned Spending for the Year

As at September 30, 2022, the Agency has $572,250, in authorities available for use in 2022-23 compared to $571,820 in 2021-22, representing a slight increase of $430 related to personnel.

2.2 Authorities Used and Amounts Expended during the Second Quarter and Year-to-Date

During the second quarter of 2022-23, the Agency spent $29,192 or 5.1% of the total funding available, compared to $20,780 or 3.6% of the total funding available the same period in 2021-22, for a net increase of $8,412. This increase is mainly due to the timing of invoices for certain expenditures related to rental and professional services, as well as a minor expenditure related to the repair of office equipment compared to the second quarter last year.

As at September 30, 2022, the Agency spent $53,771 or 9.4% of the total funding available, compared to $42,825 or 7.5% of the total funding as at September 30, 2021, for a net increase of $10,946. This increase is mainly explained by the reasons noted above and a slight increase in personnel salaries compared to the same period in 2021-22.

3. Risks and Uncertainties

In planning for an efficient and effective review and regulation of the project, the Agency must adapt to project developments by the proponent, i.e., to carry out its responsibilities and to make the necessary preparations in concert with the pace of the project’s development.

3.1 Risk Mitigation Framework

The Agency identifies and responds to the pace of the project’s development by continual corporate-level forecasting, tracking and management of issues that could affect or require a response from the Agency. For example, on March 30, 2012, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP and TransCanada PipeLines Limited (now TC Energy) announced a work plan to assess liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from south-central Alaska as an alternative to a natural gas pipeline through Canada. In February 2013, TC Energy notified the Agency that no further work is planned on the AHGP for now, and of their intent to maintain the AHGP assets in Canada. To align with the reduction in the AHGP project activities for the foreseeable future, the Agency has scaled down its operations, while continuing to fulfill Canada’s obligations as set out in the Act.

4. Significant Changes in Relation to Operations, Personnel and Programs

There were no significant changes to operations, personnel and programs during the second quarter of 2022-23.

Table 1: Statement of Authorities (unaudited) (in dollars)

	Fiscal year 2022-23			Fiscal year 2021-2022
	Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2023*	Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2022	Year-to-date used at quarter-end	Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2022*	Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2021	Year-to-date used at quarter-end
Budgetary Authorities
Net Operating expenditures - Vote 1	540,000	21,130	37,646	540,000	12,825	26,915
Statutory Authority - Employee Benefit Plans	32,250	8,062	16,125	31,820	7,955	15,910
Total Budgetary Authorities	572,250	29,192	53,771	571,820	20,780	42,825
*Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end as reflected in Main Estimates.

Table 2: Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited) (in dollars)

	Fiscal year 2022-23			Fiscal year 2021-2022
	Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023*	Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2022	Year-to-date used at quarter-end	Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2022*	Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2021	Year-to-date used at quarter-end
Expenditures:
Personnel	247,250	15,517	38,366	246,820	15,589	37,634
Transportation and communication	25,000	-	-	25,000	-	-
Information	1,000	-	-	1,000	-	-
Professional and special services	280,000	10,000	10,000	280,000	-	-
Rentals	12,000	3,461	5,191	12,000	5,191	5,191
Repair and maintenance	1,000	214	214	1,000	-	-
Utilities, materials and supplies	1,000	-	-	1,000	-	-
Acquisition of machinery and equipment	5,000	-	-	5,000	-	-
Transfer Payments	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total net budgetary expenditures	572,250	29,192	53,771	571,820	20,780	42,825
*Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end as reflected in Main Estimates.