Northern Pipeline Agency Quarterly Financial Report (unaudited) For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2017
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 Supplementary Estimates (A), as well as Canada’s Budget 2017. 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 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. 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 2017-2018 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 and Supplementary Estimates (A) for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. 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 First Fiscal Quarter and Comparative Results
This Quarterly Financial Report reflects the result as at June 30, 2017, including Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), and the details presented in this report focus on and compare the first quarter results of 2017-2018 with those of 2016-2017.
2.1 Authorities Available for Use and Planned Spending for the Year
As at June 30, 2017, the Agency has authorities available for use of $494,830 in 2017-2018 compared to $751,835 in 2016-2017, for a decrease of $257,005. This decrease reflects the fact that the Agency has scaled down its operations to align with reduced Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline (AHGP) project activities meanwhile continuing to fulfill Canada’s ongoing obligations as set out in the Northern Pipeline Act.
2.2 Authorities Used and Amounts Expended during the First Quarter
During the first quarter in 2017-2018, the Agency spent $14,394 or 3% of the total funding available, compared to $26,425 or 4% of the total funding available the same period in 2016-2017, for a net decrease of $12,031. The key differences are as follows:
- Expenditures on Personnel salaries decreased by $5,206 between the first quarter of 2017-2018 and first quarter of 2016-2017, due to a reduction in the Employee Benefit Plans costs associated with reduced authorities, as the Agency scaled down its operations.
- Expenditures on Professional and special services decreased by $4,457 between the first quarter of 2017-2018 and the first quarter of 2016-2017, due to a reduced level of activity.
- Expenditures on Rentals decreased by $2,368 between the first quarter of 2017-2018 and first quarter of 2016-2017, due to the timing of invoicing for certain ongoing rental services incurred compared to the first quarter last year.
- No contribution funds were issued in the first quarter of 2017-2018, nor were there funds issued in the first quarter of 2016-2017.
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 TCPL 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, TCPL notified the Agency that no further work is planned on the AHGP for now, and of their intentions 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 first quarter of 2017-2018.
Original signed by:
| Christyne Tremblay Commissioner August 29, 2017 Ottawa, Canada |
Wayne Marshall Director of Operations August 15,2017 Calgary, Canada |
Table 1: Statement of Authorities ( unaudited) (in dollars)
| Fiscal year 2017-2018 | Fiscal year 2016-2017 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2018 |
Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 |
Year-to-date used at quarter-end |
*Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2017 |
Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 |
Year-to-date used at quarter-end |
|
| Budgetary Authorities | ||||||
| Net Operating expenditures - Vote 1 | 465,000 | 6,937 | 6,937 | 701,095 | 13,740 | 13,740 |
| Statutory Authority - Employee Benefit Plans | 29,380 | 7,457 | 7,457 | 50,740 | 12,685 | 12,685 |
| Total Budgetary Authorities | 494,830 | 14,394 | 14,394 | 751,835 | 26,425 | 26,425 |
* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end: Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A).
Table 2: Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited) (in dollars)
| Fiscal year 2017-2018 | Fiscal year 2016-2017 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2018 |
Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 |
Year-to-date used at quarter-end |
*Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2017 |
Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 |
Year-to-date used at quarter-end | |
| Expenditures: | ||||||
| Personnel | 219,830 | 13,737 | 13,737 | 345,740 | 18,943 | 18,943 |
| Transportation and communications | 5,000 | - | - | 4,000 | - | - |
| Information | 500 | - | - | 750 | - | - |
| Professional and special services | 248,000 | 657 | 657 | 379,095 | 5,114 | 5,114 |
| Rentals | 10,000 | - | - | 10,000 | 2,368 | 2,368 |
| Repair and maintenance | 500 | - | - | 250 | - | - |
| Utilities, materials and supplies | 500 | - | - | 2,000 | - | - |
| Acquisition of machinery and equipment | 500 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Transfer Payments | 10,000 | - | - | 10,000 | - | - |
| Other subsidies and payments | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total net budgetary expenditures | 494,830 | 14,394 | 14,394 | 751,835 | 26,425 | 26,425 |
* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end: Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A).
Page details
- Date modified: