Northern Pipeline Agency Quarterly Financial Report (unaudited) For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023

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 2023-24 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 2023-24 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 First Fiscal Quarter and Comparative Results

This Quarterly Financial Report reflects the results as at June 30, 2023, including Main Estimates, and the details presented in this report focus on and compare the first quarter results of 2023-24 with those of 2022-23.

2.1 Authorities Available for Use and Planned Spending for the Year

As at June 30, 2023, the Agency has $572,629 in authorities available for use in 2023-24 compared to $572,250 in 2022-23, representing a slight increase of $379 which includes an increase of $430 related to personnel offset by a decrease of $51 related to professional and special services.

2.2 Authorities Used and Amounts Expended during the First Quarter

During the first quarter of 2023-24, the Agency spent $19,502 or 3.4% of the total funding available, compared to $24,579 or 4.3% of the total funding available the same period in 2022-23, for a net decrease of $5,077. This net decrease, compared to the first quarter of last year, is comprised of:

a decrease in salary costs due to a reduction of staffing levels; and
a decrease in rentals due to the timing of invoicing.

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

On May 30, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment of John Hannaford as Clerk of the Privy Council, effective June 24, 2023, and that Mollie Johnson would assume the duties of Deputy Minister of Natural Resources on an interim basis. As a result, Mollie Johnson assumed the position of Commissioner for the Agency on June 1, 2023.

On July 14, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment of Michael Vandergrift as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, effective July 24, 2023. As a result, Michael Vandergrift assumed the position of Commissioner for the Agency on July 24, 2023.

There were no other significant changes to operations, personnel and programs during the first quarter of 2023-24.

Approved by:

Original signed by

_______________________
Michael Vandergrift
Commissioner

August 8, 2023
Ottawa (Canada)