Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2013 - Revised

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

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Erratum

Date: March 14, 2014

Location: Section 6, Statement of Authorities (unaudited), Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, Vote 1 - Operating expenditures.

Revision: "Vote 1 - Operating expenditures" $386,878 thousands replaces "Vote 1 – Operating expenditures" $368,878 thousands.

Rational for the revision: Original amount reported contained a typing error (number inversion).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

This quarterly financial report has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act (FAA) and in the form prescribed by the Treasury Board. The report should be read in conjunction with the 2013–14 Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates (B) as well as Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 (Budget 2012). The Department had no items in the 2013–14 Supplementary Estimates (A) process. In addition, the Departmental Audit Committee (DAC) has reviewed and commented on the report, but no external audit or review has been conducted.

The glossary (Section 8) contains definitions for key financial terms that are hyperlinked in the text.

1.1 Justice Mandate

The Department of Justice has the mandate to support the dual roles of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Canada.

Under Canada's federal system, the administration of justice is an area of shared jurisdiction between the federal government and the provinces and territories. The Department supports the Minister of Justice in his responsibilities for 49 statutes and areas of federal law by ensuring a bilingual and bijural national legal framework principally within the following domains: criminal justice (including youth criminal justice), family justice, access to justice, Aboriginal justice, public law and private international law.

The Department also supports the Attorney General as the chief law officer of the Crown, both in terms of the ongoing operations of government and of the development of new policies, programs and services for Canadians. The Department provides legal advice to the Government and federal government departments and agencies; represents the Crown in civil litigation and before administrative tribunals; drafts legislation; and responds to the legal needs of federal departments and agencies.

Further information on the mandate, roles, responsibilities and programs of the Department can be found in the Department of Justice 2013–14 Main Estimates, available at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ems-sgd/20132014/me-bpd/me-bpd-eng.pdf#page=224

1.2 Basis of Presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting and a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the Department's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the Department consistent with the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (B) for the 2013–14 fiscal year.

The authority of Parliament is required before moneys 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.

When Parliament is dissolved for the purposes of a general election, Section 30 of the Financial Administration Act authorizes the Governor General, under certain conditions, to issue a special warrant authorizing the Government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. A special warrant is deemed to be an appropriation for the fiscal year in which it is issued.

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

As part of the Parliamentary business of supply, the Main Estimates must be tabled in Parliament on or before March 1 preceding the new fiscal year. Budget 2012 was tabled in Parliament on March 29, after the tabling of the Main Estimates on February 28, 2012. As a result the measures announced in Budget 2012 could not be reflected in the 2012–13 Main Estimates.

In fiscal year 2012–13, frozen allotments were established by Treasury Board authority in departmental votes to prohibit the spending of funds already identified as savings measures in Budget 2012. In 2013–14, the changes to departmental authorities were reflected in the 2013–14 Main Estimates tabled in Parliament. 

Additional funding was sought by the Department of Justice through the 2012-13 Supplementary Estimates (B). The department received this additional authority net of the planned savings or other amounts transferred by Treasury Board authority to a frozen allotment.

1.3 Department of Justice Financial Structure

The Department of Justice financial structure is comprised of several budgetary authorities:

As the primary legal services provider to other government departments and agencies, the Department of Justice collects and spends revenue generated by these legal services as part of its Vote 1 authority. The Department of Justice also has the authority to spend revenues collected for providing internal administrative support services to other government departments. In departmental reporting, these revenues reduce total departmental authorities and expenditures. For the purposes of this report, these revenues are referenced as “Net Vote Authorities (NVA)” or “Revenues netted against expenditures (revenues)”. 

2. Highlights of Fiscal Quarter and Fiscal Year To Date (YTD) Results

This section highlights the significant items that contributed to the increases in resources available for the year and net changes in actual expenditures for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Graph 1 outlines the Department's gross and net budgetary authorities and expenditures.

Graph 1: Comparison of Budgetary Authorities and Expenditures as of December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2013
($Millions)

Graph 1: Comparison of Budgetary Authorities and Expenditures as of December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2013

* Decimal rounding resulted in $0.1M discrepancy for the total gross budgetary expenditures as of December 31, 2013.

Description

For both periods ending December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, authorities provided to the Department included Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates (B) and Treasury Board Central Votes. The Department had no items in Supplementary Estimates (A) in either fiscal year. 

Central Votes as of the end of the third quarter of the fiscal year 2013-14 amounted to $90.1 million and included: $15.5 million in Compensation Adjustments, $50.0 million in Paylist Requirements, and $24.6 million in Operating Budget Carry Forward.

For the corresponding period of the fiscal year 2012-13, authorities provided from Central Votes to the Department, in addition to Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (B), included $11.0 million in Paylist Requirements and $27.3 million Operating Budget Carry Forward.

The Department's year-to-date total gross expenditures as of December 31, 2013 were $594.4 million compared to $490.1 million as of December 31, 2012. The increase in spending to date, totalling $104.3 million, can be explained by:

For the period ending December 31, 2013, total net expenditures were $408.4 million (excluding $185.9 million in revenues against $594.4 million in gross expenditures). Total net expenditures for the period ending December 31, 2012 were $294.9 million (excluding $195.2 million in revenues against $490.1 million in gross expenditures).

2.1 Significant Changes to Authorities

(See also Statement of Authorities table in Section 6.)

When compared to the third quarter of the previous fiscal year, the total net budgetary Authorities available for 2013–14 increased by $2.9 million, from $755.6 million to $758.5 million. This increase comprises:

2.2 Significant Changes to Revenues Collected

(See also Statement of Authorities table in Section 6.)

Compared to the previous year, revenues collected in the third quarter ending December 31, 2013 decreased from $143.0 million to $71.7 million. This reduction of $71.3 million is largely associated with a steep increase in revenue collection during the third quarter of 2012-13.  Due to unforeseen issues with the newly implemented billing system, a final product of Cost Recovery Process Improvement Project (CRPI), a large portion of the second quarter billing during the fiscal year 2012-13 was delayed to the subsequent (third) quarter. In the current fiscal year no such delays have occurred and the revenue collection process has not been a subject to unusual fluctuations.  As a result, year-to date amounts of revenue collected are similar as of the end of both quarters. 

2.3 Significant Changes to Budgetary Expenditures

(See also Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object table in Section 7.)

Third quarter gross budgetary expenditures increased from $172.1 million in 2012–13 to $230.9 million in 2013–14. This increase of $58.8 million is made up primarily of variances associated with the following standard objects:

The Department also experienced a $71.3 million decrease in revenues collected for legal services during the third quarter, from $143.0 million in the third quarter of 2012–13 to $71.7 million during the current quarter. Consequently, when revenues collected are netted against gross budgetary expenditures, net budgetary expenditures during the third quarter increased by $130.1 million from $29.1 million in 2012–13 to $159.2 million in the corresponding period of 2013–14.  

3. Risks and Uncertainties

Justice Canada carries the salary and operating liability of maintaining capacity to support its clients. Risk is created for Justice Canada as federal departments and agencies seek to reduce expenditures in light of cost containment measures announced in Budget 2010 and Budget 2012. This risk is amplified by recent compensation increases for lawyers that have exerted an upward pressure on rates charged to clients.

To mitigate this risk, the Department continues to focus on improvements to its cost recovery and forecasting processes. The Department also continues to undertake joint planning with clients to help them effectively manage their legal risks and find sound ways to lower their demand for legal services.

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

No changes have occurred that would have significantly impacted departmental operations, personnel or programs in the recent quarter.

5. Budget 2012 Implementation

This section provides an overview of the savings measures announced in Budget 2012 that are being implemented in order to refocus government and programs, make it easier for Canadians and businesses to deal with their government, and modernize and reduce the back office. 

Over the budget's three-year implementation period, which includes the 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 fiscal years, the Department of Justice has committed to achieving savings of $67.5 million. Effective April 1, 2013 Grants and Contributions spending was reduced by $38.8 million; more specifically the Youth Justice Services Funding Program is now funded at a level of $141.7 million annually.

Justice's initiatives to achieve these savings include:

In line with Budget 2012 commitments, the Department achieved savings in 2012-13 and is committed to achieving savings in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Approval by Senior Officials

Approved by:

Original signed by William F. Pentney
February 28, 2014




William F. Pentney
Deputy Minister of Justice and
Deputy Attorney General of Canada

Original signed by Marie-Josée Thivierge
February  28, 2014




Marie-Josée Thivierge
Assistant Deputy Minister
Management Sector, and
Chief Financial Officer


Ottawa, Canada

6. Statement of Authorities (unaudited)

Department of Justice
For the quarter ended December 31, 2013
Statement of Authorities (unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)
  Fiscal year 2013-2014 Fiscal year 2012-2013
Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2014* Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2013 Year to date used at quarter end Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2013*, ** Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 Year to date used at quarter end
Vote 1 - Operating expenditures 623,244 144,000 442,018 581,154 128,976 386,878
Less: Revenues netted against expenditures (296,200) (71,696) (185,936) (296,200) (143,021) (195,220)
Net Vote 1 operating expenditures 327,044 72,304 256,082 284,954 (14,045) 191,658
Vote 5 - Grants and contributions 351,435 66,943 92,446 390,429 23,067 42,983
Contributions to employee benefit plans 79,924 19,945 59,833 80,089 20,022 60,067
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada - Salary and motor car allowance 79 19 59 78 19 58
Spending of proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets 3 0 0 3 0 0
Refunds of amounts credited to revenues in previous years 0 5 29 0 8 113
Budgetary statutory authorities 80,006 19,969 59,921 80,170 20,049 60,238
TOTAL AUTHORITIES 758,485 159,216 408,449 755,553 29,071 294,879

* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter end.

** Total available for use does not reflect measures announced in Budget 2012.

7. Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)

Department of Justice
For the quarter ended December 31, 2013
Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)
  Fiscal year 2013-2014 Fiscal year 2012-2013
Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2014 Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2013 Year to date used at quarter end Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2013*** Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 Year to date used at quarter end
Expenditures
Personnel 604,706 148,927 466,269 553,630 134,519 408,347
Transportation and communications 16,018 1,925 4,830 19,522 2,439 5,830
Information 5,806 875 2,022 6,349 633 1,815
Professional and special services 44,119 7,864 18,605 49,547 7,274 20,529
Rentals 4,794 1,144 3,565 3,851 1,529 4,441
Repair and maintenance 9,300 512 1,533 8,326 723 1,696
Utilities, materials and supplies 5,288 866 2,304 5,647 1,100 2,693
Acquisition of land, buildings and works 0 0 0 166 0 0
Acquisition of machinery and equipment 9,871 1,597 2,325 10,507 393 1,059
Transfer payments 351,435 66,943 92,446 390,429 23,067 43,005
Other subsidies and payments 3,348 259 486 3,779 415 684
Total gross budgetary expenditures 1,054,685 230,912 594,385 1,051,753 172,092 490,099
Less revenues netted against expenditures
(Revenues)		 (296,200) (71,696) (185,936) (296,200) (143,021) (195,220)
Total revenues netted against expenditures (296,200) (71,696) (185,936) (296,200) (143,021) (195,220)
TOTAL NET BUDGETARY EXPENDITURES 758,485 159,216 408,449 755,553 29,071 294,879

*** Planned expenditures do not reflect measures announced in Budget 2012.

8. Glossary

Authorities

Expenditure authorities are approvals from Parliament for individual government organizations to spend up to specific amounts. Expenditure authority is provided in two ways:

  1. Annual Appropriation Acts that specify the amounts and broad purposes for which funds can be spent; and
  2. Other specific statutes that authorize payments and set out the amounts and time periods for those payments.
Bijural

Relates to the coexistence and interaction of two legal systems or legal traditions in a given legal framework. In Canada, this relates to Quebec civil law and Canadian common law, taking into account other sources of federal law, including aboriginal rules and customs.

Compensation Adjustments:

A Treasury Board centrally managed vote that supplements other appropriations as a result of adjustments made to terms and conditions of service or employment of the federal public administration, including members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Forces, Governor in Council appointees and Crown corporations as defined in section 83 of the Financial Administration Act.

Cost Recovery Process Improvement Project (CRPI)

A project undertaken by the Department of Justice to increase the efficiency and frequency of invoicing and collections activities related to the provision of legal services to other government departments. The CRPI involves the integration of the case management and financial system and standardization of business processes.

Employee Benefit Plan (EBP)

A statutory item that includes employer costs for the Public Service Superannuation Plan, the Canada and the Quebec Pension Plans, Death Benefits, and the Employment Insurance accounts. Expressed as a percentage of salary, the EBP rate is changed every year as directed by the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Expenditure basis

Costs are reported when liabilities are incurred or cash is paid out. Revenues are reported when cash is received.

Full accrual method of accounting

Costs are reported based on their consumption. Revenues are reported when earned.

Main Estimates

Each year, the government prepares estimates in support of its request to Parliament for authority to spend public funds. This request is formalized through the introduction of appropriation bills in Parliament. In support of the Appropriation Act, the Main Estimates identify the spending authorities (Votes) and amounts to be included in subsequent appropriation bills. Parliament is asked to approve these Votes to enable the government to proceed with its spending plans.

Net Vote Authority

The authority by which the Department of Justice has permission to collect and spend revenue earned and collected from the provision of legal and internal services within government.

Operating Budget Carry Forward

Treasury Board centrally managed vote that permits departments to bring forward eligible lapsing funds from one fiscal year to the next in an amount up to five percent of the operating budgets contained in their Main Estimates. (See also Voted and statutory appropriations.)

Paylist Requirements vote

Treasury Board centrally managed vote, that supplements other appropriations for requirements related to parental and maternity allowances, entitlements on cessation of service or employment and adjustments made to terms and conditions of service or employment in the public service.

Reference level

The amount of funding that the Treasury Board has approved for departments and agencies to carry out policies and programs for each year of the planning period.

Special purpose financial reporting framework

The Quarterly Financial Report requirements and structure as defined in the Treasury Board Accounting Standard 1.3.

Standard objects

A system in accounting that classifies and summarizes records by categories, such as type of good or service acquired, for monitoring and reporting.

Sunsetting

The end of temporary funding.

Supplementary Estimates

The President of the Treasury Board tables three Supplementary Estimates usually in late spring, late fall and early spring to obtain the authority of Parliament to adjust the government's expenditure plan set out in the estimates for that fiscal year. Supplementary Estimates serve two purposes. First, they seek authority for revised spending levels that Parliament will be asked to approve in an Appropriation Act. Second, they provide Parliament with information on changes in the estimated expenditures to be made under the authority of statutes previously passed by Parliament. Each Supplementary Estimates document is identified alphabetically A, B, C, etc.

Treasury Board Centrally Managed Votes

Special authorities that enable Treasury Board to perform its statutory responsibilities for managing the government’s financial, human and materiel resources.

Voted and statutory appropriations

Expenditures made by government require the authority of Parliament. That authority is provided in two ways: annual Appropriation Acts or Supply Bills specify the amounts and broad purposes for which funds can be spent; and other specific statutes authorize payments and set out the amounts and time periods for those payments. The amounts approved in appropriation acts are referred to as voted amounts, and the expenditure authorities provided through other statutes are called statutory authorities.

Vote 1—Operating Expenditures

A vote that covers most day-to-day expenses, such as salaries and utilities. It is used when there is a requirement for either a “capital expenditures” vote or a “grants and contributions” vote or both; that is, when expenditures of either type equal or exceeds $5 million. Where they do not, the appropriate expenditures are included in the “program expenditures” vote.

Vote 5—Grants and Contributions

A vote used when grants and/or contributions expenditures equal or exceed $5 million.

Workplace 2.0

A government-wide strategy introduced and championed by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) to support the Clerk of the Privy Council's commitment to workplace renewal. Its purpose is to modernize how the public service works. The objective is to create a modern workplace that will attract, retain and enable public servants to work smarter, greener and healthier to better serve Canadians. Workplace 2.0 will accomplish this by modernizing the physical aspects of the workspace, updating policies, processes and systems that support public servants in their work, and providing new technologies that allow them to connect, collaborate and communicate across government and with Canadians.

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