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FINDING SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS

OUR PROCESS

Our process helps Canada achieve sustainable development solutions that integrate environmental and economic considerations to ensure the lasting prosperity and well-being of our nation.

RESEARCH

We rigorously research and conduct high quality analysis on issues of sustainable development. Our thinking is original and thought provoking.

CONVENE

We convene opinion leaders and experts from across Canada around our table to share their knowledge and diverse perspectives. We stimulate debate and integrate polarities. We create a context for possibilities to emerge.

ADVISE

We generate ideas and provide realistic solutions to advise governments, Parliament and Canadians. We proceed with resolve and optimism to bring Canada’s economy and environment closer together.

DPR – 2002-2003 – Appendix 3

2002-2003 - NRTEE Departmental Performance Report Previous - Table of Content - Next

Annex 3: Financial Statements

The objectivity and the integrity of the financial statements and related information presented in this annual report are the responsibility of management and have been examined by the Executive Committee of the Round Table.

These financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis of accounting in accordance with Treasury Board of Canada standards based on Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. These statements should be read within the context of the significant accounting policies set out in the notes.

Management has developed and maintains books, records, internal controls and management practices designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Government’s assets are safeguarded and controlled, resources are managed economically and efficiently in the attainment of the Round Table’s objective, and that transactions are in accordance with the Financial Administration Act and regulations as well as department policies and statutory requirements. Management also seeks to assure the objectivity and integrity of the information in the financial statements by the careful selection, training and development of qualified staff, by organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility, and by communications programs aimed at ensuring that its regulations, policies, standards and managerial authorities are understood throughout the organization.

The transactions and financial statements of the Round Table have been audited by the Auditor General of Canada, the independent auditor for the Government of Canada.

Approved by:

Signature - David McGuinty David J. McGuinty President and Chief Executive Officer

Signature - Gene NybergEugene Nyberg Corporate Secretary and Director of Operations

Ottawa, Canada

June 26, 2003

Auditor’s Report Statement of Financial Position As at March 31

 

To the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy and the Prime Minister I have audited the statement of financial position of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy as at March 31, 2003 and the statements of operations, equity of Canada and cash flow for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Round Table’s management. My responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on my audit.

I conducted my audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that I plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.

In my opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Round Table as at March 31, 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

Sylvain Ricard, CA Principal for the Auditor General of Canada

Ottawa, Canada

  June 26, 2003

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy - Statement of Financial Position As at March 31

2003

2002

ASSETS

Financial Assets Due from Consolidated Revenue Fund Receivables (Note 4) Publication inventory for resale

$

239,831

  8,745 50,018

$

850,733

  51,235 62,642

298,594

964,610

Non-Financial Assets
Prepayments
Capital assets (Note 5)

18,538

  403,104

12,765

  398,176

421,642

410,941

TOTAL
ASSETS

720,236

1,375,551

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY OF CANADA
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 6)

354,449

978,644

EQUITY OF CANADA

365,787

396,907

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY OF CANADA

720,236

1,375,551

Commitments (Note 8) The accompanying notes form an integral part of these statements. Approved by:
Signature - Harvey Mead
Harvey L. Mead Chair

Signature - David McGuinty David J. McGuinty President and CEO

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy - Statement of Operations 

For the Year ended March 31

 

2003

2002

 

$

$

 

REVENUES
Funding from other government departments
(Note 3)
Donations and cost-sharing revenue  Sale of publications

82,636

7,500 3,857

1,289,000

  283,155 9,184
 
TOTAL REVENUES
 

93,993

1,581,339

 

 

EXPENSES
Operating
Salaries and employee benefits
Professional and special services Rentals Transportation and communication Publications Amortization Furniture and equipment Utilities, materials and supplies Repairs and maintenance

2,263,240

  1,706,469 410,209 405,914 374,752 109,680 59,530 42,800 26,975

2,002,706

  2,493,589 325,552 861,078 764,076 47,056 106,300 51,236 22,242
 

5,399,569

6,673,835

 
Executive Committee
 
 
Travel and living expenses
Honoraria
 
 
 
 

5,978

  5,146
 
 
 
 

14,650

  3,970
 
 

11,124

18,620

 
Other
Committees
Travel and living expenses
Honoraria  
 
 
 
 

204,360

  140,440

 

189,800 130,405
 
 

344,800

320,205

 
TOTAL EXPENSES
 

5,755,493

7,012,660

 
NET COST OF OPERATIONS
 

5,661,500

5,431,321

 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these statements.

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy - Statement of Equity of Canada

 

  The accompanying notes form an integral part of these statements.

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy - Statement of Cash Flow

 For the Year ended March 31
 

2003

2002

 
 
 Operating Activities
Net Cost of Operations
Non-Cash items included in cost of operations: Less: Amortization of capital assets Services provided without charge Statement of Financial Position adjustments: Decrease in deferred revenue Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Decrease in receivables Decrease in publication inventory for resale Increase in prepayments

$

 

 

5,661,500
 
 

(109,680)

(309,000)

 

 

624,195(42,490)

  (12,624) 5,773

$

  5,431,321

(47,056)

(227,000)

 

73,774

  190,397 18,345 (4,368) 8,015
 
Cash used in operating activities

5,817,674

5,443,428

 

Investing

Activities Acquisitions of capital assets

114,608

311,603

Cash used in investing activities

114,608

311,603

Net Cash Provided by Government

5,932,282

5,755,031

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these statements.

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy - Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended March 31, 2003 Authority and Purpose The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (Round Table) was established in 1994 under the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Act and is a departmental corporation named in Schedule II of the Financial Administration Act. The Round Table fulfils its objective of promoting sustainable development, and the integration of the environment and economy in decision making in all sectors, by conducting studies, organizing multistakeholder “dialogues” on specific issues and economic sectors, providing advice, carrying out educational and communication activities, and by acting as a catalyst for change. Its operating expenditures are funded mainly by a budgetary lapsing authority and, to a lesser extent, from cost recovery and cost sharing for specific activities. Employee benefits are in accordance with the related statutory authorities. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies These financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis of accounting in accordance with Treasury Board of Canada standards based on Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Significant accounting policies are as follows: Parliamentary Appropriations The Round Table is financed mainly by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary appropriations. Parliamentary appropriations are disclosed in the Statement of Equity of Canada. Appropriations provided to the Round Table do not parallel financial reporting according to Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, as they are based in a large part on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Statement of Equity of Canada are not necessarily the same as those provided through appropriations from Parliament. Due from Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) The Round Table operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). The CRF is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by the Round Table is deposited to the CRF and all cash disbursements made by the Round Table are paid from the CRF. Due from the CRF represents the amount of cash that the Round Table is entitled to draw from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, without further Parliamentary appropriations, in order to discharge its liabilities. Pension Plan The Round Table’s employees participate in the Public Service  Superannuation Plan administered by the Government of Canada. The employees and the Round Table contribute equally to the cost of the Plan. The contributions represent the total obligations of the Round Table and are recognized in the accounts in the period that the contributions are made. Receivables These are stated at amounts ultimately expected to be realized. An allowance is made for receivables where recovery is considered uncertain. Publication Inventory for Resale An independent distributor sells the Round Table’s publication inventory for resale. The distributor is entitled to a 50-percent commission fee on the sale price of each publication sold. Inventory for resale is valued at net realizable value, which is always less than cost. Capital Assets Capital assets with an acquisition cost of $2,000 or more are capitalized at cost and amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. The estimated useful life of each capital asset class is as follows:
Asset Class Useful Life
Informatics Equipment and Purchased Software 3 years
Furniture and Equipment 10 years
Leasehold Improvements lower of lease term and 10 years

 

Services Provided Without Charge by Other Government Departments Services provided without charge by other government departments are recorded as expenditures at their estimated cost. A corresponding amount is credited directly to the Equity of Canada. Measurement Uncertainty The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements. At the time of preparation of these statements, management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable. The most significant items where estimates are used are amortization of capital assets and write-down and write-offs of inventory of publications for resale. Related Party Transactions The Round Table is related in terms of common ownership to all Government of Canada departments and Crown corporations. The Round Table enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. During the year, the Round Table received funding in the amount of $82,636 (2002 — $1,289,000) from other government departments for specific projects. The Round Table also incurred expenses of $1,458,289 (2002 — $1,055,853), including $309,000 (2002 — $227,000) for services provided without charge. Services provided without charge include $269,000 (2002 — $185,000) for the rental of space, $38,000 (2002 — $40,000)  for audit services and $2,000 (2002 — $2,000) for payroll administration services.
Receivables 2003 2002
Other
government departments
8,076 34,991
External parties 669 16,244
Total
receivables
8,745 51,235
Capital Assets
Cost as at
April 1, 2002
Acquisitions
Cost as at
March 31, 2003
Leasehold
improvements
182,521 65,011 247,532
Informatics and purchased software 217,751 17,630 235,381
Furniture and equipment 142,226 31,967 174,193
       
  542,498 114,608 657,106

 

 

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Book Value
at March 31, 2003

 

Net
Book Value at April 1, 2002
Leasehold improvements  Informatics and purchased software Furniture and equipment

44,283

146,297 63,422

203,249

89,084 110,771

179,491

124,034 94,651
 

254,002

403,104

398,176

 

Amortization expense for the year ended March 31, 2003 is $109,680 (2002 — $47,056).
 

2003

 

2002

Trade

Other government departments

318,284

36,165
 

782,454

196,190
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities

354,449

978,644

 Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Pension Plan The Round Table and its employees contribute equally to the Public Service Superannuation Plan. The Round Table’s contribution during the year was $248,061 (2002 — $208,516).

Commitments

The Round Table entered into a long-term lease for an office photocopier with a remaining value of $47,390. The future minimum payments are as follows:

2003/04

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07

$12,100

$12,100 $12,100 $11,090
Parliamentary Appropriations The Round Table receives the majority of its funding through parliamentary appropriations, which are based primarily on cash flow requirements. Items recognized in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Equity of Canada in one year may be funded through parliamentary appropriations in prior and future years. Accordingly, the Round Table has different results of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual basis of accounting. These differences are reconciled below. a) Reconciliation of net results of operations to total parliamentary appropriations used:
 

2003

2002

Net cost of operations  Adjustments for items not affecting appropriations: Less:  Amortization Services provided without charge Vacation pay and compensatory time Inventory used Add:   Increase in prepayments

5,661,500

(109,680) (309,000) (13,622) (12,624) 5,773

5,431,321

(47,056)

(227,000) (35,021) (4,368) 8,015
 

5,222,347

5,125,891

Adjustments for items affecting appropriations:  Add:  Capital acquisitions Expenses to produce publications for resale

114,608

3,857

311,603

9,184
 

118,465

320,787

Total parliamentary appropriations used

5,340,812

5,446,678

b) Reconciliation of parliamentary appropriations voted to parliamentary appropriations used:
 

2003

2002

Parliamentary appropriation — voted:  Vote 40 and 40(b) — Operating expenditures Statutory appropriation — voted: Contributions to employee benefit plans Publication revenue in accordance with section 29.1(1) of the Financial Administration Act

5,064,600

352,861

3,857

5,331,500

308,000 9,184
 
  

Less:

Lapsed appropriations — operations

5,421,318

(80,506)

5,648,684

(202,006)

 
Total parliamentary appropriations used

5,340,812

5,446,678

 
                  

For the Year ended March 31
 

2003

2002

  Equity of Canada, beginning of year

Net

Cost of Operations Services provided without charge (Note 3) Net change in due from Consolidated Revenue Fund Net cash provided by government

$

396,907

(5,661,500)

309,000

(610,902)

5,932,282

 

$

150,380

(5,431,321)

227,000

(304,183)

5,755,031

 
 
Equity of Canada, end of year

365,787

396,907