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The NBC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages. It is governed by a board, which includes seven Commissioners appointed by the Governor General in Council. The Secretary, also appointed by the Governor General in Council, who acts as Director General, is responsible for the day-to-day management of all of the NBC's activities, in accordance with its incorporating Act.
Its structure is divided in accordance with its main activities―development, administration and conservationÑand is representative of the Program Activities Architecture (PAA). The financial resources listed correspond to the Main Estimates.
(in thousands of dollars) |
2004–2005 Actual |
2005–2006 Actual |
2006–2007 |
|||
Main Estimates |
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Total Actuals |
|||
The National Battlefields Commission |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conservation |
2,461 |
1,987 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,044 |
Development |
1,558 |
1,180 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,207 |
Administration |
4,836 |
5,693 |
5,078 |
5,078 |
6,043 |
6,216 |
Total |
8,855 |
8,860 |
8,907 |
8,907 |
9,872 |
9,467 |
Less: Non‑respendable revenue |
|
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Plus: Cost of services received without charge |
63 |
226 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
262 |
Total Departmental Spending |
8,918 |
9,086 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
9,729 |
Full-time Equivalents |
50 |
50 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
Explanations: discrepancy of $965,000 between Planned Spending and Total Authorities is explained by the following:
• Report from previous year | $343,000 |
• Supplementary budget for rehabilitation work | $500,000 |
• Revenue increase versus previous budget | $123,000 |
• Benefits | $ 9,000 |
• Procurement saving | $(10,000) |
$965,000 |
As for the difference between Total Authorities and Total Actuals, it is explained by:
• Transfer to the following year | $343,000 |
• Interim cost recovery regime (Justice p. 35) | $ 62,000 |
$405,000 |
(In thousands of dollars)
Program Activity |
Budgetary – 2006-2007 |
|||
Operating |
Total : Gross Budgetary Expenditures |
Total : Net Budgetary Expenditures |
Total |
|
Conservation |
|
|
|
|
Main Estimates |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
Planned Spending |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
Total Authorities |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
2,393 |
Actual Spending |
2,044 |
2,044 |
2,044 |
2,044 |
Development |
|
|
|
|
Main Estimates |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
Planned Spending |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
Total Authorities |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
1,436 |
Actual Spending |
1,207 |
1,207 |
1,207 |
1,207 |
Administration |
|
|
|
|
Main Estimates |
5,078 |
5,078 |
5,078 |
5,078 |
Planned Spending |
5,078 |
5,078 |
5,078 |
5,078 |
Total Authorities |
6,043 |
6,043 |
6,043 |
6,043 |
Actual Spending |
6,216 |
6,216 |
6,216 |
6,216 |
(In thousands of dollars)
Vote or Statutory Item |
Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording |
2006–2007 |
||||
Main Estimates |
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Total Actuals |
|||
60 |
Program expenditures |
7,006 |
7,006 |
7,006 |
7,434 |
|
60 |
Program expenditures |
|
|
833 |
|
|
(S) |
Expenditures pursuant to paragraph 29.1 (1) of the Financial Administration Act |
1,500 |
1,500 |
1,623 |
1,623 |
|
(S) |
Contributions to employee benefit plans |
401 |
401 |
410 |
410 |
|
Total |
8,907 |
8,907 |
9,872 |
9,467 |
For explanation of discrepancies between Planned Spending and Total Authorities, refer to page 27.
(In thousands of dollars) |
2006–2007 Actual Spending |
Office of the Auditor General of Canada |
34 |
Compensation – Public Works and Government Services Canada |
2 |
Contributions covering the employer’s share of employees’ insurance premiums and expenditures paid by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (excluding revolving funds) |
185 |
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by the Department of Justice Canada |
41 |
Total 2006–2007 Services received without charge |
262 |
Respendable Revenue
(In thousands of dollars) |
Actual 2004‑2005 |
Actual 2005‑2006 |
2006–2007 |
|||
Main Estimates |
Planned Revenue |
Total Authorities |
Actual |
|||
The National Battlefields Commission |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parking lots |
946 |
964 |
970 |
970 |
972 |
972 |
Educational activities and visitors reception |
324 |
346 |
387 |
387 |
367 |
367 |
Rental of premises |
200 |
198 |
203 |
203 |
203 |
203 |
Other revenues |
74 |
93 |
40 |
40 |
81 |
81 |
Total Respendable Revenue |
1,544 |
1,601 |
1,600 |
1,600 |
1,623 |
1,623 |
2006–2007 |
||||
The National Battlefields Commission |
Conservation |
Development |
Administration |
Total |
Planned Spending |
2,393 |
1,436 |
5,078 |
8,907 |
Actual Spending |
2,044 |
1,207 |
6,216 |
9,467 |
For explanations, refer to page 27.
A. User Fee |
Fee Type |
Fee-setting Authority |
Date Last Modified |
2006-2007 |
Planning Years |
||||||
Forecast Revenue (000 $) |
Actual Revenue (000 $) |
Full Cost (000 $) |
Performance Standard |
Performance Results |
Fiscal Year |
Forecast Revenue (000 $) |
Estimated Full Cost (000 $) |
||||
Souvenir shop ** |
(O) |
Ministerial authority to set fees for provision of products and services |
Before March 31, 2004 |
45 |
50 |
44* |
Client satisfaction rate 60 % |
Client satisfaction rate is 61 %, but 34 % *** of the people did not answer this question of the survey |
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 |
50 50 50 |
45 45 45 |
Parking lots |
(O) |
Contractual authority pursuant to the Act respecting the National Battlefields at Quebec |
Before March 31, 2004 |
970 |
972 |
152* |
Client satisfaction rate 60 % |
No valid data. No complaints in 2006-2007 |
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 |
970 970 970 |
155 155 155 |
Educational Activities and visitors reception |
(R) |
Contractual authority pursuant to the Act respecting the National Battlefields at Quebec |
Before March 31, 2004 |
387 |
316 |
336* |
Client satisfaction rate 60 % |
Client satisfaction rate is 92 % for activities and exhibits; and 93 % *** for reception |
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 |
380 380 380 |
340 340 340 |
Computer Equipment |
(O) |
Contractual authority pursuant to the Act respecting the National Battlefields at Quebec |
Before March 31, 2004 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Client satisfaction rate 60 % |
No valid data. No complaints in 2006-2007 |
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 |
1 1 1 |
0 0 0 |
Fees charged for the processing of access requests filed under the Access to Information Act |
(O) |
Access to Information Act |
1992 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
No request was received in fiscal year 2006-2007 |
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 |
0 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
Total: |
|
|
|
1,403 |
1,339 |
532 |
|
|
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 |
1,401 1,401 1,401 |
540 540 540 |
B. Date Last Modified In 2005, changes in fee structure covered for increase in service costs, inflation, and also to take market into consideration. These changes are within the fee structure that was established prior to March 31, 2004. Published in the Canada Gazette of March 19, 2005 and in local newspapers. |
|||||||||||
C. Other Information * Only direct costs were established. ** Minimal Service. Very small size and limited space. *** In-house survey. |
(R) Regulatory Fees
(O) Other Products and Services.
THE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS COMMISSION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2007
|
Statement of Management Responsibility
Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2007 and all information contained in these statements rests with Commission’s management. These financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector.
Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these financial statements. Some of the information in the financial statements is based on management's best estimates and judgment and gives due consideration to materiality. To fulfil its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provides a centralized record of the Commission's financial transactions. Financial information submitted to the Public Accounts of Canada and included in the Commission's Departmental Performance Report is consistent with these financial statements.
Management maintains a system of financial management and internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is reliable, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are in accordance with the Financial Administration Act, are executed in accordance with prescribed regulations, within Parliamentary authorities, and are properly recorded to maintain accountability of Government funds. Management also seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its financial statements by careful selection, training and development of qualified staff, by organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility, and by communication programs aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards and managerial authorities are understood throughout the Commission. The financial statements of the Commission have been audited by the Auditor General of Canada.
Quebec, Canada
June 22, 2007
Statement of Financial Position
as at March 31
ASSETS |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
Financial Assets |
|||||
Cash |
$ |
891,449 |
$ |
595,078 |
|
Accounts receivable and advances (Note 4) |
13,806 |
15,790 |
|||
Total financial assets |
|
905,255 |
|
610,868 |
|
Non-financial assets |
|||||
Tangible capital assets (Note 5) |
12,245,167 |
12,153,176 |
|||
Deferred charges |
138,631 |
151,119 |
|||
Total non-financial assets |
|
12,383,798 |
|
12,304,295 |
|
TOTAL |
$ |
13,289,053 |
$ |
12,915,163 |
|
LIABILITIES |
|||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ |
659,847 |
$ |
504,661 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities to other Government departments |
192,879 |
54,155 |
|||
Salary and vacation payable |
103,700 |
99,684 |
|||
Employee severance benefits (Note 8) |
453,284 |
475,188 |
|||
|
|
1,409,710 |
|
1,133,688 |
|
Equity of Canada |
|
11,879,343 |
|
11,781,475 |
|
TOTAL |
$ |
13,289,053 |
$ |
12,915,163 |
Contingent liabilities (Note 9)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Approved by Management Approved by the Commission
Statement of Operations and Equity of Canada
For the year ended March 31
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
Expenses (Note 7) |
|
|
|
|
Conservation and landscaping of the Plains |
$ |
5,909,112 |
$ |
5,920,331 |
Development of the Plains |
3,853,605 |
3,972,782 |
||
Total expenses |
|
9,762,717 |
|
9,893,113 |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
||||
Parking |
972,211 |
963,619 |
||
Educational activities and welcoming of visitors |
366,782 |
345,712 |
||
Rent |
202,941 |
198,210 |
||
Other revenues |
150,641 |
166,003 |
||
Funding from Canadian Heritage Information Network |
- |
98,280 |
||
Total Revenues |
|
1,692,575 |
|
1,771,824 |
Cost of operations |
8,070,142 |
|
8,121,289 |
|
Total income from the trust fund (Note 6) |
(177,720) |
|
(10,867) |
|
Net Cost of operations |
$ |
7,892,422 |
$ |
8,110,422 |
Equity of Canada, beginning of year |
|
11,781,475 |
|
12,401,635 |
Net cost of operations |
(7,892,422) |
(8,110,422) |
||
Net cash provided by Government of Canada |
7,432,076 |
7,014,837 |
||
Change in net position in the Consolidated Revenue Fund |
296,371 |
248,763 |
||
Services received without charge from other government departments (Note 10) |
261,843 |
226,662 |
||
Equity of Canada, end of year |
$ |
11,879,343 |
$ |
11,781,475 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended March 31
2007 |
|
2006 |
||
Operating Activities |
|
|
||
Net cost of operations |
$ |
7,892,422 |
$ |
8,110,422 |
Non-Cash items: |
||||
Amortization of tangible capital assets |
(727,246) |
(759,012) |
||
Services provided without charge |
(261,843) |
(226,662) |
||
Amortization of deferred charges |
(12,488) |
(12,400) |
||
Loss on disposal of tangible capital assets |
- |
(243,705) |
||
Variations in Statement of Financial Position: |
||||
Net change in non-cash working capital balances |
(296,371) |
(248,763) |
||
Change in liability for employee severance benefits, vacation and overtime |
18,365 |
(6,634) |
||
Deferred charges |
- |
1,869 |
||
Cash used by operating activities |
6,612,839 |
|
6,615,115 |
|
Capital investment activities |
|
|||
Acquisition of tangible capital assets |
819,237 |
399,722 |
||
Cash used by capital investment activities |
819,237 |
|
399,722 |
|
Net cash provided by Government of Canada |
$ |
7,432,076 |
$ |
7,014,837 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended March 31, 2007
The Commission was established in 1908 under an Act respecting the National Battlefields in Quebec.
The Commission is a departmental corporation named in Schedule II of the Financial Administration Act.
The Commission's mandate is to ensure that all the cultural, recreational, natural and scientific resources of the Battlefields Park are developed in the best interest of Canadians and that the image of the Government of Canada is strengthened without compromising the historic character of the site. To achieve that goal, the Commission will acquire, preserve and develop the great historic battlefields in Quebec.
The land of the Battlefields Park administered by the National Battlefields Commission includes:
The Plains of Abraham, site of the Battle of 1759 between Wolfe and Montcalm;
Des Braves Park, marking the Battle of St-Foy in 1760;
St-Denis Park, east of the Quebec Citadel, overlooking Cap-aux-Diamants;
The Plains of Abraham Discovery Pavillon on Wilfrid Laurier Avenue;
The Maison St-Laurent located at 201,203 Grande-Allée Est in Québec;
The adjoining thoroughfares, two Martello Towers on the site and a tower in Quebec City.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector. The most significant accounting policies are as follows:
a) Parliamentary appropriations
The Commission is financed by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary appropriations. Appropriations provided to the department do not parallel financial reporting according to Canadian generally accepted accounting principles since appropriations are primarily based on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Statement of Operations and Equity of Canada and the Statement of Cash Flows are not necessarily the same as those provided through appropriations from Parliament. Note 3 provides a high-level reconciliation between the bases of reporting.
b) Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund
The Commission operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). The CRF is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by the Commission is deposited to the CRF and all cash disbursements made by the Commission are paid from the CRF. Due from the CRF represents the amount of cash that the Commission is entitled to draw from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, without further appropriations, in order to discharge its liabilities.
c) Net Cash Provided by Government
The net cash provided by Government is the difference between all cash receipts and all cash disbursements including transactions between departments of the federal government.
d) Revenues
Revenues are recognized in the accounts based on the services provided in the year.
e) Expenses
Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis:
f) Employee future benefits
a) Pension benefits: Eligible employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan, a multiemployer administered by the Government of Canada. The Commission's contributions to the Plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total departmental obligation to the Plan. Current legislation does not require the Commission to make contributions for any actuarial deficiencies of the Plan.
b) Severance benefits: Employees are entitled to severance benefits under labour contracts or conditions of employment. These benefits are accrued as employees render the services necessary to earn them. The obligation relating to the benefits earned by employees is calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benefits for the Government as a whole.
g) Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are potential liabilities which may become actual liabilities when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. To the extent that the future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, an estimated liability is accrued and an expense recorded. If the likelihood is not determinable or an amount cannot be reasonably estimated, the contingency is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
h) Tangible capital assets
All tangible capital assets having an initial cost of $2,500 or more are recorded at their acquisition cost. The Commission does not capitalize intangibles and historical treasures that have cultural, aesthetic or historical value.
Amortization of tangible capital assets is done on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:
Asset Class |
Amortization period |
Buildings | 15 to 35 years |
Works and infrastructure | 5 to 40 years |
Material and tools | 3 to 15 years |
Motor vehicles and others | 5 to 15 years |
Software | 3 to 5 years |
i) Deferred charges
Restoration charges related to assets that are not the property of the Commission are recorded at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.
j) Measurement uncertainty
The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 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 the liability for employee severance benefits and the useful life of tangible capital assets. Actual results could significantly differ from those estimated. Management's estimates are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, they are recorded in the financial statements in the year they become known.
The Commission receives most of its funding through annual Parliamentary appropriations. Items recognized in the statement of operations and the statement of financial position in one year may be funded through Parliamentary appropriations in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, the Commission has different net results of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables:
a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to current year appropriations used:
2007 |
|
2006 |
||
Net cost of operations |
$ |
7,892,422 |
$ |
8,110,422 |
Adjustments for items net cost of operations but not affecting appropriations |
||||
Less : |
||||
Amortization of tangible capital assets |
727,246 |
759,012 |
||
Loss on disposal of tangible capital assets |
- |
243,705 |
||
Amortization of deferred charges |
12,488 |
12,400 |
||
Services provided without charge by a Government department |
261,843 |
226,662 |
||
Interim cost recovery regime- Department of Justice Canada |
61,850 |
14,818 |
||
Changed in liability for employee severance benefits, vacation and overtime |
(18,365) |
6,634 |
||
Cost related to The National Battlefields Commission Trust Fund |
385 |
- |
||
Add: |
||||
Non-tax income |
1,623,040 |
1,600,784 |
||
Income from The National Battlefields Commission Trust Fund |
178,105 |
10,867 |
||
8,648,120 |
8,458,842 |
|||
Adjustments for items not affecting cost of operations but affecting appropriations |
|
|||
Add: |
||||
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets |
819,237 |
399,722 |
||
Deferred charges |
- |
1,869 |
||
Current year appropriations used |
$ |
9,467,357 |
$ |
8,860,433 |
b) Appropriations provided and used:
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
Parliamentary appropriation voted |
|
|
|
|
Canadian Heritage: |
||||
Operating and capital expenditures |
$ |
7,839,350 |
$ |
7,177,028 |
Lapsed appropriation |
(405,213) |
(358,221) |
||
|
7,434,137 |
|
6,818,807 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory-Contributions to employee benefit plans |
410,180 |
440,842 |
||
Expenditures corresponding to perceived revenues pursuant to sub-section 29.1(1) of the FAA |
1,623,040 |
1,600,784 |
||
Current year appropriations used |
$ |
9,467,357 |
$ |
8,860,433 |
c) Reconciliation of net cash provided by Government to current year appropriations used:
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
Net cash provided by Government |
$ |
7,432,076 |
$ |
7,014,837 |
Change in net position in the Consolidated Revenue Fund |
||||
Net change in non-cash working capital balances |
296,371 |
248,763 |
||
Non-tax income |
1,623,040 |
1,600,784 |
||
Income from the trust fund |
177,720 |
10,867 |
||
Interim cost recovery regime – Department of Justice Canada |
(61,850) |
(14,818) |
||
Current year appropriations used |
$ |
9,467,357 |
$ |
8,860,433 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||
Receivables from other Federal Government departments and agencies |
$ |
13,806 |
$ |
15,790 |
Total |
$ |
13,806 |
$ |
15,790 |
The balance of the tangible capital assets under the responsibility of the Commission is as follows:
Cost |
Accumulated amortization |
Capital asset class |
Opening balance |
Acquisitions |
Disposals |
Closing balance |
Opening balance |
Amortization |
Disposals |
Closing balance |
2007 Net book value |
2006 Net book value |
||||||||||
Land |
$ |
724,710 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
724,710 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
724,710 |
$ |
724,710 |
Buildings |
11,061,321 |
81,600 |
- |
11,142,921 |
3,402,851 |
411,053 |
- |
3,813,904 |
7,329,017 |
7,658,470 |
||||||||||
Works and infrastructure |
5,577,776 |
651,972 |
- |
6,229,748 |
2,153,308 |
176,493 |
- |
2,329,801 |
3,899,947 |
3,424,468 |
||||||||||
Material and tools |
1,015,941 |
5,750 |
- |
1,021,691 |
928,113 |
57,463 |
- |
985,576 |
36,115 |
87,828 |
||||||||||
Motor vehicles and other |
963,011 |
79,915 |
- |
1,042,926 |
718,473 |
78,946 |
- |
797,419 |
245,507 |
244,538 |
||||||||||
Software |
13,500 |
- |
- |
13,500 |
338 |
3,291 |
- |
3,629 |
9,871 |
13,162 |
||||||||||
Total |
$ |
19,356,259 |
$ |
819,237 |
$ |
- |
$ |
20,175,496 |
$ |
7,203,083 |
$ |
727,246 |
$ |
- |
$ |
7,930,329 |
$ |
12,245,167 |
$ |
12,153,176 |
Amortization expense for the year ended March 31, 2007 is $727,246 ($759,012 in 2006)
When the National Battlefields Commission was created, a Trust fund was established for the receipt of moneys from individuals, municipal corporations, provincial governments and others, for the purpose of acquiring and preserving the great historic battlefields in Quebec. Since September 1984, the Trust fund has been governed by subsection 9.1 of the Act respecting the National Battlefields in Quebec, which authorizes such amounts to be spent for the purpose for which they were given to the Commission. The income and cost are included in the Statement of Operations of the Commission and are detailed as follow:
2007 |
2006 |
|||
Cost |
|
|
||
Professional services |
$ |
385 |
$ |
- |
|
385 |
|
- |
|
Revenues |
|
|
||
Interest |
16,101 |
10,267 |
||
Agreement – Quebec City |
150 000 |
- |
||
Miscellaneous |
12,004 |
600 |
||
|
178,105 |
|
10,867 |
|
Excess of income on costs |
$ |
(177,720) |
$ |
(10,867) |
|
|
|||
Balance at beginning of the year |
400,889 |
390,022 |
||
Balance at end of year, deposited with the Receiver General for Canada |
$ |
578,609 |
$ |
400,889 |
The activities of the Commission are organized into three activities related to its mandate.
The Conservation of the Plains includes the following services:
The Development of the Plains includes the following services:
The Corporate Services includes the provision of management, administration, financial services and parking services. The Corporate Services is sharing out between the Conservation of the Plains (60%) and the Development of the Plains (40%) every month.
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES BY MAJOR TYPE
2007 |
2006 |
|||
Salaries and employee benefits |
$ |
3,281,921 |
$ |
3,244,319 |
Grants in lieu of taxes |
2,906,859 |
3,401,323 |
||
Utilities, materials and supplies |
1,051,616 |
708,643 |
||
Professional services |
798,669 |
758,469 |
||
Amortization of tangible capital assets |
727,246 |
759,012 |
||
Maintenance |
558,645 |
437,213 |
||
Publicity |
231,070 |
196,173 |
||
Transportation and communication |
135,915 |
95,290 |
||
Rental |
58,288 |
36,566 |
||
Amortization of deferred charges |
12,488 |
12,400 |
||
Loss on disposal of tangible capital assets |
- |
243,705 |
||
$ |
9,762,717 |
$ |
9,893,113 |
a) Pension benefits: The Commission's employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan, which is sponsored and administered by the Government of Canada. Pension benefits accrue up to a maximum period of 35 years at a rate of 2 percent per year of pensionable service, times the average of the best five consecutive years of earnings. The benefits are integrated with Canada/Québec Pension Plans benefits and they are indexed to inflation.
Both the employees and the Commission contribute to the cost of the Plan. The 2006-07 expense amounts to $302,304 ($326,223 in 2005-06), which represents approximately 2.20 times the contributions by employees.
The Commission's responsibility with regard to the Plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the financial statements of the Government of Canada, as the Plan's sponsor.
b) Severance benefits: The Commission provides severance benefits to its employees based on eligibility, years of service and final salary. These severance benefits are not pre-funded. Benefits will be paid from future appropriations. Information about the severance benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows:
2007 |
2006 |
|||
Accrued benefit obligation, beginning of year |
$ |
475,188 |
$ |
442,926 |
Expense for the year |
54,787 |
50,512 |
||
Benefits paid during the year |
(76,691) |
(18,250) |
||
Accrued benefit obligation, end of year |
$ |
453,284 |
$ |
475,188 |
Claims have been made against the Commission totalling $450,000 for alleged damaged mainly regarding the flood of the Cap-aux-Diamants in 2000 and an individual fell off the wall of the Citadel. The final outcome of these claims is not determinable and, accordingly, these items are not recorded in the accounts. In the opinion of management, the position of the Commission is defensible. Settlements, if any resulting from the resolution of these claims will be accounted for in the year in which a reasonable estimate of loss could be made.
The Commission is related as a result of common ownership to all Government of Canada departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. The Commission enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. Also, during the year, the Commission received services which were obtained without charge from other Government departments. The detail is as follows:
2007 |
2006 |
|
Employer’s contribution to the health and dental insurance plans |
184 610 |
179 784 |
Legal services |
41 233 |
9 878 |
Audit services |
34 000 |
35 000 |
Payroll services |
2 000 |
2 000 |
Total |
261 843 |
226 662 |
11. Non-monetary transactions
The Commission has granted exclusive rights and public exposure to certain sponsors in exchange primarily for advertising. These non-monetary transactions with unrelated parties were recorded equally in revenues and expenses. They were estimated to total $69,535 in 2006-2007 ($72,760 in 2005-2006), which represents the fair value of the assets and services received.
Response to Parliamentary Committees |
The NBC has received no recommendations or comments by the Parliamentary Committees. |
Response to the Auditor General of Canada, including to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD) |
The NBC has received no recommendations or comments neither from the Auditor General of Canada, nor from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD). |
External Audits (Note: These refer to other external audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.) |
No external audits or evaluations were conducted with respect to the NBC. |
Internal Audits or Evaluations |
The Officer of the Comptroller General conducted a study on NBC travel and hospitality expenses. No negative comments were received. No recommendations were made. |
Regarding the elaboration of a sustainable development departmental strategy, one should note that the NBC is not an organization subject to the General Auditor Act. However, in order to realize its mandate of conserving, preserving and developing one of the most prestigious urban parks in the world, and willing to offer a positive image of the Government of Canada, the NBC takes into account the sustainable development principles and values that are applicable to a park to offer a better environment to Canadians and future generations.
The National Battlefields Commission |
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Points to Address : |
Departmental Input |
1. What are the key goals, objectives, and/or long-term targets of the SDS? |
The NBC did not develop new objectives but rather intends to carry on with the ones already established in the past years, such as:
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2. How do your key goals, objectives and/or long-term targets help achieve your departments’s strategic outcomes? |
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3. What were your targets for the reporting period? |
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4. What is your progress to date? |
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5. What adjustments have you made, if any? |
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