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SECTION III – Supplementary Information

3.1 Organizational Information

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.

Diagramme de l'organisation

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.

 

3.2 Financial Tables

Table 1: Comparison of Planned to Actual Spending (including Full-time Equivalents)


(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




Note:


- Includes contributions to employee benefit plans.
- Includes Operating Revenues pursuant to section 29.1 (1) of the Financial Administration Act.


 

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

 

Table 2: Resources by Program Activity

(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


 

Table 3: Voted and Statutory Items

(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.

 

Table 4: Services Received Without Charge


(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


 

Table 5: Sources of Respendable Revenue

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


 

Table 6: Resource Requirements by Program Activity (in thousands of dollars)


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.

 

Table 7: For 2006-2007 User Fees Reporting Purposes: The User Fees Act (In thousands of dollars)


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.

 

Table 8: Financial Statements of Departments and Agencies


 

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.

signature

Quebec, Canada

June 22, 2007

 

 

auditor's report

 

THE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS COMMISSION

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

names

 

 

THE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS 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.

 

 

THE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS COMMISSION

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.

 

 

THE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS COMMISSION

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended March 31, 2007

 

1. Authority and Objectives

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.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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:

  • Vacation pay and compensatory leave are expensed as the benefits accrue to employees under their respective terms of employment.
  • Services provided without charge by other government departments for the employer's contribution to the health and dental insurance plans and legal services are recorded as operating expenses at their estimated cost.

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.

 

 

3. Parliamentary Appropriations

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


 

 

4. Accounts Receivable and Advances


2007

2006

Receivables from other Federal Government departments and agencies

$

13,806

$

15,790

Total

$

13,806

$

15,790


 

 

5. Tangible Capital Assets

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
and
Write-offs

Closing balance

Opening balance

Amortization

Disposals
and
Write-offs

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)

 

 

6. The National Battlefields Commission Trust Fund

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


 

 

7. Information on Expenses

The activities of the Commission are organized into three activities related to its mandate.

The Conservation of the Plains includes the following services:

  • The service of maintenance, which maintains the site, its furnishings, buildings and infrastructure, provides for a safe and stable environment, minimizes the effects of wear and tear and deterioration and slows down or prevents damage;
  • The service of landscaping which is responsible for the scenery, horticultural and arboriculture activities;
  • The service of surveillance and security, which ensures to it that regulations regarding peace and public order are respected; enforces traffic and parking and regulations; ensures the safety of site users; and provides for surveillance of the Commission's premises and properties.

The Development of the Plains includes the following services:

  • Client Services, which includes welcoming visitors and users to the Park, the dissemination of information to the public and reservations for educational interpretation activities for school and the general public;
  • Communication Services, which includes promotion and advertising for the activities and services provided by the Commission and ensuring the visibility of the Commission and the federal government.
  • Cultural and Technical Service.

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


 

 

8. Employee Benefits

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


 

 

9. Contingent liabilities

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.

 

 

10. Related party transactions

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.

 

Table 9: Response to Parliamentary Committees, and Audits and Evaluations


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.


 

Table 10: Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS)

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

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:

  • Continue to apply the adopted environment protection measures for current maintenance and conservation actions, and maintain the use of the park in complete safety.
  • Keep on with reforestation.
  • Safeguard the integrity of the site and its natural resources.
  • Maintain visitor’s awareness through a public activity on nature, environment, preservation and sustainable development actions.

2. How do your key goals, objectives and/or long-term targets help achieve your departments’s strategic outcomes?

  • Maintain the preservation, the conservation and the cleanliness of the park and offer one of the most prestigious urban parks in the world.
  • Maintain the use of the park in complete safety.

3. What were your targets for the reporting period?

  • Continue the preservation and conservation of the park and offer the use in complete safety of one of the most prestigious parks in the world.
  • Restore a balance between the planted and cut down trees, catch up time lost in the last few years and develop a plan for tree donation in which interested clients can participate and mark an event.
  • Continue to develop the project to recover recyclable materials.
  • Maintain the quantity of compost made with the leaves collected in the park.
  • Help to raise visitors’ awareness through a public activity on nature, the environment, preservation and sustainable development actions.

4. What is your progress to date?

  • 201 trees were planted to replace those that were cut down (58) because they were dead, severely damaged or broken by storms; approximately 75 shrubs were also planted. The NBC recovered time lost in the last years.
  • No pesticide was used in 2006, except the one required to counter Dutch elm disease.
  • The number of recycling bins installed at some places in the park was increased.
  • A commemorative donation program was developed and some donations were made (6 trees), for a total amount of $3,000.
  • Compost was produced with leaves collected in the park (95 v3 used in 2006).
  • The Great Celebration of Nature Day was held, with approximately 30 exhibitors; this activity is intended to raise visitors’ awareness with regard to environmental protection. In 2006, less than 1500 visitors attended the activity because of unfavourable weather conditions.

5. What adjustments have you made, if any?

  • The number of recycling bins was increased in order to encourage users to adopt new habits and to meet environmental requirements.