Quarterly financial report for the quarter ended June 30, 2022

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

Introduction

This quarterly report was prepared by management as required by Section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board. It should be read in conjunction with the OPC Main and Supplementary Estimates.

The OPC’s mandate is overseeing compliance with both the Privacy Act (PA), which covers the personal information-handling practices of federal government institutions, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s federal private sector privacy law.

Detailed information on the OPC’s authority, mandate and programs can be found in our Departmental Plan (DP) and the Main Estimates.

Basis for Presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the Office’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the Office, consistent with the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates (as applicable) for fiscal year 2022-23. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities. (More information)

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

This report has not been subject to an external audit or review.

Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year to date (YTD) Results

This section highlights the significant variances between actual expenditures and planned expenditures that affected both the quarter and the year-to-date results, compared to the same period the preceding fiscal year.

Statement of authorities analysis

As reflected in the statement of authorities table, the authorities available for use for the year are $29.2M, which represents the full supply, compared to $30.2 in 2021-22. The variance between both fiscal years is mainly explained by the sunset funding received in Budget 2019 to reduce the backlog of privacy complaints older than one year and provide Canadians with more timely resolution of their complaints.

As of June 30, 2022, the OPC used $6.9M of its authorities available for use while for the same period in the preceding fiscal year, the OPC had used $6.8M of its authorities available for use.

The OPC provides Internal Support Services to other small government departments related to the provision of information technology services. Pursuant to section 29.2 of the Financial Administration Act, Internal Support Services agreements are recorded as revenues.

Budgetary expenditures by standard object analysis

As per the departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object table, the OPC’s quarterly spending has increased by $0.1M or 2.0% compared to the previous year. This increase is mainly attributable to:

• An increase in personnel expenditures due to salary increases following the ratification of collective agreements;
• An increase in travel expenditures and professional and special services which includes training costs and temporary help services; and
• A decrease in publishing and media monitoring services.

Risks and Uncertainties

The OPC’s key corporate risks are identified and assessed through its strategic planning process, which includes an environmental scanning exercise and an update of its Corporate Risk Profile. This year again, the Office continues to deal with a challenging operating context, stemming from the growing digital economy. For more information on these challenges, and how the OPC is addressing them, please refer to the section titled Plans at a glance and Operating Context of the OPC’s 2022-23 Departmental Plan.

As with other government departments and agencies, we also recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet behind us. As we start the transition towards an effective hybrid work model, the safety and security of our employees remains paramount.

In addition, the OPC continues to take actions to mitigate the issues arising with the implementation of the Phoenix pay system for its employees and to monitor closely any salary payments adjustments that may be required.

Significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs

On June 27, 2022, Philippe Dufresne was appointed as Privacy Commissioner of Canada for a seven-year term. This change in leadership is taking place concurrently with important law reforms being considered. Operations continue to be effectively managed during this transition period.

During the period covered by this report, Richard Roulx has joined the OPC as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Support has been available to assist the new CFO to ensure a smooth transition.

Approval by Senior Officials:

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Statement of authorities (unaudited)

For the quarter ended June 30, 2022 (in thousands of dollars)

	Fiscal year 2022-23			Fiscal year 2021-22
	Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2023	Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2022	Year to date used at quarter end	Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2022	Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2021	Year to date used at quarter end
Program expenditures	26,278	6,116	6,116	27,262	5,969	5,969
Less: Revenues Netted Against Expenditures	(200)	-	-	(200)	-	-
Budgetary statutory authority - Employee benefit plan	3,141	785	785	3,171	793	793
Total budgetary authorities	29,219	6,901	6,901	30,233	6,762	6,762
TOTAL AUTHORITIES	29,219	6,901	6,901	30,233	6,762	6,762

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Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)

For the quarter ended June 30, 2022 (in thousands of dollars)

	Fiscal year 2022-23			Fiscal year 2021-22
	Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023	Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2022	Year to date used at quarter end	Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2022	Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2021	Year to date used at quarter end
Expenditures
Personnel	24,085	5,911	5,911	24,598	5,877	5,877
Transportation and communications	333	52	52	401	15	15
Information	365	24	24	424	105	105
Professional and special services	2,816	519	519	2,881	348	348
Rentals	630	326	326	899	319	319
Repair and maintenance	59	17	17	52	17	17
Utilities, materials and supplies	105	6	6	115	14	14
Acquisition of land, buildings and works	134	-	-	50	-	-
Acquisition of machinery and equipment	391	21	21	510	22	22
Transfer payments	500	-	-	500	-	-
Other subsidies and paymentsFootnote *	1	25	25	3	45	45
Total gross budgetary expenditures	29,419	6,901	6,901	30,433	6,762	6,762
Less: revenues netted against expenditures
Internal Support Services	(200)	-	-	(200)	-	-
TOTAL NET BUDGETARY EXPENDITURES	29,219	6,901	6,901	30,233	6,762	6,762