Indigenous Services Canada: Future-Oriented Statements of Operations for the Year Ending March 31, 2023

1. Methodology and significant assumptions

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared on the basis of government priorities and departmental plans as described in the Departmental Plan.

The information in the forecast results for fiscal year 2021-22 is based on actual results as at October 31, 2021 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts have been made for the planned results for fiscal year 2022-23.

The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows:               

• The department's activities will remain substantially the same as in the previous year.
• Expenses and revenues, including the determination of amounts internal and external to the government, are based on past experience. The general historical pattern is expected to continue.

These assumptions are made as at October 31, 2021.

2. Variations and changes to the forecasted financial information

Although every attempt has been made to forecast final results for the remainder of 2021-22 and for 2022-23, actual results achieved for both years are likely to differ from the forecast information presented, and this variation could be material.

In preparing this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, Indigenous Services has made estimates and assumptions about the future. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the subsequent actual results. Estimates and assumptions are based on past experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and are continually evaluated.

Factors that could lead to material differences between the Future‑Oriented Statement of Operations and the historical statement of operations include:

• the timing and the amount of acquisitions and disposals of property, plant and equipment, which may affect gains, losses and amortization expense;
• the implementation of new collective agreements;
• economic conditions, which may affect both the amount of revenue earned and the collectability of loan receivables;
• interest rates in effect at the time of issue, which will affect the net present value of non‑interest‑bearing loans; and
• other changes to the operating budget, such as new initiatives or technical adjustments later in the fiscal year.

After the Departmental Plan is tabled in Parliament, Indigenous Services will not be updating the forecasts for any changes in financial resources made in ensuing supplementary estimates. Variances will be explained in the Departmental Results Report.

3. Summary of significant accounting policies

The Future-Oriented Statement of Operations has been prepared using the Government of Canada's accounting policies in effect for fiscal year 2021-22, and is based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

4. Parliamentary authorities

Indigenous Services is financed by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to Indigenous Services do not parallel financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles since authorities are primarily based on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations in one year may be funded through parliamentary authorities in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, Indigenous Services has different net cost of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables: