Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year to date (YTD) results
  3. Risks and uncertainties
  4. Significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs
  5. Statement of Authorities (unaudited)
  6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)

1. Introduction

This quarterly financial report has been 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 2020-21 Main Estimates. It has not been subject to an external audit or review nor has it been subject to the approval of the Audit Committee.

1.1 Authority, mandate and programs

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research funding agency. It was created in June 2000 by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act with a mandate “to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.”

CIHR invests in high quality health research and health research personnel to help create and apply new knowledge that can improve health outcomes for Canadians, lead to innovative products and services that improve Canada's health care system, and create high quality employment and commercial opportunities.

Further details on CIHR’s mandate and programs can be found in Part II of the Main Estimates and the Department Plan.

1.2 Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by CIHR management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes CIHR’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by CIHR, consistent with the Main Estimates supplied thus far for the 2020-21 fiscal year. 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.

The authority of Parliament is required before monies can be spent by the Government of Canada (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.

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

2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year to date (YTD) results

This quarterly financial report reflects the results of the current fiscal period in comparison to the authorities supplied by the Main Estimates to date for fiscal year 2020-21, as well as budget adjustments approved by Treasury Board up to June 30, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and limited sessions in the spring for Parliament to study supply, the Standing Orders of the House of Commons were amended to extend the study period into the Fall. As such, CIHR has been supplied with 75% of the proposed 2020-21 Main Estimates, and is expected to receive full supply in December 2020. This delay in supply does not pose a risk on CIHR’s ability to proceed with ongoing financial commitments.

2.1 Financial Highlights – Statement of Authorities (Refer to Section 5)

As of June 30, 2020, total authorities available for use for CIHR have decreased by $112.7 million (-9.6%) compared to June 30, 2019 as shown in the table below. The decrease to CIHR’s total authorities available is due to the $302.1 million still to be supplied via the Main Estimates offset by:

Total authorities used as of June 30, 2020 increased by $13.3 million (6.3%) as compared to the prior fiscal year due mainly to the grant payments towards the newly created funding mentioned above. CIHR has used 21.2% (18.0% in 2019-20) of its available authorities through the first quarter. This slight increase is due to the aforementioned delay in supply of the Main Estimates, offset by decreases as a result of payments not yet issued for newly available COVID-19 funding, as well as fewer operating costs as a result of COVID-19 as discussed below.

Table 2.1.1 – Changes to annual authorities available and authorities used during the first quarter by vote
($ thousands)

  2020-21 2019-20 Variance
Annual Authorities available Q1 Authorities used % used Annual Authorities available Q1 Authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Vote 1 - Operating Expenditures 45,228 13,193 29.2% 57,806 13,508 23.4% (21.8%) (2.3%)
Vote 5 - Grants 900,996 210,466 23.4% 1,113,975 197,123 17.7% (19.1%) 6.8%
Statutory Authorities – COVID-19 112,700 323 0.3% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Statutory Authorities – Employee benefits plan 6,943 1,665 24.0% 6,829 1,701 24.9% 1.7% (2.1%)
Total 1,065,867 225,647 21.2% 1,178,610 212,332 18.0% (9.6%) 6.3%

Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures

Total authorities available for use for Vote 1 - Operating expenditures decreased by $12.6 million (-21.8%) as at June 30, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease to CIHR’s total authorities available is due to the $14.5 million still to be supplied via the Main Estimates offset by:

Authorities used during the first quarter for Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures authorities have decreased by $0.3 million (-2.3%) as compared to the prior fiscal year. This variance is primarily due to significant decreases in travel and hospitality as these activities have ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic, offset by increases to personnel costs as a result of retroactive salary increases processed late in the prior fiscal year and a higher full time equivalent compared to this time last year. The percentage of operating authorities used has increased from prior year (29.2% and 23.4% respectively) as a result of the aforementioned reduced supply of the Main Estimates, offset by the variances discussed above.

Vote 5 – Grants

Authorities available for use for Vote 5 – Grants as of June 30, 2020 were $901.0M and included funding for the following transfer payment programs*:

* CIHR’s Grants and Awards programs are reflective of the 75% Main Estimate allocation, and the Supplementary Estimates A.

Vote 5 – Grants authorities available for use decreased by $213.0 million (-19.1%) as of June 30, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease to CIHR’s total authorities available is due to the $287.6 million still to be supplied via the Main Estimates offset by:

Grant authorities used during the first quarter of 2020-21 increased by $13.3 million (6.8%) compared to the prior fiscal year quarter due to increased grant payments resulting from the increased authorities available for use. The percentage of grant authorities used has increased from the prior year (23.4% and 17.7%, respectively) due to the aforementioned reduced supply of the Main Estimates. Grants are typically paid out in bi-monthly installments starting in May of each fiscal year, and this timing has not changed during the pandemic.

Overall spending as of June 30, 2020 is consistent with CIHR management expectations.

Statutory Authorities

COVID-19

In the first quarter of 2020-21, CIHR received $112.7 million of statutory funding for COVID-19 research pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act which was enacted in Part 3 of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act. As of June 30, 2020, $0.3 million (0.3%) has been distributed. It is expected that the majority of this funding will be disbursed to successful grant applicants in the second quarter of 2020-21.

Contribution to employee benefit plans

Budgetary statutory authorities representing CIHR’s contribution to employee benefit plans available for use increased year over year by $0.1 million (1.7%). The increase to CIHR’s statutory authorities available is due to:

Actual spending for statutory authorities in the first quarter of 2020-21 is 24.0% of the total available authorities for use for the year, which is consistent with CIHR management expectations given that this expenditure is distributed equally throughout the fiscal year.

2.2 Financial Highlights – Statement of Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (Refer to Section 6)

As of June 30, 2020, total authorities available for use by CIHR decreased by $112.7 million (-9.6%) compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease to CIHR’s total authorities available is due to the $302.1 million still to be supplied via the Main Estimates. Total authorities used as at June 30, 2020 increased by $13.3 million (6.3%) compared to the prior fiscal year. These variances are reflected in Table 2.2.1 (where expenditure types are re-grouped into three categories: Personnel, Other Operating Expenditures and Transfer Payments) for further analysis.

Table 2.2.1 – Changes to annual authorities available and authorities used during the first quarter by expenditure type
($ thousands)

  2020-21 2019-20 Variance
Annual Authorities available Q1 Authorities used % used Annual Authorities available Q1 Authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Personnel 41,740 13,723 32.9% 51,397 12,886 25.1% (18.8%) 6.5%
Other Operating Expenditures 10,431 1,135 10.9% 13,238 2,323 17.5% (21.2%) (51.1%)
Transfer Payments 1,013,696 210,789 20.8% 1,113,975 197,123 17.7% (9.0%) 6.9%
Total 1,065,867 225,647 21.2% 1,178,610 212,332 18.0% (9.6%) 6.3%

Personnel and Other Operating Expenditures

Authorities available for Personnel Expenditures for the period ended June 30, 2020 decreased by $9.7 million (-18.8%) as compared to the prior year. Authorities available for Other Operating Expenditures decreased by $2.8 million (-21.2%). The decrease to CIHR’s total authorities available is due to the $11.2 million (Personnel) and $3.2 million (Other) still to be supplied via the Main Estimates offset by:

Personnel authorities used year to date increased by $0.8 million (6.5%) compared to the prior fiscal year as a result of retroactive salary increases processed late in the prior fiscal year and incremental growth increase to CIHR’s full time equivalent compared to this time last year. The percentage of authorities used for Personnel Expenditures in the first quarter (32.9%) is higher than expectation and prior fiscal year (25.1%) as a result of the aforementioned reduced supply of the Main Estimates.

Other Operating Expenditures used in the first quarter decreased by $1.2 million (-51.1%) compared to the prior fiscal quarter. The decrease is mainly due to significant decreases in travel and hospitality as these activities have ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transfer Payments

Authorities available for the period ended June 30, 2020 decreased by $100.3 million (-9.0%) over the prior year due primarily due to the aforementioned reduced supply of the Main Estimates, offset by additional health research funding discussed in section 2.1.1. Authorities used during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 increased by $13.7 million (6.9%) due to increased grant payments resulting from expected increased authorities available for use. The percentage of grant authorities used in the first quarter of 2020-21 (20.8%) has increased from prior year (17.7%) as a result of the aforementioned reduced supply of the Main Estimates, offset by the majority of funding relating to COVID-19 not being expected to be disbursed until the second quarter of 2020-21.

2.3 Other Non-Financial Highlights

Other non-financial highlights for the first quarter of 2020-21 include:

3. Risk and uncertainties

CIHR is funded through voted parliamentary spending authorities and statutory authorities for operating expenditures and transfer payments. As a result, its operations are impacted by any changes to funding approved through Parliament. Delivering programs and services may depend on several risk factors such as economic fluctuations, technological and scientific development, evolving government priorities, and central agency or government-wide initiatives.

CIHR is committed to a disciplined, risk management process in its daily operations. Based on departmental best practices, the Corporate Risk Profile (CRP) is updated bi-annually and provides a proactive response to manage and monitor risks to ensure CIHR’s ability to operationalize its activities, achieve outcomes and deliver on its mandate.

The Policy on Government Security requires federal departments and agencies to establish business continuity plans (BCP). In response to COVID-19, CIHR activated its BCP that focused its activities on the delivery of critical operations, service and program delivery. As part of the BCP activation, CIHR’s risk landscape has shifted, including deferring the launch of CIHR’s Strategic Plan until later in the year. CIHR’s corporate risk management activities in the first quarter relate to the BCP and the future return to the 160 Elgin workplace, with the understanding that the CRP will be revisited as CIHR deactivates its BCP and returns to steady-state operations. Until that time, CIHR continue to monitor the following risks.

4. Significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs

The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in governments worldwide enacting emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. These measures, which include the implementation of travel bans, self-imposed quarantine periods and physical distancing, have caused material disruption to businesses globally resulting in an economic slowdown. CIHR’s operations have, like many organizations, been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 13, 2020, all CIHR employees have been required to work remotely with very limited and controlled access to CIHR’s office space. CIHR has supported employees through this transition with new information technology solutions and access to new or existing office equipment for use in their homes. Business operations have continued largely as normal for the organization. The duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown at this time.

Approval by Senior Officials

Approved by:

[original signed by]

Michael J. Strong, MD, FRCPC, FAAN, FCAHS
President

[original signed by]

Dalia Morcos Fraser, CPA, CMA
Chief Financial Officer

Ottawa, Canada
August 28, 2020

5. Statement of Authorities (unaudited)

For the quarter ended June 30, 2020

  Fiscal year 2020-21 Fiscal year 2019-20
(in thousands of dollars) Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2021Footnote * Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 Year to date used at quarter-end Total available for use for the year ended March 31, 2020Footnote * Used during the quarter ended June 30, 2019 Year to date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures 45,228 13,193 13,193 57,806 13,508 13,508
Vote 5 - Grants 900,996 210,466 210,466 1,113,975 197,123 197,123
Budgetary statutory authorities
COVID-19 research 112,700 323 323 N/A N/A N/A
Contributions to employee benefit plans 6,943 1,665 1,665 6,829 1,701 1,701
Total budgetary authorities 1,065,867 225,647 225,647 1,178,610 212,332 212,332

6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)

For the quarter ended June 30, 2020

  Fiscal year 2020-21 Fiscal year 2019-20
(in thousands of dollars) Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2021* Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 Year to date used at quarter-end Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2020* Expended during the quarter ended June 30, 2019 Year to date used at quarter-end
Expenditures:
Personnel 41,740 13,723 13,723 51,397 12,886 12,886
Transportation and communications 4,712 11 11 4,701 675 675
Information 75 100 100 - 102 102
Professional and special services 3,504 342 342 5,965 431 431
Rentals 1,734 542 542 1,433 481 481
Repair and maintenance 22 73 73 34 - -
Utilities, materials and supplies - 7 7 191 3 3
Acquisition of machinery and equipment 384 41 41 914 3 3
Transfer payments 1,013,696 210,789 210,789 1,113,975 197,123 197,123
Other subsidies and payments - 19 19 - 628 628
Total budgetary expenditures 1,065,867 225,647 225,647 1,178,610 212,332 212,332
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