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Future-oriented Statement of Operations 2020-21 (unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31 (in thousands of dollars)
  Forecast
results
2019-20
Planned
results
2020-21
Expenses
Independent safety investigations and communication of risks in the transportation system 31,320 30,716
Internal services 7,830 7,679
Total expenses 39,150 38,395
Revenues
Miscellaneous revenues 115 35
Total revenues 115 35
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 39,035 38,360

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations.

Notes to the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations

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 2019-20 is based on actual results as at January 31, 2020 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts have been made for the planned results for fiscal year 2020-21.

The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows:

These assumptions are made as at January 31, 2020.

2. Variations and changes to the forecast financial information

Although every attempt has been made to accurately forecast final results for the remainder of 2019-20 and 2020-21, actual results achieved for both years are likely to vary from the forecast information presented, and this variation could be material. 

In preparing this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, the TSB 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:

After the Departmental Plan is tabled in Parliament, the TSB 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’s accounting policies in effect for fiscal year 2019-20, 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:

(a) Expenses

The TSB records expenses on an accrual basis. Expenses for the department’s operations are recorded when goods are received or services are rendered including services provided without charge for accommodation, employer contributions to health and dental insurance plans and worker’s compensation which are recorded as expenses at their estimated cost.  Vacation pay and compensatory leave as well as severance benefits are accrued and expenses are recorded as the benefits are earned by employees under their respective terms of employment.

Expenses also include amortization of tangible capital assets which are capitalized at their acquisition cost.  Amortization of tangible capital assets is done on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset.

(b) Revenues

Revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event occurred that gave rise to the revenue.

4. Parliamentary authorities

The TSB is financed by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the TSB differs from financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles because authorities are based mainly on cash flow requirements. 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, the TSB 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:

(a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to requested authorities: (in thousands of dollars)
  Forecast results
2019-20
Planned
results
2020-21
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 39,035 38,360

Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations
but not affecting authorities:

Services provided without charge by other government departments (4,221) (4,236)
Amortization of tangible capital assets (1,025) (1,060)
Decrease in employee future benefits 30 30
Increase in vacation pay and compensatory leave
(215) (221)
Accrual for unratified collective agreements (150) -
Revenues 115 35
Total items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities (5,466) (5,452)
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:
Acquisition of tangible capital assets 839 700
Total items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities 839 700
Requested authorities 34,408 33,608
(b) Authorities requested: (in thousands of dollars)
  Forecast results
2019-20
Planned
results
2020-21
Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures 29,622 30,035
Transfer from TB - Vote 15 - Compensation adjustments 244 -
Transfer from TB - Vote 25 - Operating Budget Carry Forward 1,123 -
Transfer from TB - Vote 30 - Paylist requirements - -
Statutory contributions to employee benefit plans 3,650 3,573
Spending of revenues as per Financial Administration Act Section 29.1 30 -
Statutory spending of proceeds from the disposal of surplus crown assets 85 -
  34,754 33,608
Less:
Forecasted current year lapse (346) -
Total authorities requested 34,408 33,608

Authorities presented for 2019-20 forecast results reflect current forecasts of statutory items, approved initiatives included and expected to be included in Estimates documents and, when reasonable estimates can be made, estimates of amounts to be allocated from Treasury Board Central votes.  In accordance with direction from the Treasury Board Secretariat, authorities for planned results for 2020-21 consist of Main Estimates amounts only.