2023-24 Financial Statements

Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

2023-24 Financial Statements (PDF, 750 KB)

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2024, and all information contained in these statements rests with the management of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). These financial statements have been prepared by management using the Government’s accounting policies, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards.

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 fulfill its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provides a centralized record of the CNSC’s financial transactions. Financial information submitted in the preparation of the Public Accounts of Canada, and included in the CNSC’s Departmental Results Report, is consistent with these financial statements.

Management is also responsible for maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is reliable, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in accordance with the Financial Administration Act as well as all relevant CNSC policies, authorities and statutory requirements, including the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations.

Management seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its financial statements through careful selection, training and development of qualified staff; through organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility; through communication programs aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards, and managerial authorities are understood throughout the CNSC; and through conducting an annual risk-based assessment of the effectiveness of the system of ICFR.

The system of ICFR is designed to mitigate risks to a reasonable level based on an ongoing process to identify key risks, to assess effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments.

A risk-based assessment of the system of ICFR for the year ended March 31, 2024 was completed in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Financial Management, and the results and action plans are summarized in the annex.

The effectiveness and adequacy of the CNSC’s system of ICFR is reviewed by the internal control staff, who conduct periodic monitoring assessments, and by the Departmental Audit Committee, which oversees management’s responsibilities for maintaining adequate control systems and the quality of financial reporting, and recommends the financial statements to the president.

The Auditor General of Canada, the independent auditor for the Government of Canada, has expressed an opinion on the fair presentation of the financial statements of the CNSC which does not include an audit opinion on the annual assessment of the effectiveness of the CNSC’s internal controls over financial reporting. At the CNSC's request, the Auditor General of Canada also audited and expressed an opinion on its compliance with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations.

Ottawa, Canada

July 18, 2024

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

To the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (the CNSC), which comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 March 2024, and the statement of operations and net financial position, statement of change in net debt and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the CNSC as at 31 March 2024, and the results of its operations, changes in its net debt, and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the CNSC in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Canada, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Other Information

Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, but does not include the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the CNSC’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the CNSC or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the CNSC’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the CNSC’s internal control.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the CNSC’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the CNSC to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Report on Compliance with Specified Authorities

Opinion

In conjunction with the audit of the financial statements, we have audited transactions of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission coming to our notice for compliance with specified authorities. The specified authorities against which compliance was audited are the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations pursuant to the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

In our opinion, the transactions of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission that came to our notice during the audit of the financial statements have complied, in all material respects, with the specified authorities referred to above.

Responsibilities of Management for Compliance with Specified Authorities

Management is responsible for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s compliance with the specified authorities named above, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to comply with the specified authorities.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of Compliance with Specified Authorities

Our audit responsibilities include planning and performing procedures to provide an audit opinion and reporting on whether the transactions coming to our notice during the audit of the financial statements are in compliance with the specified authorities referred to above.

Catherine Lapalme, CPA, CA
Principal
for the Auditor General of Canada

Ottawa, Canada
18 July 2024

Statement of Financial Position

As at March 31

(in thousands of dollars)

Liabilities	2024	2023
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 5)	41,458	28,542
Vacation pay and compensatory leave	10,920	10,541
Deferred revenue (note 6)	4,437	4,381
Employee future benefits (note 7b)	2,383	2,478
Asset retirement obligation (note 8)	511	537
Total liabilities	59,709	46,479
Financial assets	n/a	n/a
Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund	41,553	26,844
Accounts receivable (note 9)	2,181	3,688
Total financial assets	43,734	30,532
Net debt	15,975	15,947
Non-financial assets	n/a	n/a
Tangible capital assets (note 10)	10,357	7,829
Prepaid expenses	931	1,109
Total non-financial assets	11,288	8,938
Net financial position	(4,687)	(7,009)
Contractual obligations (note 13) and contingent liabilities (note 14)	n/a	n/a
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.	n/a	n/a

Ottawa, Canada

July 18, 2024

Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position

For the year ended March 31

(in thousands of dollars)

Expenses	Planned results 2024	2024	2023
Salaries and employee benefits	138,856	145,802	131,257
Professional and special services	21,336	20,571	20,674
Accommodation	7,519	7,079	8,490
Travel and relocation	6,000	5,646	4,706
Amortization	2,076	2,027	2,165
Furniture, repairs and rentals	3,139	4,021	3,910
Grants and contributions	5,630	5,751	4,265
Communication and information	1,050	979	1,148
Utilities, materials and supplies	400	562	422
Other	200	296	243
Total expenses (note 11)	186,206	192,734	177,280
Revenues	n/a	n/a	n/a
Licence fees	126,705	131,133	121,829
Special projects	5,500	3,132	4,645
Other		150	104
Total revenues (note 11)	132,205	134,415	126,578
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers	54,001	58,319	50,702
Government funding and transfers	n/a	n/a	n/a
Net cash provided by Government of Canada	40,697	28,155	38,007
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 12a)	18,342	17,765	17,771
Change in due from (to) Consolidated Revenue Fund	(5,185)	14,709	(5,989)
Transfer of assets (liabilities) from other government departments		12	150
Net (revenue) cost of operations after government funding and transfers	147	(2,322)	763
Net financial position – Beginning of year	(6,489)	(7,009)	(6,246)
Net financial position – End of year	(6,636)	(4,687)	(7,009)

Segmented information (note 11)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Change in Net Debt

For the year ended March 31

(in thousands of dollars)

	Planned results 2024	2024	2023
Net (revenue) cost of operations after government funding and transfers	147	(2,322)	763
Change due to tangible capital assets	n/a	n/a	n/a
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (note 10)	3,000	4,613	880
Amortization of tangible capital assets (note 10)	(2,076)	(2,027)	(2,166)
Transfer of assets (liabilities) from other government departments	n/a		105
Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets	n/a	(23)
(Loss) on disposal of tangible capital assets including adjustments	n/a	(35)
Total change due to tangible capital assets	924	2,528	(1,181)
Change due to prepaid expenses	n/a	(178)	145
Net (decrease) increase in net debt	1,071	28	(273)
Net debt – Beginning of year	15,628	15,947	16,220
Net debt – End of year	16,699	15,975	15,947

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended March 31

(in thousands of dollars)

	2024	2023
Operating activities	n/a	n/a
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers	58,319	50,702
Non-cash items:	n/a	n/a
Amortization of tangible capital assets (note 10)	(2,027)	(2,166)
(Loss) on disposal of tangible capital assets including adjustments	(35)-
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 12a)	(17,765)	(17,771)
Transfer of assets (liabilities) from other government departments	(12)	(45)
Variations in Statement of Financial Position:	n/a	n/a
(Decrease) increase in accounts receivable	(1,507)	1,988
(Decrease) increase in prepaid expenses	(178)	145
(Increase) decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(11,169)	4,326
(Increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave	(379)	(49)
(Increase) decrease in deferred revenue	(56)	5
Decrease in employee future benefits	95	298
Decrease (increase) in asset retirement obligation	26	(202)
Cash used in operating activities	25,312	37,231
Capital activities	n/a	n/a
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets (note 10)	2,866	776
Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets	(23)
Cash used in capital activities	2,843	776
Net cash provided by Government of Canada	28,155	38,007

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Authority and objectives

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) was established in 1946 by the Atomic Energy Control Act. It was known as the Atomic Energy Control Board until May 31, 2000, when the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) came into effect. The CNSC is a departmental corporation listed in Schedule II of the Financial Administration Act and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

To protect the health, safety and security of people and the environment, the NSCA provides comprehensive powers to the CNSC to establish and enforce national standards on the use of nuclear energy and materials. As part of this mandate, the CNSC is responsible for disseminating objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. The NSCA establishes a basis for implementing Canadian nuclear policy and fulfilling Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It also empowers the CNSC to require financial guarantees, order remedial action in hazardous situations, and require responsible parties to bear the costs of decontamination and other remedial measures.

Under the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations (CRFR) (2003), the CNSC recovers costs related to its regulatory activities from users licensed under the NSCA. These activities include conducting technical assessments of licence applications, performing compliance inspections and developing licensing standards.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

These financial statements are prepared using the CNSC's accounting policies stated below, which are 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)  Parliamentary authorities and revenue spending authority

The CNSC is financed by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary and statutory authorities.  Included in the statutory appropriation is a revenue-spending authority, which allows the CNSC to spend licence fee revenue. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the CNSC 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 CNSC Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position and in the Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through authorities from Parliament. Note 4 provides a reconciliation between the bases of reporting. The planned results amounts in the “Expenses” and “Revenues” sections of the CNSC Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position are the amounts reported in the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations included in the 2023-24 Departmental Plan. The planned results amounts in the “Government funding and transfers” section of the CNSC Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position and in the CNSC Statement of Change in Net Debt were prepared for internal management purposes and have not been previously published.  The planned results at the beginning of the year presented are adjusted annually to reflect the actual results at the time the planned results are prepared. They therefore differ from the ending amounts published for the previous year.

(b)  Net cash provided by Government of Canada

The CNSC operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), which is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by the CNSC is deposited to the CRF, and all cash disbursements made by the CNSC are paid from the CRF. The net cash provided by Government of Canada is the difference between all cash receipts and all cash disbursements, including transactions between departments and agencies of the Government.

(c)  Amounts due from or to the Consolidated Revenue Fund

Amounts due from or to the CRF are the result of timing differences at year-end between when a transaction affects authorities and when it is processed through the CRF. Amounts due from the CRF represent the net amount of cash that the CNSC is entitled to draw from the CRF without further authorities to discharge its liabilities.

(d)  Revenues

All CNSC revenues are considered to be recurring and without performance obligation.  Revenue transactions with no performance obligations arise because the right to the economic resource is attributable to legislation based on constitutional authority or delegated constitutional authority. These revenues are recognized when the economic resources increase without a direct transfer of goods or services to a payor.  Licence fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period to which the fee payment pertains (normally three months or one year). Licence fees received for future year licence periods are recorded as deferred revenue.

(d)  Revenues (continued)

Certain educational institutions, not-for-profit research institutions wholly owned by educational institutions, publicly funded healthcare institutions, not-for-profit emergency response organizations and federal government departments and agencies are not subject to the CRFR. The CNSC provides licences to these organizations free of charge. The value of licences provided free of charge is calculated on the same basis as licence fees for organizations subject to the CRFR. The CNSC does not include the foregone revenue associated with these licences in the Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position.

(e)  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

a Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are measured at cost and represent obligations of the CNSC for salary and wages, for material and supply purchases and for the cost of services rendered to the CNSC.

a Salary-related accrued liabilities are determined using the employees’ salary levels at year-end.

a Liquidity risk is the risk that the CNSC will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities. The CNSC's objective for managing liquidity risk is to manage operations and cash expenditures within the appropriation authorized by Parliament or allotment limits approved by the Treasury Board. The maximum exposure the CNSC has to liquidity risk is equal to the carrying value of its accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and are due within six months of year-end. The entity’s risk exposure and its objectives, policies and processes to manage and measure this risk did not change significantly from the prior year.

(f)  Expenses

Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. The cost of goods and services are expensed as they are incurred.

The CNSC provides grants and contributions to enable the development and management of activities of its Research and Support Program, Participant Funding Program and the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund. Grants are recognized in the year in which the conditions for payment are met. Contributions are recognized in the year in which the recipient has met the eligibility criteria or fulfilled the terms of a contractual transfer agreement, provided that the transfer is authorized and a reasonable estimate can be made.

Vacation pay and compensatory leave are accrued as the benefits are earned by employees under their respective terms of employment.

Services provided without charge by other government departments are recorded as operating expenses at their carrying amount. These include accommodation provided by Public Services and Procurement Canada, contributions covering the employer’s share of employees’ insurance premiums and other costs paid by the Treasury Board Secretariat, services provided by Shared Services Canada and audit services provided by the Office of the Auditor General.

(g) Related party transactions

Related party transactions, other than inter-entity transactions, are recorded at the exchange amount. Related parties include individuals who are members of key management personnel (KMP) or close family members of those individuals, and entities controlled by, or under shared control of, a member of KMP or a close family member of that individual. The CNSC has defined its KMP to be the chief executive officer, president and the vice-presidents.

Inter-entity transactions are transactions between commonly controlled entities which includes all government departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. Inter-entity transactions that are undertaken on similar terms and conditions to those adopted if the entities were dealing at arm's length are recorded on a gross basis and are measured at the exchange amount, with the exception of services received without charge between commonly controlled entities used in the normal course of the operations, which have been recorded as expenses at the carrying amount.

(h) Employee future benefits

a Pension benefits: Eligible employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan (the Plan), a multi-employer pension plan administered by the Government. The CNSC’s contributions to the Plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total CNSC obligation to the Plan. The CNSC’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.

a Severance benefits: Employees entitled to severance benefits under labour contracts or conditions of employment earn these benefits as services necessary to earn them are rendered.  The CNSC estimates the obligation using employee-specific data to determine the amount that will be due to employees upon departure from the public service.

(h) Employee future benefits (continued)

a Maternity/parental leave: Employees are entitled to maternity/parental leave benefits as provided for under labour contracts and conditions of employment. The benefits earned are event driven, meaning the CNSC’s obligation for the cost of the entire benefit arises upon occurrence of a specific event being the commencement of the maternity/parental leave. Management has determined the accrued benefit obligation and benefit expenses based on its best estimates. The unpaid portions of maternity/parental leave at year-end are expected to be paid from future parliamentary authorities.

(i)  Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at the lower of cost and net recoverable value. A valuation allowance is recorded for receivables where recovery is considered uncertain.

Credit risk refers to the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. The CNSC is not exposed to significant credit risk as all debtors require CNSC licences for their continued operation. The maximum exposure the CNSC has to credit risk is equal to the carrying value of its accounts receivable.

(j)  Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities are potential liabilities that may become actual liabilities when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. If the future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, a provision is accrued and an expense recorded to other expenses. If the likelihood is not determinable or if an amount cannot be reasonably estimated, the contingency is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

(k)  Tangible capital assets

The costs of acquiring equipment and other capital property are capitalized as tangible capital assets and are amortized to expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Internally developed and externally purchased software are capitalized as tangible capital assets. The cost of internally developed software consists of directly attributable costs necessary to create, produce, and prepare the software to be capable of operating in the manner intended by the CNSC.

Amortization of tangible capital assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Asset class	Amortization period
Furniture and equipment	10 to 20 years
Informatics equipment and software	2 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of the remaining term of lease or useful life of the improvement
Motor vehicles	7 to 9 years
Other vehicles	20 years

(l)  Asset retirement obligation

The CNSC provides for its legal obligation, under a lease agreement, to return the premises to their original state. The asset retirement obligation is recognized in the year in which the associated leasehold improvement capital asset is put into use. The obligation is recorded at the net present value of the estimated future cost of retiring the capital asset at the expiry of the lease period. The estimated cost of retirement is added to the carrying amount and amortized over the related assets’ useful life. The cost estimate is subject to periodic review, and any material changes in the estimated amount or timing of the underlying future cash flow are recorded as an adjustment to the provision. Upon settlement of the liability, a gain or loss will be recorded. The estimated future cash flows are adjusted for inflation using a rate that is derived on the basis of consensus forecasts and Bank of Canada historical and target inflation rates. The discount rate is a weighted average rate reflecting the Government of Canada’s cost of borrowing on initial recognition and on subsequent changes to expected cash flows, which is most closely associated with the period to settlement of the obligation. Change to the liability recognized due to discounting is recognized as accretion expense on the Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position. Details of the liability are provided in note 8 of these financial statements.

(m)  Measurement uncertainty

The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported and disclosed amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes at March 31. 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 likelihood of occurrence for contingent liabilities, the liability for employee future 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. Adoption of a new accounting standard

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission adopted PS 3400 Revenue, effective 1 April 2023, which provides a framework that establishes standards on how to account for and report on revenue. The standard sets out general guidance for how entities recognize, measure, present and disclose revenue arising from transactions that include performance obligations (exchange transactions) and transactions that do not have performance obligations (non-exchange transactions). There are two approaches to recognizing revenue with performance obligations: at a point in time or over a period of time. This determination is made based on when a performance obligation is satisfied. PS 3400 has been applied prospectively to these financial statements and in accordance with the transitional provisions, prior periods were not restated. The implementation of this new standard did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

4. Parliamentary authorities

The CNSC receives most of its funding through annual parliamentary authorities. Items recognized in the Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position and the Statement of Financial Position in one year may be funded through parliamentary authorities in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, the CNSC 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 authorities used

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfer	58,319	50,702
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:	n/a	n/a
Amortization of tangible capital assets	(2,027)	(2,166)
(Increase) in vacation pay, compensatory leave and accrued liabilities	(8,889)	(5,827)
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 12a)	(17,765)	(17,771)
Revenues pursuant to paragraph 21(3) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act	134,264	126,476
Decrease in employee future benefits	95	298
Refund of prior years’ expenditures	563	542
(Loss) on disposal of tangible capital assets including adjustments	(35)
Other	1,047	(338)
Total	107,253	101,214
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:	n/a	n/a
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (note 10)	4,613	880
Salary overpayments	38	25
Increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses	(178)	145
Total	4,473	1,050
Authorities used	170,045	152,966
(b) Authorities approved and used	n/a	n/a
	2024	2023
AUTHORITIES APPROVED:	n/a	n/a
Vote 1 – Program expenditures	55,064	51,852
STATUTORY:	n/a	n/a
Spending of revenues pursuant to section 21(3) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act	110,223	101,656
Contributions to employee benefit plans	15,675	14,764
Total	180,962	168,272
LESS:	n/a	n/a
Authorities available for use in the subsequent year	4,396	4,341
Lapsed Vote 1 – Program expenditures	6,521	10,965
Authorities used	170,045	152,966

5. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

The following table presents details of the CNSC’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Other government departments and agencies	11,093	10,520
External parties	27,718	17,117
Licensees*	2,647	905
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	41,458	28,542

*Payable to licensees represents the calculation of the excess of collection of fees charged over the actual fees earned as at year-end.

6. Deferred revenue

Deferred revenue represents the balance at year-end of unearned revenues from amounts received from licensees for fees charged prior to services being performed. Revenue is recognized in the period in which these expenditures are incurred or in which service is performed. Details of the transactions related to this account are as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Balance, beginning of year	4,381	4,386
Licence fee revenue recognized during the year	(4,340)	(4,346)
Licence fee received for future years	4,396	4,341
Balance, end of year	4,437	4,381

7. Employee future benefits

a. Pension benefits

CNSC employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan (the 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% per year of pensionable service, times the average of the best five consecutive years of earnings. The benefits are integrated with Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefits and they are indexed to inflation.

Both the employees and the CNSC contribute to the cost of the Plan. Due to the amendment of the Public Service Superannuation Act following the implementation of provisions related to Economic Action Plan 2012, employee contributors have been divided into two groups: Group 1 consists of existing plan members as of December 31, 2012; and Group 2 consists of members joining the Plan as of January 1, 2013. Each group has a distinct contribution rate.

The 2023–24 expense amounts to $9,280,993 ($9,645,180 in 2022–23). For Group 1 members, the expenses represent approximately 1.02 times (1.02 times in 2022–23) the employee contributions and, for Group 2 members, approximately 1.00 times (1.00 times in 2022–23) the employee contributions.

The CNSC’s responsibility with regard to the Plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Government of Canada, as the Plan's sponsor.

b. Severance benefits and parental leave benefits

The CNSC previously provided severance benefits to its employees based on eligibility, years of service and salary at termination of employment.

The accumulation of severance benefits for voluntary departures ceased for all employees in 2013–14. Employees were given the option to be immediately paid the full or partial value of benefits earned to date, or collect the full or remaining value of benefits upon departure from the public service. The remaining balance represents the estimated obligation due to employees as at the reporting date. These severance benefits are not pre-funded, and consequently the outstanding obligation will be paid from future authorities.

(b) Severance benefits and parental leave benefits (continued)

The CNSC provides maternity/parental leave benefits as provided for under labour contracts and conditions of employment. Management determined the accrued benefit obligation and benefit expenses based on the difference between 93% of the employee's weekly rate of pay and the maternity/parental leave benefit they are entitled to receive under the Employment Insurance or the Québec Parental Insurance Plan.

Information about the future benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Accrued severance benefit obligation, beginning of year	2,129	2,443
Increase (decrease) in severance benefits	95	(4)
Severance benefits paid during the year	(352)	(310)
Accrued severance benefit obligation, end of year	1,872	2,129
Maternity/Parental leave benefits	511	349
Accrued benefit obligation, end of year	2,383	2,478

8. Asset retirement obligation

The asset retirement obligation is based on the current cost estimate of $554,541 ($554,541 in 2022–23) of the site restoration plan. The estimate has been indexed for inflation using the forecasted Consumer Price Index rate of 2.00% to reflect the estimated future cost of the site restoration plan. The CNSC recognizes the net present value, using the actual zero-coupon yield curve for Government of Canada bonds of 3.39% (3.64% in 2022–23), of the estimated future cost of $624,503 ($576,944 in 2022–23), of restoring the leased premises at the expiry of the lease on March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2024, the CNSC has an asset retirement obligation that can be reasonably estimated as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Balance, beginning of year	537	335
Revision in estimate		216
Accretion expense	(26)	(14)
Balance, end of year	511	537

9. Accounts receivable

The following table presents details of the CNSC’s accounts receivable:

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Receivables – Licence fees	2,562	2,352
Receivables – Other government departments and agencies	115	1,792
Receivables – Others	49	79
	2,726	4,223
Allowance for doubtful accounts on receivables	(545)	(535)
Net accounts receivable	2,181	3,688

10. Tangible capital assets

Cost (in thousands of dollars)	Opening balance	Acquisitions	Adjustments	Disposals / Write-offs	Work in progress transfers	Closing balance
Furniture and equipment	9,015	1,007	-	(678)	-	9,344
Informatics equipment and software	14,565	414	-	-	-	14,979
Leasehold improvements	17,115	-	-	(273)	444	17,286
Motor vehicles	870	269	-	(49)	-	1,090
Other vehicles	77	-	-	-	-	77
Work-in-progress – construction	568	2,923	-	-	(444)	3,047
Total	42,210	4,613	-	(1,000)	-	45,823
Accumulated amortization (in thousands of dollars)	Opening balance	Amortization	Adjustments	Disposals/Write-offs	-	Closing balance
Furniture and equipment	6,558	472	-	(678)	-	6,352
Informatics equipment and software	13,463	984	-	-	-	14,447
Leasehold improvements	13,641	489	-	(214)	-	13,916
Motor vehicles	672	78	-	50	-	700
Other vehicles	47	4	-	-	-	51
Total	34,381	2,027	-	(942)	-	35,466
Net book value	-	-	-	-	-	-
(in thousands of dollars)		-	-	-	-	-
Furniture and equipment	2,457	-	-	-	-	2,992
Informatics equipment and software	1,102	-	-	-	-	532
Leasehold improvements	3,474	-	-	-	-	3,370
Motor vehicles	198	-	-	-	-	390
Other vehicles	30	-	-	-	-	26
Work-in-progress – construction	568	-	-	-	-	3,047
Total	7,829	-	-	-	-	10,357

The capital costs associated with improvements to leased accommodations are recorded as work-in-progress until they are completed and put into use.

The acquisition of tangible capital assets and the decrease in accounts payables and accrued liabilities presented in the Statement of Cash Flows excludes an amount of $1,747,131 ($103,913 in 2022–23) in relation to the acquisition of tangible capital assets, as the amount relates to capital investing activities in 2023–24 that remain to be paid as at March 31, 2024.

11. Summary of segmented expenditures and revenues by cost recovery fee category

Presentation by segment and method used to allocate costs is based on the CRFR. The presentation by segment is also based on the same accounting policies as described in the Summary of significant accounting policies in note 2. The following table presents the expenses incurred and revenues generated for groupings of the CNSC’s main regulatory activities related to the four CRFR fee categories: Regulatory Activity Plans, Formula Fees, Fixed Fees and Special Projects.

(in thousands of dollars)	Revenue	Licences provided free of charge (note 12(b) and note 15)	2024 total value of licences and other revenue	2023 total value of licences and other revenue	2024 cost of operations	2023 cost of operations
LICENCE FEES	-	-	-	-	-	-
Power reactors	83,526	-	83,526	78,090	83,524	78,089
Non-power reactors	-	1,329	1,329	1,653	1,329	1,653
Nuclear research and test establishments	12,572	-	12,572	9,778	12,572	9,778
Particle accelerators	-	1,040	1,040	794	1,040	794
Uranium processing facilities	4,044	-	4,044	4,439	4,044	4,439
Nuclear substance processing facilities	1,611	-	1,611	1,872	1,611	1,872
Radioactive waste facilities	8,978	-	8,978	9,202	8,978	9,202
Uranium mines and mills	8,614	-	8,614	7,201	8,614	7,201
Waste nuclear substance	1,273	2,636	3,909	4,314	3,910	4,314
Total regulatory activity plan fees	120,618	5,005	125,623	117,343	125,622	117,342
Nuclear substances and Class II nuclear facilities	-	-	-	-	-	-
Academic and research	187	1,700	1,887	1,874	2,835	3,869
Commercial	1,219	593	1,812	1,719	3,399	3,877
Industrial	7,649	182	7,831	7,787	10,833	10,303
Medical	737	5,259	5,996	5,976	6,281	5,428
Dosimetry services	275	22	297	286	1,099	677
Total formula fees	10,067	7,756	17,823	17,642	24,447	24,154
Transport licences and transport package certificates	202	-	202	200	1,591	1,429
Radiation device and prescribed equipment certificates	95	2	97	75	1,048	980
Exposure device operator certificates	151		151	88	1,303	943
Total fixed fees	448	2	450	363	3,942	3,352
TOTAL LICENCE FEES	131,133	12,763	143,896	135,348	154,011	144,848
NON-LICENCE FEES	-	-	-	-	-	-
Other non-licence fees	150	-	150	104	35,387	27,758
Special projects and related expenses	3,132	-	3,132	4,645	3,336	4,674
TOTAL NON-LICENCE FEES	3,282	-	3,282	4,749	38,723	32,432
TOTAL	134,415	12,763	147,178	140,097	192,734	177,280

12. Related party transactions

The CNSC had the following transactions with related parties in addition to those disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements.

a. Common services provided without charge by other government departments

During the year, the CNSC received services without charge from certain common service organizations. These services provided without charge have been recorded at the carrying value in the CNSC’s Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Accommodation provided by Public Services and Procurement Canada	5,377	5,617
Contributions for employer’s share of employee benefits provided by the Treasury Board Secretariat	10,212	8,977
Salary and associated costs of services provided by Shared Services Canada	1,647	2,631
Other	529	546
Total	17,765	17,771

The Government of Canada has centralized some of its administrative activities for efficiency, cost-effectiveness purposes and the economic delivery of programs to the public. As a result, the Government uses central agencies and common service organizations so that one department performs services for all other departments and agencies without charge.

b. Licences provided without charge to other federal government departments and agencies

The CNSC provided licences free of charge to other federal government departments and agencies in the amount of $711,644 ($1,145,844 in 2022–23). The forgone revenue is not included in the Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position.

c. Other transactions with related parties

The CNSC enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. These transactions are measured at the exchange amount.

(in thousands of dollars)	2024	2023
Accounts receivable – Other government departments and agencies	115	1,792
Accounts payable – Other government departments, agencies, and Crown corporations	11,093	10,520
Expenses – Other government departments and agencies	31,945	28,703

Expenses disclosed in (c) exclude common services provided without charge, which are already disclosed in (a)

13. Contractual obligations

The nature of the CNSC’s activities can result in some large multi-year contracts and obligations whereby the CNSC will be obligated to make future payments in order to carry out its transfer payment programs or when services and goods are received. Significant contractual obligations that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)	2025	2026	2027	2028 and subsequent	Total
Acquisition of goods and services	7,451	1,332	218	105	9,106
Transfer payments	4,673	2,280	966	85	8,004
Operating leases	677	104			781
Total	12,801	3,716	1,184	190	17,891

The CNSC has multi-year contracts with related parties in the amount of $2,991,192.

14. Contingent liabilities

Claims have been made against the CNSC in the normal course of operations. These claims include items with pleading amounts for which no amount is specified. Claims and litigations for which the outcome is not determinable, and a reasonable estimate can be made by management amount to approximately $240,000 ($280,000 in 2022-2023) at March 31, 2024.

In 2023, the Commission directed CNSC staff to proceed with characterization of the nuclear substances on the site of a bankrupt Waste Nuclear Substance Licensee. Management plans to acquire the services of a qualified contractor to undertake the waste characterization effort. The estimated cost of the contract ranges tentatively from $1 million to $2 million.  As a reasonable estimate of the contracted waste characterization costs is not available, the expense and liability are not reflected in these financial statements.

15. Other licences provided free of charge by the CNSC

The CNSC provides licences free of charge to those exempt under the CRFR and other organizations granted exemptions from paying fees under the NSCA. The total value of these licences amounted to $12,050,616 ($12,373,892 in 2022–23). The foregone revenue is not included in the Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position.

Annex to the statement of management responsibility including internal control over financial reporting 2023-24

1. Introduction

This document provides summary information on the measures taken by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting including information on internal control management, assessment results and related action plans.

Detailed information on the CNSC’s authority, mandate and program activities can be found in the most recent Departmental Results Report^{Note de bas de page 1} and Departmental Plan.^{Note de bas de page 2} The CNSC 2023-24 audited financial statements^{Note de bas de page 3} are available on the CNSC website.

2. System of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

2.1 Internal Control Management

The CNSC has a well-established governance and accountability structure to support efforts to evaluate and monitor its internal control system. An internal control management framework, approved by the president, is in place, and includes:

• Organizational accountability structures as they relate to internal control management to support sound financial management, including roles and responsibilities of senior managers in their areas of responsibility
• An Ethics unit, part of the Internal Audit, Evaluation and Ethics Division, that manages values and ethics programs, internal disclosure, the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, and conflict of interest and post-employment policies
• Ongoing communication and training on statutory requirements, and policies and procedures for sound financial management and control
• Monitoring of and regular updates on internal control management, as well as the provision of related assessment results and action plans to the president, and as applicable, the Audit Committee

The Departmental Audit Committee provides advice to the president on the adequacy and functioning of the CNSC’s risk management, control and governance frameworks and processes.

2.2 Service Arrangements Relevant to Financial Statements

The CNSC relies on other organizations for the processing of certain transactions that are recorded in its financial statements, as follows:

Common Arrangements

• Public Services and Procurement Canada centrally administers the payments of salaries and the procurement of goods and services in accordance with the CNSC’s delegation of authority and provides accommodation services.
• The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat provides services related to public sector insurance for CNSC employees and centrally administers payment of the employer’s share of contributions toward statutory employee benefit plans (i.e., the Public Service Pension Plan, Employment Insurance Plan, Canada Pension Plan, Quebec Pension Plan, and Public Service Supplementary Death Benefit Plan) on behalf of the CNSC.
• Shared Services Canada is responsible for managing and maintaining the CNSC’s information technology infrastructure.

Specific Arrangement

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides the CNSC with the SAP financial system platform to capture and report all financial transactions. Under this arrangement, CNSC relies on AAFC for the management of certain IT controls and procedures (e.g., security, configuration, change management, business continuity) and various master data functions in SAP on CNSC’s behalf.

Readers of this annex may refer to the annexes of the above-noted organizations for a greater understanding of the systems of internal control over financial reporting related to these specific services.

3. Departmental Action Plan

3.1 Progress during Fiscal Year 2023-24

The CNSC continued to conduct its ongoing monitoring according to the established rotational plan, as shown in the following table.

Progress during fiscal year 2023-24

Key control areas	Status
Year-end financial close and statements preparation	Completed as planned in 2023-24; remedial actions completed (see section 3.2 for additional information)
Capital assets	Completed as planned in 2023-24; remedial actions completed (see section 3.2 for additional information)

3.2 Assessment Results for Fiscal Year 2023-24

New or significantly amended key controls: In the current year, there were no significantly amended key controls in existing processes that required reassessment.

Ongoing monitoring program: As part of its rotational ongoing monitoring plan, the department completed its reassessment of the Year-end financial close and statement preparation, and Capital assets. For the most part, the key controls that were tested performed as intended. The CNSC noted a need for improvement as follows:

Year-end close and statement preparation:

• Clarification of roles and responsibilities.
• Improvements to existing processes, including the formalization of timelines and documentation of communication, reviews, and approvals.

Capital assets:

• Minor improvements to the completion of forms, verifications, and timelines for processes.

Management is aware of the recommendations for improvement and actions are being taken to address them.

3.3 Progress Against Fiscal Year 2022-23 Items

In addition to the progress made in ongoing monitoring, the department conducted a follow-up of the outstanding 2022-23:

• ELC:  Better communication of the Values and Ethics code and reporting of issues; update, review, and communication, as required, of policies and procedures around key ELC controls, such as performance pay and directives related to finance and security; and promotion of internal control training to financial personnel.
• P2P: Review and communication of processes and procedures related to open contracts, acquisition card reconciliation, and commitment approvals; and improvement of safeguards to prevent creating invoice duplication and overpayments in SAP.
• ITGC:  Segregation of duties and periodic monitoring of the review of accesses to production and development environments; performance of risk assessment to mitigate the risk exposure related to password policy; and formalization of processes for conducting a periodic review of the application systems including granting and revoking accesses.

All items were remediated as planned, except for one item from the 2022-23 ELC relating to work descriptions, which is now expected to be completed in the summer of 2024.  Another item relating to document management is on track for completion in 2024-25 as planned.

3.4 Monitoring Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and Subsequent Years

The CNSC’s rotational ongoing monitoring plan over the next three years, based on an annual validation of the high-risk processes and controls, and related adjustments to the ongoing monitoring plan as required, is shown in the following table. This draft plan for future years is based on the current year's risk assessment and includes only those items rated "HIGH" and will be re-evaluated next year so that the rotational ongoing monitoring plan can be updated.

Rotational ongoing monitoring plan

Key control areas	Fiscal year 2024-25	Fiscal year 2025-26	Fiscal year 2026-27
Entity-level controls	No	Yes	No
IT general controls (under management of the CNSC)	No	Yes	No
Capital assets	No	No	Yes
Purchase to payment	No	Yes	No
Payroll	Yes	No	No
Revenue	Yes	No	No
Year-end financial close and statements preparation	No	No	Yes