Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2022

The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada

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 (TB). It should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates and approved allotment adjustments from TB Central Votes. This report has not been subject to an external audit or review.

1.1 Authority, Mandate and Programs

Created by an Act of Parliament in 1875, the Supreme Court of Canada is Canada’s final court of appeal. It serves Canadians by deciding legal issues of public importance, thereby contributing to the development of all branches of law applicable within Canada. The independence of the Court, the quality of its work and the esteem in which it is held both in Canada and abroad contribute significantly as foundations for a secure, strong and democratic country founded on the Rule of Law. The Supreme Court of Canada is an important national institution, positioned at the pinnacle of the judicial branch of government in Canada, separate from and independent of the executive and legislative branches of government.

The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) provides all necessary services and support for the Court to process, hear and decide cases.  It also serves as the interface between litigants and the Court.

Further information on the ORSCC’s authority, mandate and programs may be found in its 2022-23 Main Estimates.

1.2 Basis of Presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the ORSCC’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the ORSCC, consistent with the 2022-23 Main Estimates and approved allotment adjustments from TB Central Votes. 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 money 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.

The ORSCC 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 the fiscal quarter and the fiscal year-to-date (YTD) results

This section highlights the changes in authorities provided and expenditures incurred as at December 31, 2022 compared to the same quarter of the prior year. Overall, the ORSCC’s authorities increased by 9.9% and quarterly spending increased by 14.2% over the same quarter ending December 31, 2021. The overall proportion of authorities used on a year-to-date basis (64.2%) is comparable to the previous year (65.9%).

2.1 Changes to Granted Authorities

As at December 31, 2022, the total authorities provided to the ORSCC have increased by $4,055,000 compared to the same quarter of the prior year. This net increase consists of:

Previously reported:

• A decrease in Vote 1 – Net Operating Expenditures ($280,000); offset by
• An increase in Statutory authorities ($326,000).

Current quarter:

• A net increase in Vote 1 – Net Operating Expenditures ($3,549,000) which consists of:
  • New funding to invest in Security, Communications and Outreach, Corporate Services and Information Technology ($3,420,000) was received during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (B);
  • A compensation allocation from TB Vote 15 (Collective agreements) of $420,000 was received in the third quarter of 2022-23; funding for this item increased by $139,000  compared to the amount of $281,000 received in the same quarter last fiscal year; offset by
  • A transfer of $10,000 to Treasury Board Secretariat for the Government of Canada Financial Management Transformation initiative in the third quarter of 2022-23.
•  An increase in Statutory authorities ($460,000) which consists of:
  • New funding for Employee Benefit Plans (EBP) related to investments in Security, Communications and Outreach, Corporate Services and Information Technology ($391,000) was received during the third quarter of 2022-23; and
  • Increases to the incidental and representational allowances for judges of the Supreme Court of Canada as a result of Bill C-19: Amendments to the Judges Act to implement the Government’s Response to the 2020 Quadrennial Commission ($69,000).

2.2 Significant Changes to Budgetary Expenditures

As at December 31, 2022, total net budgetary expenditures increased by 7.2% ($1,940,000) compared to the same quarter of the previous year. This variance comprises:

Previously reported:

• An increase of 2.6% ($344,000) in Vote 1 – Net Operating Expenditures; and
• An increase of 5.4% ($246,000) in Statutory Expenditures.

Current quarter:

• An increase of 14.2% ($1,350,000) in net budgetary expenditures explained by:
  • A net increase of 18.2% ($1,181,000) in Vote 1 – Net Operating Expenditures; and
  • A net increase of 5.7% ($169,000) in Statutory Expenditures.

The above net increase of 18.2% ($1,181,000) noted in Vote 1 – Net Operating Expenditures is attributed to:

• A net salary increase of $491,000 mainly due to compensation adjustments; and
• A non-salary increase of $690,000 resulting from:
  • Timing differences;
  • Price variances;
  • Special projects;
  • Fluctuating replacement or maintenance schedules; and
  • Investments in various security and information technology initiatives to support the operations of the Court.

The net increase of 5.7% ($169,000) in Statutory Expenditures in comparison to the same quarter of the previous year is attributed to general increases in statutory operating expenditures.

Figure 1: Comparison of Authorities Granted and Used

Description of image

Comparison of Third Quarter Authorities Granted and Used:
The diagram illustrates the variation in thousands of dollars for the Annual Net Budgetary Authorities Granted, the authorities used – Vote 1 – Net Operating expenditures and the authorities used – Statutory authorities as at December 31, 2021 and 2022.

Annual Net Budgetary Authorities Granted:
Figures showing authorities available for use as at December 31, 2021 and 2022: $41,160,342 in 2021-22 and $45,215,170 in 2022-23.

Year to Date used:
Figures present the cumulative amounts the ORSCC spent as at December 31, 2021 and 2022 respectively: $27,106,825 and $29,046,362.

Authorities Used during the Third Quarter – Vote 1 – Net Operating expenditures:
Figures showing the amounts the ORSCC spent: $6,506,256 for the third quarter of 2021-22 and $7,687,560 for the third quarter of 2022-23.

Authorities Used during the Third Quarter – Statutory authorities:
Figures showing the amounts the ORSCC spent: $2,967,964 for the third quarter of 2021-22 and $3,136,109 for the third quarter of 2022-23.

3. Risks and Uncertainties

This departmental quarterly financial report reflects the results of the current fiscal period in relation to the 2022-23 Main Estimates for which full supply was released on June 24, 2022.

The ORSCC is funded through voted parliamentary spending authorities (71%) and statutory authorities (29%) for operating and personnel expenditures.

New funding to invest in Security, Communications and Outreach, Corporate Services and Information Technology was received in the third quarter of 2022-23. These investments will help to reduce risks and enable key investments in the ORSCC’s strategic priorities.

The environment and context in which the Court manages and decides cases is continuously evolving, which in turn produces new risks and challenges. The ORSCC dedicates time and effort to ensure that all resources are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Opportunities aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs remain a priority for the organization. Greater financial controls and improved resource planning, forecasting and investment prioritization are also contributing to mitigate these risks.

4. Significant Changes to Operations, Personnel and Programs

The new funding received is meant to alleviate the financial risks faced by the organization over the years as well as to advance its strategic priorities. These investments are meant to better support the operations of the Court.

 

Approval by Senior Officials

Approved by:

 

Chantal Carbonneau, Registrar
Catherine Laforce, Chief Financial Officer

 

Ottawa, Ontario
February 15, 2023

 

Statement of Authorities (unaudited)
(in dollars)

Fiscal year 2022-2023

	Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2023*	Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2022	Year to date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 - Net Operating expenditures	32,229,834	7,687,560	21,046,736
Judges' Salaries, Allowances & Annuities	9,531,812	2,370,655	5,703,264
Contributions to Employee Benefit Plans	3,453,524	765,454	2,296,362
Statutory authorities	12,985,336	3,136,109	7,999,626
Total authorities	45,215,170	10,823,669	29,046,362

Fiscal year 2021-2022

	Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2022*	Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2021	Year to date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 - Net Operating expenditures	28,961,127	6,506,256	19,522,209
Judges' Salaries, Allowances & Annuities	9,157,676	2,216,439	5,330,041
Contributions to Employee Benefit Plans	3,041,539	751,525	2,254,575
Statutory authorities	12,199,215	2,967,964	7,584,616
Total authorities	41,160,342	9,474,220	27,106,825

* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.

Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)
(in dollars)

Fiscal year 2022-2023

Expenditures	Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023*	Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2022	Year to date used at quarter-end
Personnel	34,991,449	8,648,027	23,879,021
Transportation and communications	1,147,671	381,606	976,507
Information	259,036	70,693	176,643
Professional and special services	3,010,170	602,807	1,699,755
Rentals	1,251,533	305,546	828,331
Repair and maintenance	1,037,435	32,132	47,302
Utilities, materials and supplies	1,626,312	314,362	847,674
Acquisition of machinery and equipment	1,826,195	512,154	577,188
Other subsidies and payments	65,369	(43,658)	13,941
Total net budgetary expenditures	45,215,170	10,823,669	29,046,362

Fiscal year 2021-2022

Expenditures	Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2022*	Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2021	Year to date used at quarter-end
Personnel	33,592,810	8,069,384	23,210,675
Transportation and communications	1,341,277	132,489	490,518
Information	256,499	41,927	116,322
Professional and special services	2,749,039	527,118	1,340,384
Rentals	1,053,190	286,029	717,121
Repair and maintenance	523,324	67,907	117,566
Utilities, materials and supplies	1,119,865	286,206	794,017
Acquisition of machinery and equipment	443,639	38,325	257,612
Other subsidies and payments	80,699	24,835	62,610
Total net budgetary expenditures	41,160,342	9,474,220	27,106,825

* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.