Statistics Canada's Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, March 31, 2026

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

Notes to the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited) for the year ending March 31

1. Methodology and significant assumptions

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

The information in the forecasted results for fiscal year 2024-25 is based on actual results as at October 31, 2024 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts have been made for the planned results for fiscal year 2025-26.

The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows:

• The agency'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 historical trends and known cyclical changes.

These assumptions are made as at November 1, 2024.

2. Variations and changes to the forecast financial information

Although every attempt has been made to forecast final results for the remainder of 2024-25 and for 2025-26, actual results achieved for both years are likely to differ from the forecasted information presented, and this variation could be material.

In preparing this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, Statistics Canada 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 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 statements of operations include:

• the timing and the amount of acquisitions and disposals of property 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 receivables; and
• other changes to the operating budget, such as new initiatives or technical adjustments made later in the fiscal year.

After the Departmental Plan is tabled in Parliament, the agency 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 2024-25 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

Transfer payments are recorded as an expense in the year the transfer is authorized, and all eligibility criteria have been met by the recipient.

Other expenses are generally recorded when goods are received or services are rendered and include expenses related to personnel, professional and special services, repair and maintenance, utilities, materials and supplies, as well as amortization of tangible capital assets. Provisions to reflect changes in the value of assets or liabilities, such as provisions for bad debts, advances and inventory obsolescence, as well as utilization of inventories and prepaid expenses, and other are also included in other expenses.

b) Revenues

Revenues received for special statistical services are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt. These amounts are recognized as revenue in the period in which the services are rendered and related expenses are incurred.

Deferred revenue consists of amounts received prior to the provision of goods or services that will be recognized as revenue in a subsequent fiscal year as the performance obligations are met.

Other revenues are recognized in the period the event giving rise to the revenues occurred.

Revenues that are non-respendable are not available to discharge the agency's liabilities. While the Chief Statistician is expected to maintain accounting control, he has no authority regarding the disposition of non-respendable revenues. As a result, non-respendable revenues are earned on behalf of the Government of Canada and are therefore presented as a reduction of the entity's gross revenues.

4. Parliamentary authorities

The agency is financed in part by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the agency 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 agency has a 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: