Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2023

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year to date (YTD) results
  3. Risk 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 2023-24 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 2023-24 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 2023-24, as well as budget adjustments approved by Treasury Board up to December 31, 2023.

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

As of December 31, 2023, total authorities available for use for CIHR have decreased by $12.0 million (0.9%) compared to December 31, 2022 as shown in Figure 2.1.1. below. The decrease to CIHR’s total authorities available is due to:

Total authorities used as of December 31, 2023 increased by $48.3 million (5.5%) compared to the prior fiscal year due in part to an increase in grant payments made through the third quarter. CIHR has used 69.3% (65.1% in 2022-23) of its available authorities through the third quarter which is consistent with its annual spending pattern.

Figure 2.1.1. Total annual authorities available and cumulative authorities used. ($ thousands)

Long description
  2023-24 2022-23
Total authorities available for use the year ended March 31Footnote * $1,340,522 $1,352,560
Cumulative authorities used as at December 31 $928,374 $880,116

Table 2.1.1 – Changes to annual authorities available and cumulative authorities used by vote. ($ thousands)

  2023-24 2022-23 Variance
  Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used (as at December 31) % used Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used (as at December 31) % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
  (1) (2)   (3) (4)      
Vote 1 - Operating Expenditures 73,938 53,599 72.5% 74,197 49,550 66.8% (0.3%) 8.2%
Vote 5 - Grants 1,257,718 868,126 69.0% 1,269,202 824,766 65.0% (0.9%) 5.3%
Statutory Authorities – Employee benefits plan 8,866 6,649 75.0% 9,161 5,800 63.3% (3.2%) 14.6%
Total 1,340,522 928,374 69.3% 1,352,560 880,116 65.1% (0.9%) 5.5%

Figure 2.1.2 Total annual authorities available and authorities used by quarter. ($ thousands)

Long description
  2023-24 2022-23
Total authorities available for use the year ended March 31Footnote * $1,340,522 $1,352,560
Authorities used as at June 30 $293,414 $277,188
Authorities used as at September 30 $299,402 $267,916
Authorities used as at December 31 $335,558 $335,012

Table 2.1.2 – Changes to annual authorities available and authorities used during the third quarter by vote ($ thousands)

  2023-24 2022-23 Variance
  Annual authorities available Q3 authorities used % used Annual authorities available Q3 authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
  (1) (2)   (3) (4)      
Vote 1 - Operating Expenditures 73,938 17,902 24.2% 74,197 16,969 22.9% (0.3%) 5.5%
Vote 5 - Grants 1,257,718 315,440 25.1% 1,269,202 316,110 24.9% (0.9%) (0.2%)
Statutory Authorities – Employee benefits plan 8,866 2,216 25.0% 9,161 1,933 21.1% (3.2%) 14.6%
Total 1,340,522 335,558 25.0% 1,352,560 335,012 24.8% (0.9%) 0.2%

Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures

Total authorities available for use for Vote 1 – Operating expenditures decreased by $0.3 million (0.3%) as at December 31, 2023 compared to the prior fiscal year.

This decrease is due to:

Authorities used through the third quarter for Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures authorities have increased by $4.0 million (8.2%) as compared to the prior fiscal year. This variance is primarily due to a $2.7 million increase in personnel costs due to an increased employee count, a $1.0 million increase in expenditures for rentals (more specifically for cloud services and yearly client and application software licenses), a $0.2 million increase in transportation and communication costs as a result of increased staff travel and increased data communication costs, $0.2 million increase for repair and maintenance and materials and supplies, as well as a $0.1 million increase in professional and special services (for example, management consulting fees and protection services). This increase is offset by minor decreases in information services (such as e- subscriptions) and other miscellaneous operating costs totaling $0.2 million. The percentage of operating authorities used has increased from the prior year (72.5% and 66.8% respectively) due to the aforementioned reasons.

Overall spending as of December 31, 2023 is consistent with CIHR management expectations.

Vote 5 – Grants

Authorities available for use for Vote 5 – Grants as of December 31, 2023 were $1,257.7 million and included funding for the following transfer payment programs:

Vote 5 authorities available for use decreased by $11.5 million (0.9%) as of December 31, 2023 as compared to the prior fiscal year. This decrease is due to the following:

Grant authorities used through the third quarter of 2023-24 increased by $43.4 million (5.3%) compared to the prior fiscal year. The percentage of grant authorities used is consistent with the prior year (69.0% and 65.0% respectively) as grants are typically paid out in monthly installments throughout the year.

Overall spending as of December 31, 2023 is consistent with CIHR management expectations.

Statutory Authorities

Contribution to employee benefit plans

Budgetary statutory authorities representing CIHR’s contribution to employee benefit plans available for use decreased year over year by $0.3 million (3.2%). The decrease to CIHR’s statutory authorities available is due to:

Actual spending for statutory authorities in the third quarter of 2023-24 is 75.0% 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 December 31, 2023, total authorities available for use by CIHR decreased by $12.0 million (0.9%) compared to the prior fiscal year. Total authorities used as of December 31, 2023 increased by $48.3 million (5.5%) 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 cumulative authorities used by expenditure type ($ thousands)

  2023-24 2022-23 Variance
  Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used % used Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
  (1) (2)   (3) (4)      
PersonnelFootnote * 67,349 54,003 80.2% 66,921 50,492 75.5% 0.6% 7.0%
Other Operating Expenditures 15,455 6,245 40.4% 16,437 4,858 29.6% (6.0%) 28.6%
Transfer Payments 1,257,718 868,126 69.0% 1,269,202 824,766 65.0% (0.9%) 5.3%
Total 1,340,522 928,374 69.3% 1,352,560 880,116 65.1% (0.9%) 5.5%
Footnote *

Personnel includes statutory authorities provided for the employee benefit plan

* referrer

Table 2.2.2 – Changes to annual authorities available and authorities used during the third quarter by expenditure type ($ thousands)

  2023-24 2022-23 Variance
  Annual authorities available Q3 authorities used % used Annual authorities available Q3 authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
  (1) (2)   (3) (4)      
PersonnelFootnote * 67,349 18,109 26.9% 66,921 17,091 25.5% 0.6% 6.0%
Other Operating Expenditures 15,455 2,009 13.0% 16,437 1,811 11.0% (6.0%) 10.9%
Transfer Payments 1,257,718 315,440 25.1%% 1,269,202 316,110 24.9% (0.9%) (0.2%)
Total 1,340,522 335,558 25.0% 1,352,560 335,012 24.8% (0.9%) 0.2%
Footnote *

Personnel includes statutory authorities provided for the employee benefit plan

* referrer

Personnel and Other Operating Expenditures

Authorities available for Personnel Expenditures for the period ended December 31, 2023 increased by $0.4 million (0.6%) as compared to the prior year. Authorities available for Other Operating Expenditures decreased by $1.0 million (6.0%). These variances are due to:

Personnel authorities used through the third quarter increased by $3.5 million (7.0%) compared to the prior fiscal year, mainly due to an increased employee count. The percentage of authorities used for Personnel Expenditures through the third quarter (80.2%) is reasonable for this type of expenditure and is consistent with the prior year (75.5%).

Other Operating Expenditures used through the third quarter increased by $1.4 million (28.6%) compared to the prior fiscal year due mainly to a $1.0 million increase in expenditures for rentals (more specifically cloud services and yearly software licenses) and increases for transportation and communication costs as a result of increased staff travel and increased data communication costs ($0.2 million), professional and special services ($0.1 million) and for materials and supplies ($0.1 million).

Overall spending as of December 31, 2023 is consistent with CIHR management expectations.

Transfer Payments

Authorities available for the period ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $11.4 million (0.9%) over the prior year due primarily to the re-profiled funds for the Clinical Trials fund, offset by increases to existing funding and an increase in the net transfers from other government departments for specific programs and initiatives. Authorities used through the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased by $43.4 million (5.3%) compared to the prior fiscal. The percentage of grant authorities used through the third quarter of 2023-24 (69.0%) is slightly higher than the authorities used through the third quarter of 2022-23 (65.0%).

2.3 Other Non-Financial Highlights

Other non-financial highlights for the third quarter of 2023-24 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. In 2023–24, CIHR developed a new Corporate Risk Profile (CRP) through a cross-organizational consultation process led by an external consultant firm to identify current risks for the Agency. The CRP provides a proactive response to manage and monitor risks to ensure CIHR's ability to deliver on its mandate. The key risks identified for implementation in 2023–24 and 2024–25 are as follows.

Risk 1 - Corporate Prioritization

There is a risk that CIHR’s current corporate prioritization process may cause it to establish new priorities without preplanning to ensure the necessary resources (e.g., infrastructure, staff, funding) are available thus risking the viability of initiatives, programs and Agency plans as well as expending available resources beyond sustainable levels.

Risk 2 - CIHR/Institutes’ Authorities, Roles, and Responsibilities

There is a risk that the lack of a clear governance framework within CIHR and between CIHR and the Institutes including the authorities, roles, and responsibilities may cause an important misalignment between how key decisions are being made among stakeholders, leading to potential reputational damage to CIHR as well as inefficient decision-making and use of limited resources.

Risk 3 - Tri-Agency Grants Management Solution (TGMS)

There is a risk that CIHR’s current issues in sustaining the ongoing TGMS initiative could result in the failure of the TGMS project itself (or unacceptable delays in its operational delivery), thus leading to a significant loss of confidence in CIHR’s role as an innovative leader in the health research eco-system.

Risk 4 – Cybersecurity

There is a risk that CIHR’s current IM/IT infrastructure (e.g., systems, software) and support framework (e.g., strategies, policies, procedures, expertise) may allow for significant cybersecurity incidents affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of services (core and/or critical).

Risk 5 – Research Funding Integrity

There is a risk related to partnered research competitions and initiatives with regards to 1) inconsistent interpretation and application of Central Agency policies as well as 2) conflicting or misaligned policies and/or competition delivery requirements between CIHR and the partner. This may impact CIHR’s overall reputation and financial management autonomy as well as the integrity of the process and may result in uneven and/or non-compliant application of the research funding delivery process.

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

On December 20, CIHR announced the appointment of Dr. Ariane Marelli as the next Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health for a term of four years, effective April 1, 2024. Dr. Marelli replaces Dr. Brian Rowe whose term as Scientific Director was completed on December 31. CIHR Vice-President, Research Programs, Dr. Christian Baron, will provide interim leadership for the Institute until Dr. Marelli begins her term.

Budget 2023 proposed reduced spending on consulting, travel, and other professional services, by roughly 15 percent of planned 2023-24 discretionary spending in these areas. These reductions have resulted in a decrease of CIHR authorities by $1.0M in 2023-24. Moving forward, Budget 2023 proposes to phase in a 3 percent reduction in spending by all federal departments and agencies by 2026-27. CIHR continues to revise its spending plans in accordance with guidance from the Treasury Board Secretariat and Department of Finance.

Approval by Senior Officials

Approved by:

[original signed by]

Catherine MacLeod
Acting President

[original signed by]

Jimmy Fecteau, MBA, CPA, CMA
Chief Financial Officer

Ottawa, Canada
February 29, 2024

5. Statement of Authorities (unaudited)

For the quarter ended December 31, 2023

  Fiscal year 2023-24 Fiscal year 2022-23
(in thousands of dollars) Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2024Footnote * Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 Year to date used at quarter-end Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2023Footnote * Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2022 Year to date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures 73,938 17,902 53,599 74,197 16,969 49,550
Vote 5 - Grants 1,257,718 315,440 868,126 1,269,202 316,110 824,766
Budgetary statutory authorities
Contributions to employee benefit plans 8,866 2,216 6,649 9,161 1,933 5,800
Total budgetary authorities 1,340,522 335,558 928,374 1,352,560 335,012 880,116
Footnote *

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

* referrer

6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)

For the quarter ended December 31, 2023

  Fiscal year 2023-24 Fiscal year 2022-23
(in thousands of dollars) Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2024Footnote * Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 Year to date used at quarter-end Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023Footnote * Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2022 Year to date used at quarter-end
Expenditures:
Personnel 67,349 18,109 54,003 66,921 17,091 50,492
Transportation and communications 853 218 591 3,437 232 370
Information 317 56 204 91 143 361
Professional and special services 9,907 899 2,644 9,068 1,055 2,495
Rentals 3,276 655 2,320 2,778 177 1,303
Repair and maintenance 44 161 186 86 73 114
Utilities, materials and supplies 301 (3) 120 284 1 10
Acquisition of machinery and equipment 757 26 180 693 121 180
Transfer payments 1,257,718 315,440 868,126 1,269,202 316,110 824,766
Other subsidies and payments - (3) - - 9 25
Total budgetary expenditures 1,340,522 335,558 928,374 1,352,560 335,012 880,116
Footnote *

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

* referrer

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