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ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Statement of Management Responsibility, Including Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2024, and all information contained in these financial statements rests with the management of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. These financial statements have been prepared by management using the Government of Canada's accounting policies, which are based on Canadian public-sector accounting standards.

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 Agency’s financial transactions. Financial information submitted in the preparation of the Public Accounts of Canada, and included in the Agency’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 and other applicable legislation, regulations, authorities and policies.

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 Agency;and by 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 the effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments.

The Agency is subject to periodic Core Control Audits performed by the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada (OCG) and will use the results of such audits to comply with the Treasury Board Policy on Financial Management.  The Agency is also undertaking a risk-based assessment of the system of ICFR for the year ended March 31, 2024, in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Financial Management, and the results and action plan are summarized in the annex.

The financial statements of the Agency have not been audited.

Approved by Senior Officials
Approved by:

Laura Lee Langley
Deputy Head
Moncton, Canada
Date:

Kurt Chin Quee, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Ottawa, Canada
Date:

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Annex to the Statement of Management Responsibility, Including Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

1. Introduction

In support of an effective system of internal control, the Agency conducted assessments of key control areas that were identified to be evaluated in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. A summary of the assessment results and action plan is provided in section 2.

The Agency will assess all key control areas over a five-year period. The assessment plan is provided in section 3.

2. Assessment results for the 2023-2024 fiscal year

The Agency completed the assessment of key control areas as indicated in the following table. A summary of the results, action plans, and additional details are also provided.

Key control areas Remediation required Summary results and action plan
Contracting Yes Information management issues were identified. Required training and remedial actions have been addressed.
Year-end Payables Yes Internal process issues were identified. Required training and remedial actions have been addressed.
Receivables Management No Internal controls are functioning as intended; no action plan required.

With respect to the key control areas of the delegation of spending and financial authorities, for the most part, controls related to spending and financial authorities were functioning well and form an adequate basis for the department’s system of internal control. Some issues related to the required training were identified and addressed during the fiscal year.

3. Assessment plan

The Agency will assess the performance of its system of internal control by focusing on key control areas over a cycle of years as shown in the following table.

Evaluation Plan
Key control areas 2024- 2025 fiscal year 2025- 2026 fiscal year 2026- 2027 fiscal year 2027- 2028 fiscal year
Delegation   X
Transfer Payments   X
Contracting  
Year-end Payables  
Receivables  
Pay Administration X  
Travel X
Financial Management Governance X  
Hospitality X  
Accountable Advances X  
Acquisition cards X
Leave X
Special Financial Authorities X

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited)
As at March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Liabilities    
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 4) 69,631 63,333
     Vacation pay and compensatory leave 4,227 4,227
     Other liabilities (Note 5) 1,198 1,116
     Employee future benefits (Note 6) 1,350 1,480
     Total gross liabilities 76,406 70,156
   
Liabilities held on behalf of Government    
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 4) (7,492) (9,123)
Total liabilities held on behalf of Government (7,492) (9,123)
   
Total net liabilities 68,914 61,033
   
Financial assets    
     Due from Consolidated Revenue Fund 62,075 53,658
     Accounts receivable and advances (Note 7) 3,150 1,348
     Loans receivable (Note 8) 466,160 467,086
     Investments (Note 9) 3,470 3,470
Total gross financial assets 534,855 525,562
     
Financial assets held on behalf of Government    
     Accounts receivable and advances (Note 7) (2,920) (660)
     Loans receivable (Note 8) (466,160) (467,086)
     Investments (Note 9) (3,470) (3,470)
Total financial assets held on behalf of Government (472,550) (471,216)
   
Total net financial assets 62,305 54,346
   
Agency net debt 6,609 6,687
   
Non-financial assets    
     Tangible capital assets (Note 10) 6,175 5,492
Total non-financial assets 6,175 5,492
   
Agency net financial position (434) (1,195)

For information on contractual obligations, see note 11.

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

Approved by Senior Officials
Approved by:

Laura Lee Langley
Deputy Head
Moncton, Canada
Date:

Kurt Chin Quee, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Ottawa, Canada
Date:

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position (Unaudited)
For the Year Ended March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2024 Planned Results 2024 Actuals 2023 Actuals
Expenses      
     Economic Development 366,214 366,967 330,403
     Internal Services 32,464 34,365 33,217
     Expenses incurred on behalf of Government (Discount and Allowance for doubtful accounts) (2,709) (65,876) (50,857)
Total expenses 395,969 335,456 312,763
     
Revenues      
     Revenue from amortization of discount on assistance loans 14,924 19,119 16,425
     Interest on overdue loans 251 224 339
     Dividend on investments 0 0 0
     Gain on disposal of tangible capital and non-capital assets 26 40 49
     Miscellaneous revenues 9 4 3
     Gains on foreign exchange revaluations at year-end 0 0 1
     Revenues earned on behalf of Government (15,184) (19,347) (16,768)
Total revenues 26 40 49
Net cost of operations 395,943 335,416 312,714
     
Net cost of operations before Government funding and transfers 395,943 335,416 312,714
Government funding and transfers      
     Net cash provided by Government   317,708 309,985
     Change in due from Consolidated Revenue Fund   8,418 (4,815)
     Services provided without charge by OGDs (Note 12)   10,018 9,630
     Other transfers of assets and liabilities (to)/ from OGDs   33 30
Net cost of operations after Government funding and transfers   (761) (2,116)
Departmental net financial position - Beginning of year   (1,195) (3,311)
Departmental net financial position - End of year   (434) (1,195)

For an explanation of segmented information, see note 13.

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

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Statement of Change in Departmental Net Debt (Unaudited)
For the Year Ended March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Net cost of operations after Government funding and transfers (761) (2,116)
Change due to tangible capital assets
     Acquisition of tangible capital assets 860 1,423
     Amortization of tangible capital assets (203) (175)
     Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets (40) (49)
     Net (loss) or gain on disposal of tangible capital  assets, including adjustments 40 49
     Transfer of assets from another government department 26 0
Total change due to tangible capital assets 683 1,248
     
Increase (decrease) in departmental net debt (78) (868)
 
Departmental net debt – Beginning of year 6,687 7,555
 
Departmental net debt – End of year 6,608 6,687

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

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
For the Year Ended March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Operating activities
Net cost of operations before Government funding and transfers 335,416 312,714
     Non-cash items :
          Amortization of tangible capital assets (203) (175)
          Gain on disposal and write-down of tangible capital assets 40 49
          Other transfers of assets and liabilities (to)/ from OGDs (33) (30)
          Services provided without charge by OGDs (note 12) (10,018) (9,629)
     Variations in Statement of Financial Position:
          Increase (decrease) in accounts receivable and advances (459) 141
          Decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (7,928) 4,623
          Decrease (increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave 0 478
          Decrease (increase) in other liabilities (83) 199
          Decrease (increase) in employee future benefits 130 241
     Cash used by operating activities 316,862 308,611
     Capital investing activities
          Acquisition of tangible capital assets (note 10) 860 1,423
          Transfer of assets from another government department 26 0
          Proceeds from  disposal of tangible capital assets (40) (49)
     Cash used in capital investing activities 846 1,374
     Net cash provided by Government of Canada 317,708 309,985

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

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited)
For the Year Ended March 31

1. Authority and Objectives

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) operates under the authority of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 41, 4th Supp.

The Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive; by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies; and by championing the strengths of the region. The Agency’s key priorities and its Minister’s mandate letter commitments are guiding principles in the achievement of its core responsibilities through the three departmental results below.
ACOA invests in the innovation and growth of Atlantic Canadian businesses to:

ACOA supports business investments in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Atlantic Canada through:

ACOA invests in the economic diversification of communities to:

ACOA embraces its culture of innovation, collaboration and engagement. The Agency constantly strives to ensure it works effectively with the four Atlantic provincial governments, other federal departments, industry stakeholders and community partners.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

These financial statements have been prepared using the Government’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 – The Agency is financed by the Government of Canada through parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the Agency 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 Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position and in the Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through authorities from Parliament. Note 3 provides a reconciliation between the bases of reporting. The planned results in the Statement of Operations are the amounts reported in the future-oriented financial statements included in the 2022-2023 Departmental Plan.

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

(c) Amounts due from the CRF – These amounts 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 Agency is entitled to draw from the CRF without further authorities to discharge its liabilities.

(d) Revenues – Revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event occurred that gave rise to the revenues, except for interest income on overdue loans, which is only recognized when received due to the uncertainty as to its ultimate collection.

The majority of the revenues results from the recognition of the amortization of discount on assistance loans.

With the exception of gain on disposal of tangible capital assets, revenues are earned on behalf of Government and are not available to discharge the Agency’s liabilities. While the Deputy Head (DH) is expected to maintain accounting control, she has no authority regarding the disposition of these revenues. Therefore, they are presented in reduction of the entity’s gross revenues.

(e) Expenses – Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis:

Transfer payments such as grants, conditionally repayable contributions and non-repayable contributions are recorded as expenses when authorization for the payment is approved as a legitimate expense under the applicable transfer payment program. Transfer payments that become repayable as a result of conditions specified in the contribution agreement are recorded as a reduction in transfer payment expense and are reclassified as a receivable.

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 for accommodations, employer contributions to the health and dental insurance plans, legal services and workers’ compensation are recorded as operating expenses at their estimated cost.

Expenses related to the loan and accounts receivable portfolio are expenses incurred on behalf of the Government. While the DH is expected to maintain accounting control over loans and accounts receivable, she has no authority regarding their disposition; therefore, related expenses are presented in reduction of the entity’s gross expenses.

(f) Employee future benefits

i) Pension benefits – Eligible employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan, a multi-employer plan administered by the Government of Canada. The Agency’s contributions to the plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total Agency obligation to the plan. The Agency’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.

(ii) Severance benefits – The accumulation of severance benefits for voluntary departures ceased for applicable employee groups. The remaining obligation for employees who did not withdraw benefits is calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benefits for the Government as a whole.

(g) Accounts and loans receivable – These are stated at the lower of cost and net recoverable value. A valuation allowance is recorded for accounts and loans receivable where recovery is considered appropriate and uncertain.

(i) Unconditionally repayable contributions – Transfer payments that are unconditionally repayable are recognized as loans receivable. These contributions must be repaid without condition, and the loans have significant concessionary terms as they include a no-interest clause. Furthermore, they have various repayment terms. The modified effective rate method is used to discount the loans receivable.

(ii) Conditionally repayable contributions – Transfer payments that are conditionally repayable are reclassified as accounts receivable when conditions specified in the contribution agreement come into effect or in the event of default.

(h) Allowance for impaired loans and accounts receivable – Loans and accounts receivable are classified as impaired when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of the full amount of principal and, where applicable, interest. A specific allowance is established to reduce the recorded value of the loan to its estimated net realizable value. The long-term impact of COVID-19 has been considered in the valuation of allowances against outstanding loans.

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

(j) Tangible capital assets – All tangible capital assets having an initial cost of $10,000 or more are recorded at their acquisition cost. The Agency does not capitalize intangibles, works of art and historical treasures that have cultural, aesthetic or historical value, assets located on Indigenous communities, and museum collections.

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

Asset Class Amortization Period
Vehicles 5 years
Computer equipment 3 years
In-house-developed software 5 years
Other equipment 5 years
Machinery and equipment 15 years

(k) Measurement uncertainty – The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes as at March 31. The estimates are based on facts and circumstances, historical experience and general economic conditions, and reflect the Government’s best estimate of the related amount at the end of the reporting period. The most significant items for which estimates are used are the allowance for doubtful accounts, the unamortized discount on assistance loans, the liability for employee severance 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. Parliamentary Authorities

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

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Net Cost of Operations before Government funding and transfers 335,416 312,714
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:
          Amortization of tangible capital assets (203) (175)
          Gain (loss) on disposal of tangible capital assets 40 49
          Receivable for disposal of Crown assets - -
          Services provided without charge by OGDs (10,018) (9,630)
          Decrease (increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave - 478
          Decrease (increase) in employee future benefits 130 241
          Refund of prior years' expenditures 158 254
          Conditions met on contributions 25,844 17,694
          Adjustments to prior years' accrual 1,137 247
          Correction to assistance type from repayable contribution to non-repayable - 1,695
          Other expenses not being charged to appropriations at the same time (70) -
          Outstanding recovery of operating expenses (53) (53)
          Adjustments to investment account  -   -
     Total of items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities 17,035 10,800
     Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:
          Acquisition of tangible capital assets 859 1,422
          Assistance loans issued on behalf of Government 125,171 108,186
          Salary overpayments 20 4
     Total items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities 126,050 109,612
     Current year authorities used 478,431 433,126

(b) Authorities provided and used

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Authorities provided:  
     Vote 1 - Operating expenditures 79,091 75,208
     Vote 5 - Grants and contributions 437,992 382,261
     Statutory amounts 9,569 9,341
Less:
     Total lapsed (48,181) (33,635)
     Authorities available for future years (40) (49)
Current year appropriations used 478,431 433,126

4. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The following table presents details of the Agency’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Accounts payable - Other payables to OGDs 590 387
Regular accounts payable   23,208 20,621
Accrued salaries and wages 4,024 4,154
Contractor's holdback 2,765 1,435
Subtotal 30,587 26,597
Accrued liabilities 39,044 36,736
Gross accounts payable and accrued liabilities 69,631 63,333
Accrued liabilities held on behalf of the Government (7,492) (9,123)
Net accounts payable and accrued liabilities 62,139 54,210

Accrued liabilities associated with the loans receivable are considered accrued liabilities held on behalf of the Government. While the DH is expected to maintain accounting control over loans receivable, she has no authority regarding their disposition; therefore, liabilities related to the loans receivable are presented in reduction of the entity’s gross accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

5. Other Liabilities

The Agency enters into agreements with provincial governments to fund various transfer payment projects. The Agency records deposits from these provincial governments for their share of costs under various projects. Monies are distributed on behalf of contributors as projects are undertaken. Unused funds are returned to the provincial governments. Activity during the year is as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Opening liability 1,116 1,315
Deposits 2,134 2,000
Payments (2,051) (2,199)
Closing liability 1,199 1,116

6. Employee Future Benefits

(a) Pension benefits – The Agency’s employees participate in the Public Service Pension 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 percent 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 are indexed to inflation.

Both the employees and the Agency contribute to the cost of the plan. Due to the amendment of the Public Service Superannuation Act following the implementation of provisions related to Canada’s 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 who joined the plan as of January 1, 2013. Each group has a distinct contribution rate.

The 2023-2024 expense amounts to $5,612,551 ($6,052,330 in 2022-2023). For Group 1 members, the expense represents approximately 1.02 times (same as in 2022-2023) the employee contributions and, for Group 2 members, approximately 1.00 times (same as in 2022-2023) the employee contributions.

The Agency’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.

(b) Severance benefits – The Agency provides severance benefits to its employees based on eligibility, years of service and salary at termination of employment. These severance benefits are not prefunded. Benefits will be paid from future authorities. Information about the severance benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Accrued benefit obligation - Beginning of year 1,480 1,721
Expenses for the year 131 130
Benefits paid during the year (261) (371)
Accrued benefit obligation - End of year 1,350 1,480

7. Accounts Receivable and Advances

The following table presents details of the Agency’s accounts receivable and advances balances.

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Receivables from contributions
     Conditionally repayable conditions met 354 1,234
     Defaulted conditionally repayable contributions 25,748 8,970
     Defaulted non-repayable contributions 2,913 2,859
     Overpayments to be recovered 187 102
Receivables from OGDs and agencies 195 695
Receivables from external parties 282 254
Salary overpayment and employee advances 35 (6)
Subtotal 29,714 14,108
Allowance for doubtful accounts on receivables from external parties (26,564) (12,760)
Gross accounts receivable 3,150 1,348
Accounts receivable held on behalf of Government (2,920) (659)
Net accounts receivable (receivable OGD, salary overpayment & emp advances) 230 689

Conditionally repayable contributions – These contributions relate to ones made to outside parties, all or part of which become repayable if conditions specified in the contribution agreement come into effect. In 2023-2024, an allowance of $23,914,156 ($9,988,789 in 2022-2023) relating to these loans was recorded.

In 2023-2024, collections on conditionally repayable contributions amounted to $9,470,505 ($11,381,025 in 2022-2023).

In 2023-2024, the Agency’s writeoffs were $832,742 ($3,817,263 in 2022-2023) for accounts (including defaulted non-repayable contributions) deemed uncollectible and where all possible avenues of collection had been exhausted. The writeoff of a Crown debt is a bookkeeping action only and does not eliminate the obligation of a debtor to make payment, nor does it affect the right of the Crown to enforce collections. Payments received on accounts receivable that were written off were $0 for fiscal year 2023-2024 ($0 in 2022-2023).

Accounts receivable are considered financial assets held on behalf of the Government and are not available to discharge the department’s liabilities. While the DH is expected to maintain accounting control, she has no authority regarding the disposition of repayments received. Therefore, accounts receivable and advances are presented as a reduction to the entity’s gross accounts receivable.

8. Loans Receivable

The following table presents details of the Agency’s loans balances.

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2024 2023
Loans receivable 671,912 644,695
     Less: Unamortized discount on assistance loans (88,602) (68,673)
Subtotal 583,310 576,022
     Less: Allowance for uncollectibility (117,150) (108,936)
Gross loans receivable 466,160 467,086
Loans receivable held on behalf of Government (466,160) (467,086)
Net loans receivable  -  -

These loans relate to unconditionally repayable contributions made to outside parties that must be repaid without qualification. An allowance of $117,149,577 ($108,936,342 in 2022-2023) relating to these loans was recorded.

The loans receivable portfolio consists of approximately 3,100 non-interest-bearing unconditionally repayable contributions issued, for the most part, from 2014 to 2023 with prescribed annual repayment terms. The loans are recorded at their discounted net present value using market interest rates at the time of the loans.

In 2023-2024, collections on unconditionally repayable contributions amounted to $94,164,576 ($74,132,280 in 2022-2023). The Agency’s writeoffs were $3,976,006 ($6,063,729 in 2022-2023) for accounts deemed uncollectible and where all possible avenues of collection had been exhausted. The writeoff of a Crown debt is a bookkeeping action only and does not eliminate the obligation of a debtor to make payment, nor does it affect the right of the Crown to enforce collections. Payments received on loans receivable that were written off were $1,859 in 2023-2024 ($3,212 in 2022-2023).

Loans receivable are considered a financial asset held on behalf of the Government and are not available to discharge the department’s liabilities. While the DH is expected to maintain accounting control, she has no authority regarding the disposition of repayments received. Therefore, loans receivable are presented as a reduction to the entity’s gross loans receivable.

9. Investments

The following table presents details of the Agency’s investment balances.

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Preferred shares 6,789 6,803
Redemption of Preferred Shares - (14)
  6,789 6,789
     Less: Allowance for writedown (3,319) (3,319)
Gross Investments 3,470 3,470
Investment held on behalf of Government (3,470) (3,470)
Net Investments  -  -

In order to help fulfill its mandate to promote economic development in the Cape Breton region of Nova Scotia, the former Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) had taken equity interests in several companies in an effort to help firms to expand or innovate.

10. Tangible Capital Assets

(in thousands of dollars)

Vehicles Computer equipment In-house-developed software Machinery and equipment Other equipment Total
Cost  
Opening balance 932 107 7,500 143 - 8,682
Acquisitions 137 - 723 - - 860
Transfer of asset from another government department 5 - - - - 5
Disposals and writeoffs (120) - - - - (120)
Closing balance 954 107 8,223 143 - 9,427
Accumulated amortization
Opening balance 651 86 2,375 78 - 3,190
Amortization 89 13 71 9 - 182
Transfer of asset from another government department - - - - - -
Disposals and writeoffs (120) - - - - (120)
Closing balance 620 99 2,446 87 - 3,252
2024 Net book value 334 8 5,777 56 - 6,175
2023 Net book value 281 21 5,125 65 - 5,492

11. Contractual obligations

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

(in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2026 2027 2028 Total
Transfer payments 296,076 69,263 13,692 4,177 383,208
Operations and maintenance 6,165 1,225 372 100 7,862
Total 302,241 70,488 14,064 4,277 391,070

12.  Related-party transactions

The Agency is related as a result of common ownership to all government departments, agencies and Crown corporations. The Agency enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. During the year, the Agency received common services, which were obtained without charge, from other government departments, as disclosed below.

(a) Common services provided without charge by other government departments

During the year, the Agency received services without charge from certain common service organizations related to accommodations, legal services, the employer’s contribution to the health and dental insurance plans, and workers’ compensation coverage. These services, provided without charge, have been recorded in the Agency’s Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)

  2024 2023
Employer's contribution to the health and dental insurance plans 5,491 5,383
Accommodations (Public Services and Procurement Canada) 4,352 4,052
Legal Services (Department of Justice) 175 195
Total 10,018 9,630
     

The Government has centralized some of its administrative activities for efficiency, cost-effectiveness purposes and 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 departments and agencies without charge. The costs of these services, such as the payroll and cheque issuance services provided by Public Services and Procurement Canada and audit services provided by the Office of the Auditor General, are not included as an expense in the Agency’s Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position.

13.  Segmented Information

Presentation by segment is based on the Agency’s departmental results framework and on the same accounting policies as described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The following table presents the expenses incurred and revenues generated for the main programs, by major object of expense and by major type of revenue. The segmented results for the period are as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)

  Economic Development Internal Services 2024 Total 2023 Total
Transfer Payments  
Conditionally repayable
Industry 10,333 - 10,333 7,169
Conditions met (25,844) - (25,844) (17,694)
Total conditionally repayable (15,511) - (15,511) (10,525)
Non-repayable        
     Industry 40,879 - 40,879 34,755
     Non-profit organizations 192,695 - 192,695 178,187
     Other levels of government 27,212 - 27,212 22,266
     Individuals 509 - 509 824
Total non-repayable 261,295 - 261,295 236,032
Adjustments to prior year's accruals on transfer payments (1,137) - (1,137) (1,942)
Loan discount portion on assistance loans 39,050 - 39,050 33,239
Provision for impaired loans and accounts receivable 26,826 - 26,826 17,618
Expenses incurred on behalf of Government (65,876) - (65,876) (50,857)
Total transfer payments 244,648 - 244,648 223,565
         
Operating expenses        
Personnel 51,079 27,005 78,084 75,559
Professional services 907 1,183 2,090 3,589
Transportation and telecommunications 791 597 1,388 1,584
Accommodations 2,847 1,505 4,352 4,052
Rental 77 1,673 1,750 1,944
Equipment (less than $10,000 per item) 2 790 792 680
Information 639 266 905 616
Utilities, material, supplies 38 89 127 249
Purchased repair and maintenance 4 84 88 109
Amortization of tangible capital assets - 203 203 175
Miscellaneous expenses 60 970 1,030 641
Total operating expenses 56,444 34,365 90,809 89,198
Total expenses 301,092 34,365 335,457 312,763
Revenues        
Revenue from amortization of discount on assistance loans 19,119 - 19,119 16,425
Interest on overdue loans 224 - 224 339
Dividend on investments  - - - -
Gain on disposal of tangible capital and non-capital assets - 40 40 49
Miscellaneous revenues 4 - 4 3
Gains on foreign exchange revaluations at year-end - - - 1
Revenues earned on behalf of Government (19,347) - (19,347) (16,768)
Total revenues - 40 40 49
Net cost from continuing operations 301,092 34,325 335,417 312,714