Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre

We examined how the International Development Research Centre implemented its corporate management practices and managed its operations during the period covered by the audit.

In examining the corporate management practices, we found a significant deficiency in board appointments, an important component of governance. On June 10, 2025, the Board of Governors had 10 vacancies, leaving it with only 4 out of a possible 14 governors. Although not within the corporation’s control, these vacancies meant that the board could not meet the statutory quorum of 7 governors required for valid proceedings and decision making. Furthermore, because of the number of vacancies, most board committees were also not able to function, so the board could not fulfill many of its oversight roles and responsibilities. The Governor in Council appointed 2 governors effective November 5, 2025, and another 2 effective November 13, 2025. These 4 appointments increased the number of governors to 8, enabling the board to meet quorum. The Governor in Council appointed another governor effective January 26, 2026, bringing the number to 9.

In examining other corporate management practices and the management of operations, we found that the corporation used many good practices but also some corporate and operational practices that needed improvement.

Our conclusion is that except for the significant deficiency related to the insufficient number of governors on the board, the corporation overall maintained its systems and practices that we examined during the period covered by the audit in a manner that provided reasonable assurance that its assets were safeguarded and controlled, its resources were managed economically and efficiently, and its operations were carried out effectively.