Unaudited Financial Statements for the period ending March 31, 2018: Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 1

Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 2017-2018

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2018, and all information contained in these statements rests with the management of Environment and Climate Change Canada.   These financial statements have been prepared by management using the Government’s accounting directives and practices, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in financial statements.  Some of the information 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 Environment and Climate Change Canada’s financial transactions. Financial information submitted in the preparation of the Public Accounts of Canada, and included in Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Departmental Results Report, is consistent with 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 legislations, regulations, authorities and policies.

Management seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in financial statements through rigorous selection, training, and development of qualified staff; through organizational structure that provides appropriate responsibilities and accountabilities; through communication aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards, and managerial authorities are understood throughout Environment and Climate Change Canada and through 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 monitoring process to identify key risks, to assess the effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments.

An annual risk-based assessment of the system of ICFR for the year ended March 31, 2018 was completed in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Financial Management.  The results and action plans are summarized in the annex.

The effectiveness and adequacy of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s system of internal control is also reviewed through an independent assurance by  internal audit staff, who conduct periodic audits of different areas of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s operations, and by the Departmental Audit Committee, which reviews and provides guidance to the Deputy Minister for maintaining adequate control systems and financial reporting, and which recommends the financial statements to the Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The financial statements of Environment and Climate Change Canada have not been audited.