Unaudited financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2019, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 1

Statement of management responsibility including internal control over financial reporting 2018-19

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2019, and all information contained in these financial statements rests with the management of Environment and Climate Change Canada. 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.

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these financial statements. 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 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 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 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 process to identify key risks, to assess the effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments.

A risk-based assessment of the system of ICFR for the year ended March 31, 2019, 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 reviewed by the work of 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 oversees management’s responsibilities for maintaining adequate control systems and the quality of financial reporting, and which recommends the financial statements to the Deputy Minister.

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

(the original version was signed by)
Stephen Lucas
Deputy Minister

Gatineau, Canada
Date:

(the original version was signed by)
Carol Najm
Chief Financial Officer

Gatineau, Canada
Date:

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