Health Canada Quarterly Financial Report - For the quarter ended December 31, 2020 (Revised)
Erratum
Date: February 22, 2022
Location: Statement of Authorities (unaudited), Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2021, (S) Medical Research
Revision: "(S) Medical Research, Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2021, $308,372 thousand" replaces "(S) Medical Research, Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2021, $08,372 thousand".
Rationale for the revision: Original amount reported was not correct.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Basis of Presentation
- Highlights of the Fiscal Quarter and Fiscal Year-to-Date Results
- Risks and Uncertainties
- Significant Changes in Relation to Operations, Personnel and Programs
- Statement of Authorities (unaudited)
- Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)
Introduction
Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. In keeping with the Department's commitment to making this country's population among the healthiest in the world as measured by longevity, lifestyle and effective use of the public health care system, its main responsibilities are as a regulator, a service provider, a catalyst for innovation, a funder, and an information provider. A summary of Health Canada's programs may be found in Part II of the Main Estimates. Health Canada administers the Canada Health Act which embodies national principles to ensure a universal and equitable publicly-funded health care system.
This quarterly financial report has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board, and should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates A, and Supplementary Estimates B.
This quarterly report has not been subject to an external audit or review.
Basis of Presentation
This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the Department's spending authorities granted by Parliament, and those used by the Department consistent with the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates for the 2020-2021 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 money can be spent by 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.
The Department 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.
Highlights of Fiscal Quarter and Fiscal Year-to-Date Results
This quarterly financial report reflects the results of the current fiscal period in comparison to the authorities provided in the Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates A and Supplementary Estimates B for fiscal year 2020-2021, as well as budget adjustments approved by Treasury Board up to December 31, 2020.
A. Significant Changes to Authorities
The following graph provides a comparison of net budgetary authorities available for spending at the end of each quarter of the current and previous fiscal years.
The following table provides a comparison of total authorities available by vote at the end of the third quarter of the current and previous fiscal years.
Comparison of Authorities Available for Spending for the Year as at December 31 of Fiscal Years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021
Authorities available (in millions of dollars) |
2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | Variance |
---|---|---|---|
Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 925 | 1,272 | 347 |
Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 23 | 21 | (2) |
Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 1,556 | 2,059 | 503 |
Statutory | 174 | 657 | 483 |
Total authorities | 2,678 | 4,009 | 1,331 |
Authorities available for spending in fiscal year 2020-2021 are $4,009 million at the end of the third quarter as compared with $2,678 million at the end of the third quarter of 2019-2020, representing a net increase of $1,331 million, or 50%. This increase is primarily attributable to the following:
- $630.0 million increase in funding for Medical Research (COVID-19);
- $338.4 million increase in funding for the Safe Restart Agreement for federal investments in testing, contact tracing and data management (COVID-19);
- $253.3 million in funding for drugs, medical devices and virtual care (COVID-19);
- $150.0 million increase in funding for Strengthening Canada's Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services Initiative;
- $21.2 million increase in funding to enhance the Federal Response to the Opioids Crisis in Canada;
- $15.1 million in funding for the Terry Fox Research Institute and Ovarian Cancer Canada to support cancer research;
- $12.7 million in funding to continue to legalize and strictly regulate Cannabis;
- $11.5 million in funding for Canada Brain Research Fund Program; and,
- $9.3 million in funding to support CanadaŹ¼s initial response to COVID-19.
The increases in authorities are partially offset by the following decreases:
- $70.0 million decrease in funding for out-of-court settlements;
- $16.2 million decrease in funding for Expanding Federal Thalidomide Financial Support;
- $10.9 million decrease in the Department's operating and capital budget carry-forwards; and,
- $10.1 million decrease in statutory spending authority for disbursements to Canada Health Infoway Inc.
The fluctuations in authorities available for spending are most notable in the following standard objects: Transfer payments; Utilities, materials and supplies; Professional and special services; Personnel; Other subsidies and payments; and Acquisition of machinery and equipment.
B. Significant Changes in Year-to-Date Expenditures
The following graph provides a comparison of net budgetary authorities and year-to-date spending by quarter for the current and previous fiscal years.
The following table provides a comparison of year-to-date spending by vote at the end of the third quarter of the current and previous fiscal years.
Comparison of Year-to-Date Expenditures for the Quarter Ended December 31 of Fiscal Years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021
Year-to-date expenditures (in millions of dollars) |
2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | Variance |
---|---|---|---|
Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 669 | 551 | (118) |
Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 9 | 6 | (3) |
Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 1,372 | 1,619 | 247 |
Statutory | 112 | 188 | 76 |
Total year-to-date expenditures | 2,162 | 2,364 | 202 |
At the end of the third quarter of 2020-2021, total budgetary expenditures were $2,364 million compared with $2,162 million reported for the same period of 2019-2020, representing an increase of $202 million or 9%.
Year-to-date net operating expenditures have decreased by approximately $118 million or 18% when compared to the third quarter of 2019-2020. The significant variances in operating expenditures are as follows:
- $89.8 million decrease in other subsidies and payments, mainly due to expenditures incurred in the prior year for a legal settlement, and one-time ex gratia payments for approved survivors under the Canadian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program;
- $28.6 million increase in revenues, which results in a decrease in net operating expenditures, mainly the result of a change in timing of cash receipts for licensing applications, which can vary from year to year, and an increase in demand due to COVID-19 for regulatory reviews and authorizations for medical devices, drugs and vaccines available for sale and use;
- $8.9 million decrease in transportation and communications as a result of decreased travel incurred during the pandemic;
- $6.5 million decrease in expenditures related to the timing of allocation of expenditures against statutory authorities under the Shared Services Partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada;
- $25.1 million increase in expenditures for mental health support services under the Wellness Together Canada program, providing mental health digital tools; and,
- $7.2 million increase in personnel expenditures primarily due to the cost of supplementary hours to support the Department's COVID-19 initiatives, and continued growth in the cannabis, controlled substances and opioid programs.
There was an increase in Vote 10 - Grants and contributions year-to-date expenditures of $247 million or 18%, resulting from the following offsetting factors:
- $233.4 million increase in contribution expenditures due mainly to an increased amount of funding available in 2020-2021 for Home Care and Mental Health program and timing of related payments;
- $11.4 million increase in contribution expenditures due mainly to an increased amount of funding available in 2020-2021 for Substance Use and Addictions Program,
- $7.3 million increase in contribution expenditures due mainly to an increased amount of funding available in 2020-2021 for Health Care Policy and Strategies Program and timing of related payments; and,
- $13.5 million decrease from the timing of grant payments to support the Territorial Health Investment Fund.
Statutory year-to-date expenditures have increased by $76 million or 68% from $112 million in 2019-2020 to $188 million in 2020-2021 that is mainly comprised of the following offsetting components:
- $50.7 million increase in expenditures for various initiatives in support of Canada's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including $25.0 million increase in expenditures for virtual care pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act, consisting primarily of expenditures for the mental health and substance use portal to provide Canadians with credible information about mental health, as well as access to self-assessment tools, self-guided resources, peer support, and direct psycho-social support services (e.g. counselling) delivered through digital modalities;
- $22.1 million increase in advertising costs for COVID-19 messaging incurred on behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Shared Services Partnership;
- $6.5 million increase in expenditures related to the timing of allocation of expenditures against statutory authorities under the Shared Services Partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada; and,
- $10.1 million decrease in statutory payments made to Canada Health Infoway Inc., since the final amounts under this arrangement were fully disbursed in the prior year.
C. Quarterly Variances
The following graph presents a comparison of quarterly spending by quarter and by fiscal year.
Expenditures in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020-2021 were $1,011 million compared with $897 million for the third quarter of 2019-2020, representing an increase of $114 million or 13% in quarterly spending.
The increase in quarterly spending is primarily attributable to:
- $128.3 million increase in grants and contributions resulting from changes in the amount of funding available in certain programs and timing differences on payments, including:
- $158.4 million increase for Home Care and Mental Health program;
- $16.6 million decrease for Canadian Partnership Against Cancer;
- $14.6 million decrease for Canada Health Infoway Inc.; and,
- $7.1 million decrease for Territorial Health Investment Fund;
- $21.4 million increase in expenditures for mental health support services under the Wellness Together Canada program, providing mental health digital tools;
- $15.9 million increase in revenues, which results in a decrease in net operating expenditures, mainly the result of a change in timing of cash receipts for licensing applications, which can vary from year to year, and an increased demand due to COVID-19 for regulatory reviews and authorizations for medical devices, drugs and vaccines available for sale and use; and,
- $23.9 million decrease in personnel expenditures primarily due to a decrease in the number of pay periods recorded during the third quarter when compared with the prior year, and retroactive salary payments from signed collective agreements in the prior year, offset by the cost of supplementary hours to support the Department's COVID-19 initiatives.
Risks and Uncertainties
Health Canada is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Canadians. It operates in a dynamic and complex environment, facing several challenges as it works to deliver results for Canadians. Its organizational environment is characterized by both internal and external drivers of change, which could potentially be disruptive to the Department's ability to achieve its objectives, for example: unforeseen health crises such as the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; new innovative products, technologies, substances, foods, and emerging product categories; evolving relationships between various levels of government; scientific and technological change; and cyber security.
The Department monitors and responds to health concerns, originating at home and internationally, that affect the health and safety of Canadians. This includes events such as the COVID-19 outbreak, which continues to challenge Canadians and health systems across the country, adding pressure on health care resources. COVID-19 is having a dramatic impact on global supply chains, the speed at which we regulate products, organizational operations, the workforce, and business strategies. As the pandemic evolves rapidly, Health Canada continues to mobilize and leverage every resource and implement innovative methods to deliver on its mandate and minimize the long-lasting impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians' health and safety.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded everyone of the risks associated with major health events. Health Canada is working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, other organizations within the federal Health Portfolio, Provinces, Territories and other levels of government, Indigenous organizations, industry, health professionals and international regulatory counterparts, to contribute to the global response to this latest public health challenge.
Health Canada recognizes that successfully fulfilling its mandate is directly related to effective management of risk. Sound risk management equips the Department to respond proactively to change and uncertainty by using risk-based information to support effective decision-making. Additionally, it can lead to more effective service delivery, better project management, an increase in value for money, and ultimately better results for Canadians.
As a result, the Department employs integrated risk management frameworks and tools, including a comprehensive and up-to-date Corporate Risk Profile, to proactively and systematically recognize, understand, accommodate and capitalize on new challenges and opportunities, with a focus on results. In addition, the Department has appropriate internal control systems in place, proportionate to the risks being managed.
Prudent management within a constrained fiscal environment is required to manage potential impacts on departmental programs and services. Health Canada continues to manage through effective engagement across the Department, a sound governance structure, as well as long-term planning. The Department's executive-level committee on Finance, Investment Planning and Transformation recommends overall direction for financial management and control, and ensures alignment of investments with departmental strategies and transformation initiatives.
Program expenditures experience natural fluctuations from year to year depending on a variety of factors beyond program control (e.g., emerging health events such as the COVID-19 pandemic), thus creating risk. For example, since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada, the Chief Financial Officer Branch at Health Canada has been a strategic partner and enabler with regard to the Department's response to this public health crisis.
Enhanced monitoring of expenditures is undertaken, including assessment of expenditures against projected spending as well as previous years' trends and available resources to manage these risks. Cost management and planning are also in place and are reported regularly to senior management for decision making.
Significant Changes in Relation to Operations, Personnel and Programs
A. Operations and Personnel
There have been no significant changes in relation to operations and personnel during this quarter.
B. Programs
Funding related to the following new program/existing program changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was authorized during the quarter:
Funding to Support Medical Research
The Government of Canada has committed funding to ensure Canadians have access to the drugs they need to treat the symptoms of COVID-19.
Ensuring an Ongoing Effective Regulatory Response
Health Canada will receive $37.2 million over two years to support the Department's ongoing regulatory response to the pandemic. These investments will continue to facilitate timely access to safe drugs and medical devices that combat COVID-19, such as vaccines, treatments and diagnostic devices, and support effective compliance and enforcement.
Leading the Whole-of-Government Response
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are continuing to provide national leadership to Canada's domestic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has included supporting increased strategy, integration and analytical capacity to support decision-making by the Minister of Health, the Health Portfolio and the Cabinet Committee on COVID-19, and informing the measured reopening of the economy and society through effective policy advice. As such, the Government of Canada committed $15.0 million to Health Canada to support the ongoing protection of the health and safety of Canadians, foster economic resilience during reopening and recovery, assist in maintaining domestic and international reputations and provide continuity in government operations.
Safe Restart Agreement
In July 2020, the Prime Minister announced the Safe Restart Agreement with the objective to ensure that Canada has the resources and information it needs to reopen the economy safely. As part of the Safe Restart Agreement, the Government of Canada has committed $303.4 million to Health Canada for testing-related activities, to support contact tracing activities, and to support data management.
Approved by:
Original signed by Stephen Lucas
Stephen Lucas
Deputy Minister
Ottawa, Canada
Date: February 26, 2021
Original signed by Edward de Sousa
Edward de Sousa
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer
Ottawa, Canada
Date: February 19, 2021
Statement of Authorities (unaudited)
Fiscal year 2020-2021 (in thousands of dollars)
Authority | Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2021* |
Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 | Year-to-date used at quarter-end |
---|---|---|---|
Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 1,272,280 | 182,323 | 551,319 |
Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 21,307 | 4,860 | 5,801 |
Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 2,059,352 | 749,208 | 1,618,927 |
(S) Contributions to employee benefit plans | 120,932 | 27,840 | 83,520 |
(S) Minister of Health - Salary and motor car allowance | 89 | 22 | 67 |
(S) Collection Agency Fees | 11 | 6 | 11 |
(S) Payment pursuant to section 24(1) of the Financial Administration Act | 23 | 11 | 23 |
(S) Spending of proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 186 | - | - |
(S) Spending of revenues pursuant to section 4.2 of the Department of Health Act | 51,463 | 27,305 | 53,452 |
(S) Payments to support Canada's initial response to COVID-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act | 4,952 | 1,605 | 4,508 |
(S) Payments for drugs, medical devices and virtual care pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act | 151,928 | 6,941 | 34,977 |
(S) Safe Restart Agreement | 18,500 | 2,052 | 2,052 |
(S) Medical Research | 308,372 | 9,199 | 9,199 |
Total authorities | 4,009,395 | 1,011,372 | 2,363,856 |
* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter end
(S) - Statutory Vote
Fiscal year 2019-2020 (in thousands of dollars)
Authority | Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2020* |
Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2019 |
Year-to-date used at quarter-end |
---|---|---|---|
Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 925,358 | 226,783 | 668,426 |
Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 22,857 | 4,474 | 9,365 |
Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 1,556,438 | 620,892 | 1,371,751 |
(S) Contributions to employee benefit plans | 111,200 | 26,399 | 79,196 |
(S) Minister of Health - Salary and motor car allowance | 88 | 22 | 66 |
(S) Collection Agency Fees | 23 | 5 | 23 |
(S) Spending of proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 119 | - | - |
(S) Refunds of amounts credited to revenues in previous years | 59 | - | 59 |
(S) Canada Health Infoway Inc. | 10,131 | - | 10,131 |
(S) Spending of revenues pursuant to section 4.2 of the Department of Health Act | 51,463 | 18,447 | 22,487 |
Total authorities | 2,677,736 | 897,022 | 2,161,504 |
* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter end
(S) - Statutory Vote
Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)
Fiscal year 2020-2021 (in thousands of dollars)
Standard Object | Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2021 | Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 | Year-to-date used at quarter-end |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures: | |||
Personnel | 967,276 | 218,020 | 637,403 |
Transportation and communications | 21,566 | 1,067 | 3,181 |
Information | 28,022 | 10,333 | 29,022 |
Professional and special services | 303,008 | 42,711 | 130,244 |
Rentals | 16,516 | 5,942 | 11,928 |
Repair and maintenance | 15,760 | 3,398 | 6,935 |
Utilities, materials and supplies | 489,057 | 4,627 | 8,124 |
Acquisition of land, buildings and works | 2,375 | 1,437 | 1,561 |
Acquisition of machinery and equipment | 64,972 | 26,287 | 33,271 |
Transfer payments | 2,259,352 | 749,219 | 1,618,950 |
Other subsidies and payments | 10,334 | 1,255 | 6,258 |
Total gross budgetary expenditures | 4,178,238 | 1,064,296 | 2,486,877 |
Less revenues netted against expenditures: | |||
Rights and privileges | 37,150 | 19,528 | 23,674 |
Services of a non-regulatory nature | 30,896 | 7,055 | 21,779 |
Services of a regulatory nature | 95,098 | 26,341 | 77,568 |
Other fees and charges | 5,699 | - | - |
Total revenues netted against expenditures | 168,843 | 52,924 | 123,021 |
Total net budgetary expenditures | 4,009,395 | 1,011,372 | 2,363,856 |
Fiscal year 2019-2020 (in thousands of dollars)
Standard Object | Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2020 | Expended during the quarter ended December 31, 2019 | Year-to-date used at quarter-end |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures: | |||
Personnel | 899,077 | 241,882 | 609,424 |
Transportation and communications | 26,035 | 5,216 | 11,215 |
Information | 26,766 | 7,100 | 15,659 |
Professional and special services | 148,529 | 37,104 | 96,741 |
Rentals | 22,140 | 6,370 | 12,526 |
Repair and maintenance | 17,846 | 4,260 | 8,063 |
Utilities, materials and supplies | 29,024 | 4,930 | 11,453 |
Acquisition of land, buildings and works | - | 907 | 3,896 |
Acquisition of machinery and equipment | 27,525 | 4,583 | 9,060 |
Transfer payments | 1,566,569 | 620,892 | 1,381,881 |
Other subsidies and payments | 73,847 | 803 | 96,011 |
Total gross budgetary expenditures | 2,837,358 | 934,047 | 2,255,929 |
Less revenues netted against expenditures: | |||
Rights and privileges | 28,689 | 10,027 | 12,505 |
Services non-regulatory | 30,386 | 5,737 | 18,907 |
Services regulatory | 100,547 | 15,664 | 57,304 |
Services to other government departments | - | 5,597 | 5,709 |
Total revenues netted against expenditures | 159,622 | 37,025 | 94,425 |
Total net budgetary expenditures | 2,677,736 | 897,022 | 2,161,504 |
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