2024-2025 Departmental Results Reports
Contents:
At a glance
This departmental results report details the National Battlefields Commission’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results outlined in its 2024–25 Departmental Plan. 2024–25 Departmental Plan
Key priorities
The National Battlefields Commission identified the following key priorities for 2024-25:
- Ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds and infrastructure;
- Ensure the conservation and protection of the natural, cultural, and heritage assets of the National Battlefields Park;
- Promote knowledge and discovery of the heritage and riches of the National Battlefields Park;
- Maintain the balance between the historical and urban vocations of National Battlefields Park, between its accessibility, conservation, and heritage promotion;
- Offer educational and recreational activities, exhibitions, guided tours, shows, and events of a historical, cultural, recreational, and sporting nature;
- Continue to implement its 2022-25 strategic plan, with its priorities being human capital, customer experience, financial capacity, the reconciliation process with First Nations, and sustainable development.
Highlights for the National Battlefields Commission in 2024-25
- Total actual spending (including internal services): $18,928,380
- Total full-time equivalent staff (including internal services): 63
For complete information on the National Battlefields Commission’s total spending and human resources, read the Spending and human resources section of its full departmental results report.
Summary of results
The following provides a summary of the results the department achieved in 2024-25 under its main areas of activity, called “core responsibilities.”
-
Core responsibility 1: Conservation
- Actual spending: $8,907,505
- Actual full-time equivalent staff: 22
In addition to ensuring the quality, safety, and overall maintenance of its territory, the NBC has carried out a new development at Cap Diamant, incorporating two works by Indigenous artists from the Wendat and Haida Nations.
It also undertook major conservation work on the built heritage, created a new access walkway to the Plains of Abraham Museum from the park, established a sustainable canopy management plan, and carried out various landscaping and tree-related projects, such as creating visual openings. Various site maintenance and upgrading work were also carried out.
For more information on the National Battlefields Commission’s Conservation read the ‘Results – what we achieved” section of its departmental results report.port sur les résultats ministériels.
-
Core responsibility 2: Promotion of Heritage
- Actual spending: $3,059,710
- Actual full-time equivalent staff: 22
The NBC enhanced the user experience with the launch of a brand new website, the opening of a food service, and the presentation of a diversified cultural program at the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand, which reached more than 30,000 people. It also enhanced its museum offerings with two exhibitions: the inauguration of Québec 1775: Blizzards and Battle and the update of Attention! at Martello Tower 1.
For more information on the National Battlefields Commission’s Promotion of Heritage read the ‘Results – what we achieved” section of its departmental results report.
From the Minister
The Canadian Heritage portfolio brings together organizations with diverse mandates that work to promote the arts, culture, heritage, and human rights. Together, they form one of the most diverse portfolios in the Government of Canada. These organizations, including the National Battlefields Commission (NBC), use their expertise to build a society that reflects who we are and stands out on the world stage for its excellence, creativity, shared values, and rich diversity.
In 2024–25, the NBC achieved several major advances in preserving, conserving, and showcasing the heritage under its responsibility, while continuing to implement its 2022–25 strategic plan. The NBC was able to fulfill its commitment to maintain close collaboration with First Nations and to make the National Battlefields Park a welcoming, inspiring, and inclusive space. It unveiled two works by First Nations artists and developed a site dedicated to them on Cap Diamant. In addition, the NBC announced the acquisition of the Jean François Leclerc collection on the tricentennial of Québec City and carried out several conservation projects. Finally, the NBC built an access walkway between the park and the Plains of Abraham Museum, launched a new website, inaugurated the exhibition Quebec City 1775: Blizzards and Battle, and offered a variety of programming to showcase the riches of National Battlefields Park. These are just a few examples of inspiring achievements that have enriched the experience of site users over the past year.
I am proud to present the 2024–25 Departmental Results Report prepared by the National Battlefields Commission. I am pleased to be able to count on the organizations in the Canadian Heritage portfolio to lead the way toward an ever stronger and more united Canada.
Results – what we achieved
Core responsibilities and internal services
Core responsibility 1: Conservation
In this section
Description
Ensure the conservation and protection of the natural, cultural and heritage assets of the National Battlefields Park through the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds and infrastructure.
Quality of life impacts
| Area | Indicator | Targeted part of essential responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Physical activity | Land and infrastructure rehabilitation |
| Society | Sense of pride/belonging to Canada | |
| Participation in cultural or religious practices, recreation or sport | ||
| Sense of belonging to a local community | ||
| Accessible environments | ||
| Environment | Drinking water | Conservation and protection of natural assets |
| Satisfaction with local environment | Restoration of land and infrastructure | |
| Walkable neighborhoods | ||
| Greenhouse gas emissions | Conservation and protection of natural assets | |
| Good gouvernance | Personal safety | Ensuring safe access to the park |
Progress on results
This section details the department’s performance against its targets for each departmental result under Core responsibility 1: Conservation.
Table 1: Battlefields Park is a safe, well-maintained site.
Table 1 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under People visit the National Battlefields Park in the last three fiscal years.
| Departmental Result Indicator | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of visitors that are ‘’satisfied’’ with the park’s condition | 80 % | March 31, 2025 |
|
| Percentage of visitors who say they feel safe in the park | 80 % | March 31, 2025 |
|
* The actual result is not available as no data has been collected.
The Results section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase page provides additional information on results and performance related to its program inventory.
Details on results
The following section describes the results for Conservation in 2024–25 compared with the planned results set out in the National Battlefields Commission’s departmental plan for the year.
The Battlefields Park is a safe, well-maintained site.
Results achieved
- Rigorous maintenance of the site, preservation and conservation of the built heritage, including progress on the restoration of Des Braves Monument, as well as maintenance of the statue and repair of the low walls in the Joan of Arc Garden;
- Creation of a more prominent access walkway between the park and the Plains of Abraham Museum to increase the visibility and accessibility of the building;
- Unveiling of a new development at the Cap Diamant site, featuring two monumental works of art by First Nations artists, on September 30, 2024, on National Truth and Reconciliation Day. The creation of this space is a major step for the NBC, as it is its most significant acquisition of works since the donation of the Joan of Arc statue in 1938;
- Restoration of heritage street lamps, creation and production of a green wall, and landscaping of flower beds and mosaiculture;
- Improved accessibility throughout the territory, for example, through the manufacture of urban furniture, including five picnic tables for people with reduced mobility;
- Development of a forestry plan with a five-year canopy management plan, creation of visual openings at Cap Diamant and Des Braves Park, planting of nearly 100 trees of nine different species on the territory, and preventive and curative treatments for trees at risk of disease;
- Various works, including the design of an exhibition hall, optimization of the collection storage area, refurbishment of office space, and upgrading of the central pavilion to accommodate a new food concession;
- To promote active and sustainable transportation, addition of a winter walking trail in Des Braves Park providing access to the stairs connecting the park to the Pente-Douce Hill, bike racks at strategic locations throughout the territory and, in collaboration with the Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC), two permanent electric bike stations.
Key risks
The NBC faces ongoing challenges related to the deterioration of its heritage assets located within Battlefields Park. Labor shortages—particularly skilled labor—and funding shortages, seasonality, and weather conditions also pose risks that could hinder the achievement of results. In addition, the high volume of visitors to the park poses a constant challenge in terms of user safety.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 2: Snapshot of resources required for Conservation
Table 2 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.
| Resource | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Spending | $14,180,000 | $8,907,505 |
| Full-time equivalents | 22 | 22 |
Actual expenditures, which were lower than forecast, can be explained by the postponement of investments expected under the Asset Maintenance Plan. Two major projects managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) have been postponed until fiscal year 2025–26: the greenhouse renovation and the replacement of the roof of the Plains of Abraham Museum. In addition, with regard to the restoration of Des Braves Monument, under the responsibility of the NBC, the painting and final reassembly stages have been postponed to the summer and fall of 2025, respectively.
The Finances section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase page and the People section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase page provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory.
Related government priorities
This section highlights government priorities that are being addressed through this core responsibility.
Gender-based Analysis Plus
The NBC ensured that its property and heritage assets were repaired in accordance with the action plan it developed following the recommendations of a report by Kéroul, an organization specializing in accessibility.
The NBC's commitment to accessibility guarantees equitable access to its facilities and services, while securing the sustainable preservation of its natural and cultural resources. This inclusive approach helps reduce barriers for various population groups and provides welcoming, high-quality green spaces. It is also part of a commitment to promoting social justice by combating exclusion and encouraging full participation in cultural and community life.
In addition, the NBC's actions have a positive impact on public health and the well-being of the population. By providing an accessible natural environment conducive to relaxation, physical activity, and social interaction, the NBC helps reduce isolation and improve the overall health of its users. These efforts contribute to the creation of a healthier, more inclusive urban environment that is more focused on quality of life.
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
More information on the National Battlefields Commission’s contributions to Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy. Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Program inventory
Conservation is supported by the following programs:
- Maintenance of infrastructure and security
Additional information related to the program inventory for the Conservation is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
Core responsibility 2: Promotion of Heritage
In this section
Description
Showcase the history of the National Battlefields Park and enable the discovery of its heritage and natural resources by organizing, through the visitor centre of the Plains of Abraham Museum, exhibitions, educational and recreational activities, and guided tours.
Quality of life impacts
| Area | Indicator | Targeted part of essential responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Physical activity/td> | Promoting knowledge and discovery of the heritage and riches of the Battlefields Park |
| Society | Sense of pride/belonging to Canada | |
| Participation in cultural or religious practices, recreation or sport | ||
| Sense of belonging to a local community | ||
| Environment | Satisfaction with local environment | |
| Walkable neighborhoods |
Progress on results
This section details the department’s performance against its targets for each departmental result under Core responsibility 2: Promotion of Heritage.
Table 3: People visit the National Battlefields Park
Table 3 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under People visit the National Battlefields Park in the last three fiscal years.
| Departmental Result Indicator | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of visitors | 4,000,000 | March 31, 2025 |
|
Table 4: Visitors benefit from a heritage and educational experience
Table 4 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under Visitors benefit from a heritage and educational experience in the last three fiscal years.
| Departmental Result Indicator | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of visitors satisfied with the reception and services offered | 80 % | March 31, 2025 |
|
| Number of cultural educational and heritage events offered by the NBC | Between 40 and 60 | March 31, 2025 |
|
* The actual result is not available as no data has been collected.
The Results section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase page provides additional information on results and performance related to its program inventory.
Details on results
The following section describes the results for Conservation in 2024–25 compared with the planned results set out in the National Battlefields Commission’s departmental plan for the year.
People visit the National Battlefields Park.
Results achieved
- Launch of a new website dedicated to the Plains of Abraham, designed to better present the park, promote and simplify the booking of activities, and help visitors plan their visit, thanks to its transactional function, interactive map, search tool with filters and calendar, and a home page that can be adjusted according to the seasons;
- Opening of a food service in the heart of the park, enhancing the experience for local visitors and tourists;
- Offering family shows and entertainment as part of the cultural program at the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand, which attracted a total of over 30,000 people;
- Winter offer focusing on sports and outdoor activities with free access to five cross-country ski trails (classic and skate skiing), two sledding areas, and, in partnership with the Ville de Québec, a refrigerated ice rink.
- Analysis of a user study conducted by an external firm and an internal survey of cross-country skiers, primarily to better understand the park's clientele and adjust NBC's offerings.
Visitors benefit from a heritage and educational experience.
Results achieved
- Offering a varied program of events attended by 62,633 participants from groups and 11,271 individual visitors. This program includes exhibitions, educational and historical activities, guided tours, virtual activities, and an annual historical reenactment event;
- For the eleventh consecutive year, the NBC participated in the theatrical production Sur les traces de la Corrivaux, which highlights a chapter of history related to the Plains of Abraham, in partnership with the municipality of Saint-Vallier-de-Bellechasse;
- Second iteration of the temporary installation Homes of Cove Fields, from late August to late October, which highlights the history of the families who lived in this area from 1945 to 1951 and presents archival images and testimonials collected from former residents;
- Diversification of the museum's offerings with the presentation of the exhibition Quebec 1775: Blizzards and Battle, on the American invasion of Quebec City during the winter of 1775, and a complete update of the exhibition Attention! at Martello Tower 1.
Key risks
The NBC faces several risks that could affect its ability to achieve its objectives, such as climatic, social, and economic factors, as well as those associated with the resurgence of an unfavorable health situation. These external factors can have a direct impact on tourist numbers and traffic in the territory, which could reduce the scope and effectiveness of the activities offered. Furthermore, the NBC's ability to maintain continuous service delivery may be compromised by the precarious nature of certain types of employment, such as seasonal or contract positions. This uncertainty represents a risk of service disruption, which was a real issue during the period in question. Despite this context, the NBC has managed to maintain the quality of its services through proactive management and the commitment of its staff. However, this situation remains a vulnerability that must be monitored to ensure sustainability and stability.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 5: Snapshot of resources required for Promotion of Heritage
Table 5 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.
| Resources | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Spendings | $3,200,000 | $3,059,710 |
| Full-time equivalents | 19 | 22 |
In 2024-25, the General Management and the Museum Services and Marketing & Development departments met their planned spending targets for the Promotion of Heritage, in line with the established objectives.
The Finances section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase page and the People section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase page provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory.
Related government priorities
This section highlights government priorities that are being addressed through this core responsibility.
Gender-based Analysis Plus
The NBC's actions in the area of accessibility and inclusion help promote more equitable participation in culture and education by enabling a wider range of people to access its services and activities. These efforts contribute to reducing social inequalities in access to culture, while offering a more inclusive experience that respects individual differences. The organization is thus improving the welcoming and experience of visitors, particularly those with disabilities, by ensuring that its facilities and services are adapted to their specific needs whenever possible.
In terms of diversity and cultural representation, the NBC strengthens the sense of belonging and equity within its teams by recognizing and valuing the diverse identities and backgrounds of its members. It also promotes intercultural dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the integration of Indigenous perspectives into programming and exhibition content evaluation, thereby contributing to a more accurate and inclusive representation of cultural realities within its activities.
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
More information on the National Battlefields Commission’s contributions to Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Program inventory
Promotion of Heritage is supported by the following programs:
- Educational, cultural and heritage activities
Additional information related to the program inventory for the Conservation is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
Internal services
In this section
Description
Internal services refer to the activities and resources that support a department in its work to meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs.
- Management and Oversight Services
- Communications Services
- Legal Services
- Human Resources Management
- Financial Management
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- Real Property
- Materiel
- Acquisitions
Progress on results
This section presents details on how the department performed to achieve results and meet targets for internal services.
General Management continued to implement the NBC's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which is based on the following five strategic pillars:
- Develop the human capital and bring the talents to the fore;
- Affirm our unique positioning and improve customer experiences;
- Improve and diversify significantly our financial capacity;
- Engage actively in a process of reconciliation;
- Make sustainable development central to our actions.
In terms of human resources management, the NBC continued to implement its referral program, which aims to attract talent through internal recommendations. Discussions surrounding the collective agreement continued, and an agreement was reached and signed in June 2024. The NBC also made efforts to optimize several key processes, such as those related to the welcoming and integration of new employees.
In line with the NBC's Sustainable Development Strategy, security officers increased their patrol hours using alternative modes of transportation to cars, such as walking and golf carts, by 300%.
The final phase of the brand image rollout continued on various displays throughout the territory, in promotional tools, and across digital platforms, including the new website. The addition of a third digital terminal on the territory also complemented the strategic points used to promote the product offering to users.
The announcement of the acquisition of a major collection on the 300th anniversary of Quebec City is also a milestone for the NBC in 2024–25. This addition of more than 550 items to the NBC's collection reflects its original mandate, which included organizing the festivities surrounding this anniversary. The collection includes several unique items that highlight the greatness of the tercentenary celebrations and their impact on society. In addition, thanks to the acquisition of a new collection and archive management software, the collection will eventually be available for viewing on the website.
In a clear desire to be actively involved in the local community, the NBC awarded a significant portion of its contracts and purchases to contractors and suppliers in the Quebec City region.
In addition, starting in June 2024, users have been able to enjoy a new food service open year-round in the heart of the park, operated by a regional partner. This service is very popular with users, both in summer and winter, as the cross-country ski trails pass nearby and a ski rack has been added to facilitate access to the site.
In addition to the food concession, NBC was able to generate additional revenue by renting out its parking spaces and through various land use agreements with event organizers. The Plains of Abraham, which are highly sought after for both international and local events, continued to attract large numbers of visitors. The NBC's influence as a host site and partner continued in a spirit of collaboration and in keeping with its mandate, ensuring that the essential balance between events and the park's role as a historic and urban park, which give Battlefields Park its distinctive character, was preserved.
The NBC’s Finance Department continued to improve its Procurement Management Framework while continuing to support the NBC’s various programs. Key initiatives included the implementation of operations management software for land and asset maintenance. At the same time, NBC continued to develop its long-term Asset Maintenance Plan, taking steps to secure funding for it. In addition, NBC undertook a review of its integrated risk management with a view to continuous improvement through a tool that will support planning, priority setting, and decision-making.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 6: Resources required to achieve results for internal services this year
Table 6 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.
| Resources | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Spendings | $6,490,000 including $2,800,000 for payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for federal property | $6,961,165 including $2,901,473 for payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for federal property |
| Full-time equivalents | 18 | 19 |
Actual expenditures for internal services exceeded forecasts, primarily due to increased payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for federal properties, increased technology costs, and other unforeseen costs resulting from normal operations.
The Finances section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase and the People section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory.
Contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses
Government of Canada departments are required to award at least 5% of the total value of contracts to Indigenous businesses every year.
The National Battlefields Commission’s results for 2024-25:
Table 7: Total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses¹
As shown in Table 7, the National Battlefields Commission awarded 7,7 % of the total value of all contracts to Indigenous businesses for the fiscal year.
| Contracting performance indicators | 2024-25 Results |
|---|---|
| Total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses² (A) | $667,178 |
| Total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous and non‑Indigenous businesses³ (B) | $8,615,597 |
| Value of exceptions approved by deputy head (C) | $0 |
| Proportion of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses [A / (B−C) × 100] | 7,7 % |
|
|
NBC exceeded the minimum target of 5% during the 2024-25 fiscal year.
In its 2025–26 Departmental Plan, the National Battlefields Commission estimated that it would award 5 % of the total value of its contracts to Indigenous businesses by the end of 2024–25. As part of this commitment and the implementation of its Strategic Plan, in the fall of 2024, the NBC inaugurated a new development on Cap Diamant, designed to receive two public artworks created by artists who are members of the Wendat and Haida Nations. The contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses are part of this project and contribute concretely to the implementation of this initiative.
Spending and human resources
In this section
Spending
This section presents an overview of the department's actual and planned expenditures from 2022–23 to 2027–28.
Graph 1 presents how much the department spent in 2024–25 to carry out core responsibilities and internal services.
Text version of Graph 1
Core responsibility: Conservation represents $8,907,505, or 47% of total expenditures
Core responsibility: Promotion of Heritage represents $3,059,710, or 16% of total expenditures
Internal Services (including Payments in Lieu of Taxes for Federal Property - PILT of $2,901,473) represents $6,961,165, or 37% of total expenditures
Analysis of actual spending by core responsibility
Detailed analysis of graph 1
In 2024–25, the NBC allocated 47 % of its financial resources to the conservation of NBC sites, buildings, and assets. This category includes services to ensure security, year-round maintenance of outdoor spaces, horticulture and arboriculture work, energy management, and asset improvement and maintenance.
In addition, the NBC allocated 16 % of its resources to the Promotion of Heritage, which includes showcasing the park's rich heritage through cultural and recreational programming, exhibitions, entertainment, historical and educational activities, user-friendly technologies, and signage.
Finally, the NBC allocated 37 % of its financial resources to internal services. Of this amount, the NBC devoted 15 % to payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for federal property, while 22 % was used to cover expenses related to governance and human resources, technology costs, advertising, and parking operations.
Refocusing Government Spending
In Budget 2023, the government committed to reducing spending by $14.1 billion over five years, starting in 2023–24, and by $4.1 billion annually after that.
Although not officially part of the cost reduction exercise, in keeping with the intent of this exercise, the National Battlefields Commission took the following measures in 2024–25:
- Close monitoring of operating expenses for all services;
- Constant reassessment of its Asset Maintenance Plan and Investment Plan;
- Optimization of resource utilization.
Budgetary performance summary
Table 8: Actual three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Table 8 shows the money that the National Battlefields Commission spent in each of the past three years on its core responsibilities and on internal services.
| Core responsibilities and internal services | 2024–25 Main Estimates | 2024–25 total authorities available for use | Actual spending over three years (authorities used) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation | 14,180,000 | 16,756,698 |
|
| Promotion of Heritage | 3,200,00 | 3,200,00 |
|
| Subtotal | 17,380,000 | 19,956,698 |
|
| Internal services | 7,054,072 | 7,054,072 |
|
| Total | 24,434,072 | 27,010,770 |
|
It should be noted that, starting in fiscal year 2023–24, expenditures related to asset maintenance and major works are now included in Conservation’s core responsibility. In 2022-23, the NBC had not yet changed this allocation. It made this change subsequently to better reflect how resources are structured to support its core responsibilities and expected outcomes, while providing clearer and more relevant information to decision-makers and the public.
Analysis of the past three years of spending
Expenditures related to the Conservation core responsibility vary depending on the funding obtained and the schedule for major work. In 2023–24, the NBC invested nearly $3,000,000 in operations to consolidate a cliff along the territory under the NBC's responsibility.
In 2024–25, the NBC allocated $1,300,000 to the public art project created by First Nations artists, including costs related to the development of the space and the acquisition of the works. In addition, the NBC allocated $3,000,000 to maintain sites, buildings, infrastructure, and monuments, including:
- Preparation of plans and specifications for the replacement of the copper roof of the Plains of Abraham Museum;
- Preparation of plans and specifications for the renovation of the greenhouses;
- Renovation of a walkway and staircase leading to the Plains of Abraham Museum;
- Restoration of Des Braves Monument.
The NBC also carried out other infrastructure projects. In particular, it rebuilt the low walls in the Joan of Arc Garden and on Gilmour Hill.
The increase in Promotion of Heritage expenditures stems from increased resources devoted to museum services and technological development. These investments are intended to improve customer and user experience.
Internal services include payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for federal properties, which increased from $2,665,070 in 2022–23 to $2,901,473 in 2024–25.
The Finances section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase offers more financial information from previous years.
Table 9: Planned three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Table 9 shows the National Battlefields Commission’s planned spending for each of the next three years on its core responsibilities and on internal services.
| Core responsibilities and internal services | 2025–26 planned spending | 2026–27 planned spending | 2027–28 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation | 11,467,215 | 4,500,000 | 4,250,000 |
| Promotion of Heritage | 2,500,000 | 2,000,000 | 1,750,000 |
| Subtotal | 13,967,215 | 6,500,000 | 6,000,000 |
| Internal Services | 5,276,139 | 4,626,904 | 3,905,201 |
| Total | 19,243,354 | 11,126,904 | 9,905,201 |
Analysis of the next three years of spending
The 2025–26 fiscal year includes deferred funding for major roof repairs at the Plains of Abraham Museum and complete renovation of the greenhouses. It should be noted that at the 2026-27 and 2027-28 funding levels, the NBC will be limited in its ability to support its mission of heritage conservation and promotion and fulfill its responsibilities as guardian of federal property.
The Finances section of the Infographic for the National Battlefields Commission on GC Infobase offers more detailed financial information related to future years.
Funding
This section provides an overview of the department's voted and statutory funding for its core responsibilities and for internal services. Consult the Government of Canada budgets and expenditures Consult the Government of Canada budgets and expenditures for further information on funding authorities.
Graph 2 summarizes the department's approved voted and statutory funding from 2022-23 to 2027-28.
![[alt text]. Text version below:](/content/dam/nbc-ccbn/documents/rapports/rapport-sur-les-resultats-ministeriels/2024-2025/DRR_2024-2025_Graph2.png)
Text version of graph 2
Graph 2 includes the following information in a bar graph:
| Fiscal year | Statutory | Voted | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 3,019,864 | 10,840,251 | 13,860,115 |
| 2023-2024 | 3,294,924 | 16,849,105 | 20,144,029 |
| 2024-2025 | 3,700,533 | 15,227,847 | 18,928,380 |
| 2025-2026 | 2,811,261 | 16,432,093 | 19,243,354 |
| 2026-2027 | 2,811,261 | 9,537,347 | 12,348,608 |
| 2027-2028 | 2,811,261 | 9,537,347 | 12,348,608 |
Analysis of statutory and voted funding over a six-year period
Funding depends largely on appropriations, which vary depending on the addition of temporary funding planned until 2024–25. The NBC has deferred part of this funding to 2025–26 due to the postponement of major work included in the Asset Maintenance Plan. The other portion of temporary funding granted until 2024-25 is used to cover payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for federal property, representing 15 % of the NBC's total expenditures. The NBC has submitted a request to renew this funding.
Consult the Public Accounts of Canada for further information on the National Battlefields Commission’s departmental voted and statutory expenditures.
Financial statement highlights
The National Battlefields Commission’s Financial Statements (audited) for the Year Ended March 31, 2025.
Table 10: Condensed Statement of Operations (audited) for the year ended March 31, 2025 (dollars)
Table 10 summarizes the expenses and revenues for 2024–25 which net to the cost of operations before government funding and transfers.
| Financial information | 2024–25 actual results | 2024–25 planned results | Difference (actual results minus planned) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses | 18,779,243 | 20,783,537 | (2,004,294) |
| Total revenues | (3,018,762) | (3,050,000) | 31,238 |
| Excess of income over trust fund expenditures* | (197,117) | (179,167) | (17,950) |
| Net cost of operations before government funding and transfersfinancement du gouvernement et les transferts | 15,563,364 | 17,554,370 | (1,991,006) |
*The NBC has had a trust fund since 1984 for receiving donations from individuals, municipal corporations, and provincial and other governments. The fund is managed according to the provisions of section 9.1 of the Act respecting the National Battlefields at Quebec.
Analysis of expenses and revenues for 2024-25
The restoration work on Des Braves Monument, carried out in 2024-25, proved to be less costly than initially anticipated. However, some work, particularly painting and reassembly, was not completed within the set deadlines. The NBC plans to complete them during the 2025-26 fiscal year. This adjustment partly explains the difference between actual results and forecasts. Other projects generated lower expenses than initially estimated. The NBC is therefore using the mechanism that allows it to carry over 5 % of its budget to the following fiscal year.
The 2024–25 planned results information is provided in the National Battlefields Commission’s Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and Notes 2024–25.
Table 11: Condensed Statement of Operations (audited) for 2023-24 and 2024-25 (dollars)
Table 11 summarizes actual expenses and revenues and shows the net cost of operations before government funding and transfers.
| Financial information | 2024–25 actual results | 2023–24 actual results | Difference (2024-25 minus 2023-24) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total expens | 18,779,243 | 21,926,912 | (3,147,669) |
| Total revenues | (3,018,762) | (2,641,969) | (376,793) |
| Excess of income over trust fund expenditures* | (197,117) | (34,766) | (162,351) |
| Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers | 15,563,364 | 17,554,370 | (1,991,006) |
*The NBC has had a trust fund since 1984 for receiving donations from individuals, municipal corporations, and provincial and other governments. The fund is managed according to the provisions of section 9.1 of the An Act respecting the National Battlefields at Quebec.
Analysis of differences in expenses and revenues between 2023-24 and 2024-25
The difference in expenses between the two fiscal years is explained by the fact that in 2023-24, the NBC carried out major work on the cliff along the territory under its responsibility, at a cost of $3 million, and set aside a provision of $1 million for possible remediation work on a contaminated site. In 2024-25, work on sites, infrastructure, buildings, and monuments was less, and the provision for remediation remained stable.
Table 12 Condensed Statement of Financial Position (audited) as of March 31, 2025 (dollars)
Table 12 provides a brief snapshot of the amounts the department owes or must spend (liabilities) and its available resources (assets), which helps to indicate its ability to carry out programs and services.
| Financial information | Actual fiscal year (2024–25) | Previous fiscal year (2023–24) | Difference (2024–25 minus 2023–24) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total net liabilities | 2,729,842 | 3,501,929 | (772,087) |
| Total net financial assets | 1,430,577 | 2,072,490 | (641,913) |
| Departmental net debt | 1,299,265 | 1,429,439 | (130,174) |
| Total non-financial assets | 13,208,372 | 12,856,236 | 352,136 |
| Departmental net financial position | 11,909,107 | 11,426,797 | 482,310 |
Analysis of the department's liabilities and assets since the last fiscal year
The NBC's total net liabilities consist mainly of accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of March 31, plus provisions for vacation pay, employee future benefits, and contingent liabilities, which will affect authorizations when they are paid.
Total net financial assets consist mainly of an amount receivable from the Treasury, plus accounts receivable from other government departments and external parties.
Net debt fluctuates from year to year depending on the level of expenditures and revenues and the timing of payments to creditors and collections from debtors. In 2024-25, net debt varied by $0.1 million.
The NBC's total non-financial assets represent property, plant and equipment, mainly buildings, works and infrastructure, recorded at cost. The archaeological collections and sites held by the NBC have heritage value and are not capitalized, in the same way as other priceless cultural assets.
The NBC's net financial position of $11.9 million as of March 31, 2024, represents the difference between total non-financial assets and departmental net debt, down $0.5 million from the same date last year.
Human resources
This section presents an overview of the department’s actual and planned human resources from 2022–23 to 2027–28.
Table 13: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services
Table 13 shows a summary in full-time equivalents of human resources for the National Battlefields Commission’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years.
| Core responsibilities and internal services | 2022–23 actual full-time equivalents | 2023–24 actual full-time equivalents | 2024–25 actual full-time equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation | 23 | 21 | 22 |
| Promotion of Heritage | 23 | 20 | 22 |
| Subtotal | 46 | 41 | 44 |
| Services internes | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Total | 65 | 60 | 63 |
Analysis of human resources for the last three years
Over the past three fiscal years, the total number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) within the organization experienced slight fluctuations, decreasing from 65 in 2022–2023 to 60 in 2023–2024, then increasing to 63 in 2024–2025.
Table 14: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services
Table 14 shows the planned full-time equivalents for each of the National Battlefields Commission’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the next three years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecast based on year to date.
| Core responsibilities and internal services | 2025–26 planned full-time equivalents | 2026–27 planned full-time equivalents | 2027–28 planned full-time equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Promotion of Heritage | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Subtotal | 41 | 41 | 41 |
| Internal services | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Total | 59 | 59 | 59 |
Analysis of human resources for the next three years
Forecasts for the next three fiscal years indicate full stability or a slight decrease in the organization’s human resources. The total number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) is expected to remain at or decrease from 59 for each of the 2025–26 to 2027–28 fiscal years. No significant variances are anticipated over the next three fiscal years.
Supplementary information tables
The following supplementary information tables are available on the National Battlefields Commission’s website:
Federal tax expenditures
The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs as well as evaluations and GBA Plus of tax expenditures.
Corporate information
Departmental profile
Appropriate minister:
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
Institutional head:
James Haberlin, Acting Secretary
Ministerial portfolio:
Canadian Heritage
Enabling instrument(s):
Year of incorporation / commencement:
1908
Departmental contact information
Mailing address:
835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue
Québec (Québec) G1R 2L3
Telephone:
418 649-6172
Email:
Website:
Definitions
List of terms
- appropriation (crédit)
- Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
- budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)
- Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, departments or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.
- core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)
- An enduring function or role of a department. The departmental results listed for a core responsibility reflect the outcomes that the department seeks to influence or achieve.
- Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)
- A report that outlines the anticipated activities and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3-year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament in spring.
- departmental priority (priorité)
- A plan, project or activity that a department focuses and reports on during a specific planning period. Priorities represent the most important things to be done or those to be addressed first to help achieve the desired departmental results.
- departmental result (résultat ministériel)
- A high-level outcome related to the core responsibilities of a department.
- departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)
- A quantitative or qualitative measure that assesses progress toward a departmental result.
- departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)
- A framework that connects the department's core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.
- Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)
- A report outlining a department's accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.
- Full-time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)
- Measures the person years in a departmental budget. An employee's scheduled hours per week divided by the employer's hours for a full-time workweek calculates a full-time equivalent. For example, an employee who works 20 hours in a 40-hour standard workweek represents a 0.5 full-time equivalent.
- Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])
- An analytical tool that helps to understand the ways diverse individuals experience policies, programs and other initiatives. Applying GBA Plus to policies, programs and other initiatives helps to identify the different needs of the people affected, the ways to be more responsive and inclusive, and the methods to anticipate and mitigate potential barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
- government priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)
- For the purpose of the 2024–25 Departmental Results Report, government priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government's agenda as announced in the Speech from the Throne.
- horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)
- A program, project or other initiative where two or more federal departments receive funding to work collaboratively on a shared outcome usually linked to a government priority, and where the ministers involved agree to designate it as horizontal. Specific reporting requirements apply, including that the lead department must report on combined expenditures and results.
- Indigenous business (entreprise autochtones)
- For the purposes of a Departmental Result Report, this includes any entity that meets the Indigenous Services Canada's criteria of being owned and operated by Elders, band and tribal councils, registered in the Indigenous Business Directory or registered on a modern treaty beneficiary business list.
- nonbudgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)
- Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.
- performance (rendement)
- What a department did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the department intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.
- performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)
- A qualitative or quantitative measure that assesses progress toward a departmental-level or program-level result, or the expected outputs or outcomes of a program, policy or initiative.
- plan (plan)
- The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how a department intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.
- planned spending (dépenses prévues)
- For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to the amounts presented in Main Estimates. Departments must determine their planned spending and be able to defend the financial numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.
- program (programme)
- An Individual, group, or combination of services and activities managed together within a department and focused on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.
- program inventory (répertoire des programmes)
- A listing that identifies all the department's programs and the resources that contribute to delivering on the department's core responsibilities and achieving its results.
- result (résultat)
- An outcome or output related to the activities of a department, policy, program or initiative.
- statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)
- Spending approved through legislation passed in Parliament, other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose and the terms and conditions of the expenditures.
- target (cible)
- A quantitative or qualitative, measurable goal that a department, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period.
- voted expenditures (dépenses votées)
- Spending approved annually through an appropriation act passed in Parliament. The vote also outlines the conditions that govern the spending.