Departmental Quarterly Financial Report (April - June 2023)

April - June 2023

I. Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program for the quarter ended 30 June 2023

1. Introduction

This quarterly report has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the Main estimates and Supplementary estimates.

A summary description of Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) program activities can be found in Part II of the Main estimates.

As a result of the Government’s expenditure management cycle, there are often fluctuations by quarter and between fiscal years when comparing budgets and expenditures. This is primarily a result of the quasi-statutory nature of the Department’s programs, which are demand-driven and based on need and entitlement. In other words, Veterans who meet the eligibility criteria for VAC’s programs, are paid as they apply for benefits.

Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes VAC’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the Department, consistent with the Main estimates for the 2023-24 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 monies 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.

When Parliament is dissolved for the purposes of a general election, section 30 of the Financial Administration Act authorizes the Governor General, under certain conditions, to issue a special warrant authorizing the Government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. A special warrant is deemed to be an appropriation for the fiscal year in which it is issued.

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.

The quarterly report has not been subject to an external audit but has been reviewed by the Departmental Audit Committee.

2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date (YTD) results

This section highlights the significant elements that contributed to the changes in Authorities available (i.e. budget) for the fiscal year, as well as the year-to-date expenditures for the quarter ended 30 June 2023.

The following tables provide a comparison of the authorities available for use and the expenditures for the quarters ending 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023 for the Department.

2.1 Statement of authorities

2.1.1 Changes in fiscal year-to-date authorities available

As at 30 June 2023, total authorities available (i.e. budget) at quarter end were $477M (8.7%) more when compared to amounts available at the same quarter-end the previous year, from $5,507M in 2022-23 to $5,984M in 2023-24.

Much of this increase in total authorities can be attributed to temporary funding received to continue efforts to address the disability application backlog, support further development of the Mental Health Benefits Programs, and extend resources to support Case management.

2.1.2 Changes in year-to-date expenditures

Year-to-date expenditures for Veterans Affairs Canada are $18M more (1.3% increase) when compared to the same timeframe in 2022-23. This increase over the first quarter of 2022-23 can be explained by variances detailed below.

Vote 1 – Operating expenditures – increase of $12.9M

• This quarter saw an increase in the number of clients accessing prescription drugs and other Treatment Benefits compared to the same quarter last year. Variations from quarter to quarter are also the result of billing cycles relating to the program. Year-to-date expenditures are in line with current forecasts.

Vote 5 – Grant and contribution – increase of $2.8M

• Expenditures are in line with previous year’s quarter one.

Budgetary statutory authorities – increase of $2.0M

• Expenditures are being accrued based on opening authorities, which are higher than the previous year. Expenditures will be adjusted at fiscal year-end based on actual salary costs.

3. Risks and uncertainties

VAC is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Veterans and their families and recognizes that its success in fulfilling this mandate is directly related to the 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, resource allocation, and ultimately better results for Canadians. Additionally, it can lead to effective service delivery, better project management and an increase in value for money.

VAC operates in a dynamic and complex environment characterized by internal and external drivers of change. The Department employs integrated risk management tools to proactively and systematically recognize, understand, accommodate and capitalize on new challenges and opportunities, with a focus on results. In addition, the Department has effective internal control systems in place, proportionate to the risks being managed.

As such, the Department’s executive-level committees, and the Assistant Deputy Minister level Senior Management Committee are aware of their financial management responsibilities, have the tools to enable these responsibilities, and manage the financial performance within their areas of responsibilities. In addition, these committees recommend and prioritize the department’s investment opportunities, based on Operational Plans, to ensure their alignment with departmental and Government of Canada expected results.

Key risks currently being managed by the Department include:

1. Maintaining core services: To avoid the risk of not providing timely, high quality core services and benefits to Veterans and their families while simultaneously implementing several new initiatives and programs from multiple federal budgets, Veterans Affairs is:
   1. Refining internal processes to improve efficiency;
   2. Increasing the use of automation;
   3. Recruiting, training, motivating and retaining employees; and
   4. Maintaining a reasonable case manager to client ratio.
2. Fulfilling mandate letter commitments: To prevent the risk of not fully implementing remaining mandate commitments, given the volume and complexity of commitments made to Veterans, Veterans Affairs Canada is:
   1. Reporting progress internally and through canada.ca;
   2. Increasing the use of automation; and
   3. Recruiting, training, motivating and retaining employees.
3. Achieving and demonstrating results: To avert the risk of not fully meeting planned targets, given that responsibility for Veterans' well-being is shared with multiple jurisdictions, other government departments, and individual Veterans, Veterans Affairs Canada is:
   1. Working closely with partners to ensure efforts are well aligned; and
   2. Exploring additional opportunities for sound research and data to inform direction.

The Department monitors these risks through the Departmental Results Framework and internal performance reports. Tracking performance in these areas enables timely adjustments and ensures risks are being effectively mitigated.

Additionally, the Departmental Audit Committee provides an important advisory function as part of the Department’s governance structure for risk. It provides objective advice and recommendations to the Deputy Head regarding the sufficiency, quality and adequacy of the Department's risk management process.

This integrated risk management process ultimately supports the Department in meeting its objectives. Further information on risks facing the Department and the steps taken to mitigate them can be found on VAC's website.

4. Significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs

Mandate/budget commitments

Commemorative Infrastructure

Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to maintaining overseas sites and memorials to preserve Canada’s legacy. Funding has been announced to address maintenance and modernization needs and to enhance visitor experience at the Canadian Vimy Memorial and the Beaumount-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. As part of its commemorative mandate, the Department has responsibility for the maintenance, preservation and presentation of 14 war memorials in Europe, including the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial located in France. With aging infrastructure and increasing operational costs, this funding will allow the department to properly recognize, respect and honour the sacrifice of our Veterans.

Service Excellence

Reducing processing times for disability benefit applications remains Veterans Affairs Canada’s top priority. Through funding committed in previous budgets, the Department has and continues to reduce processing times for Veterans and their families through increased capacity, integration, innovation and digital solutions. Through Budget 2023, additional funding has been committed to continue efforts to reduce the backlog and support service delivery across several programs and services.

Personnel

On 19 June 2023, Sara Lantz was appointed permanently Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services.

Commemorative activities

Grave marker maintenance continues to be a priority. During the quarter, we successfully completed a five year project in Canada to eliminate the backlog of repairs. Veterans Affairs Canada and Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintain the grave sites and grave markers of more than 300,000 fallen Canadian Armed Forces around the world.

During the first quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year, Commemoration observed a number of key milestones and anniversaries with both domestic and international programming. Activities included the following:

Domestic

• Ceremonies and events to mark the 25th anniversary of Operation Recuperation, the 1998 Ice Storm.
• Events to build awareness in advance of the 2025 Invictus Games to be held in Vancouver and Whistler, BC.
• Events and ceremonies in local communities to bring knowledge and awareness of the Commemorative Partnership program.
• Ceremonies and events to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, including a visit to the Canadian War Museum’s new Korean War exhibit.

International

• Ceremonies to mark the 75th anniversary of the International Day of United Nations peacekeeping.
• Ceremonies to mark the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• Ceremonies to mark Vimy Day at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.
• Organized events and provided departmental support to families attending burials in Europe of three Canadian soldiers of the First World War who were laid to rest with military honours.

At VAC memorials sites in Europe, a successful winter term was completed by student guides at the Canadian National Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland memorial sites. Work also continued on the significant ongoing stewardship project aimed at renewing the forests at Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel. Work has also commenced in planning and organizing work to address maintenance and modernization needs and to enhance visitor experience at the sites overseas.

5. Approvals by senior officials

Original signed by:

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II. Financial statements

* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.

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*Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.

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* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.

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* Includes only Authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.