Quarterly Financial Report For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2016

Mandate and programs

The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (OCOL) supports the Commissioner of Official Languages in fulfilling his mandate, which consists of taking all actions and measures within his authority to ensure recognition of the status of each of the official languages and compliance with the spirit and intent of the Official Languages Act in the administration of the affairs of federal institutions, including any of their activities relating to the advancement of English and French in Canadian society.

Further information about OCOL’s programs can be found in the 2016-17 Report on Plans and Priorities and in the Main Estimates.

Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes OCOL’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and used by OCOL, consistent with the Main Estimates for the 2016-17 fiscal year. This quarterly report has also 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 moneys 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.

OCOL uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual financial statements, which are part of the organization's performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament are prepared on an expenditure basis.

Significant changes to authorities

As of September 30, 2016, total authorities available for the fiscal year increased by $643,000 compared to the previous fiscal year, mainly due to the increase in the operation budget carry forward amount.

Significant changes to budgetary expenditures

OCOL has spent 43% of its authorities as of September 30, 2016, of which 83% represents personnel costs.

Expenditures in this quarter fell by $342,000, or 7%, compared to the same quarter of the prior year. The decrease is due mainly to the following factors:

• Decrease of $271,000 in personnel costs mainly due the decrease of indeterminate employee salary in all programs but more specifically in internal services. 
• Decrease of $29,000 in repair and maintenance costs as a result of reduced tenants services repairs.
• Decrease of $22,000 in professional and special services costs as a result of reduced management consulting services, and accounting and audit services.

Project Management Capability

The organization rarely implements projects of the size and complexity of the Integrated Enterprise Management Solution (IEMS). To manage results, the organization must develop and optimize its capacity to manage projects.

OCOL will develop an investment planning process to assess business cases for projects, including costs, benefits and options.

OCOL will implement a governance structure to manage and monitor the large projects approved through the investment plan.

Level of Resources

The current level of resources may not allow the organization to fully deliver its mandate and adequately meet the expectations of parliamentarians, federal institutions and the public.

OCOL will develop and implement a long-term financial strategy to assess the resource requirements.

OCOL will review and enhance the budgeting and forecasting processes for the organization.

Significant Changes in Relation to Operations, Personnel and Programs

There have been no significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs during the current quarter.