Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2021

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year to date (YTD) results
  3. Risk and uncertainties
  4. Significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs
  5. Statement of Authorities (unaudited)
  6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)

1. Introduction

This quarterly financial 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. It should be read in conjunction with the 2021-22 Main Estimates. It has not been subject to an external audit or review nor has it been subject to the approval of the Audit Committee.

1.1 Authority, mandate and programs

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research funding agency. It was created in June 2000 by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act with a mandate "to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system."

CIHR invests in high quality health research and health research personnel to help create and apply new knowledge that can improve health outcomes for Canadians, lead to innovative products and services that improve Canada's health care system, and create high quality employment and commercial opportunities.

Further details on CIHR's mandate and programs can be found in Part II of the Main Estimates and the Department Plan.

1.2 Basis of presentation

This quarterly report has been prepared by CIHR management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes CIHR's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by CIHR, consistent with the Main Estimates supplied thus far for the 2021-22 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 of Canada (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.

CIHR 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.

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

This quarterly financial report reflects the results of the current fiscal period in comparison to the authorities supplied by the Main Estimates to date for fiscal year 2021-22, as well as budget adjustments approved by Treasury Board up to September 30, 2021.

2.1 Financial Highlights – Statement of Authorities (Refer to Section 5)

As of September 30, 2021, total authorities available for use for CIHR have increased by $212.2 million (18.4%) compared to September 30, 2020 as shown in the table below. This increase is in large part due to the full supply of the Main Estimates being available in the second quarter of 2021-22 compared to the second quarter of 2020-21, where $302.1 million was still to be supplied via the Main Estimates.

The remaining variance is due to the following:

In addition to the above, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Government of Canada endeavours to address the ongoing health research needs related to the pandemic. Total funding provided to CIHR for COVID-19 decreased by $114.6 million ($240.6 million received in 2020-21 as compared to $126.0 million received in 2021-22). New COVID-19 funding received in 2021-22 is comprised of the following:

Total authorities used as of September 30, 2021 decreased by $244.2 million (-30.0%) compared to the prior fiscal year due mainly to the decrease in COVID-19 grant payments in 2021-22. CIHR has used 41.8% (70.6% in 2020-21) of its available authorities through the second quarter. The difference in the authorities used is due to CIHR having the full supply of the Main Estimates for 2021-22 in the second quarter as compared to 2020-21, where $302.1 million was still to be supplied via the Main Estimates.

Table 2.1.1 – Changes to annual authorities available and cumulative authorities used by vote ($ thousands)

  2021-22 2020-21 Variance
Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used % used Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
(1) (2)   (3) (4)      
Vote 1 - Operating Expenditures 64,729 29,753 46.0% 46,475 26,910 57.9% 39.3% 10.6%
Vote 5 - Grants and Statutory Authorities – COVID-19 Footnote * 1,294,868 537,683 41.5% 1,101,196 784,994 71.3% 17.6% (31.5%)
Statutory Authorities – Employee benefits plan 7,206 3,603 50.0% 6,943 3,330 48.0% 3.8% 8.2%
Total 1,366,803 571,039 41.8% 1,154,614 815,234 70.6% 18.4% (30.0%)
Footnote *

Comparative totals for 2020-21 include Vote 5 – Grants ($900,996) and Statutory Authorities – COVID-19 ($200,200)

* referrer

Table 2.1.2 – Changes to annual authorities available and authorities used during the second quarter by vote ($ thousands)

  2021-22 2020-21 Variance
Annual authorities available Q2 authorities used % used Annual authorities available Q2 authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
(1) (2)   (3) (4)      
Vote 1 - Operating Expenditures 64,729 15,644 24.2% 46,475 13,717 29.5% 39.3% 14.0%
Vote 5 - Grants and Statutory Authorities – COVID-19 Footnote * 1,294,868 270,325 20.9% 1,101,196 574,205 52.1% 17.6% (52.9%)
Statutory Authorities – Employee benefits plan 7,206 1,802 25.0% 6,943 1,665 24.0% 3.8% 8.2%
Total 1,366,803 287,771 21.1% 1,154,614 589,587 51.1% 18.4% (51.2%)
Footnote *

Comparative totals for 2020-21 include Vote 5 – Grants ($900,996) and Statutory Authorities – COVID-19 ($200,200)

* referrer

Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures

Total authorities available for use for Vote 1 - Operating expenditures increased by $18.3 million (39.3%) as at September 30, 2021 compared to the prior fiscal year. This increase is in part due to CIHR having the full supply of the Main Estimates available in the second quarter of 2021-22 compared to the second quarter of 2020-21, where $14.5 million was still to be supplied via the Main Estimates.

The remaining variance is due to the following:

Authorities used during the second quarter for Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures have increased by $1.9 million (14.0%) as compared to the prior fiscal year. This variance is primarily due to an increase in personnel costs as a result of the yearly salary increase. This increase is offset by various immaterial decreases in operating expenditures. Actual year to date operating expenditures have increased by $2.8 million (10.6%) from the prior year due to the aforementioned reasons. The percentage of operating authorities used has decreased from the prior year (46.0% and 57.9% respectively) as a result of the previously discussed difference in the supply of the Main Estimates.

Overall spending as of September 30, 2021 is consistent with CIHR management expectations given the COVID-19 pandemic context.

Vote 5 – Grants and Statutory Authorities – COVID-19

Authorities available for use for Vote 5 – Grants as of September 30, 2021 were $1,294.9 million and included funding for the following transfer payment programs:

Vote 5 and Statutory Grant authorities available for use increased by $193.7 million (17.6%) as of September 30, 2021 as compared to the prior fiscal year. This increase to CIHR’s total grant authorities available is mainly due to CIHR having the full supply of the Main Estimates in the second quarter of 2021-22 compared to the second quarter of 2020-21, where $287.6 million was still to be supplied via the Main Estimates.

The remaining variance is due to the following:

In addition to the above, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Government of Canada endeavours to address the ongoing health research needs related to the pandemic. Grant funding provided to CIHR for COVID-19 decreased by $112.5 million ($238.5 million received in 2020-21 as compared to $126.0 million received in 2021-22). New COVID-19 funding received in 2021-22 is comprised of the following:

Grant authorities used during the second quarter of 2021-22 decreased by $303.9 million (-52.9%) compared to the prior fiscal year quarter. Similarly, year to date grant expenditures decreased by $247.3 million (-31.5%). This is due mainly to the decrease in COVID-19 grant payments in 2021-22.

The percentage of grant authorities used through the second quarter of 2021-22 (41.5%) decreased from authorities used at the end of the second quarter of the prior fiscal year (71.3%). This is mainly due to the aforementioned difference in the supply of the Main Estimates.

Overall spending as of September 30, 2021 is consistent with CIHR management expectations given the COVID-19 pandemic context.

Statutory Authorities

Contribution to employee benefit plans

Budgetary statutory authorities representing CIHR’s contribution to employee benefit plans available for use increased year over year by $0.3 million (3.8%). The increase to CIHR’s statutory authorities available is due to:

Actual spending for statutory authorities in the second quarter of 2021-22 is 50.0% of the total available authorities for use for the year, which is consistent with CIHR management expectations given that this expenditure is distributed equally throughout the fiscal year.

2.2 Financial Highlights – Statement of Departmental Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object (Refer to Section 6)

As of September 30, 2021, total authorities available for use by CIHR have increased by $212.2 million (18.4%) compared to the prior fiscal year. This increase is in part due to CIHR having the full supply of the Main Estimates available in the second quarter of 2021-22 compared to the second quarter of 2020-21, where $302.1 million was still to be supplied via the Main Estimates. Total authorities used as of September 30, 2021 decreased by $244.2 million (-30.0%) compared to the prior fiscal year. These variances are reflected in Table 2.2.1 (where expenditure types are re-grouped into three categories: Personnel, Other Operating Expenditures and Transfer Payments) for further analysis.

Table 2.2.1 – Changes to annual authorities available and cumulative authorities used by expenditure type ($ thousands)

  2021-22 2020-21 Variance
Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used % used Annual authorities available Cumulative authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
(1) (2)   (3) (4)      
Personnel Footnote * 55,898 30,987 55.4% 42,419 28,250 66.6% 31.8% 9.7%
Other Operating Expenditures 16,037 2,369 14.8% 10,999 1,990 18.1% 45.8% 19.0%
Transfer Payments Footnote ** 1,294,868 537,683 41.5% 1,101,196 784,994 71.3% 17.6% (31.5%)
Total 1,366,803 571,039 41.8% 1,154,614 815,234 70.6% 18.4% (30.0%)
Footnote *

Personnel includes statutory authorities provided for the employee benefit plan

* referrer

Footnote **

Comparative totals for 2020-21 transfer payments include both voted and statutory authorities provided

** referrer

Table 2.2.2 – Changes to annual authorities available and authorities used during the second quarter by expenditure type ($ thousands)

  2021-22 2020-21 Variance
Annual authorities available Q2 authorities used % used Annual authorities available Q2 authorities used % used (1) vs (3) (2) vs (4)
(1) (2)   (3) (4)      
Personnel Footnote * 55,898 16,270 29.1% 42,419 14,527 34.2% 31.8% 12.0%
Other Operating Expenditures 16,037 1,176 7.3% 10,999 855 7.8% 45.8% 37.5%
Transfer Payments Footnote ** 1,294,868 270,325 20.9% 1,101,196 574,205 52.1% 17.6% (52.9%)
Total 1,366,803 287,771 21.1% 1,154,614 589,587 51.1% 18.4% (51.2%)
Footnote *

Personnel includes statutory authorities provided for the employee benefit plan

* referrer

Footnote **

Comparative totals for 2020-21 transfer payments include both voted and statutory authorities provided

** referrer

Personnel and Other Operating Expenditures

Authorities available for Personnel Expenditures for the period ended September 30, 2021 increased by $13.5 million (31.8%) as compared to the prior year. Authorities available for Other Operating Expenditures increased by $5.0 million (45.8%). This increase to CIHR’s authorities available is partly due to CIHR having the full supply of the Main Estimates in the second quarter of 2021-22 compared to the second quarter of 2020-21, where $11.2 million (Personnel) and $3.2 million (Other) was still to be supplied via the Main Estimates. This increase was also a result of the following:

Personnel authorities used year to date increased by $2.7 million (9.7%) compared to the prior fiscal year. This increase is mainly due to the yearly salary increase. The percentage of authorities used for Personnel Expenditures in the second quarter (55.4%) is reasonable for this type of expenditure. However, the percentage of authorities used has decreased from last year (66.6% in 2020-21) as a result of CIHR receiving the full supply of the Main Estimates in 2021-22.

Other Operating Expenditures used year to date increased by $0.4 million (19.0%) compared to the prior fiscal year. This increase is primarily due to increased spending on various professional and special services, (such as translation services, language/online training and IT consultants), as well as, higher expenditures on prepaid software licenses and software maintenance fees . These increases were offset by a decrease in travel and hospitality expenditures as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as, a decrease in spending on office equipment for use in employees’ homes.

Overall spending as of September 30, 2021 is consistent with CIHR management expectations given the COVID-19 pandemic context.

Transfer Payments

Authorities available for the period ended September 30, 2021 increased by $193.7 million (17.6%) over the prior year due primarily to CIHR having the full supply of the Main Estimates in the second quarter of 2021-22 compared to the second quarter of 2020-21. Authorities used during the quarter ended September 30, 2021 decreased by $303.9 million (-52.9%) due mainly to the decrease in COVID-19 grant payments in 2021-22. The percentage of grant authorities used through the second quarter of 2021-22 (41.5%) has decreased from the prior year (71.3%) as a result of the aforementioned difference in the supply of the Main Estimates, as well as, the decrease in COVID-19 grant payments in 2021-22.

2.3 Other Non-Financial Highlights

Other non-financial highlights for the second quarter of 2021-22 include:

3. Risk and uncertainties

CIHR is funded through voted parliamentary spending authorities and statutory authorities for operating expenditures and transfer payments. As a result, its operations are impacted by any changes to funding approved through Parliament. Delivering programs and services may depend on several risk factors such as economic fluctuations, technological and scientific development, evolving government priorities, and central agency or government-wide initiatives.

CIHR is committed to a disciplined, risk management process in its daily operations. Based on departmental best practices, the Corporate Risk Profile (CRP) is updated annually and provides a proactive response to manage and monitor risks to ensure CIHR’s ability to operationalize its activities, achieve outcomes and deliver on its mandate.

The Policy on Government Security requires federal departments and agencies to establish business continuity plans (BCP). In response to COVID-19, CIHR activated its BCP that focused its activities on the delivery of critical operations, service and program delivery. As part of the BCP activation, CIHR’s risk landscape has shifted, and the CRP process was paused. CIHR’s corporate risk management activities in the second quarter relate to re-establishing the CRP and identifying the key risks to actively manage and monitor for the remainder of 2021-2022. As CIHR’s organizational risks are evolving, internal discussions are ongoing to identify pertinent risks and how they will be addressed. The final risks and associated mitigation strategies will be included in the 2021-22 CRP for implementation. CIHR will report on the final risks for fiscal year 2021-22 in the next Quarterly Financial Report.

Risk 1 – Implementing the New Strategic Plan - There is a risk that the implementation of CIHR’s strategic plan (to achieve its objectives as defined by the CIHR) Act may be hindered by gaps in governance, operational planning and change management practices.

CIHR has developed a new strategic plan for the Agency and launched it in February 2021. Due to the pandemic, the original launch date of June 2020 was delayed. This provided an opportunity to revise the plan’s priorities based on new issues the pandemic brought to light. In spring 2021, the organization completed an operational planning process to ensure that the priorities in the Action Plan for Year 1 (2021–22) were appropriately resourced.

CIHR has established an accountability and governance framework to support the implementation of the strategic plan development and is in the midst of launching the process to develop the Strategic Plan Action Plan for Year 2 (2022-2023). The actions identified for completion in the Year 2 Plan will be used as inputs into CIHR’s 2022-2023 Integrated Planning Process. This process will ensure that activities and resources are aligned with organizational priorities identified in the Strategic Plan and the results the organization is seeking to achieve.

Risk 2 – Effective Digital Solutions - Failure to deliver and support effective digital and security solutions may result in the inability for the organization to deliver on the objectives as defined by the CIHR Act

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, CIHR continues to deliver on its operational objectives by leveraging its existing IT infrastructure and deploying new IT solutions to support pandemic-impacted business functioning.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought in its wake, numerous disruptions in the way CIHR conducts business. In light of the ongoing need to maintain social distancing measures, CIHR is required to change the way business is conducted to ensure business continuity. For example, CIHR’s peer review process in particular, was specifically impacted by these measures. Traditionally, the majority of CIHR peer review was completed via in-person peer review committee meetings held in Ottawa. Until the current travel and physical distancing measures are lifted, in-person peer review meetings will not be feasible.

In April 2020, CIHR adopted Microsoft Teams as its main on-line collaboration and communication tool. This tool provides CIHR staff the ability to effectively and securely communicate and collaborate with employees within CIHR and the Government of Canada while also being able to take advantage of its integration features with other MS Office 365 suite of applications (such as Outlook). This solution was successfully deployed to facilitate remote peer review meetings.

CIHR continues to explore technological innovations to ensure business continuity and uninterrupted service delivery.

Risk 3 – Human Resources Capacity - There is a risk that CIHR is not adequately resourced to deliver on priorities, projects and key commitments. Beyond this, there is an additional risk that without proactive strategies and a cohesive organizational design to attract and retain key talent, CIHR will not have the human resource capacity required to deliver on its current programs and services and to respond to future priorities.

Beginning Fall 2021, CIHR will undertake a prioritization activity that will accurately identify what programs, services and projects (new and existing) can be delivered within the current human resource allocations. In addition to detailed operational plans, CIHR branches are required to submit staffing plans that accurately reflect the way in which these resources will be acquired and the timeline to do so. A Workforce Planning process that is integrated into CIHR’s operational planning cycle is in place to support this activity.

The Human Resources Branch (HRB) has addressed critical and emerging staffing needs to ensure the continued effective and efficient delivery of programs and services throughout the pandemic. The HRB is currently reviewing internal processes and policies to maintain competitiveness within the labor market, support inclusion, and attract diverse talent. The HRB has reinitiated work on a Human Resources Planning Framework that will evolve alongside the Integrated Planning Cycle. Concurrent development of these processes will support senior management in ensuring the CIHR is adequately resourced to deliver on priorities and achieve its objectives, particularly those related to the new strategic plan implementation.

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

In July, the President announced a reorganization of the Research Programs portfolio. The changes included dividing the portfolio into two parts: Programs and Learning Health Systems. The current Vice-President of Research Programs was appointed Vice-President, Research – Learning Health Systems, while the organization initiated a process to recruit a new Vice-President, Research – Programs, which closed on September 26. As part of the creation of the new Learning Health Systems portfolio, CIHR has created three new executive positions: Executive Director, Clinical Trials; Executive Director, Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research; and Executive Director, Centre for Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies. The recruitment for these positions will be launched in the third quarter.

During the second quarter, CIHR was engaged in the recruitment of the next Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research. The application deadline for the position was October 4. The successful candidate for this position is expected to begin their term no later than July 1, 2022.

On September 22, Dr. Jeannie Shoveller, Chair of CIHR’s Governing Council, publicly announced that she would be stepping down from the role at the end of December for personal reasons. The Vice-Chair of Governing Council will serve as interim Chair until a new Chair is appointed.

Effective September 28, Charles Vigneault assumed the position of CIHR’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

Approval by Senior Officials

Approved by:

[original signed by]

Michael J. Strong, MD, FRCPC, FAAN, FCAHS
President

[original signed by]

Dalia Morcos Fraser, CPA, CMA
Chief Financial Officer

Ottawa, Canada
November 30, 2021

5. Statement of Authorities (unaudited)

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021

  Fiscal year 2021-22 Fiscal year 2020-21
(in thousands of dollars) Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2022 Footnote * Used during the quarter ended September 30, 2021 Year to date used at quarter-end Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2021Footnote * Used during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 Year to date used at quarter-end
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures 64,729 15,644 29,753 46,475 13,717 26,910
Vote 5 - Grants 1,294,868 270,325 537,683 900,996 378,735 589,524
Budgetary statutory authorities
COVID-19 research and support N/A N/A N/A 200,200 195,470 195,470
Contributions to employee benefit plans 7,206 1,802 3,603 6,943 1,665 3,330
Total budgetary authorities 1,366,803 287,771 571,039 1,154,614 589,587 815,234
Footnote *

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

* referrer

6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021

  Fiscal year 2021-22 Fiscal year 2020-21
(in thousands of dollars) Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2022 Footnote * during the quarter ended September 30, 2021 Year to date used at quarter-end Planned expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2021 Footnote * Expended during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 Year to date used at quarter-end
Expenditures:
Personnel 55,898 16,270 30,987 42,419 14,527 28,250
Transportation and communications 3,572 31 63 4,958 114 125
Information 862 17 94 79 81 181
Professional and special services 6,497 585 1,059 3,709 343 685
Rentals 2,841 472 932 1,835 160 702
Repair and maintenance 44 25 64 24 17 90
Utilities, materials and supplies 829 5 7 - 6 13
Acquisition of machinery and equipment 1,392 32 136 394 137 178
Transfer payments 1,294,868 270,325 537,683 1,101,196 574,205 784,994
Other subsidies and payments - 9 14 - (3) 16
Total budgetary expenditures 1,366,803 287,771 571,039 1,154,614 589,587 815,234
Footnote *

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

* referrer

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