Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2024

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. It should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates (B). This report has not been subject to an external audit or review.

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) works with partners to advance economic development in Canada's territories. The Agency supports, invests in and advocates for national, territorial and community level economic development; fosters growth and innovation; contributes to building capacity; and invests in foundational economic development projects in the territories. In addition, through the Northern Projects Management Office the Agency coordinates federal participation in the territorial environmental review processes and maintains the Crown consultation record for major projects.

Further details on CanNor's authorities, mandate and program activities may be found in the Departmental Plan and 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 the Agency's spending authorities granted by Parliament, and those used by the Agency consistent with the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (B) for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.

The authority of Parliament is required before money can be spent by the Government. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.

The Agency uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual departmental financial statements that are part of the departmental results reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

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

Risks and Uncertainties

While the North presents opportunities for economic development, growth and innovation, factors including its vast and remote geography, lack of infrastructure, connectivity challenges, the cost and access to energy, and shortage of skilled labour all contribute to a challenging operating environment. These factors create additional challenges for businesses and can also prevent Northerners from fully benefiting from economic development opportunities.

CanNor's key risks (and response strategies) are published in the Departmental Plan:

1. Economic Uncertainty: With the looming threat of a global recession, economies may be forced to pivot in order to weather ongoing financial downturns. This may result in an adverse impact to Northern businesses and economic development, especially as high inflation places additional strains on an already high-cost environment.
2. Labour Shortages: Ongoing labour shortages, coupled with an aging population, may continue to strain the Northern labour pool, resulting in delays to projects and increased competition for skilled labour.
3. Climate Change: Severe weather events and other impacts of climate change continue to disrupt travel, construction, and other activities related to economic development. The territories may be uniquely impacted by this, with narrow construction seasons, fragile supply chains, and disproportionate climate disruptions potentially impacting the viability of projects and other economic development activity.
4. Limited Economic Diversification: An overdependence on the public service and the resource development sectors has resulted in limited economic diversification in the territories.
5. Infrastructure development: The infrastructure deficit in the North is a foundational barrier to economic growth, impacting the North's overall competitiveness and increasing the cost of doing business. Across the territories, major infrastructure is inadequate or missing altogether along with a severe shortage of housing and a deficit in community-level infrastructure.

Significant Changes in Relation to Operations, Personnel and Programs

On December 20, 2024, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree was appointed as the Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

Approved by

Ottawa, Canada
February 19, 2025