2015–2016 Financial statements

Statement of management responsibility including internal control over financial reporting

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2016, and all information contained in these statements rests with the management of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). These financial statements have been prepared by management using the Government's accounting policies, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these financial statements. Some of the information in the financial statements is based on management's best estimates and judgment, and gives due consideration to materiality. To fulfill its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provides a centralized record of the IRB’s financial transactions. Financial information submitted in the preparation of the Public Accounts of Canada, and included in the IRB’s Departmental Performance Report, is consistent with these financial statements.

Management is also responsible for maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is reliable, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in accordance with the Financial Administration Act and other applicable legislation, regulations, authorities and policies.

Management seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its financial statements through careful selection, training and development of qualified staff; through organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility; through communication programs aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards, and managerial authorities are understood throughout the IRB and through conducting an annual risk-based assessment of the effectiveness of the system of ICFR.

The system of ICFR is designed to mitigate risks to a reasonable level based on an ongoing process to identify key risks, to assess effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments.

A risk-based assessment of the system of ICFR for the year ended March 31, 2016, was completed in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Control, and the results and action plans are summarized in the annex.

The financial statements of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada have not been audited.

The original version was signed by

Mario Dion, Chairperson

The original version was signed by

Barbara Wyant, Chief Financial Officer

 

Ottawa, Canada
September 6, 2016


Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited)
As of March 31

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 4)10,2399,599
Vacation pay and compensatory leave 3,5733,627
Employee future benefits (note 7)4,8936,962
Total liabilities 18,705 20,188
Financial assets
Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund8,6388,730
Accounts receivable and advances (note 6)1,893907
Total financial assets 10,531 9,637
Financial assets held on behalf of Government
Accounts receivable and advances (note 6) less (243) less (151)
Total Net Financial Assets 10,288 9,486
Net debt 8,417 10,702
Non-financial assets
Prepaid expenses11298
Tangible capital assets (note 5)7,28310,475
Total non-financial assets 7,395 10,573
Net financial position less (1,022) less (129)

Contractual obligations (note 8)

Contingent Liabilitites (note 9)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

The original version was signed by

Mario Dion, Chairperson

The original version was signed by

Barbara Wyant, Chief Financial Officer

 

Ottawa, Canada
September 6, 2016


Statement of Operations and Net Financial Position (Unaudited)
For the year ended March 31

(in thousands of dollars)
 Planned Results 201620162015
Expenses
Refugee Protection 59,73450,21563,338
Immigration Appeal18,12118,85017,840
Admissibility Hearings and Detention Reviews10,89013,37513,414
Refugee Appeal16,20213,86612,995
Internal Services34,85340,60139,155
Total expenses 139,800 136,907 146,742
Revenues
Miscellaneous revenues11511
Revenues earned on behalf of Government less (11) less (5) less (11)
Total revenues  0 0 0
Net cost of operations before government funding 139,800 136,907 146,742
Government Funding
Net cash provided by Government0112,214114,759
Change in due from Consolidated Revenue Fund0 less (92)4,432
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 10)024,00624,408
Transfer of the transition payments for implementing salary payments in arrears (note 11)0 less (27) less (2,773)
Cash provided for accounts receivable not affecting cost of operations0 less (87)0
Transfers of tangible capital asset to other government department 00 less (16)
Net cost of operations after government funding 0 893 5,932
Net financial position - Beginning of year 0 less (129) 5,803
Net financial position - End of year 0 less (1,022) less (129)

Statement of Change in Net Debt (Unaudited)
For the year ended March 31

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Net cost (revenue) of operations after government funding 893 5,932
Change due to tangible capital assets
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (note 5)7261,012
Amortization of tangible capital assets (note 5) less (3,918) less (4,972)
Write-off of tangible capital assets0 less (591)
Transfer of tangible capital asset to other government department 0 less (16)
Total change due to tangible capital assets less (3,192) less (4,567)
Change due to prepaid expenses 14 41
Net (decrease) increase in net debt less (2,285) 1,406
Net debt - Beginning of year 10,702 9,296
Net debt - End of year 8,417 10,702

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.


Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
For the year ended March 31

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Operating Activities
Net cost of operations before government funding 136,907 146,742
Non-cash items:
Amortization of tangible capital assets (note 5) less (3,918) less (4,972)
Write-off of tangible capital assets (note 5)0 less (591)
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 10) less (24,006) less (24,408)
Transition payments for implementing salary payments in arrears (note 11)272,773
Cash provided for accounts receivable not affecting cost of operations870
Variations in Statement of Financial Position:
Increase (decrease) in accounts receivable and advances894 less (103)
Increase in prepaid expenses1441
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilitiess less (640) less (4,475)
Decrease (increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave54 less (337)
Decrease (increase) in future employee benefits2,069 less (923)
Cash used in operating activities 111,488 113,747
Capital activities
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets (note 5)7261,012
Cash used in capital activities 726 1,012
Net cash provided by Government of Canada 112,214 114,759

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited)
For the year ended March 31

1. Authority and objectives

The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) is an independent, accountable administrative tribunal established by Parliament on January 1, 1989 to resolve immigration and refugee cases fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the law. The IRB ensures continued benefits to Canadians: by only accepting refugee claimants needing protection in accordance with international obligations and Canadian law; by contributing to the integrity of the immigration system, the safety and security of Canadians and upholding Canada's reputation of justice and fairness for individuals; and promoting family reunification. The IRB also contributes to the quality of life of Canada's communities by strengthening our country's social fabric and by reflecting and reinforcing core values that are important to Canadians. These include respect for human rights, peace, security and the rule of law.

The Board strategic outcome is to resolve immigration and refugee cases efficiently, fairly and accordance with the law.

Five programs support this strategic outcome:

Refugee Protection Division 

The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) delivers the IRB's Refugee Protection program. It renders quality decisions and resolves cases in a timely manner regarding refugee protection claims made by persons in Canada, and pre-removal risk assessments of persons subject to a removal order.

Refugee Appeal Division 

The Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) delivers the IRB's Refugee Appeal program. It renders quality decisions and resolves cases in a timely manner regarding appeals against a decision made on a refugee protection claim of the Refugee Protection Division.

Admissibility Hearings and Detention Reviews

The Immigration Division (ID) delivers the Admissibility Hearings and Detention Reviews program. It renders quality decisions and resolves cases in a timely manner regarding foreign nationals or permanent residents who are alleged to be inadmissible to Canada pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and foreign nationals or permanent residents who are detained under IRPA authority.

Immigration Appeal

The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) delivers the Immigration Appeal program. It renders quality decisions and resolves cases in a timely manner regarding sponsorship applications refused by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; certain removal orders made against permanent residents, refugees and other protected persons and holders of permanent resident visas; permanent residents outside of Canada who have been found not to have fulfilled their residency obligation; and appeals by the Minister of Public Safety Canada against a decision of the Immigration Division on admissibility.

Internal Services

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization, and not those provided to a specific program. The groups of activities are Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; and Acquisition Services.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

These financial statements have been prepared using the Government's accounting policies stated below, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

(a) Parliamentary authorities

The IRB is financed by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to the IRB do not parallel financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles since authorities are primarily based on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position and in the Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through authorities from Parliament. Note 3 provides a reconciliation between the bases of reporting. The planned results amounts in the Expenses and Revenue sections of the Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position are the amounts reported in the Future-oriented Statement of Operations included in the 2015‑16 Report on Plans and Priorities. Planned results are not presented in the "Government funding and transfers" section of the Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position and in the Statement of Change in Departmental Net Debt because these amounts were not included in the 2015‑16 Report on Plans and Priorities.

(b) Net Cash Provided by Government

The IRB operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), which is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by the IRB is deposited to the CRF and all cash disbursements made by the IRB are paid from the CRF. The net cash provided by Government is the difference between all cash receipts and all cash disbursements, including transactions between departments of the Government.

(c) Due from the CRF

Amounts due from the CRF are the result of timing differences at year-end between when a transaction affects authorities and when it is processed through the CRF. Amounts due from the CRF represent the net amount of cash that the IRB is entitled to draw from the CRF without further appropriations to discharge its liabilities.

(d) Revenues

Other revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event that gave rise to the revenue takes place. The IRB does not charge for its services and its only revenue stem from gains on disposals of crown assets, Acces to Information and Privacy fees and interes on overdue accounts receivable. 

Revenues that are non-respendable are not available to discharge the Department's liabilities. While the Deputy Head is expected to maintain accounting control, he or she has no authority regarding the disposition of non-respendable revenues. As a result, non-respendable revenues are considered to be earned on behalf of the Government of Canada and are therefore presented in reduction of the entity's gross revenues.

(e) Expenses

Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis:

  • Vacation pay and compensatory leave are accrued as the benefits are earned by employees under their respective terms of employment.
  • Services provided without charge by other government departments for accommodation, employer contributions to the health and dental insurance plans and legal services are recorded as operating expenses at their estimated cost.

(f) Employee future benefits

  1. Pension benefits: Eligible employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan (the "Plan"), a multiemployer pension plan administered by the Government. The IRB’s contributions to the Plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total obligation of the IRB to the Plan. The IRB’s responsibility with regard to the Plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the financial statements of the Government of Canada, as the Plan’s sponsor.
  2. Severance benefits: Employees entitled to severance benefits under labour contracts or conditions of employment earn these benefits as services necessary to earn them are rendered. The obligation relating to the benefits earned by employees is calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benefits for the Government as a whole.

(g) Accounts receivables

Accounts receivable are stated at the lower of cost and net recoverable value. A valuation allowance is recorded for accounts receivable where recovery is considered uncertain.

(h) Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities are potential liabilities that may become actual liabilities when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. To the extent that the future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, an estimated liability is accrued and an expense recorded. If the likelihood is not determinable or if an amount cannot be reasonably estimated, the contingency is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

(i) Tangible capital assets

All tangible capital assets and leasehold improvements having an initial cost of $10,000 or more are recorded at their acquisition cost.

Amortization of tangible capital assets is done on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Amortization of tangible capital assets
Asset classAmortization Period
Informatics hardware 4 years
Informatics software5 years
Machinery and Equipment10 years
Leasehold improvementsLesser of the remaining term of lease or useful life of the improvement

Assets under construction are recorded in the applicable capital asset class in the year that they become available for use and are not amortized until they become available for use.

(j) Measurement uncertainty

The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements. At the time of preparation of these statements, management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable. The most significant items where estimates are used are contingent liabilities, the liability for employee future benefits and the useful life of tangible capital assets. Actual results could significantly differ from those estimated. Management’s estimates are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, they are recorded in the financial statements in the year they become known.

3. Parliamentary Authorities

The IRB receives its funding through annual Parliamentary authorities. Items recognized in the statement of operations and the statement of financial position in one year may be funded through Parliamentary authorities in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, the IRB has different net results of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables:

(a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to current year authorities used

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Net cost of operations136,907146,742
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 10) less (24,006) less (24,408)
Amortization of tangible capital assets (note 5) less (3,918) less (4,972)
Write-off of tangible capital assets0 less (591)
Decrease (increase) in employee future benefits2,069 less (923)
Decrease (increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave54 less (337)
Prepaid expenses previously charged to appropriation less (161) less (128)
Adjustments to prior’s years accounts payable (PAYE)297271
Refunds of previous year's expenses5756
Other12680
Total less (25,482) less (30,952)
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities:
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (note 5)7261,012
Transition payments for implementing salary payments in arrears (note 11)272,773
Increase in prepaid expenses175171
Temporary advance444
Total 972 3,960
Current year authorities used 112,397 119,750

(b) Authorities Provided and used:

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Authorities Provided:
Vote 10 - Operating expenditures107,337115 999
Statutory amounts11,96612,689
Less:
Lapsed authorities: Operating less (6,906) less (8,938)
Current year authorities used 112,397 119,750

4. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

The following table presents details of the IRB's accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Accounts payable - Other government departments and agencies1,1341,308
Accounts payable - External parties2,0162,601
Total accounts payable3,1503,909
Accrued liabilities7,0895,690
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10,239 9,599

In Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government announced savings measures to be implemented by departments over the next three fiscal years starting in 2012‒13. As a result, the Department has recorded at March 31, 2016, an obligation for termination benefits for an amount of $284,722 ($87,866 in 2014‑15) as part of accrued liabilities to reflect the estimated workforce adjustment costs.

5. Tangible capital assets

Cost

(in thousands of dollars)
 Opening BalanceAcquisitionsTransfers, Disposals and Write-OffsClosing Balance
Informatics Hardware2,1620702,232
Informatics Software20,755037921,134
Machinery and Equipment42900429
Leasehold Improvements7,53906708,209
Assets under construction408726 less (1,119)15
Total 31,293 726 0 32,019

Accumulated amortization

(in thousands of dollars)
 Opening BalanceAmortizationTransfers, Disposals and Write-OffsClosing Balance
Informatics Hardware1,91916102,079
Informatics Software12,9073,349016,257
Machinery and Equipment119430162
Leasehold Improvements5,87336506,238
Total 20,818 3,918 0 24,736

Net book value

(in thousands of dollars)
 20152016
Informatics Hardware243153
Informatics Software7,8484,877
Machinery and Equipment310267
Leasehold Improvements1,6661,971
Assets under construction40815
Net Book Value 10,475 7,283

6. Accounts receivable and advances

The following table presents details of the IRB's accounts receivable and advances balances:

Accounts receivable and advances

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Receivables from other government departments and agencies1,601750
Receivables from external parties243151
Accounts receivable held on behalf of Government less (243) less (151)
Employee advances496
Total 1,650 756

7. Employee future benefits

(a) Pension benefits

The IRB’s employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan (the "Plan"), which is sponsored and administered by the Government of Canada. Pension benefits accrue up to a maximum period of 35 years at a rate of 2 percent per year of pensionable service, times the average of the best five consecutive years of earnings. The benefits are integrated with Canada/Québec Pension Plans benefits and they are indexed to inflation.

Both the employees and the IRB contribute to the cost of the Plan. Due to the amendment of the Public Service Superannuation Act following the implementation of provisions related to Economic Action Plan 2012, employee contributors have been divided into two groups – Group 1 relates to existing plan members as of December 31, 2012 and Group 2 relates to members joining the Plan as of January 1, 2013. Each group has a distinct contribution rate.

The 2015‑16 expense amounts to $8.2 million ($8.7 million in 2014‑15). For Group 1 members, the expense represents approximately 1.25 times (1.41 times in 2014‑15) the employee contributions and, for Group 2 members, approximately 1.24 times (1.39 times in 2014‑15) the employees contributions.

The IRB’s responsibility with regard to the Plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the Financial Statements of the Government of Canada, as the Plan’s sponsor.

(b) Severance benefits

The IRB provides severance benefits to its employees based on eligibility, years of service and final salary. These severance benefits are not pre-funded. Benefits will be paid from future authorities.

As part of collective agreement negotiations with certain employee groups, and changes to conditions of employment for executives and certain non-represented employees, the accumulation of severance benefits under the employee severance pay program ceased for these employees commencing in 2012. Employees subject to these changes have been given the option to be immediately paid the full or partial value of benefits earned to date or collect the full or remaining value of benefits on termination from the public service. These changes have been reflected in the calculation of the outstanding severance benefit obligation.

Information about the severance benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows:

Severance benefits

(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Accrued benefit obligation, beginning of the year6,9626,039
Expense for the year less (1,230)1,979
Benefits paid during the year less (839) less (1,056)
Accrued benefit obligation, end of the year 4,893 6,962

8. Contractual Obligations

The nature of the IRB's activities can result in some large multi-year contracts and obligations whereby the IRB will be obligated to make future payments when the services or goods are received. Significant contractual obligations that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:

Contractual Obligations

(in thousands of dollars)
 Acquisitions of goods and servicesOperating leasesTotal
201765058708
201817733210
201904343
202005757
202101515

9. Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities arise in the normal course of operations and their ultimate disposition is unknown.

(a) Claims and litigation

Claims have been made against the IRB in the normal course of operations. These claims include items with pleading amounts and other for which no amount is specified. While the total amount claimed in these actions is significant, their outcomes are not determinable. Claims and litigations for which the outcome is not determinable and a reasonable estimate can be made by management amount to approximately $440,000 ($567,400 in 2014‑15) at March 31, 2016.

10. Related party transactions

The IRB is related as a result of common ownership to all Government departments, agencies, and Crown Corporations. The IRB enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. During the year, the IRB received common services which were obtained without charge from other Government departments as disclosed below.

(a) Common services provided without charge by other government departments

During the year, the IRB received services without charge from certain common service organizations, related to accommodation and the employer’s contribution to the health and dental insurance plans. These services provided without charge have been recorded in the IRB’s Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position as follows:

Common services provided without charge by other government departments
(in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Accommodation17,35917,916
Employer's contribution to the health and dental insurance plans6,6476,492
Total 24,006 24,408

The Government has centralized some of its administrative activities for efficiency, cost-effectiveness purposes and economic delivery of programs to the public. As a result, the Government uses central agencies and common service organizations so that one department performs services for all other departments and agencies without charge. The costs of these services, such as the payroll and cheque issuance services provided by Public Services and Procurement Canada are not included in the IRB’s Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position.

(b) Other transactions with related parties

Other transactions with related parties (in thousands of dollars)
 20162015
Expenses - Other Government departments and agencies22,27823,090

11. Transfer of the transition payments for implementing salary payments in arrears

The Government of Canada implemented salary payments in arrears in 2014‑15. As a result, a one-time payment was issued to employees and will be recovered from them in the future. The transition to salary payments in arrears forms part of the transformation initiative that replaces the pay system and also streamlines and modernizes the pay processes. This change to the pay system had no impact on the expenses of the IRB. However, it did result in the use of additional spending authorities by the IRB. Prior to year end, the transition payments for implementing salary payments in arrears were transferred to a central account administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada, who is responsible for the administration of the Government pay system.

12. Segmented Information

Presentation by segment is based on the IRB's program alignment architecture. The presentation by segment is based on the same accounting policies as described in the Summary of significant accounting policies in note 2. The following table presents the expenses incurred and revenues generated for the main programs, by major object of expenses and by major type of revenues. The segment results for the period are as follows:

Segmented Information

(in thousands of dollars)
 Refugee ProtectionImmigration AppealsAdmissibility Hearings & Detention ReviewsRefugee AppealInternal Services20162015
Operating Expenses
Salaries and employee benefits36,48812,5589,0329,40124,94392,42298,086
Accommodation6,7132,3611,7601,8344,69117,35917,916
Rentals148305332536799952
Professional and special services5,5543,6401,7862,4523,36616,79819,574
Amortization25306903,5963,9184,972
Transportation and telecommunications6652161631007931,9371,668
Repair and maintenance19136507331,118131
Acquisition of equipment58691121,4921,6591,918
Utilities, materials and supplies205365511234541631
Information100213231337321
Other 121020 less (14)19573
Total operating expenses 50,215 18,851 13,375 13,865 40,601 136,907 146,742
Revenues
Miscellaneous10004511
Revenues earned on behalf of government less (1)000 less (4) less (5) less (11)
Total Revenues 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Net cost of operations 50,215 18,851 13,375 13,865 40,601 136,907 146,742

Annex to the Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control over Financial Reporting (unaudited)

1. Introduction

This document provides summary information on the measures taken by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (the IRB) to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). In particular, it provides summary information on the internal control assessments conducted by the IRB for the year ended March 31, 2016, including information on internal control management, assessment results and related action plans.

Detailed information on the department’s authority, mandate and program activities can be found in the Departmental Performance Report and the Report on Plans and Priorities.

2. Departmental system of internal control over financial reporting

2.1 Internal control management

The Immigration and Refugee Board has a well-established governance and accountability structure to support departmental assessment efforts and oversight of its system of internal control. A departmental internal control management framework, approved by the Chairperson, is in place and includes:

  • Organizational accountability structures as they relate to internal control management to support sound financial management, including roles and responsibilities of senior managers in their areas of responsibility for control management;
  • Values and Ethics Office, which provides educational and awareness programs;
  • Ongoing communication and training on statutory requirements, and policies and procedures for sound financial management and control;
  • An annually updated Corporate Risk Profile;
  • Financial management policies as well as documentation of its main business processes; and
  • Periodic monitoring of and updates on internal control management.

2.2 Service arrangements relevant to financial statements

The Immigration and Refugee Board relies on other organizations for the processing of certain transactions that are recorded in its financial statements as follows:

Common Arrangements
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada centrally administers the calculations, processing, and payments of salaries and the procurement of certain goods and services, and provides accommodation services;
  • The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat provides the Immigration and Refugee Board with information used to calculate various accruals and allowances, such as the accrued severance liability;
  • Shared Services Canada provides information technology infrastructure services to the Immigration and Refugee Board in the areas of data centre and network services. The scope and responsibilities are addressed in the interdepartmental arrangements between Shared Services Canada and the Board.
Specific Arrangements
  • IRB is one of the departments in the Central Agency Cluster – Shared Systems (CAC-SS), hosted by Treasury Board Secretariat. This arrangement provides the IRB with corporate administrative systems and system support including SAP Financial system, PeopleSoft human resources management system, Cognos Business Intelligence Tool and a secure infrastructure to host the three applications.

3. Departmental assessment results during fiscal year 2015‑16

On February 24, 2016, Phoenix was implemented at the IRB. As was expected with a project of this complexity and scope, there were challenges. The IRB prepared by ensuring training of staff and data integrity prior to the conversion. As a consequence, certain elements of the planned control assessment were modified to focus resources on the new system control environment. The IRB was in its second year on the SAP financial system and continued to refine its procedures in the new environment.

4. Departmental action plan

4.1 Progress during fiscal year 2015‑16

During 2015‑16, the Board focused primarily on completing the implementation of the new financial system. The emphasis was placed on ensuring the application controls and processes operated effectively and on training and support to personnel. The following table summarizes the department’s progress based on the plans identified in the previous fiscal year’s annex.

Progress during fiscal year 2015-16
Element in previous year’s action planStatus
Entity level controls: documentation, design effectiveness and operating effectivenessEntity level controls are reviewed and monitored annually.  Monthly consolidated financial status reports will be implemented in 2016‑17 and an assessment of the dashboard functionality and usefulness will be considered.
General IT level controls: SAP, Peoplesoft control documentation and assessment of design effectivenessThe CAC-SS engaged an independent firm to report on the controls placed in operation for the fiscal year. The report and management action plans were communicated to all user entities, including the IRB.
Pay and benefits, operating expenses testingPay and benefits testing was deferred to 2016‑17 as the Phoenix system implementation was delayed to February 2016. A substantive approach to reviewing transactions during the period February to March was required, and those transactions pending and not processed by Phoenix were assessed as part of the year end close for 2015‑16.
Capital assets: documentation update and design effectivenessThe design effectiveness of the capital asset key controls was deferred to 2017‑18 due to the rescheduling of the asset management module implementation to April 2017.
Financial closeDocumentation of the financial close process was completed. Design effectiveness evaluation was deferred until 2016‑17 based on the feedback from the 2015‑16 year end close.

4.2 Status and action plan for the next fiscal year and subsequent years

The IRB’s rotational ongoing monitoring plan over the next three years, based on an annual validation of the high-risk processes and controls and related adjustments to the ongoing monitoring plan as required, is shown in the following table.

Rotational Ongoing Monitoring Plan
Key control areasFiscal year 2016‑17Fiscal year 2017‑18Fiscal year 2018‑19
Entity-level controlsYesYesYes
IT general controls under departmental managementNoYesYes
Operating expendituresYesYesYes
Capital expendituresNoYesNo
Financial closeNoYesNo
Master data on vendors and customersNoYesNo
PayrollYesYesYes

In addition to the ongoing monitoring rotational plan, IRB plans to conduct the following assessment work in 2016‑17 to update the operating expenditure, master data on vendors and payroll documentation and assess the effectiveness of the controls in the new systems environments.