Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ended December 31st, 2025
ISSN 2817-3473 Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program 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 Directive on Accounting Standards. This report should be read in conjunction with the 2025-26 Main Estimates. The mandate of the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS) is to support federal, provincial and territorial governments in the planning and conduct of senior level intergovernmental conferences held across Canada. The primary objective of CICS is to relieve client departments of the numerous technical and logistical tasks associated with the planning and conduct of multilateral conferences, thereby enabling participants to concentrate on substantive intergovernmental policy issues. CICS provides continuous, effective and impartial logistical support to these meetings. The quarterly report has not been subject to an external audit or review. Basis of Presentation This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the department’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the department consistent with the 2025-26 Main Estimates. 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. As part of the departmental performance reporting process, CICS prepares its annual departmental financial statements on a full accrual basis in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies, which are based on Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for the public sector. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis. 2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year to date (YTD) results Operating expenditures from October 1 to December 31, 2025, increased slightly by $172,000 in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2024-25. This increase is mainly attributable to transportation and communication costs as well as rental services for Conference Services. To date, CICS has supported 43 in-person conferences and 77 videoconferences, compared with 36 in-person conferences and 56 videoconferences during the same period in 2024-25. 2.1 Statement of Authorities CICS’ authorities for 2025-26 as of the third quarter are approximately $164,000 lower than last year (a decrease of $224,000 in voted authorities and an increase of $60,000 in statutory authorities). This variance is mainly due to the fact that the operating budget carry-forward for the current fiscal year is significantly lower than in the previous year. 2.2 Statement of Department Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object Year to date operating expenses to December 31, 2025, are $5.6 million, approximately $307,000 lower than for the same period in 2024-25. The observed decrease is largely attributable to the following factors: Personnel: a decrease of $45,000 primarily attributable […]
by Aaron Lampole
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Future-Oriented Statement of Operations 2026-27
Canadian Intergovernmental Conference SecretariatFuture-Oriented Statement of Operations (unaudited) For the Year Ended March 31 (in dollars) Forecast Results for 2025-26 Planned Results for 2026-27 Expenses Intergovernmental Conference Services Internal Services 6,966,685 1,741,672 5,820,166 1,455,041 Total expenses 8,708,357 7,275,207 Revenues Sharing cost agreement – Transfers received from the provincial governments Revenues earned on behalf of government 1,270,300 (1,270,300) 1,295,706 (1,295,706) Total revenues 0 0 Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 8,708,357 7,275,207 The accompanying notes form an integral part of this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations. 1. Methodology and significant assumptions The future-oriented statement of operations has been prepared on the basis of government priorities and departmental plans as described in the Departmental Plan. The information in the forecast results for fiscal year 2025−26 is based on actual results as at January 20, 2026 and on forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. Forecasts have been made for the planned results for the 2026−27 fiscal year. The main assumptions underlying the forecasts are as follows: The Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat’s (the Secretariat) activities will remain substantially the same as the previous year. The Secretariat expects that in fiscal year 2026-27, conferences and videoconferences will increase. This will result in higher operating and maintenance costs as they relate to program delivery. Expenses and revenues, including the determination of amounts internal and external to the government, are based on historical experience. The general historical pattern is expected to continue. Planned results for 2026-27 aligns with the reference level following the sunset, in 2025–26, of the 5.1 million in temporary 3 years funding provided through the Budget 2023. To ensure minimal disruption to its core mandate, the Secretariat will seek additional source of funding for 2026-27. These assumptions are made as at January 20, 2026. 2. Variations and changes to the forecast financial information Although every attempt has been made to forecast final results for the remainder of 2025-26 and for 2026-27, actual results achieved for both years are likely to differ from the forecast information presented, and this variation could be material. In preparing this Future-Oriented Statement of Operations, the Secretariat has made estimates and assumptions concerning the future. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the subsequent actual results. Estimates and assumptions are based on past experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and are continually evaluated. Factors that could lead to material differences between the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and the historical statement of operations include: Approval of a transitional funding in fiscal 2026-27 that will ensure uninterrupted support for national conference coordination. The timing and the amount of equipment acquisitions or disposals which may affect gains, losses and amortization expenses. Implementation of new collective agreements. Intergovernmental influences may affect the volume and complexity of conferences supported and managed by Conference Services. The possibility of federal and provincial elections may result in delays or even cancellations of conferences. Other changes to the operating budget, such as new initiatives or technical adjustments later in the fiscal year. After the Departmental Plan […]
by Aaron Lampole
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Operating Context – 2026-27 Departmental Plan
The Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS) enters 2026–27 in a period of transition shaped by fiscal restraint, workforce pressures, and continued shifts in how governments conduct intergovernmental meetings. Conference activity remained strong in 2025–26, continuing the upward trend observed in 2024–25, when CICS supported 163 intergovernmental conferences compared to 126 the previous year. Year over year, conference volumes and meeting complexity have trended upward, with growing demand for hybrid and virtual formats and a higher proportion of complex FPT and Minister-level meetings. These trends suggest that conference activity in 2026–27 will remain high, with corresponding increases in planning demands, technical support needs, and operational pressures even as the results of the Government of Canada’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review may influence the number of conferences CICS is asked to support. This continued fluctuation, driven by clients adapting meeting formats to operational, cost, and accessibility needs, requires CICS to remain flexible in its planning, provide coordinated support across multiple formats, and manage rising operational and staffing pressures. The completion of the program evaluation and the development of a three year Strategic Business Plan provide a new foundation for strengthening service efficiency and long-term sustainability. In 2026–27, the Secretariat will focus on implementing several structural initiatives, including the new cost sharing and recovery model and the launch of the tripartite governance and conflict resolution framework. These initiatives are designed to support more transparent planning, strengthen collaboration with partners, and ensure CICS can deliver neutral and professional services within its available resource base. The operating environment continues to present significant challenges. Fiscal restraint measures have placed pressure on CICS’ ability to absorb rising operational costs, maintain essential infrastructure, and respond to periods of high conference demand. The risk of workforce shortages remains elevated due to potential of early retirements, staff departures, staffing delays, and limited mobility within a small organization. These pressures heighten the importance of succession planning, knowledge transfer, and strategic workforce management to sustain critical capacity and maintain service continuity. CICS also faces operational risks related to digital tools, information management practices, and ongoing client expectations for accessible and efficient meeting support. While the Secretariat continues to maintain reliable systems, modernization efforts must be carefully prioritized in line with available resources. Accessibility considerations are increasingly important in conference planning, and CICS is integrating these elements more systematically while implementing the new 2026 to 2028 Accessibility Plan internally. At the same time, CICS must adapt to evolving client expectations and shifts in the broader intergovernmental landscape. Partners continue to seek flexible support across multiple conference formats, as well as clearer planning processes and communication channels. Maintaining strong relationships with federal, provincial, and territorial clients remains essential to supporting productive intergovernmental discussions and upholding CICS’ neutrality and relevance. Despite these challenges, the Secretariat enters 2026–27 with a clear strategic direction and a commitment to strengthening its internal capacity. Key priorities include improving financial stewardship, advancing governance reforms, supporting employees through organizational transition, and refining service delivery processes to enhance efficiency. These efforts will help ensure […]
by Aaron Lampole
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