Gender-based analysis plus
Section 1: institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity Governance The Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat’s (CICS) only program is to provide continuity of planning and archival services, and impartial logistical support for federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) and provincial-territorial (PT) conferences of first ministers, ministers, and deputy ministers, throughout Canada. CICS does not work directly with the public, nor does it choose its clientele in any sense; it works in close collaboration to support its clients, which are other federal, provincial, and territorial government departments. CICS is called upon to respond to decisions taken by governments to meet on key national or specific issues; decisions concerning the content, participants, and location of such meetings are beyond the control of the Secretariat. Capacity In 2024–25, CICS advanced its GBA Plus capacity through a series of measures integrated into the organization’s learning and operational practices. All employees maintained mandatory training on diversity and inclusion and unconscious bias in their learning plans, complemented by additional awareness sessions on accessibility and equity. Implementation of the 2023–25 Accessibility Plan led to tangible progress, including the creation of an Accessibility Officer role, updated onboarding materials clarifying accommodation processes, installation of emergency fire alarm strobes and handrails, and new processes for alternate-format communications. These measures supported a more inclusive workplace and improved accessibility in conference delivery. Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus In 2024–25, CICS had 0.25 FTE dedicated to GBA Plus-related governance and capacity building. Section 2: gender and diversity impacts, by program Core responsibility: Intergovernmental Conference Services Program name: Conference Services Program goals: The program provides impartial logistical and planning services for intergovernmental conferences, enabling federal, provincial, and territorial governments to focus on policy discussions. While the program does not directly deliver services to the public, it integrates accessibility and inclusivity measures into conference planning and support. Target population: Indirectly, all Canadians benefit from effective intergovernmental dialogue. Directly, the program serves federal, provincial, and territorial governments and their first ministers, ministers, and deputy ministers. Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored Not applicable. CICS does not collect client demographic data, as the Secretariat does not select participants or determine the content of meetings. Key program impacts on gender and diversity Not available. CICS does not directly impact gender and diversity outcomes, as its program is focused on providing neutral conferencing support. However, indirect impacts are observed through enhanced accessibility measures (e.g., accessible document formats, WCAG-compliant conference management system, accessibility checklists for conferences) which support equitable participation in intergovernmental meetings. GBA Plus data collection plan CICS does not collect disaggregated data on conference participants, as meeting content, participants, and location are determined by governments. However, CICS will continue to integrate accessibility considerations into conference planning tools and systems, monitor satisfaction feedback from organizers and participants, and leverage the Accessibility Plan to guide future improvements. Internal systems, such as the new Conference Management System launched in 2024–25, have been designed with accessibility in mind and can support better tracking of service delivery impacts over time.
by Aaron Lampole
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Unaudited Financial Statements 2024-25
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, 2025 and all information contained in these financial statements rests with the management of the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS). These financial statements have been prepared by management using the Government of Canada’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 CICS’s financial transactions. Financial information submitted in the preparation of the Public Accounts of Canada, and included in the CICS’s Departmental Results 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 CICS 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 the effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments. The CICS is subject to the Mandatory Core Control Self-Assessment for all Small Departments and uses the results to comply with the Treasury Board Policy on Financial Management. The financial statements of the CICS have not been audited. Ruth OnyanchaSecretaryOttawa, Canada September 12, 2025 Benoît MasséA/Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial OfficerOttawa, Canada September 12, 2025 Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited) As at March 31, 2025 (in dollars) 2025 2024 Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 4) 388,903 846,293 Vacation pay and compensatory leave 539,184 292,695 Employee future benefits (note 5) 82,478 81,972 Total liabilities 1,010,565 1,220,960 Financial assets Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund 375,511 814,715 Accounts receivable and advances (note 6) 191,134 199,367 Total financial assets 566,645 1,014,082 Departmental net debt 443,920 206,878 Non-financial assets Prepaid expenses 2,383 24,873 Tangible capital assets (note 7) 373,732 485,748 Total non-financial assets 376,115 510,621 Departmental net financial position (67,805) 303,743 Contractual obligations (note 8) The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements. Ruth OnyanchaSecretaryOttawa, Canada September 12, 2025 Benoît MasséA/Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial OfficerOttawa, Canada September 12, 2025 Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position (Unaudited) For the year […]
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Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ended June 30th, 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 the beginning of the year to June 30, 2025, have seen a significant decrease (a reduction of $569,000 compared to the same period in 2024–2025). This decrease is primarily due to the reduction of two full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, as well as delays in receiving conference requests caused by the federal election. To date, SCIC has supported 10 in-person conferences and 28 videoconferences, compared to 17 in-person conferences and 27 videoconferences during the same period in 2024–2025. 2.1 Statement of Authorities The authorities available to CICS for the first quarter of 2025–2026 are approximately $74,000 higher than those of the previous fiscal year ($14,000 in voted appropriations and $60,000 in statutory authorities) due to multi-year funding for collective bargaining obligations. 2.2 Statement of Department Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object From the beginning of the year to June 30, 2025, operating expenditures amounted to $1.2 million, representing a decrease of approximately $569,000 compared to the same period in 2024–2025. This reduction is largely attributable to the following factors: Personnel: A decrease of $185,000, primarily […]
by Aaron Lampole
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