Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended March 31, 2023

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

 1.  Authority, mandate and programs

CATSA was established pursuant to the CATSA Act on April 1, 2002. CATSA is a Crown corporation listed under Part I, Schedule III of the Financial Administration Act (FAA) and is an agent of His Majesty in right of Canada.

CATSA’s mandate is to provide effective and efficient screening of persons who access aircraft or restricted areas through screening points, the property in their possession or control and the belongings or baggage that they give to an air carrier for transport. CATSA is also responsible for ensuring consistency in the delivery of screening across Canada and for air transport security functions that the Minister of Transport may assign to it, subject to any terms and conditions that the Minister may establish. In carrying out its responsibilities, CATSA must do so in the public interest, having due regard to the interest of the travelling public.

To achieve this, CATSA conducts screening in the following four areas:

1. PBS – the screening of passengers, their carry-on baggage and their belongings prior to their entry to the secure area of an air terminal building;
2. HBS – the screening of passengers’ checked (or hold) baggage for prohibited items such as explosives, prior to being loaded onto an aircraft;
3. NPS – the screening of non-passengers such as flight personnel, ground crew and airport employees, and their belongings (including vehicles and their contents) entering restricted areas at the highest-risk airports; and
4. RAIC Program – the system which uses iris and fingerprint biometric identifiers to allow non-passengers access to the restricted areas of airports. The final authority that determines access to the restricted areas of an airport is the airport authority.

In addition to its mandated activities, CATSA has an agreement with Transport Canada (TC) to conduct screening of cargo at smaller airports where capacity exists. This program was designed to screen limited amounts of cargo during off-peak periods and involves using existing resources, technology and procedures.

In previous years, CATSA provided screening services on a cost recovery basis to certain designated and non-designated airports. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, no such services were provided from April 1, 2020 until June 24, 2022, when CATSA resumed screening services with Muskoka Airport. The agreement was in place until September 6, 2022.

CATSA is in compliance with Order in Council P.C. 2019-783, a directive issued pursuant to Section 89 of the FAA, which outlines certain principles with regards to CATSA’s pension plans.

CATSA’s Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures Policy is in compliance with Order in Council P.C. 2015-1114, a directive issued pursuant to Section 89 of the FAA, which requires CATSA’s policies, guidelines and practices to be aligned with Treasury Board policies, directives and related instruments on travel, hospitality, conference and event expenditures in a manner that is consistent with its legal obligations.

CATSA is not subject to income tax under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada). CATSA is subject to the Excise Tax Act (Canada), which includes the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). CATSA is also subject to all provincial sales taxes (PST) applied by the provinces and territories in which it operates. CATSA is a GST/HST registrant. As a GST/HST registrant, CATSA is obligated to collect and remit taxes on taxable services supplied to external parties and CATSA’s pension plans.

 2.  Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and approved by the Accounting Standards Board of Canada (AcSB).

 3.  Summary of significant accounting policies

 (a) Basis of measurement

These financial statements were prepared under the historical cost convention, except as required or permitted by IFRS and as indicated within this note. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given up in exchange for goods and services at the transaction date.

 (b) Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions based on existing knowledge that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from judgments, estimates and assumptions.

In making estimates and using assumptions, management relies on external information and observable conditions where possible, supplemented by internal analysis as required. These estimates and assumptions have been applied in a manner consistent with prior periods. There are no known commitments, events or uncertainties that management believes will materially affect the methodology or assumptions utilized in making these estimates in the financial statements.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are regularly reviewed by management and changes in those estimates are recognized prospectively in the period of change, if the change affects that period only; or the period of the change and future periods, if the change affects both.

The critical estimates and assumptions utilized in preparing these financial statements include:

• note 3(d), note 3(f), note 6 and note 7 – Property and equipment and intangible assets
  Key estimates used for property and equipment include the determination of their useful lives and the valuation of work-in-progress. The key estimate used for intangible assets includes the determination of their useful lives. In determining the expected useful lives of these assets, CATSA takes into account past experience, industry trends and internally-specific factors, such as changing technologies and expectations for the in-service period of the assets. Changes to estimates of useful life would affect future depreciation or amortization expenses and future carrying values of assets. In determining the value of work-in-progress, CATSA takes into account estimates provided by internal and external experts with respect to the stage of completion of an equipment integration project. Changes to the stage of completion would affect trade and other payables and the values of assets.
• note 3(h), note 8 and note 11 – Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities
  Key estimates used for right-of-use assets and lease liabilities include the determination of an appropriate incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments, when the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. As CATSA does not have borrowing authority and, in practice, does not have readily observable approved or granted borrowing rates from a financial institution, CATSA’s approach to determining its incremental borrowing rate is based on the Bank of Canada zero-coupon bond rate, CATSA’s entity-specific credit spread, and the lease-specific spread. CATSA’s entity-specific credit spread and lease-specific spread are based on a publicly available yield curve that reflects Canadian agencies with investment grade ratings. The rate used to discount CATSA’s lease payments is also based on the identified lease term.
• note 3(j) and note 9 – Employee benefits
  Key estimates used for employee benefits include the discount rate, mortality rate, inflation rate, long-term rate of compensation increase and assumed medical cost trend rates. In determining the assumptions, CATSA takes into account past experience, the expertise of its actuaries, and current market conditions and rates. Changes to these assumptions would affect its employee benefits asset and liability, as well as financial performance and other comprehensive income or loss. A sensitivity analysis of changes in primary assumptions is presented in note 9.

The critical judgments made by management in preparing these financial statements include:

• note 3(f) and note 7 – Intangible assets
  Judgments are required in determining when internally generated intangible assets enter the development phase. In determining when to recognize costs as intangible assets, management makes judgments about when the criteria for capitalization are met as described in note 3(f). Changes to management’s judgments would affect the carrying amount of its intangible assets as well as future amortization.
• note 3(h), note 8 and note 11 – Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities
  Judgments are required in determining whether it is reasonably certain that an extension or termination option will be exercised for contracts that contain a lease. In making this assessment, management considers a number of factors, including the nature of CATSA’s work, proximity of other locations, lease extensions exercised in the past, market conditions, recent leasehold improvements and contract specific termination clauses.
  
  Judgments are required in determining whether variable lease payments are in-substance fixed. In-substance fixed lease payments are payments that may, in form, contain variability but that, in substance, are unavoidable. Such payments are included in the measurement of the lease liability. In determining whether variable lease payments are in-substance fixed, CATSA reviews lease contracts to assess the nature of the payments, specifically identifying if payments are subject to adjustments based on actual costs incurred, or payments are based on services that are variable in nature.
• note 3(k) and note 10 – Provisions and contingencies
  Judgments are required in determining the existence of a legal or constructive obligation and in assessing the probability of an outflow of future economic benefits. In determining when to record a provision, management makes assumptions about the amount and likelihood of outflows and their timing. Factors affecting these assumptions include the nature of the provision, opinions and views of legal counsel and other advisors, experience in similar circumstances, and any decision of management as to how CATSA intends to handle the obligation. Changes to these assumptions would affect the recording of the provision and financial performance.
• note 3(l) – Revenue
  The measurement and recognition of revenue requires the use of estimates and judgment in identifying whether a contract exists, identifying performance obligations, the allocation of the transaction price and the method used to measure progress in satisfying the performance obligation and thus determining the timing of revenue recognition.
  
  In determining whether a contract with a customer exists for the purposes of recognizing revenue, CATSA determines whether certain criteria are met, including whether it is more likely than not that the consideration will be collected from the customer. In making this assessment at contract inception, CATSA considers a number of factors, which may include results from customer credit checks, the customer’s credit history, and CATSA’s ability to limit losses by ceasing to provide services in the case of non-payment.
  
  The nature of CATSA’s promise in its contracts with the airport authorities is to provide supplemental and other screening services at designated and non-designated airports, respectively. This screening includes a number of different activities, none of which individually provides a benefit to the airport authority. All activities are inputs into the combined output of these screening services. Consequently, CATSA has determined that the promise in the contract, which is the provision of screening services for the contract period, constitutes one performance obligation.
  
  The consideration for screening services is variable in nature and requires two key judgments to determine when to recognize revenue:
  
  (i) the method used to measure progress in satisfying the single performance obligation, and
  (ii) the measurement and allocation of any variable consideration.
  
  Given that the services, when provided, are on an ongoing basis and are substantially the same, CATSA has determined a time-based measure of progress best depicts the transfer of services to the customer. Further, since the variable consideration is compensating CATSA for its efforts in providing the services, the variable consideration is allocated to increments of time and recognized as the service is delivered to the customers over time.

(c) Inventories

Inventories consist of spare parts acquired for equipment maintenance, screening officer uniforms and RAIC. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using a weighted average cost formula and net realizable value is defined as replacement cost.

(d) Property and equipment

Property and equipment consists of screening equipment, RAIC equipment, computers, integrated software and electronic equipment, office furniture and equipment, leasehold improvements and work-in-progress.

(i)  Recognition and measurement

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation, except for work-in-progress, which is recorded at cost but not depreciated until the asset is available for use. Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition and installation of the assets, including integration costs related to the installation of the assets at the airports to ensure they are in a condition necessary for their intended use. These costs include conveyor systems, platforms and other structures required to connect screening equipment to existing airport infrastructures.

Work-in-progress includes costs related to integration projects that remain incomplete at year-end. The value of work-in-progress at year-end is determined based on estimates performed by independent experts or management, depending on management’s assessment of risk.

When significant components of an item of property and equipment have different useful lives, they are depreciated separately.

The carrying amount of an item of property and equipment is derecognized on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gains and losses on disposal of an item of property and equipment are determined by comparing proceeds, if any, to the carrying amount and are recognized in financial performance.

(ii) Subsequent costs

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to CATSA and that the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The cost of day-to-day servicing of property and equipment is recognized in financial performance as incurred.

(iii) Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method and is applied over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the related lease term or estimated useful life.

Depreciation methods, estimated useful lives and residual values are reviewed at least annually.

(e) Assets held for sale

CATSA classifies property and equipment as held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale rather than through continuing use. This condition is only met when the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition and the sale is highly probable. An asset held for sale is measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation is not recorded while an asset is classified as held for sale.

(f) Intangible assets

Separately acquired computer software licences are capitalized based on the costs incurred to acquire and bring the licences to use.

Certain costs incurred in connection with the development of software to be used internally or for providing screening services are capitalized once a project has progressed beyond a conceptual, preliminary stage to that of application development. Development costs that are directly attributable to the design and testing of identifiable and unique software products controlled by CATSA are recognized as intangible assets when the following criteria are met:

• it is technically feasible to complete the software product so that it will be available for use;
• management intends to complete the software product and use it;
• there is an ability to use the software product;
• it can be demonstrated how the software product will generate probable future economic benefits;
• adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development of the software product and to use it are available; and
• the expenditure attributable to the software product during its development can be reliably measured.

Costs that qualify for capitalization include both internal and external costs, but are limited to those that are directly related to the specific project. All other costs associated with developing or maintaining computer software programs are expensed as incurred.

Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of five to 15 years.

(g) Impairment

The carrying amounts of CATSA’s property and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed at each reporting period at the cash-generating unit (CGU) level to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. For the purpose of impairment testing, a CGU is the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets.

Under CATSA’s business model, there are no assets that generate cash flows largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Instead, all assets interact to support its mandated activities. These operations are primarily funded by parliamentary appropriations. Overall levels of cash flow reflect public policy requirements and decisions, and budgetary funding is provided to CATSA in its entirety. Therefore, CATSA is considered one CGU. Assets are tested at the CGU level when they cannot be tested individually.

Property and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment, and are considered to be impaired if they are no longer able to contribute to CATSA’s mandate. When the assets continue to contribute to the fulfillment of CATSA’s mandate, the estimated useful lives of that property and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed and adjustments to amortization/depreciation are recorded on a prospective basis, if necessary.

(h) Leases

At the inception of a contract, CATSA assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease based on whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. If a lease is identified, CATSA recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date.

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost based on the following:

• amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability;
• any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received;
• any initial direct costs incurred; and
• an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset, or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation. The carrying amount of the right-of-use asset may be reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability, if any.

The right-of-use asset is depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the underlying asset. The lease term includes periods covered by an option to extend if CATSA is reasonably certain to exercise that option.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, CATSA’s incremental borrowing rate, as identified above in note 3(b).

The lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are comprised of the following, where applicable:

• fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments, if any), less any lease incentives receivable;
• variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;
• amounts expected to be payable under residual value guarantees;
• exercise price of a purchase option if it is reasonably certain that CATSA will exercise that; and
• payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects CATSA exercising an option to terminate the lease.

CATSA’s entity-specific credit spread and lease-specific spread are based on a publicly available yield curve that reflects Canadian agencies with investment grade ratings.

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate, and are not in-substance fixed, are not included in the measurement of the lease liability and, subsequently, the right-of-use asset. These payments are recognized as an expense in the period in which they occur.

The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. It is remeasured whenever:

• there is a change in the lease term, including a change in the assessment of whether an extension option will be exercised, in which case the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments on the basis of the revised lease term using a revised discount rate;
• the payments change due to changes in an index or rate, or a change in expected payments under a residual value guarantee, in which case the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using the initial discount rate; and
• a lease contract is modified and the lease modification is not accounted for as a separate lease, in which case the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate.

Based on the nature and use of CATSA’s right-of-use assets, CATSA has two classes of underlying assets: office space and data centres. CATSA accounts for lease components and any non-lease components as a single lease component for its office space asset class. For its data centre asset class, CATSA separates non-lease components from lease components and accounts for them separately.

CATSA does not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low value. The lease payments associated with these leases are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(i) Financial instruments

(i) Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative financial assets include cash and receivables related to supplemental and other screening services. The remaining receivables are not classified as non-derivative financial assets because they are not contractual rights but, rather, created as a result of statutory requirements of the federal and provincial governments.

CATSA classifies non-derivative financial assets into the category of financial assets measured at amortized cost. These financial assets are recognized initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, these financial assets are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Measurement is based on CATSA’s business model for managing financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows (financial assets are held with the intent of collecting contractual cash flows and the contractual cash flows of the financial asset represent solely payments of principal and interest). If CATSA’s business model were to change, its classification would be reassessed.

At each reporting date, CATSA assesses, on a forward-looking basis, the expected credit losses on any financial assets measured at amortized cost. For trade receivables, CATSA applies the simplified approach required by IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, which requires lifetime expected losses to be recognized from the initial recognition of the receivables. CATSA has not recorded a credit loss provision on cash because of the high credit quality of the financial institutions in which CATSA holds such instruments.

CATSA derecognizes a non-derivative financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset are either collected, expire or are transferred to another party.

Non-derivative financial liabilities include trade and other payables and holdbacks.

CATSA classifies non-derivative financial liabilities into the category of financial liabilities measured at amortized cost. Non-derivative financial liabilities are recognized on the trade date at which CATSA becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. These financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, these financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

CATSA derecognizes a non-derivative financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged, cancelled or expired.

(ii) Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments include foreign exchange forward contracts entered into by CATSA for the purpose of managing its exposure to foreign currency risk. CATSA does not apply hedge accounting to its derivative financial instruments.

Derivative financial instruments are classified at fair value through profit and loss. These derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value at the date at which CATSA enters into the derivative contracts. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value. The resulting change in fair value is recognized in financial performance on the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). CATSA derecognizes a derivative financial instrument upon settlement of the instrument.

The fair values of derivative financial instruments are presented in the Statement of Financial Position; the positive fair values are reported as derivative financial assets and the negative fair values are reported as derivative financial liabilities. If a derivative financial asset or a derivative financial liability has a maturity date of more than 12 months after the reporting period, it is classified as non-current.

(j) Employee benefits

(i) Post-employment benefit plans – defined benefit

The employee benefits asset and liability presented in the Statement of Financial Position represent the actual surplus or deficit of each of CATSA’s defined benefit pension plans and its other defined benefits plan. The surplus or deficit is determined by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior years. The future benefit is then discounted to determine its present value, using a discount rate established at the end of the reporting period. The obligation is recognized over the period of employee service determined actuarially using the projected unit credit method. To the extent applicable, the fair value of any plan assets is deducted from the present value of the future benefit obligation. Any surplus resulting from this calculation is limited to the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plans or reductions in future contributions to the plans.

Defined benefit costs are categorized as follows:

• service costs;
• net interest on the net defined benefit asset or liability;
• administration costs; and
• remeasurements.

Service costs are determined separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method, with actuarial valuations for accounting purposes being carried out at the end of each annual reporting period. Current service cost is recognized as employee costs in determining financial performance. Employee contributions are recorded as a reduction to service cost in the period in which the related service is rendered. Past service cost is recognized as an employee cost in financial performance in the period of plan amendment or when the related restructuring costs or termination benefits are recognized, whichever is earlier. Administration costs paid from the plan assets during the period exclude the costs of managing plan assets, as those costs are recorded against the actual return on plan assets.

Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate used to discount the post-employment benefit obligation to the net defined benefit asset or liability, taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit asset or liability during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. The discount rate is determined by reference to the yield, at the beginning of the period, on high quality corporate and provincial bonds that:

a) have an overall duration equal to the respective duration of the defined benefit obligations; and
b) are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid.

Net interest is recognized as employee costs in determining financial performance.

Remeasurement of defined benefit plans consists of actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of changes in the asset ceiling (if applicable). When a funded plan gives rise to a net pension benefit asset, a remeasurement for the effect of the asset ceiling may occur if it is established that the surplus will not provide future economic benefits with respect to future service costs. Those future economic benefits are available under the terms of CATSA’s defined benefit pension plans, which allow CATSA to take contribution holidays when certain funding thresholds are met.

Remeasurement of defined benefit plans is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss and is included immediately in accumulated surplus (deficit) without reclassification to financial performance in a subsequent period.

(ii) Post-employment benefit plan – defined contribution

Employer contributions to the defined contribution pension plan are recognized as an employee cost in financial performance when employees have rendered service entitling them to the contributions.

(iii) Termination benefits

Termination benefits result from either CATSA’s decision to terminate employment or an employee’s decision to accept the entity’s offer of benefits in exchange for termination of employment. CATSA recognizes termination benefits at the earliest of when the entity can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits or when restructuring costs are accrued if termination benefits are part of a restructuring plan. If benefits are payable more than 12 months after the reporting period, the liability is determined by discounting the obligation to its present value.

(iv) Short-term employee benefits

Short-term employee benefit obligations, such as salaries, annual leave and bonuses, are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is recognized in trade and other payables for the amount expected to be paid when CATSA has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay the amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

(k) Provisions and contingencies

A provision is a liability of uncertain timing or amount. A provision is recognized if, as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle a present legal or constructive obligation, and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

Contingent liabilities are not recognized in the Statement of Financial Position. They may arise from uncertainty as to the existence of a liability, or represent an existing liability in respect of which settlement is not probable or, in extremely rare cases, the amount cannot be reliably measured. A liability is recognized when its existence is confirmed by a future event, settlement becomes probable and reliable measurement becomes possible. Unless the possibility of an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is remote, a contingent liability is disclosed when:

• a possible obligation has arisen from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of CATSA; or
• a present obligation has arisen from past events but is not recognized because it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.

(i) Disputed claims

In the normal course of operations, CATSA receives claims requesting monetary compensation from various parties. A provision is accrued to the extent management believes it is probable that a disputed claim arising from a past event results in a present legal or constructive obligation, and the obligation can be estimated reliably. If the timing of the cash outflows associated with the disputed claim can be reasonably determined to be more than 12 months after the reporting period, the provision is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

(ii) Decommissioning costs

CATSA has future obligations associated with the disposal of certain screening equipment in an environmentally responsible manner, and the restoration of leased premises to an agreed upon standard at the end of the lease. To the extent that it is probable that these obligations will result in an outflow of economic benefits, CATSA recognizes a provision for decommissioning liabilities, and the costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related asset and depreciated over the asset’s estimated useful life.

(l) Revenue

(i) Supplemental and other screening services

CATSA’s revenue from contracts with customers is for supplemental and other screening services at designated and non-designated airports, respectively, on a cost recovery basis. A contract for these screening services exists when collection of consideration is probable, the contract has commercial substance, the rights to screening services and payment terms are identifiable, and the contract is approved and all parties are committed to their obligations. The contracts may have varying stated terms, but are cancellable at any time by either party, subject to a notice period. Payments for services are due within 30 days of invoicing.

Revenue from these screening services is recognized in financial performance as the customer obtains control of the service, which occurs over time as the screening services are provided. A time-based measure is used to measure the progress of transferring services to the customer.

Revenue is measured at the transaction price, which is the amount that CATSA expects to be entitled to in exchange for these screening services. The transaction price is based on screening services provided by CATSA and rates specified in the contract and excludes taxes collected on behalf of third parties. Since the screening service is a single performance obligation, no other allocation is required.

(ii) Finance income

Finance income is comprised primarily of interest income derived from cash balances and is recognized in financial performance in the year it is earned.

(m) Government funding

CATSA’s primary source of funding is parliamentary appropriations received from the Government of Canada. Parliamentary appropriations are accounted for as Government of Canada grants and are recognized in financial performance on a systematic basis over the periods in which CATSA recognizes as expenses the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate.

Appropriations related to operating expenses for future periods are recorded as deferred government funding related to operating expenses and are recognized in financial performance in the period in which the related expenses are incurred. Appropriations used for the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets are recorded as deferred government funding related to capital expenditures and are amortized on the same basis as the related assets.

Upon the disposal of funded depreciable assets, the related remaining deferred government funding is recognized in financial performance in the period of disposal.

Appropriations used for lease payments are recognized in financial performance in the period in which lease payments are made.

Unused parliamentary appropriations at year-end are lapsed or reprofiled to future years.

(n) Finance cost

Finance cost, which is comprised primarily of interest expense associated with CATSA’s lease liabilities, is recognized in financial performance in the period in which it is incurred.

(o) Foreign currency translation

Transactions in foreign currency are translated using exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, using the exchange rates at the end of the reporting period, are recognized in financial performance. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using exchange rates prevailing at the dates the assets are acquired or the obligations are incurred.

(p) Reclassification of comparative information

Beginning March 31, 2023, CATSA changed the presentation of contractual commitments in note 16. Contractual commitments were previously classified as operating or capital and will now be presented by nature of the contractual agreement in order to present more useful information. The reclassification of comparative figures was to conform to the presentation adopted for the current year.

 4.  Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are comprised of:

 5. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of:

During the year, inventories totalling $4,218 (2022 – $5,350) were charged to expenses.

 6. Property and equipment

A reconciliation of property and equipment is as follows:

As at March 31, 2022, the estimated useful life of some screening equipment and its associated centralized network software assets, was revised from 10 years to 15 years, to better reflect the anticipated lifecycles. The change in accounting estimate was accounted for on a prospective basis starting April 1, 2022, and decreased the current year depreciation by $34,714. This decrease is completely offset by a decrease in the amortization of deferred government funding related to capital expenditures.

During the year, CATSA recognized an impairment reversal on property and equipment relating to components of temperature screening equipment that will be redeployed as computer equipment. The recoverable amount was deemed to be $390 (2022 - $Nil) which represents the equipment’s value in use to CATSA. The net book value of the assets was adjusted and an impairment reversal was recorded. An impairment loss relating to temperature screening equipment of $1,940 was recorded in the prior year.

 7. Intangible assets

A reconciliation of intangible assets is as follows:

There were no research and development costs expensed for the years ended March 31, 2023, or 2022.

 8. Right-of-use assets

A reconciliation of right-of-use assets is as follows:

 9. Employee benefits

(a) Post-employment benefit plans overview

CATSA maintains three post-employment benefit plans:

• A registered pension plan (RPP), which is registered with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and contains both a defined benefit and a defined contribution component;
• A supplementary retirement plan (SRP), which supplements the defined benefit component of the RPP for benefits limited by the Income Tax Act (Canada) and is funded by a retirement compensation arrangement regulated by the CRA; and
• An other defined benefits plan (ODBP), which includes life insurance and eligible health and dental benefits.

CATSA’s defined benefit pension plans consist of the defined benefit component of the RPP and the SRP. Pension benefits are based on the average of the best five consecutive years of pensionable salary and are indexed to the rate of inflation. CATSA’s defined contribution pension plan consists of the defined contribution component of the RPP. All full-time and part-time indeterminate employees are eligible for the ODBP.

The defined benefit pension plans’ funds are held in external trusts that are legally separate from CATSA. Benefits are paid directly from the trusts. Both employer and employee contributions to the defined benefit pension plans are made in accordance with the provisions of the plans. In addition, contributions are determined by actuarial valuations in accordance with applicable legislation. Effective July 1, 2013, the defined benefit pension plans are closed to new employees.

CATSA maintains a defined contribution pension plan for employees hired on or after July 1, 2013. Enrollment in this plan is mandatory for full-time indeterminate employees, as well as part-time indeterminate employees working an average of more than 20 hours per week. Under this plan, CATSA and its employees are required to contribute a specified percentage of salaries to fund the benefits, with optional contributions for employees matched at various levels by the employer based on years of service. CATSA’s financial obligation is limited to matching employee contributions, as outlined in the provisions of the plan.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of the post-employment benefit plans, including review of investment strategies and funding, review and approval of documents and reports required by law, and setting the policies of the plans. The Governance, Human Resources and Pension Committee, a committee of the Board, assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities. This Committee is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of the plans.

(b) Post-employment benefit plans’ risks

The defined benefit plans expose CATSA to actuarial risks such as inflation risk, interest rate risk, investment risk, longevity risk, medical claim rates risk and salary risk. In addition, the closed nature of the defined benefit pension plans will create a rise in future service costs as the plan members age. Current cost sharing provisions also increased employee contributions to a level beyond what is permitted by the Income Tax Regulations. CATSA obtained a waiver to exceed permitted limits from the CRA up to December 31, 2023.

(c) Employee benefits assets and liabilities

The following provides a reconciliation between the defined benefit plans’ assets, the defined benefit plans’ liabilities and the surplus or deficit status of the defined benefit plans, to the net employee benefits asset or liability presented in the Statement of Financial Position for the years ended:

(d) Employee benefits costs

The elements of employee benefits costs are as follows for the year ended:

Defined benefit cost is recognized in employee costs in note 13, and allocated among the program expenses in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

(e) Composition of plan assets

Based on the fair value at March 31, defined benefit plans’ assets are comprised of:

¹ Cash and cash equivalents consist of in-transit deposits.

The fair value of all equity, debt, and real estate securities is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets. The assets held by the CRA in the refundable tax account are held in a non-interest bearing account. The fair value is based on the amounts transferred into the refundable tax account held by the CRA.

On a regular basis, an asset-liability modelling study is performed, which analyzes the timing and magnitude of future cash outflows of the defined benefit component of the RPP. It suggests an optimal investment structure to maximize investment returns while minimizing risk associated with the fluctuation of the benefit obligation due to variations in interest rates. As the obligation has similar characteristics to debt securities, the de-risking of the funded position is achieved via investments in debt securities while other types of investments are selected to increase the returns of the plan. Given the characteristics of the defined benefit component of the RPP, the optimal investment structure was to have 35% of plan assets invested in debt securities that have similar characteristics to the obligation. This reduces the risk associated with the volatility of the funded position while not impairing future investment returns.

(f) Actuarial assumptions and sensitivity analysis

The actuarial assumptions used to determine the present value of the obligations are management’s best estimates. They are established based on market expectations at the end of the reporting period, for the period over which the obligations are to be settled. The significant weighted average assumptions used to determine CATSA’s liabilities are as follows:

¹ Canadian Pensioners’ Mortality 2014 - Public Sector, projected with improvement scale CPM-B.

The sensitivity analysis below was determined based on changes to the respective assumptions occurring at March 31, 2023, while holding all other assumptions constant:

The sensitivity analysis presented above may not be representative of the actual change in the defined benefit obligation as it is unlikely that a change in assumptions would occur in isolation, as some of the assumptions may be correlated.

(g) Future expected contributions

Under current legislation and regulations, the funding valuation of CATSA’s RPP is required to be filed annually, unless the ratio of the solvency plan assets to solvency liabilities is 1.2 or greater, in which case it would be required at least every three years. In the event of a solvency or going-concern deficit, regulatory authorities require special contributions to be made over specified future periods.

There is no current legislative or regulatory requirement to file a funding valuation for CATSA’s SRP or ODBP. However, CATSA’s internal policy expects that a funding valuation for the SRP will be performed whenever CATSA performs a funding valuation for the RPP.

The most recent actuarial valuations for funding purposes, and the next required actuarial valuations, are as follows:

CATSA estimates that cash payments to be made to its funded defined benefit pension plans for the year ending March 31, 2024, will total $7,528, and consist of CATSA contributions of $4,442 and plan participant contributions of $3,086.

Cash payments to be made to the unfunded ODBP for the year ending March 31, 2024, will be equal to the benefits paid to plan participants. CATSA estimates that cash payments to be made to the ODBP for the year ending March 31, 2024, will total $331.

As at March 31, 2023, the weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation for the RPP, the SRP and the ODBP was 18.3 years (2022 – 19.6 years), 17.4 years (2022 – 16.4 years) and 18.4 years (2022 – 20.4 years), respectively.

(h) Employee costs

The following table provides a breakdown of employee costs for the years ended:

10. Provisions and contingencies

Several claims, audits and legal proceedings have been asserted or instituted against CATSA. By nature, these amounts are subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of the individual matters is not always predictable. As at March 31, 2023, claims, audits and legal proceedings are not expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the financial statements.

(a) Provisions

During the year ended March 31, 2023, amounts assessed in prior periods by Transport Canada were paid.

(b) Contingencies – Decommissioning costs

CATSA has identified contingent liabilities associated with the removal of Explosives Detection Systems equipment from airports across Canada, some of which contain hazardous materials, as well as the restoration of facilities contractually required under lease agreements. Since it is not probable that an outflow of economic resources will be required to settle these legal obligations, no provision has been recorded in the financial statements. Should the probabilities change in the future, the maximum undiscounted cash flow required to settle these liabilities between 2023/24 and 2036/37 (2022 – 2022/23 and 2036/37) is estimated to be $3,081 (2022 – $3,391).

11. Lease liabilities

CATSA has leases for office space and data centres. CATSA has included extension options in the measurement of its lease liabilities when it is reasonably certain to exercise the extension option.

A reconciliation of lease liabilities is as follows:

CATSA recognized the following expenses not included in the measurement of the lease liabilities for the years ended:

Variable lease payments include operating costs, property taxes, insurance, and other service-related costs.

For the year ended March 31, 2023, CATSA recognized a total cash outflow for leases of $5,964 (2022 – $6,220).

The following table presents the undiscounted cash flows for contractual lease obligations:

12. Deferred government funding

A reconciliation of the deferred government funding liability is as follows:

For additional information on government funding, see note 14.

13. Expenses

The Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) presents operating expenses by program activity. The following table presents operating expenses by major expense type for the years ended:

¹  Other business related costs include travel expenses, conference fees, membership and association fees, and meeting expenses. 
²  Other administrative costs include insurance, network and telephone expenses, and facilities maintenance.

14. Government funding

Parliamentary appropriations were as follows for the years ended:

¹  The capital reprofile in progress for the year ended March 31, 2022, was approved during the year ended March 31, 2023.

Parliamentary appropriations used to fund operating expenses and capital expenditures were as follows for the years ended:

15. Fair values and risk arising from financial instruments

Fair values of financial instruments and fair value hierarchy

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on the Statement of Financial Position. The fair values of cash, receivables related to screening services, trade and other payables, and current holdbacks approximate their carrying amount due to the current nature of these instruments.

Financial instruments recorded at fair value on the Statement of Financial Position use a hierarchy to categorize the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure them. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs as follows:

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the measurement date.

Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The carrying amounts and corresponding fair values using the fair value hierarchy of CATSA’s remaining financial assets and liabilities are as follows:

¹ The fair value is based on a discounted cash flow model based on observable inputs.

There were no transfers between levels during the years ended March 31, 2023, or 2022.

Financial risk factors

CATSA is exposed to a variety of financial risks: market risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.

(a) Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. CATSA’s key market risk relates to currency risk, which is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. CATSA is exposed to currency risk on its trade and other payables denominated in a currency other than the Canadian dollar (CAD), which is the functional currency of CATSA. The risk arises mainly from transactions denominated in United States dollars (USD). CATSA’s policy on currency risk requires that CATSA minimize currency risk to protect the value of foreign cash flows, both committed and anticipated, from the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. To that end, CATSA has implemented a strategy to help mitigate this risk by entering into foreign exchange forward contracts.

The following table provides the total foreign currency exposure related to amounts recorded in trade and other payables denominated in the USD and their CAD equivalent:

Assuming all other variables remain constant, a 5% depreciation or appreciation of the USD against the CAD would result in an increase or decrease in financial performance of $21 (2022 – $96).

(b) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities that are to be settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. Liquidity risk is low since CATSA does not have debt instruments to service and receives regular funding from the Government of Canada. CATSA manages its liquidity risk by preparing and monitoring forecasts of cash flows for anticipated operating and investing activities. Also, the Board of Directors reviews and approves CATSA’s operating and capital budgets.

The carrying value of trade and other payables, holdbacks and derivative financial liabilities represent the maximum liquidity risk exposure for CATSA. The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of these financial liabilities:

CATSA’s strategy for managing liquidity risk remains unchanged from March 31, 2022.

(c) Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to CATSA. As a means of mitigating risk of financial loss from defaults, CATSA has adopted a practice of only extending credit to creditworthy counterparties. CATSA’s exposure and the creditworthiness of its counterparties are continuously monitored. As required, CATSA establishes a credit loss provision that reflects the estimated lifetime credit loss of receivables.

CATSA is exposed to credit risk through its cash, screening services receivables and foreign exchange forward contracts. The maximum exposure to credit risk of CATSA at March 31, 2023, and 2022, was the carrying value of these assets.

(i) Screening services – supplemental and other
Prior to extending credit to a new customer, CATSA performs a formal credit review to determine a customer’s credit-worthiness and the appropriate terms. An external credit-scoring agency is used to perform this assessment. In addition, CATSA performs credit reviews at regular intervals or if triggered by information that a customer’s financial or corporate circumstances have changed.

CATSA had no supplemental or other screening services receivables at March 31, 2023, and 2022.

(ii) Foreign exchange forward contracts
CATSA’s policy on currency risk requires that all significant foreign exchange forward contracts used to economically hedge a foreign currency exposure are entered into with counterparties holding credit ratings equivalent to or better than that of the major Canadian banks.

¹ As at March 31, 2023, the foreign exchange forward contracts' rates are between 1.2452 and 1.3591 for foreign exchange forward contracts in USD and the maturity dates are between April 6, 2023 and April 10, 2024.

16. Contractual commitments

In the normal course of operations, CATSA enters into contractual commitments for the supply of goods and services. These contractual commitments are subject to authorized appropriations and termination rights which allow CATSA to terminate the contracts without penalty at its discretion. The most significant commitments relate to contracts signed with screening contractors for the provision of screening services, as well as with vendors for screening equipment maintenance and spare parts.

The following table provides the remaining pre-tax balance on these contractual commitments:

¹ The reclassification of comparative figures was to conform to the presentation adopted for the current year. For additional information see note 3(p).

17. Related party transactions

CATSA had the following significant transactions with related parties during the year.

(a) Government of Canada, its agencies and other Crown corporations

CATSA is wholly owned by the Government of Canada, and is under common control with other Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations. CATSA enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of operations. These related party transactions are based on normal trade terms applicable to all individuals and corporations.

CATSA’s primary source of funding is parliamentary appropriations received from the Government of Canada. Government funding of $891,851 (2022 – $760,325), as recognized in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss), includes parliamentary appropriations for operating expenses, parliamentary appropriations for lease payments, and amortization of deferred government funding related to capital expenditures. Parliamentary appropriations receivable of $120,464 (2022 – $91,760), are included in trade and other receivables on the Statement of Financial Position.

(b) Key management personnel

As at March 31, 2023, key management personnel of CATSA are composed of 10 (2022 – 10) Board members and five (2022 – five) members of the senior management team.

The compensation of Board members and other members of key management is as follows for the years ended: 

Other than the above compensation, there were no other related party transactions involving key management personnel and their close family members for the years ended March 31, 2023, or 2022.

(c) Transactions with CATSA’s post-employment benefit plans

Transactions with the RPP, SRP and ODBP are conducted in the normal course of business. The transactions with CATSA’s post-employment benefit plans consist of contributions as determined by actuarial valuations, as disclosed in note 9. There were no other transactions during the years ended March 31, 2023, or 2022.

18. Capital management

As a federal Crown corporation, CATSA is subject to the FAA which, in general, restricts it from borrowing money. As a result, CATSA relies upon appropriations from Parliament to support its financial obligations and strategic requirements.

The primary objective in managing capital is to provide sufficient liquidity to support CATSA’s financial obligations and its operating and strategic plans. CATSA manages its capital in accordance with relevant Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat directives, in that appropriated funds are drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purpose of meeting short-term funding requirements.

CATSA’s capital is comprised of cash, trade and other receivables, trade and other payables, current holdbacks, and current lease liabilities.

CATSA’s objectives, policies and processes for managing capital have not changed during the years ended March 31, 2023, or March 31, 2022.

CATSA is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

19. Net change in working capital balances and supplementary cash flow information

The following table presents the net change in working capital balances for the years ended:

The change in trade and other receivables excludes an amount of $516 (2022 – $9,958) in relation to government funding for capital expenditures, as the amount relates to investing activities.

The change in inventories excludes an amount of $23 (2022 – $1,514) resulting from net write-downs of inventories. The amount is included as part of other non-cash transactions on the Statement of Cash Flows.

The change in trade and other payables excludes an amount of $3,267 (2022 – $21,583) in relation to the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets, as the amount relates to investing activities.

The change in holdbacks excludes an amount of $171 (2022 – $20,685) in relation to the acquisition of property and equipment, as the amount relates to investing activities.

20. Security Screening Services Commercialization Act

As part of Budget 2019, the Government of Canada announced its intention to introduce legislation to enable the creation of an independent, not-for-profit entity, established by industry, which would assume the responsibility for aviation screening at Canada’s airports. The Security Screening Services Commercialization Act (SSSCA) received Royal Assent in June 2019. The SSSCA allows for the sale of CATSA’s assets and liabilities and the transfer of screening operations to the new entity.

These developments have not changed CATSA’s mandate and CATSA intends to continue to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

Negotiations are on hold. The timeline for negotiations and the potential sale remains undetermined.

Alternative formats such as braille, large print, and audio of the 2023 Annual Report can be made available upon request.

Contact us:

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)

99 Bank Street, 13th Floor Ottawa, ON K1P 6B9
Phone: 1-888-294-2202
TTY: 1-833-339-1021
Fax: 613-990-1295
E-mail: correspondence@catsa-acsta.gc.ca