Financement-Québec 2016-2017 operational report
Financement-Québec 2016-2017 operational report
2016-2017 Operational Report Financement-Québec Legal Deposit September 2017 Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec ISSN 2368-1233 (PDF) Gouvernement du Québec, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY... 5 LETTER TO THE MINISTER... 7 1. PROFILE OF FINANCEMENT-QUÉBEC... 9 2. FISCAL YEAR AT A GLANCE... 11 3. OBJECTIVES... 13 4. THE CORPORATION S ACTIVITIES... 15 4.1 Short-term financing... 15 4.2 Long-term financing... 15 5. SOURCES OF LONG-TERM FINANCING... 17 6. WORKFORCE CONTROL... 19 7. CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT... 19 8. REMUNERATION OF OFFICERS... 21 9. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT... 21 10. LANGUAGE POLICY... 23 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS... 25 LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF MANAGEMENT... 53 APPENDIX CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT... 55 1
August 23, 2017 Mr. Jacques Chagnon President of the National Assembly Parliament Building 1045, rue des Parlementaires Québec (Québec) G1A 1A4 Dear Mr. Chagnon, I have the honour of submitting the operational report and financial statements of Financement-Québec for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016 and ending March 31, 2017. Sincerely, Original French version signed Carlos Leitão
June 19, 2017 Mr. Carlos Leitão Minister of Finance 12, rue Saint-Louis, 1 er étage Québec (Québec) G1R 5L3 Mr. Minister, As Chairman of the Board, I am pleased to submit the 2016-2017 operational report and financial statements of Financement-Québec. This report and these financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of section 42 of the Act respecting Financement-Québec (CQLR, chapter F-2.01) and reflect the activities carried out during the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016 and ending March 31, 2017. Sincerely, Original French version signed Alain Bélanger Chairman of the Board 12, rue Saint-Louis Québec (Québec) G1R 5L3 Téléphone : 418 691-2203 Télécopieur : 418 644-6214 www.finances.gouv.qc.ca
1. PROFILE OF FINANCEMENT-QUÉBEC Financement-Québec (the Corporation ) is a legal person with share capital established under the Act respecting Financement-Québec (CQLR, chapter F-2.01). The Corporation began its operations on October 1, 1999. Its mission is to provide financial services to bodies covered by its statute of incorporation, in particular by granting loans to them. Since April 1, 2013, the Corporation has granted loans only to bodies outside the government reporting entity. Clients within the government reporting entity that borrowed from the Corporation prior to that date now borrow from the Minister of Finance, as the person responsible for the Financing Fund. The public bodies concerned are those in the health and social services network, as well as CEGEPs, school boards and the Université du Québec and its constituents. Loans granted by the Corporation to these bodies before April 1, 2013 remain with the Corporation until the term of the loans expires. During fiscal year 2016-2017, the Corporation granted a total of $1.1 billion in long-term loans. As at March 31, 2017, the balance of loans and that of borrowings and advances stood at $12.3 billion. 2016-2017 Operational Report 9
2. FISCAL YEAR AT A GLANCE TABLE 1 Activities 2016-2017 2015-2016 Long-term loans made ($ million) 1 104.2 692.6 Number of loans 24 21 Number of clients 9 10 Average amount of short-term loans made ($ million) 218.8 281.0 Number of loans 55 61 Number of clients 6 6 Long-term advances received from the general fund ($ million) 1 256.3 Number of advances 4 TABLE 2 Summary of long-term loans made in 2016-2017 Total amount ($million) Number of loans Average amount ($million) Universities (1) 590.8 17 34.8 Société de transport de Montréal 492.9 4 123.2 Montreal Museum of Fine Arts 20.5 3 6.8 TOTAL 1 104.2 24 46.0 (1) Universities other than the Université du Québec and its constituents. TABLE 3 Financial results 2016-2017 2015-2016 Surplus for the year ($ million) 26.5 36.0 TABLE 4 Statement of loans and borrowings March 31, 2017 March 31, 2016 Long-term Short-term Total Total Outstanding loans ($ million) 12 026.6 323.3 12 349.9 14 562.7 Number of loans 1 406 7 1 413 1 795 Number of clients 188 6 190 192 Outstanding borrowings and advances ($ million) 12 326.7 12 326.7 14 303.5 2016-2017 Operational Report 11
3. OBJECTIVES This section describes the Corporation s four main objectives and the activities carried out to achieve them. First objective: Minimize the financing costs of its clients The Corporation finances its requirements through borrowings on financial markets, which are unconditionally guaranteed by Québec, or through advances from the general fund, where the conditions for advances are more advantageous than those for borrowings. Amounts thus obtained are pooled to meet the individual requirements of the Corporation s clients. This pooled financing strategy enables the Corporation to make short-term loans, in tandem with financial institutions, and long-term loans under financing conditions similar to those of the Québec government, which helps to minimize the financing costs of the Corporation s clients. Short-term loans are made at an interest rate that does not exceed the rate on Canadian bankers acceptances increased by 0.30%, including all fees. The terms and conditions of short-term and long-term loans made to bodies are determined according to the criteria established by the government. Second objective: Offer clients quality service To meet its clients requirements, the Corporation improves existing financing processes, adds new financial services and works with bodies to assess and negotiate, on their behalf, traditional or structured financing operations. Provide clients with a simpler way to obtain financing To streamline the process and reduce the time needed to obtain financing, the board of directors of each of the bodies adopts a borrowing plan that sets the maximum amount of borrowings allowed, as well as their limits and characteristics. The borrowing plan eliminates the constraint of having to have each loan authorized by the board of directors and allows authorized officers to make loans within the established framework. In 2016-2017, all long-term loans of bodies were contracted under borrowing plans. Bodies contract their short-term loans with the Corporation under a framework loan agreement. Consequently, at the time a short-term loan is contracted, only a note or a transaction confirmation is required. Bodies carry out all their long-term loans under a loan agreement valid for the term of the borrowing plan. Consequently, at the time a long-term loan is contracted, only the note and deed of hypothec are required. Adapt loan conditions to the clients requirements Loan conditions, in particular the term, principal repayment structure and frequency of interest payments, are adapted to the requirements of the clients or the responsible departments. 2016-2017 Operational Report 13
Third objective: Adequately manage financial risks Credit risk of borrowers Bodies receiving a subsidy for the repayment of long-term loans contracted with the Corporation must pledge this subsidy in its favour. For unsubsidized loans, the Minister responsible for the body concerned undertakes to intervene in the event of the body s default, so that the body remedies the situation as soon as possible. Liquidity risk The Corporation manages liquidity risk by coordinating the meeting of financing requirements, ensuring forward-looking matching of financial flows of its asset and liability portfolios, and maintaining access to credit to ensure that it can meet its commitments at all times. Future cash flows generated in the normal course of its activities, as well as available sources of funding, are sufficient to satisfy its current and future obligations. Currency risk In accordance with its currency risk management policy, the Corporation avoids any exposure of this nature. Interest rate risk The Corporation manages interest rate risk using matching methods such as those used by financial institutions for their intermediation activities. It thus limits the net exposure of its asset and liability portfolios to fluctuations in interest rates, in accordance with the policy adopted to that effect. Fourth objective: Self-financing and efficient operations The Corporation must be self-financing while offering its clients the best financing conditions. To do so, it must maintain an adequate and competitive rate structure for its products and services. It must also optimize its operational processes to reduce operating costs. To improve efficiency and reduce costs, the Corporation entered into a service agreement with the Ministère des Finances, in return for compensation, for the following services: negotiation, completion, accounting and settlement of borrowings and derivatives; management of loans to bodies and follow-up; human and physical resources management. 14 Financement-Québec
4. THE CORPORATION S ACTIVITIES 4.1 Short-term financing The Corporation made 55 short-term loans averaging $218.8 million during fiscal year 2016-2017, compared to 61 loans averaging $281.0 million in 2015-2016. As at March 31, 2017, the balance of short-term loans stood at $323.3 million. 4.2 Long-term financing The Corporation made 24 long-term loans totalling $1 104.2 million during fiscal year 2016-2017. As illustrated in Chart 1, long-term loans to universities, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) represent, respectively, 53%, 45% and 2% of long-term loans made in 2016-2017. CHART 1 Breakdown of long-term loans made in 2016-2017 Total : $ 1 104.2 million STM $492.9 million 45% Universites (1) $590.8 million 53% (1) Universities other than the Université du Québec and its constituents. MBAM $20.5 million 2% In 2016-2017, the Québec government introduced a Green Bond program. Under the program, the government intends to fund projects that will generate tangible benefits with regard to protecting the environment, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or adapting to climate change. To that end, projects carried out under this program by bodies that are clients of the Corporation will be funded by the Corporation. The first Green Bonds were issued on March 3, 2017. The Corporation received an advance from the general fund to enable the STM to finance the replacement of its métro cars with AZUR trains. 2016-2017 Operational Report 15
Chart 2 shows the breakdown of long-term loans as at March 31, 2017, by client. CHART 2 Breakdown of long-term loans as at March 31, 2017 Total: $12 026.6 million Universities Health and social services $3 188.0 million 26% $3 172.2 million 26% School boards $2 313.8 million 19% STM $1 684.5 million 14% Municipalities CEGEPs (1) $802.7 million 7% $657.3 million 6% Other bodies (2) $208.1 million 2% (1) Loans granted to the municipalities in 2010-2011 within the framework of the Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program for housing-related infrastructure projects. (2) Commission des normes, de l équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Retraite Québec and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Chart 3 shows the breakdown of principal repayments on long-term loans as at March 31, 2017. The average term was 3.8 years. CHART 3 Schedule of principal repayments on long-term loans as at March 31, 2017 6 to 10 years 16% More than 10 years 10% Less than 3 years 49% 3 to 5 years 25% 16 Financement-Québec
5. SOURCES OF LONG-TERM FINANCING In 2016-2017, long-term financing sources were composed of long-term advances from the general fund and of net principal repayments received by the Corporation of its loan and borrowing portfolios. TABLE 5 Sources of financing and use of funds in 2016-2017 (millions of dollars) Sources of financing Long-term advances from the general fund 1 256.3 Net principal repayments 97.6 TOTAL 1 353.9 Utilization of funds Long-term loans 1 104.2 Short-term investments 249.7 TOTAL 1 353.9 Table 6 presents long-term advances received from the general fund during the fiscal year. TABLE 6 Long-term advances from the general fund in 2016-2017 Realization value Interest rate (1) Date of issue Date of maturity Price to investor (2) Yield to investor ($million) (%) (%) 166.0 2.50 October 19, 2016 September 1, 2026 103.105 2.149 380.0 2.50 November 2, 2016 September 1, 2026 103.264 2.130 210.6 2.50 November 21, 2016 September 1, 2026 100.795 2.408 499.7 (3) 1.65 March 3, 2017 March 3, 2022 99.895 1.672 1 256.3 (1) Interest is payable semi-annually. (2) The price to the investor corresponds to a price in dollars for $100 of face value. (3) Long-term advances received under the Green Bond Program. 2016-2017 Operational Report 17
6. WORKFORCE CONTROL The Act respecting workforce management and control within government departments, public sector bodies and networks and state-owned enterprises (CQLR, chapter G-1.011) applies to the Corporation. Pursuant to the Act, the Corporation must report, in its annual report, on its workforce and on the entering into of any service contracts involving an expenditure of $25 000 or more determined by the Conseil du trésor. During fiscal year 2016-2017, no service contracts of $25 000 or more were entered into by the Corporation. Under Règlement numéro 2 relatif à l effectif, aux normes et barèmes de rémunération et aux autres conditions de travail des employés de Financement-Québec, the workforce is limited to twelve (12) regular positions and is composed of officers, professionals, technicians or administrative assistants. Ten (10) people comprised the workforce as at March 31, 2017. 7. CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT To manage its assets efficiently and transparently, Financement-Québec adopted a code of ethics and professional conduct applicable to the members of the board of directors, management and personnel. Under the code, these individuals undertake to act with integrity and responsibly in the exercise of their duties. Since the code was adopted, no violation of its principles and rules has been reported. Consequently, no decision has been handed down in this regard. In accordance with the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (CQLR, chapter M-30), an English translation of the code of ethics and professional conduct is published in an appendix to this report. 2016-2017 Operational Report 19
8. REMUNERATION OF OFFICERS In accordance with the June 2001 decision of the Conseil du trésor, the Corporation publishes the remuneration of its officers. No remuneration was paid to the Corporation s officers or directors during fiscal year 2016-2017. 9. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT On March 4, 2016, the Corporation adopted its 2015-2020 sustainable development action plan (the Plan ), in accordance with the government s sustainable development strategy and the Sustainable Development Act (CQLR, chapter D-8.1.1). The Plan presents the Corporation s objectives and actions to achieve them, as described below. Government objective 1.1 Strengthen eco-responsible management practices in the public administration (indispensable action). Government objective 1.2 Broaden recognition by government departments and public bodies of the principles of sustainable development (indispensable action). Government objective 1.4 Pursue development in the public administration of knowledge and skills relating to sustainable development. The Corporation entered into a service agreement with the Ministère des Finances. During fiscal year 2016-2017, it proposed awareness-raising activities to its employees through the Ministère des Finances to promote practices underpinning eco-responsible management. Pursuant to the agreement, the Corporation is contributing to the initiatives of the Ministère des Finances through eco-responsible procurement, minimum use of paper, reduced energy consumption, and the reuse and recycling of resources. Furthermore, as a result of its mission, the Corporation is involved in a continuous process of support and services to its clients in connection with the oversight of financial transactions stipulated in the Financial Administration Act (CQLR, chapter A-6.001) and related regulations, with the aim of contributing to the attainment of the government s objectives. During fiscal year 2016-2017, the Corporation pursued its efforts to streamline the documentation necessary for financing bodies, thereby reducing the amount of paper used. What is more, it is encouraging payments by electronic transfer or direct debit payment and reliance on new technologies for the transmission and preservation of documents. 2016-2017 Operational Report 21
10. LANGUAGE POLICY The Office québécois de la langue française requires government departments and public bodies to adopt a new language policy consistent with the government policy on the use and quality of the French language in the civil administration. On March 31, 2017, the Corporation s board of directors chose to adopt the language policy of the Ministère des Finances, approved in January 2017. The Corporation adheres to the general principles of the policy. 2016-2017 Operational Report 23
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS MANAGEMENT'S REPORT... 25 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT... 29 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS... 31 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND ACCUMULATED SURPLUS... 29 STATEMENT OF REMEASUREMENT GAINS AND LOSSES... 30 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION... 31 STATEMENT OF THE CHANGE IN NET FINANCIAL ASSETS... 32 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW... 33 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS... 37 25
MANAGEMENT S REPORT The financial statements of Financement-Québec were drawn up by management, which is responsible for their preparation and their presentation, including significant judgments and estimates. This responsibility includes the selection of appropriate accounting methods that satisfy Canadian public sector accounting standards. The financial information contained in the operational report is consistent with the information in the financial statements. To carry out its responsibilities, management maintains a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are protected and that operations are correctly accounted for in a timely fashion, duly approved and conducive to the production of reliable financial statements. Financement-Québec acknowledges that it is responsible for managing its affairs in accordance with the laws and regulations that govern it. The board of directors oversees how management at Financement-Québec carries out its responsibilities in terms of financial information, and approves the financial statements. The Auditor General of Québec has audited Financement-Québec s financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting standards. Its independent auditor s report sets out the nature and extent of the audit and expresses its opinion. The Auditor General of Québec may, without limitation, meet with the board of directors to discuss anything concerning its audit. Original French version signed Chief Executive Officer Original French version signed Vice-President, Finance June 19, 2017 2016-2017 Operational Report 27
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR S REPORT To the Minister of Finance Report on the Financial Statements I have audited the accompanying financial statements of Financement-Québec, which comprise the statement of financial position as at March 31, 2017, and the statement of operations and accumulated surplus, statement of remeasurement gains and losses, statement of change in net financial assets and statement of cash flow for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information included in the notes to the financial statements. Management s Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditor s Responsibility My responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that I comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements, in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.
Opinion In my opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Financement-Québec as at March 31, 2017, and the results of its operations, its remeasurement gains and losses, changes in its net financial assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards. Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements As required by the Auditor General Act (CQLR, chapter V-5.01), I report that, in my opinion, these accounting policies have been applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. Original French version signed Guylaine Leclerc, FCPA auditor, FCA Auditor General of Québec Québec, June 19, 2017
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of operations and accumulated surplus Fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 (thousands of dollars) Net interest income Budget 2017 2016 Actual results Actual results Interest on loans 395 878 396 068 497 688 Interest on investments 76 348 196 395 954 396 416 497 884 Interest on borrowings and advances (note 3) (366 475) (369 334) (461 240) Operation and administration expenses 29 479 27 082 36 644 Wages and fringe benefits 974 1 001 912 Depreciaion of fixed assets 305 305 216 Other 68 9 30 Expenses assumed by the Financing Fund (806) (755) (503) 541 560 655 OPERATING SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR 28 938 26 522 35 989 ACCUMULATED OPERATING SURPLUS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 288 400 288 790 252 801 ACCUMULATED OPERATING SURPLUS AT END OF YEAR 317 338 315 312 288 790 The notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 2016-2017 Operational Report 31
Statement of remeasurement gains and losses Fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 (thousands of dollars) 2017 2016 ACCUMULATED REMEASUREMENT GAINS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 269 733 218 924 Unrealized gains attributable to the following: Fair value Financial derivatives 7 303 48 488 Amounts reclassified in the statement of operations: Fair value Financial derivatives 10 646 2 321 NET REMEASUREMENT GAINS OF THE YEAR 17 949 50 809 ACCUMULATED REMEASUREMENT GAINS AT END OF YEAR 287 682 269 733 The notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 32 Financement-Québec
Statement of financial position As at March 31, 2017 (thousands of dollars) 2017 2016 Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents (note 4) 271 831 164 Accounts receivable 3 815 3 880 Accrued interest on loans 111 922 136 555 Loans (note 5) 12 349 856 14 562 717 Financial derivatives 426 803 533 633 13 164 227 15 236 949 Liabilities Accounts payable 731 376 Net accrued interest on borrowings and advances 107 229 134 463 Borrowings and advances (note 6) 12 326 741 14 303 469 Financial derivatives 128 688 242 579 12 563 389 14 680 887 Net financial assets 600 838 556 062 Non-financial assets Tangible fixed assets 2 256 2 561 CAPITAL STOCK (NOTE 11) 100 100 ACCUMULATED SURPLUS 602 994 558 523 Accumulated surplus consists of: Accumulated operating surplus 315 312 288 790 Accumulated remeasurement gains 287 682 269 733 TOTAL 602 994 558 523 The notes are an integral part of the financial statements. Original French version signed Chief Executive Officer For the board of directors Original French version signed Vice-President, Finance 2016-2017 Operational Report 33
Statement of change in net financial assets Fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 (thousands of dollars) Budget 2017 2016 Actual results Actual results OPERATING SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR 28 938 26 522 35 989 Acquisitions of tangible fixed assets (335) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 305 305 216 305 305 (119) Net remeasurement gains (losses) for the year (1 231) 17 949 50 809 INCREASE IN NET FINANCIAL ASSETS 28 012 44 776 86 679 NET FINANCIAL ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 503 363 556 062 469 383 NET FINANCIAL ASSETS AT END OF YEAR 531 375 600 838 556 062 The notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 34 Financement-Québec
Statement of cash flow Fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 (thousands of dollars) 2017 2016 Operating activities Operating surplus for the year 26 522 35 989 Items not affecting cash and cash equivalents: Adjustment of loans to the effective rate (10 450) (13 148) Interest income charged to loan balances (387) (153) Adjustment of borrowings and advances to the effective rate (1 002) (499) Reclassification to the statement of operations Fair value of financial derivatives 10 627 2 289 Adjustment of the value of futures contracts (2) 4 Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 305 216 25 613 24 698 Change in financial assets and liabilities related to operations (note 12) (2 181) 2 232 Cash flows from operating activities 23 432 26 930 Investment activities Loans made (13 129 359) (17 831 716) Loan repayments 15 353 057 20 036 124 Cash flows from investment activities 2 223 698 2 204 408 Fixed asset investment activities Acquisition of tangible fixed assets and cash flows from fixed asset investment activities (335) Financing activities Short-term borrowings and advances made 1 514 219 4 260 839 Long-term borrowings and advances made 1 256 337 Repayments of short-term borrowings and advances (1 611 940) (4 603 730) Repayments of long-term borrowings and advances (3 134 079) (1 888 101) Cash flows from financing activities (1 975 463) (2 230 992) CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 271 667 11 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 164 153 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR (NOTE 4) 271 831 164 The notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 2016-2017 Operational Report 35
FINANCEMENT-QUÉBEC AS AT MARCH 31, 2017 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Establishment, Purpose and Financing Financement-Québec (the Corporation ) was established under the Act respecting Financement-Québec (CQLR, chapter F-2.01), which entered into force on October 1, 1999. The Corporation s mission is to provide financial services to public bodies covered by its statute of incorporation. The Corporation finances them directly by granting loans to them and by issuing titles of indebtedness in their name. It advises them with a view to facilitating their access to credit and minimizing financing costs and, for that purpose, develops financing programs. It may also manage the financial risks assumed by the public bodies. The Corporation may, in addition, provide technical services to them in the field of financial analysis and management. The Corporation charges loan issue expenses to borrowers to offset those incurred by it on borrowings made. It also charges administration expenses to borrowers. The level of expenses charged is subject to government approval. The Corporation issues titles of indebtedness, all of which are guaranteed by the Québec government. The Corporation is a legal person with share capital and is a mandatary of the State. Consequently, it is not subject to Québec or Canadian income tax. 2. Significant accounting policies Basis of Accounting The financial statements are established in accordance with the CPA Canada Public Sector Accounting Handbook. Use of any other source of generally accepted accounting principles must be consistent with that handbook. Use of Estimates In accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, the preparation of the Corporation s financial statements requires that management make use of accounting estimates and assumptions. These have an impact on the recognition of assets and liabilities and the recognition of income and charges of the fiscal year presented in the financial statements. Financial derivatives are the main elements for which management established estimates and formulated hypotheses. The actual results may differ from management s best estimates. Finanical Instruments Upon their initial recognition, financial instruments are classified either in the category of financial instruments valued at fair value or in the category of financial instruments valued at cost or at amortized cost. On the date of the transaction, issue expenses for financial instruments valued at fair value are expensed, while those for financial instruments valued at cost or at amortized cost are added to the book value of such instruments. The Corporation has classified financial derivatives in the category of financial instruments valued at fair value. 2016-2017 Operational Report 37
The Corporation has classified cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accrued interest on loans, loans, accounts payable and net accrued interest on borrowings and advances, as well borrowings and advances, in the category of financial instruments valued at cost or at amortized cost. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, and the net balance is shown in the statement of financial position, if and only if the Corporation has a legally enforceable right to offset the amounts recognized and if it intends either to settle the net amount or to simultaneously realize the asset and settle the liability. A financial instrument is derecognized when the contractual obligations are extinguished at maturity or the Corporation transfers the contractual rights to receive the cash flow linked to the financial instruments under a transaction in which practically all the risks and benefits inherent in the ownership of the financial instrument are transferred. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include bank balances and investments that are easily convertible into a known amount of cash whose value is not likely to change significantly. These short-term investments generally expire in three months or less from the date of acquisition, and are held to meet short-term cash commitments rather than for investment purposes. Loans Loans are recorded at the amount disbursed at the time of issue, adjusted by the discount or premium and issue expenses, and are valued at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Interest income on loans, valued using the effective interest rate method, is recognized when earned. Borrowings and Advances Borrowings and advances from the general fund of the Consolidated Revenue Fund are recorded at the amount received at the time of issue, including the discount or premium and issue expenses. After their initial recognition, borrowings and advances from the general fund of the Consolidated Revenue Fund are valued at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. The corresponding interest expenses are shown under the heading Interest on borrowings and advances in the statement of operations. Financial Derivatives The Corporation makes use of financial derivatives to reduce risk related to fluctuations in interest rates. Because of its risk management policies, the Corporation does not use financial derivatives for speculative purposes. Financial derivatives with a positive value are entered as financial assets and financial derivatives with a negative value are shown as liabilities. The change in the fair value of each financial derivative is recorded in the statement of remeasurement gains and losses until it is derecognized. The cumulative balance of remeasurement gains and losses associated with financial derivatives is then reclassified in the statement of operations. 38 Financement-Québec
3. Interest on Borrowings and Advances Summary (thousands of dollars) 2017 2016 Interest on borrowings and advances (349 680) (427 698) Interest on financial derivatives recorded under liabilities (71 379) (109 711) Reclassified amounts of the statement of remeasurement gains and losses (4) (421 059) (537 413) Interest on financial derivatives recorded under assets 62 352 78 458 Reclassified amounts of the statement of remeasurement gains and losses (10 627) (2 285) TOTAL (369 334) (461 240) 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents Summary (thousands of dollars) 2017 2016 Cash 33 164 Discount notes (1) Government of Alberta 93 875 Treasury bills (1) Government of Manitoba 17 626 Government of New Brunswick 39 346 Government of Ontario 25 153 Gouvernement du Québec 73 899 Bearer term note (1) National Bank of Canada 21 899 TOTAL 271 831 164 (1) Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 0.5% to 0.6% and mature in April and May 2017. Total cash equivalents include an amount of $249.7 million allocated to the Québec government s Green Bond Program implemented in 2016-2017. 2016-2017 Operational Report 39
5. Loans Loans by borrower (thousands of dollars) 2017 Effective rate (%) (1) 2016 Entities included in the government reporting entity: School boards 2 313 847 1.93 to 9.75 2 887 393 General and vocational colleges 657 325 1.88 to 9.59 989 156 Health and social services institutions 3 172 170 1.84 to 10.17 4 595 281 Université du Québec and its constituents 324 021 2.23 to 5.35 441 005 Entities excluded from the government reporting entity: 6 467 363 8 912 835 Universities other than the Université du Québec and its constituents 2 888 087 1.55 to 5.21 2 803 515 Municipalities 823 761 2.77 to 4.12 892 839 Société de transport de Montréal 1 684 522 1.78 to 6.03 1 368 686 Fiduciary and non-profit organizations 486 123 0.94 to 5.25 584 842 5 882 493 5 649 882 TOTAL 12 349 856 14 562 717 (1) Effective rates exclude those applicable to floating rate loans, totalling $82.2 million ($62.8 million as at March 31, 2016) and bearing interest at the rates of one-month bankers acceptances plus a spread ranging from 0.05% to 0.30%, or at the rates of three-month bankers acceptances. Principal repayment amounts with regard to loans over the next fiscal years break down as follows: Schedule of principal repayments (thousands of dollars) 2018 3 398 665 2019 2 822 675 2020 1 886 035 2021 502 825 2022 682 247 2023-2027 1 942 144 2028-2032 737 648 2033-2038 410 750 TOTAL 12 382 989 Loans maturing during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 include short-term loans of $323.3 million ($401.6 million as at March 31, 2017). For long-term loans, maturities and interest rates on loans made by the Corporation are, with a few exceptions, identical to those of borrowings and advances contracted for this purpose, taking into consideration any interest rate swap contracts. However, depending on available capital, the Corporation may make new loans from repayments of existing loans. These new loans are made at interest rates and maturities that may differ from the conditions of the advance or borrowing initially received. 40 Financement-Québec
6. Borrowings and Advances Summary (thousands of dollars) 2017 Effective rate (%) (1) 2016 Borrowings on markets 10 111 376 1.41 to 5.62 13 243 158 Advances from the general fund of the Consolidated Revenue Fund 1 371 105 1.70 to 9.56 136 556 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) 802 658 2.77 to 4.12 876 316 Financing Fund 41 602 6.78 to 9.78 47 439 TOTAL 12 326 741 14 303 469 (1) Effective rate paid on long-term borrowings and interest rate swaps contracts. Excludes floating rate borrowings and swaps, which bear interest at the rates of three-month bankers acceptances plus a spread ranging between minus 0.43% and plus 1.23% (between minus 0.46% and plus 1.23% as at March 31, 2016). Borrowings and advances schedule (thousands of dollars) Due in Borrowings on markets Advances from the general fund CMHC Financing Fund Total 2017 Total 2016 2017 3 131 195 2018 3 022 662 228 3 022 890 3 025 257 2019 3 038 960 3 038 960 3 037 334 2020 2 497 176 2 497 176 2 496 127 2021 120 000 3 555 123 555 152 055 2022 498 743 498 743 2023 134 598 37 819 172 417 179 103 2026 248 693 248 693 271 856 2027 737 764 737 764 2031 433 965 433 965 456 842 2035 1 552 578 1 552 578 1 553 700 TOTAL 10 111 376 1 371 105 802 658 41 602 12 326 741 14 303 469 Borrowings maturing during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 include no short-term borrowings ($97.6 million as at March 31, 2016 bearing interest at 0.50%). 2016-2017 Operational Report 41
The amounts of principal payments to be made on borrowings and advances over the coming fiscal years are as follows: Schedule of principal repayments (thousands of dollars) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 and following Borrowings on markets 3 020 000 3 042 000 2 500 000 1 522 350 Advances from the general fund of the Consolidated Revenue Fund 31 257 31 257 31 257 31 257 531 257 699 889 CMHC 76 299 79 035 81 870 84 807 55 307 425 340 Financing Fund 5 851 5 624 5 624 5 624 4 727 14 182 TOTAL 3 133 407 3 157 916 2 618 751 121 688 591 291 2 661 761 7. Determination of Fair Value The fair value of a financial instrument corresponds to the price at which it would be traded between parties acting under normal competitive conditions. The Corporation applies widely used valuation techniques reflecting best practices and incorporating data observed on markets. The methodology Financement-Québec uses to arrive at the fair value of its financial instruments consists in discounting future financial flows receivable less those payable. Interest rate swap contracts are traded on an over-the-counter market and prices are not published for these financial instruments. The fair value of these financial instruments is estimated using swap and CDOR rate curves published on recognized financial information systems available to all stakeholders, as well as financial discounting methods consistent with best practices. Futures contracts on three-month Canadian bankers acceptances are exchange-traded and their fair value is determined on the basis of the daily settlement price. 42 Financement-Québec
By way of indication, the fair value of the Corporation s financial instruments as at March 31 is shown in the following table: Fair value of financial derivatives (thousands of dollars) 2017 2016 Book value Fair value Book value Fair value Loans Total 12 349 856 12 922 273 14 562 717 15 365 915 Borrowings and advances Borrowings on markets 10 111 376 10 659 643 13 243 158 13 935 903 Advances from the general fund of the Consolidated Revenue Fund 1 371 105 1 414 778 136 556 198 067 CMHC 802 658 871 201 876 316 963 061 Financing Fund 41 602 49 624 47 439 58 090 TOTAL 12 326 741 12 995 246 14 303 469 15 155 121 Financial derivatives Financial assets Interest rate swap contracts 426 803 426 803 533 632 533 632 Futures contracts on three-month Canadian bankers acceptances 1 1 Liabilities 426 803 426 803 533 633 533 633 Interest rate swap contracts 128 688 128 688 242 579 242 579 TOTAL 298 115 298 115 291 054 291 054 In view of the nature or the short-term maturity of other financial instruments, their fair value corresponds essentially to book value. 8. Financial Derivatives Financial derivatives are financial contracts the value of which fluctuates on the basis of the underlying security and which do not require that the underlying security itself be held or delivered. This underlying item may be financial in nature (interest rate, currency, security or stock index) or merchandise (precious metal, commodity, oil). The outstanding face amount of a financial derivative represents the theoretical value of the principal, to which applies a rate or a price to determine the exchange of future cash flows, and does not reflect the credit risk pertaining to the derivative. The Corporation uses two types of financial derivatives to manage its financial risks, i.e. interest rate swap contracts and futures contracts on three-month Canadian bankers acceptances. 2016-2017 Operational Report 43
Interest Rate Swap Contracts The Corporation uses interest rate swap contracts to manage exposure to interest rate risk on long-term financial instruments. Interest rate swap contracts give rise to periodic interest payments without an exchange of the reference face amount on which the payments are based. The total outstanding face value of interest rate swap contracts stood at $8 248 million as at March 31, 2017 ($10 763 million as at March 31, 2016). Futures Contracts on Three-Month Canadian Bankers Acceptances (BAX) The Corporation uses futures contracts on three-month Canadian bankers acceptances (BAX) to hedge the interest rate risk arising from its short-term financing activities. These positions are revalued and revised every day and daily financial offsets are applied to them based on the closing prices of the contracts. As at March 31, 2017, the Corporation held a long position with an outstanding face value of $18 million (short position of $28 million as at March 31, 2016). 9. Hierarchy of Fair Value Valuations The fair value valuations of the Corporation s financial derivatives are classified according to a hierarchy that reflects the importance of the data used. The hierarchy of fair value valuations consists of the following levels: (a) prices (unadjusted) quoted on active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1); (b) data, other than the quoted prices mentioned in level 1, that are observable for the asset or the liability, directly (i.e. prices) or indirectly (i.e. price derivatives) (level 2); (c) data relating to the asset or the liability that are not based on observable market data (non-observable data) (level 3). 44 Financement-Québec
The following table shows the financial instruments recognized at fair value in the statement of financial position and classified according to the valuation hierarchy described above: Hierarchical structure of fair value valuations As at March 31, 2017 (thousands of dollars) Financial derivatives Financial assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Interest rate swap contracts 426 803 426 803 Liabilities Interest rate swap contracts 128 688 128 688 TOTAL 298 115 298 115 Hierarchical structure of fair value valuations As at March 31, 2016 (thousands of dollars) Financial derivatives Financial assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Interest rate swap contracts 533 632 533 632 Futures contracts on three-month Canadian bankers acceptances 1 1 Liabilities Interest rate swap contracts 242 579 242 579 TOTAL 1 291 053 291 054 10. Financial Risk and Risk Management The Corporation s general philosophy is to avoid unnecessary risk and to limit, as much as possible, any risk associated with its activities. The Corporation avoids taking any risk not related to the normal course of its business. It does not engage in speculative activities but recognizes that the conduct of its activities exposes it to various risks, including credit, liquidity and market risks, and that it must manage these risks on an ongoing basis. To limit the effect of these risks on its results and on its financial position, the Corporation gives preference to ongoing risk management through its day-to-day financing operations but may also make use of financial derivatives. Financial derivatives are used solely for risk management purposes. 2016-2017 Operational Report 45
(a) Credit Risk Credit risk is the risk that the Corporation suffers a financial loss as a result of the failure of the counterparty of a financial instrument to fulfil a financial commitment. The Corporation s credit risk is negligible in view of the securities put in place and, consequently, the book value of the financial assets adequately represents the maximum credit risk exposure of the financial instruments. The credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents is essentially minimal, since these amounts are invested in lending assets whose listing is higher than or equal to that of Québec government securities. Bodies receiving a subsidy for the repayment of long-term borrowings contracted with the Corporation must pledge this subsidy in favour of the Corporation as security. For unsubsidized loans, the Minister responsible for the body undertakes to intervene in the event of the body s default, so that the body remedies the situation as soon as possible. An element of credit risk is associated with financial derivatives, where the counterparty does not perform its obligations. All credit risks are associated with the Québec government. In all cases of default, the Québec government s intervention is stipulated under the terms of the various contracts in question, both for the Corporation s assets and its liabilities. Accordingly, the Québec government is the ultimate counterparty of the financial instruments held or incurred by the Corporation, be they loans or financial derivatives. (b) Liquidity Risk Liquidity risk is the risk that the Corporation is unable to honour its financial commitments when they are due. The Corporation forecasts cash flows to ensure that it has the necessary funds to meet its obligations in a timely fashion. The Corporation is of the view that the cash flows generated by ongoing operations and available sources of funding are sufficient to satisfy its obligations as they arise. The Corporation obtains funding through long-term borrowings and short-term credit facilities, ensuring sufficient entries of funds to meet financial commitments when required. The Corporation is authorized, under a government-authorized borrowing plan, to contract short-term and long-term borrowings on financial markets. The government is also authorized to advance funds to the Corporation out of its authorized borrowings. 46 Financement-Québec
As at March 31, 2017, the summary of maturities expressed in face value of cash flows of financial assets and liabilities is shown in the following table. The net exposure to liquidity risk shows, for each interval, the excess amount (positive) or shortfall (negative) of cash flows. Maturity schedule of cash flows As at March 31, 2017 (millions of dollars) Due in Financial assets Liabilities Net exposure Nonderivatives (1) Derivatives Nonderivatives (2) Derivatives By maturity Cumulative, after reinvestment of available capital (3) 2018 4 018 48 3 457 52 557 557 2019 3 077 41 3 397 40 (319) 244 2020 2 078 35 2 802 23 (712) (465) 2021 649 29 261 15 402 (70) 2022 811 30 726 13 102 31 2023-2027 2 346 136 1 520 24 938 1 038 2028-2032 901 117 564 1 453 1 696 2033-2038 443 83 1 722 2 (1 198) 713 (1) Financial assets that limit liquidity risk are loans, accrued interest on loans, accounts receivable and cash equivalents. (2) Liabilities that expose the Corporation to liquidity risk are borrowings and advances, net accrued interest on borrowings and advances, and accounts payable. (3) In the normal course of its business, the Corporation reinvests its available capital productively to honour its financial commitments when they are due. Maturity schedule of cash flows As at March 31, 2016 (millions of dollars) Due in Financial assets Liabilities Net exposure Nonderivatives (1) Derivatives Nonderivatives (2) Derivatives By maturity Cumulative, after reinvestment of available capital (3) 2017 4 053 68 3 581 82 458 458 2018 3 325 58 3 389 72 (78) 383 2019 2 989 45 3 339 49 (354) 33 2020 1 992 40 2 748 31 (747) (714) 2021 564 32 207 22 367 (356) 2022-2026 2 046 142 939 40 1 209 887 2027-2031 982 127 605 4 500 1 553 2032-2038 574 126 1 802 5 (1 107) 666 (1) Financial assets that limit liquidity risk are loans, accrued interest on loans, and accounts receivable. (2) Liabilities that expose the Corporation to liquidity risk are borrowings and advances, net accrued interest on borrowings and advances, and accounts payable. (3) In the normal course of its business, the Corporation reinvests its available capital productively to honour its financial commitments when they are due. 2016-2017 Operational Report 47
(c) Market Risk Market risk is the risk that changes in market price affect the value of the Corporation s financial instruments. Market risk includes other price risk, interest rate risk and currency risk. (i) Other Price Risk Other price risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of the Corporation s financial instruments vary because of fluctuations in market prices, where such fluctuations do not stem from interest or exchange rates. Because of the nature of its activities, the Corporation is not exposed to other price risk. (ii) Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk refers to uncertainty relating to the current fair value, value at maturity or future cash flows of financial securities, taking into account possible changes in applicable interest rates, in the interval between the execution of a transaction on financial securities and the disposition or maturity of such securities. The Corporation s interest rate risk exposure arises in the normal course of its operations as financial intermediary. The borrowings and advances made and the loans granted generate uncertainty on future interest rate determination dates. To control interest rate risk, the Corporation s strategy is to match the maturities of future monetary flows of its assets and liabilities and, if necessary, change the composition of its portfolios using financial derivatives. By managing interest rate risk, the Corporation must be able to contain the effects of interest rate fluctuations within the limits it has set. Thus, the Corporation s strategy, given its nature as financial intermediary, is intended to contain its net exposure to future interest rate fluctuations. The following table shows the net interest rate risk exposure of long-term financial assets and liabilities, as well as of short-term liabilities assigned to long-term financing transactions, broken down according to the sensitivity specific to each financial instrument and the attendant future cash flow. It shows the reinvestment and refinancing risks related to these financial instruments. Thus, the management strategy, which consists in matching future cash flows, is aimed at containing net interest rate risk exposure both globally and on a time-interval basis. Short-term financial instruments, that is, short-term loans, short-term borrowings other than those mentioned above, and short-term financial derivatives, are excluded from this table because the associated interest rate risk is eliminated by day-to-day risk management operations. 48 Financement-Québec