The highlights presented in this section are drawn from CAS’s financial statements and are prepared on an accrual basis. These financial statements have been prepared using Government of Canada accounting policies, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Note:
The 2019–20 planned results are those reported in the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations included in the 2019–20 Departmental Plan.

Expenses: CAS’s total expenses were $125,225,550 in 2019–20 ($116,340,189 in 2018–19). The largest components of the increase of $8,885,361 (7.64%) were mainly increases in salaries and wages, professional and special services and amortization of tangible capital assets. This increase in expenditures reflects an increase in funding for the following initiatives; Supporting Canada’s Court System of $4,699,438, Enhancing the Integrity of Canada’s Borders and Asylum System of $2,516,136, CRMS of $1,906,588, Supporting the Delivery of Justice through the Courts Administration Service (Translation) of $700,000, offset by a reduction of funding on the New Intellectual Property Strategy of $1,392,485 and other adjustments for increases and reductions for the residual balance.

• Salaries and employee benefits: Salaries and employee benefits expense was $70,552,919 in 2019–20 ($62,409,678 in 2018–19). The $8,143,241 (13.05%) variance is due to increases of $6,309,419 in salaries and wages, $697,811 in employer contributions to employee benefit plans, $913,028 in the provision for severance benefits and $ 222,983 in employer contribution to the health and dental insurance plans (related party transaction). More than half (56.34%) of CAS's total expenses in 2019-20 consisted of salaries and employee benefits.
• Operating: Operating expenses totaled $54,672,631 in 2019–20 ($53,930,511 in 2018–19). The $742,120 (13.76%) variance is mainly attributable to increases of $1,693,779 in professional and special services $ 171,607 in the amortization of tangible capital assets, $57,158 in accommodation and $10,340 materials and supplies. These increases were partly offset by a reduction of $433,552 in machinery and equipment, $347,964 in other miscellaneous operating expenses, $189,139 in repairs and maintenance, $96,032 in transportation and telecommunications, $76,430 in rentals, $47,647 in information.

Revenues: The majority of CAS’s revenues are earned on behalf of Government. Such revenues are non-respendable, meaning that they cannot be used by CAS, and are deposited directly into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). CAS earns a small amount of respendable revenue from the sale of Crown assets. CAS’s gross revenues were $2,804,651 in 2019–20 ($2,691,820 in 2018–19) and net revenues were $3,376 in 2019-20 ($16,432 in 2018–19).

Note:

Liabilities: CAS’s net liabilities as at March 31, 2020 were $21,967,990 ($24,972,243 as at March 31, 2019). The decrease of $3,004,253 (12%) is the result of the following:

• Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (49.75% of total liabilities): Decrease of $2,248,116 includes decreases of $2,175,555 in accounts payable to external parties and $497,682 payable to other government departments and agencies. Decrease offset by an increase of $425,121 in accrued liabilities related to salaries and wages.
• Vacation pay and compensatory leave (15.32% of total liabilities): Increase of $503,086 mainly due to $492,428 increase in vacation pay.
• Deposit accounts (25.09% of total liabilities): Decrease of $1,336,482 in deposit accounts reflects many separate decisions of the Courts. Deposits cannot be projected and the balance in the deposit accounts can vary significantly from year to year.
• Employee future benefits (9.84% of total liabilities): Increase of $77,259 due to an increase in full time employee.

Assets: The composition of CAS’s financial and non-financial assets is as follows:

Financial assets:

• Due from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (36.35% of gross assets)
• Accounts receivable and employee advances (7.72% of gross assets)

Non-financial assets:

• Tangible capital assets (53.49% of gross assets)
• Inventory (1.24% of gross assets)
• Prepaid expenses (1.20% of gross assets)

Net financial assets: This is comprised of financial assets net of accounts receivable held on behalf of Government. Accounts receivable held on behalf of the Government of Canada consist primarily of accounts receivable from other governmental organizations. The decrease of $3,842,307 is mainly due to a decrease in the amount due from the CRF.

Non-financial assets: The increase of $2,783,993 is mainly due to an increase in tangible capital assets related to physical security enhancement projects, facilities renovation design, informatics, and in inventory. The increases are partially offset by prepaid expenses.

Departmental net debt: This provides a measure of the future authorities required to pay for past transactions and events.

Departmental net financial position: This represents the net resources (financial and non-financial) that will be used to provide future services to the Courts and thereby to benefit Canadians.