Consolidated financial statements

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Table 1:Government of Canada
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit
for the year ended March 31, 2025
Links to footnote * in Table 1
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Budget
(Note 3d)
Actual Actual
Revenues (Note 4, Note 5 and Note 24)
Tax revenues
Income tax revenues
Personal 232,609 234,319 217,696
Corporate 90,749 96,954 82,468
Non-resident 13,052 13,528 12,541
Total income tax revenues 336,410 344,801 312,705
Other taxes and duties 75,774 71,904 69,415
Total tax revenues 412,184 416,705 382,120
Employment insurance premiums 30,055 31,530 29,560
Pollution pricing proceeds 12,746 13,552 10,503
Other revenues
Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises 8,704 8,048 3,217
Net foreign exchange revenues and return on investments 3,542 6,768 4,290
Other program revenues 30,587 34,348 29,859
Total other revenues 42,833 49,164 37,366
Total revenues 497,818 510,951 459,549
Expenses (Note 6 and Note 24)
Program expenses
Transfer payments
Old age security benefits, guaranteed income supplement and spouse's allowance 80,554 80,294 76,036
Major transfer payments to other levels of government 105,492 105,101 100,173
Employment insurance and support measures 26,640 24,880 23,130
Children's benefits 28,121 28,574 26,339
COVID-19 income support for workers (negative 2,169) (negative 4,838)
Pollution pricing proceeds returned 14,901 15,595 9,858
Other transfer payments 103,538 107,140 95,951
Total transfer payments 359,246 359,415 326,649
Other expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 121,208 130,454 140,014
Total program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 480,454 489,869 466,663
Public debt charges 54,130 53,410 47,273
Total expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 534,584 543,279 513,936
Annual operating deficit before net actuarial losses (negative 36,766) (negative 32,328) (negative 54,387)
Net actuarial losses (Note 12 and Note 24) (negative 3,065) (negative 4,020) (negative 7,489)
Annual operating deficit (negative 39,831) (negative 36,348) (negative 61,876)
Accumulated operating deficit at beginning of year (negative 1,245,494) (negative 1,245,494) (negative 1,183,618)
Accumulated operating deficit at end of year (Note 7) (negative 1,285,325) (negative 1,281,842) (negative 1,245,494)

Table 1 notes

General notes:

  • The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
    Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation (Note 2).
    Details can be found in other sections (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 1

Table 2:Government of Canada
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at March 31, 2025

(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Amounts payable related to tax 94,790 87,737
Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 8) 68,392 79,894
Provision for contingent liabilities (Note 9) 54,721 56,588
Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations (Note 10) 23,905 22,643
Deferred revenue (Note 5) 17,917 17,194
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities 259,725 264,056
Interest-bearing debt
Unmatured debt (Note 11) 1,485,887 1,376,822
Pensions and other future benefits (Note 12)
Public sector pensions 162,746 165,354
Other employee and veteran future benefits 213,667 196,350
Total pensions and other future benefits 376,413 361,704
Other liabilities (Note 14) 7,031 6,963
Total interest-bearing debt 1,869,331 1,745,489
Foreign exchange accounts liabilities (Note 18) 47,697 44,106
Derivatives (Note 13) 5,583 4,131
Total liabilities 2,182,336 2,057,782
Financial assets
Cash and accounts receivable
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 15) 54,109 75,059
Taxes receivable (Note 16) 213,657 203,045
Other accounts receivable (Note 17) 13,628 13,999
Total cash and accounts receivable 281,394 292,103
Foreign exchange accounts assets (Note 18) 201,362 180,140
Derivatives (Note 13) 1,752 2,928
Loans, investments and advances
Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises (Note 19) 227,356 165,344
Other loans, investments and advances (Note 20) 51,164 44,458
Total loans, investments and advances 278,520 209,802
Public sector pension assets (Note 12) 25,722 20,055
Total financial assets 788,750 705,028
Net debt (negative 1,393,586) (negative 1,352,754)
Non-financial assets
Tangible capital assets (Note 21) 115,091 104,552
Inventories (Note 21) 7,933 8,214
Prepaid expenses and other 4,078 3,837
Total non-financial assets 127,102 116,603
Accumulated deficit (Note 7) (negative 1,266,484) (negative 1,236,151)
Accumulated deficit is comprised of:
Accumulated operating deficit (negative 1,281,842) (negative 1,245,494)
Accumulated remeasurement gains 15,358 9,343
Total (negative 1,266,484) (negative 1,236,151)
Contractual obligations and contractual rights (Note 23)

Table 2 notes

General notes:

  • The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
    Details can be found in other sections (unaudited) of this volume.

Table 3:Government of Canada
Consolidated Statement of Remeasurement Gains and Losses
for the year ended March 31, 2025
Links to footnote * in Table 3
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Accumulated remeasurement gains—beginning of year 9,343 10,605
Net unrealized gains (losses) attributable to:
Derivatives 4,995 (negative 1,075)
Other loans, investments and advances—Portfolio investments 149 40
Total net unrealized gains (losses) 5,144 (negative 1,035)
Amounts reclassified during the year to the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit:
Derivatives (negative 8)
Other loans, investments and advances—Portfolio investments (negative 49) 2
Total amounts reclassified during the year to the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit (negative 49) (negative 6)
Other comprehensive income (loss) of enterprise Crown corporations
Net change in unrealized gains on financial instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 401 146
Net change in fair value of derivatives designated as hedges (negative 1)
Actuarial gains (losses) on pensions and other employee future benefits 520 (negative 367)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) of enterprise Crown corporations 920 (negative 221)
Net remeasurement gains (losses) for the year 6,015 (negative 1,262)
Accumulated remeasurement gains—end of year 15,358 9,343

Table 3 notes

General notes:

  • The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
    Details can be found in other sections (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 3

Table 4:Government of Canada
Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Debt
for the year ended March 31, 2025
Links to footnote * in Table 4
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Budget Actual Actual
Net debt at beginning of year (negative 1,352,754) (negative 1,352,754) (negative 1,282,757)
Change in net debt during the year
Annual operating deficit (negative 39,831) (negative 36,348) (negative 61,876)
Changes due to tangible capital assets
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (negative 13,467) (negative 16,808) (negative 13,585)
Amortization of tangible capital assets 8,311 6,044 5,633
Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets 26 12 62
Net loss on disposal and write-offs of tangible capital assets, including adjustments 108 213 675
Total change due to tangible capital assets (negative 5,022) (negative 10,539) (negative 7,215)
Change due to inventories 300 281 1,191
Change due to prepaid expenses and other 200 (negative 241) (negative 835)
Increase in net debt excluding remeasurement gains (losses) (negative 44,353) (negative 46,847) (negative 68,735)
Net remeasurement gains (losses) for the year 6,015 (negative 1,262)
Net increase in net debt (negative 44,353) (negative 40,832) (negative 69,997)
Net debt at end of year (negative 1,397,107) (negative 1,393,586) (negative 1,352,754)

Table 4 notes

General notes:

  • The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
    Details can be found in other sections (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 4

Table 5:Government of Canada
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow 
for the year ended March 31, 2025
Links to footnote * in Table 5
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Operating activities
Annual operating deficit (negative 36,348) (negative 61,876)
Non-cash items
Share of annual (profit) loss in enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises (negative 3,239) 660
Effective interest on debt 14,574 15,082
Provision for valuation on other loans, investments and advances 2,871 3,431
Amortization of tangible capital assets 6,044 5,633
Net loss on disposal and write-offs of tangible capital assets, including adjustments 213 675
Net exchange loss (gain) and accrued interest on derivatives 7,829 (negative 224)
Pension and other future benefit and interest expenses 30,991 32,363
Provision for doubtful accounts 12,905 12,638
Net losses on write-offs and write-down of inventory and prepaid expenses 1,012 1,499
Net exchange gain on foreign exchange accounts and other foreign currency balances (negative 7,629) (negative 237)
Foreign exchange accounts net gain on investments and non-cash interest (negative 896) (negative 1,350)
Change in taxes receivable (negative 18,974) (negative 30,015)
Pension and other future benefit payments (negative 23,892) (negative 22,092)
Transfer addressing non-permitted surplus (Note 12(b)i) 1,943
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (negative 4,194) 4,242
Net change in cash collateral (negative 1,596) (negative 249)
Net change in other accounts (negative 4,572) (negative 7,130)
Cash used by operating activities (negative 22,958) (negative 46,950)
Capital investment activities
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (negative 17,169) (negative 13,560)
Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets 12 62
Cash used by capital investment activities (negative 17,157) (negative 13,498)
Investing activities
Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises
Dividends received and other equity adjustments 839 1,515
Purchases of other investments (negative 28,245) (negative 7,569)
Issuance of loans and advances (negative 90,585) (negative 65,098)
Repayment of loans and advances 61,620 57,332
Issuance of other loans, investments and advances and foreign exchange accounts loans (negative 16,634) (negative 12,971)
Repayment of other loans, investments and advances and foreign exchange accounts loans 7,589 26,999
Issuance of advances to the Exchange Fund Account (negative 39,108) (negative 41,234)
Repayment of advances to the Exchange Fund Account 30,454 30,548
Cash used by investing activities (negative 74,070) (negative 10,478)
Financing activities
Issuance of Canadian currency borrowings 969,450 773,261
Repayment of Canadian currency borrowings (negative 883,059) (negative 681,572)
Issuance of foreign currency borrowings 26,652 24,573
Repayment of foreign currency borrowings (negative 19,602) (negative 18,195)
Receipt of Canadian currency under swap contracts 8,813 9,808
Payment of Canadian currency under swap contracts (negative 10,760) (negative 17,603)
Receipt of foreign currency under swap contracts 10,767 17,603
Payment of foreign currency under swap contracts (negative 9,026) (negative 10,896)
Cash provided by financing activities 93,235 96,979
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (negative 20,950) 26,053
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 75,059 49,006
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (Note 15) 54,109 75,059
Supplementary information
Cash used for interest 43,194 31,090

Table 5 notes

General notes:

  • The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
    Details can be found in other sections (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 5

Notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Government of Canada

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

Reporting entity

The reporting entity of the Government of Canada includes all of the government organizations which comprise the legal entity of the government as well as other government organizations, including Crown corporations, which are separate legal entities but are controlled by the government. For financial reporting purposes, control is defined as the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an organization with benefits from the organization’s activities being expected, or the risk of loss being assumed by the government. All organizations defined as departments and as Crown corporations in the Financial Administration Act are included in the reporting entity. The definition of control for financial reporting purposes may be met by other organizations not listed in the Financial Administration Act, these organizations are therefore included in the government’s reporting entity if their revenues, expenses, assets or liabilities are significant.

Some Crown corporations and not-for-profit organizations rely on the government for a portion of their financing. Examples of consolidated Crown corporations that received significant funding from the government include Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Canada Infrastructure Bank, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and VIA Rail Canada Inc. The consolidated not-for-profit organizations that receive significant funding are the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology. The financial activities of all of these entities are consolidated in these financial statements on a line-by-line and uniform basis of accounting after eliminating significant inter-governmental balances and transactions. Detailed information on the consolidated entities is included in Section 4 (unaudited) of this volume.

Enterprise Crown corporations are government business enterprises able to raise substantial portions of their revenues through commercial business activity and are therefore considered self-sustaining. The major enterprise Crown corporations include the Bank of Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada Post Corporation and Export Development Canada. In addition, there are a number of self-sustaining government business enterprises that are not Crown corporations but which are controlled by the government. These include various Canada Port Authorities. Investments in government business enterprises are recorded under the modified equity method. Detailed information on the enterprise Crown corporations is included in Section 9 (unaudited) of this volume.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP), which includes the assets of CPP under the administration of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, is excluded from the reporting entity because changes to CPP require the agreement of two thirds of participating provinces and it is therefore not controlled by the government.

Basis of accounting

These consolidated financial statements are prepared using the government’s accounting policies stated below, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Foreign currency translation

Transactions involving foreign currencies are translated into Canadian dollar equivalents using rates in effect at the time of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using rates at March 31. The government has elected to recognize gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation, including those arising prior to settlement or derecognition of the financial instrument, directly in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit for all financial instruments. 

Net exchange gains and losses are reported according to the activities to which they relate. Net exchange gains and losses relating to the foreign exchange accounts, foreign debt, swaps, foreign exchange forward agreements revaluations and loans, investments and advances are presented with investment revenues from foreign exchange accounts under net foreign exchange revenues and return on investments. Net exchange gains and losses relating to transfer payments are reported in the transfer payment expenses under other transfer payments. Net exchange gains and losses relating to departmental sale or purchase of goods or services in foreign currency are reported under other expenses. The carrying amounts of financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency are disclosed in the respective financial statement notes.

Fair value measurement

Fair value is the amount of the consideration that would be agreed upon in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties who are under no compulsion to act. For financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorized as Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which the inputs to the fair value measurements are observable and the significance of the inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market inputs wherever such inputs exist and in measuring fair value, a financial instrument is classified at the lowest level of the hierarchy for which a significant input has been considered.

Measurement uncertainty

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the government to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported and disclosed amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes at March 31. The estimates are based on facts and circumstances, historical experience, general economic conditions and reflect management’s best estimate of the related amount at the end of the reporting period. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed annually at March 31. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which estimates are revised if revisions affect only that period or in the period of revision and future periods if revisions affect both current and future periods.

Measurement uncertainty that is material exists when it is reasonably possible that a material variance could occur in the reported or disclosed amount in the near term. Near term is defined as a period of time not to exceed one year from March 31. The government has determined that material measurement uncertainty exists with respect to the reported amounts for:

It is reasonably possible that the government’s reassessments of these estimates and assumptions could require a material change in reported amounts or disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Refer to the specific note disclosures for more information on measurement uncertainty.

Measurement uncertainties exist at March 31, 2025, in light of continued global uncertainty and heightened geopolitical tensions. The consolidated financial statements reflect the impacts to the extent known and estimable at the reporting date. The government continues to assess and monitor the effects of these measurement uncertainties on its financial position, including related estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its statements. The full potential impact on the assumptions used for the year is unknown as it will depend on future developments that are uncertain.

In addition, these measurement uncertainties have impacted various estimates, assumptions, and judgments in the consolidated financial statements; the most critical areas are discussed within the specific notes below.

Additional significant accounting policies

To facilitate the understanding of these consolidated financial statements, the significant accounting policies related to the following financial statement line items are detailed in the referenced note.

2. Comparative information

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. In particular, the Government has changed the presentation of the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit to group the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy with other transfer payments. This reflects the continued wind-down of the temporary COVID-19 support measures that have ended.

3. Spending and borrowing authorities

(a) Spending authorities

The authority of Parliament is required before moneys can be spent by the government. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes. When Parliament is dissolved for the purposes of general election, section 30 of the Financial Administration Act authorizes the Governor General, under certain conditions, to issue a special warrant authorizing the government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. During fiscal year 2025, there were no requirements to issue special warrants to support expenditures. The government uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare its Budget and present its current consolidated financial statements. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament are on an expenditure basis, which uses only a partial accrual method of accounting. During the year, expenditures were made under the authorities indicated in the following table:

Table 6:Spending and borrowing authorities
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Annual spending limits voted by Parliament 225,107 249,276
Expenditures permitted under other legislation 271,115 259,825
Total budgetary expenditures authorized 496,222 509,101
Less: amounts available for use in subsequent years and amounts that have lapsed 21,790 34,220
Total net budgetary expenditures 474,432 474,881
Effect of consolidation and full accrual accounting, excluding net actuarial losses 68,847 39,055
Total expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 543,279 513,936
Net actuarial losses 4,020 7,489
Total expenses 547,299 521,425

The total net budgetary expenditures reported in the preceding table differs from the total expenses reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit. The difference is due to various factors. The transactions of consolidated specified purpose accounts and of certain Crown corporations and other controlled entities are consolidated in the financial statements but are not included in the budgetary expenditure authorities available for use. Transfer payments to organizations within the government reporting entity are recorded against a budgetary expenditure authority in the year they are disbursed to the organization, but they are recorded as a consolidated expense only when the transfer is authorized and all eligibility criteria have been met by the ultimate recipient outside of the government reporting entity. Provisions for valuation of assets and liabilities are also not included in spending authorities.

In addition to the authorities for budgetary expenditures, non-budgetary spending of $376,123 million ($332,454 million in 2024) was authorized for loans, investments and advances. A net amount of $129,355 million ($47,245 million in 2024) was used, an amount of $54,741 million ($1 million in 2024) lapsed and an amount of $192,027 million ($285,208 million in 2024) is available for use in subsequent years. An amount of $5,128 million ($21,714 million in 2024) committed through guarantees and loan agreements has been included in the determination of the amount available for use in subsequent years, resulting in a corresponding reduction to the total available balance.

Details about the source and disposition of authorities (unaudited) and the details of ministerial expenditures are provided in Volume II of the Public Accounts of Canada.

(b) Exceeded authority limit

During the fiscal year, Global Affairs Canada exceeded its authority limit of $50 million for working capital advance for advances to posts abroad in accordance with Vote 630, Appropriation Act No. 2, 1954, amended by Vote L12, Appropriation Act No. 3, 1989-90. Details (unaudited) of this overexpended authority can be found in the ministerial sections of Volume II of the Public Accounts of Canada.

(c) Borrowing authorities

Through the Borrowing Authority Act (BAA) and the Financial Administration Act (FAA), Parliament authorizes the Minister of Finance (the "Minister") to borrow money on behalf of His Majesty in right of Canada.

Borrowing Authority Act: Maximum Amount

Authority to borrow is granted through section 3 of the BAA up to the maximum amount on the total outstanding stock of debt set out under section 4 of the BAA.

Subject to limited exceptions, borrowings undertaken by the Minister – together with amounts borrowed by agent Crown corporations and Canada Mortgage Bonds (CMB) guaranteed by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, excluding those purchased by the Minister and not resold – may not exceed the maximum amount specified in the BAA, which was $1,831,000 million as of May 6, 2021. On June 20, 2024, Bill C-69 received royal assent to amend the BAA, which increased the maximum amount to $2,126,000 million.

As at March 31, 2025, the outstanding borrowings subject to the maximum amount was $1,787,450 million ($1,688,386 million as at March 31, 2024).

Financial Administration Act: Annual Borrowing Authority

In addition to the maximum amount on the total outstanding stock of debt, pursuant to Part IV of the FAA, the Governor in Council (GIC) specifies a maximum aggregate principal amount of money that the Minister is authorized to borrow.

For the fiscal year 2025, the GIC specified a maximum amount of $604,000 million ($517,000 million for fiscal year 2024). The GIC authority is calculated as the sum of i) the maximum stock of treasury bills anticipated to be outstanding during the year, ii) the total value of new issuances of marketable bonds, and iii) the total value of new issuances intended to fund the Exchange Fund Account, plus a contingency margin to enable responses to changes in economic circumstances. During fiscal year 2025, $544,477 million ($475,268 million in fiscal year 2024) has been borrowed by the Minister.

(d) Source of budget amounts

The budget amounts included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit and the Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Debt are derived from the amounts that were budgeted for 2025 in the April 2024 Budget Plan (Budget 2024). To enhance comparability with actual 2025 results, Budget 2024 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation in the consolidated financial statements, with no overall impact on the budgeted 2025 annual deficit.

Since actual opening balances of the accumulated operating deficit and net debt were not available at the time of preparation of Budget 2024, the corresponding amounts in the budget column have been adjusted to the actual opening balances.

4. Tax revenues

Tax revenues are comprised of income tax revenues from personal, corporate and non-resident taxes, and other taxes and duties.

Significant accounting policies

Tax revenues are recognized in the period in which the taxable event occurs and when they are authorized by legislation or the ability to assess and collect the tax has been provided through legislative convention. The policy is applied in the following manner for the following tax revenue streams:

  • Income tax revenue is recognized when the taxpayer has earned the income subject to the tax. Income is calculated net of tax deductions and credits allowed under the Income Tax Act, including refundable taxes resulting from current-year activity. For non-resident taxpayers (individuals and corporations), revenues are recognized when the taxpayers receive income from which tax is withheld on active and inactive income they earned in Canada.
  • Domestic goods and services tax (GST) which includes the federal portion of the harmonized sales tax (HST) revenue is recognized at the time of the sale of goods or the provision of services. These revenues are reported net of input tax credits, GST rebates, and the GST quarterly tax credits. The GST quarterly tax credit for low-income individuals and families is recorded in the period the event giving rise to the GST quarterly credit occurred.
  • Customs duties and goods and services tax revenue on imports are recognized when goods are authorized to enter Canada.
  • Excise tax revenue is recognized when a taxpayer sells goods taxable under the Excise Tax Act.
  • Excise duties revenue is recognized when the taxpayer manufactures goods taxable under the Excise Act and the Excise Act, 2001.

Tax revenues are measured from amounts assessed/reassessed and from estimates of amounts not yet assessed/reassessed based on cash received that relates to the fiscal year ended March 31. Revenues also include adjustments between the estimated revenues of previous years and actual amounts, as well as revenues from reassessments relating to prior years. Revenues do not include estimates of unreported taxes, or the impact of future reassessments that cannot yet be reliably determined.

Taxes under objection are assessed taxes for which the taxpayer filed a notice of objection. An amount for federal taxes under objection is recognized as a reduction of tax revenues for cases where it has been determined that the government had little or no discretion to avoid settlement. The amounts in objection for which a liability has not been recorded are disclosed in Note 4(b) to the financial statements.

Tax expenditures that reduce taxes paid or payable are considered tax concessions and are netted against the applicable tax revenue. Refundable tax credits, deductions, or exemptions provided by the government are considered tax concessions when they provide tax relief to taxpayers and relate to the types of taxes that are a revenue source. Tax expenditures that provide a financial benefit through the tax system, and are not related to the relief of taxes paid or payable, are recorded as transfer payments and are not netted against tax revenue.

Tax revenues that were not collected at year end and refunds that were not yet disbursed are reported respectively as taxes receivable (Note 16) and amounts payable related to tax in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. These amounts also include other receivables and payables for amounts collected through the tax system such as provincial and territorial taxes, as well as Employment Insurance premiums and Canada Pension Plan contributions receivable from individuals and employers as applicable.

Tax collected on behalf of the provincial/territorial governments is not included in tax revenues. It is recorded as payable to the provincial/territorial governments included within other accounts payable and accrued liabilities and distributed by the Department of Finance in accordance with associated agreements.

Measurement uncertainty

Tax revenues are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the use of estimates of amounts not yet assessed/reassessed based on cash received as well as taxpayer objections to assessed federal tax. A key assumption used in estimating tax revenues is that tax instalments, source deductions withheld and historical information on refund rates, and payments received upon filing tax returns, are good indicators of the amount of tax revenue earned to March 31 that has not yet been assessed. Relevant factors such as new administered activities, legislative changes, and economic factors may also be considered. These are also indicators of tax revenue earned to March 31 that has not yet been assessed. The estimates are reviewed in subsequent years and compared to actual results to assess if refinements to the estimation methodology are required.

Measurement uncertainties exist at March 31, 2025 as a result of the on-going uncertainties around the economic outlook. These measurement uncertainties will impact the estimation of tax revenues. Historical experiences related to the estimates of unassessed tax revenues may not be relevant to predict future outcomes which may lead to a greater possibility of a material variance in the upcoming year.

(a) Other taxes and duties

Table 7:Other taxes and duties
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Goods and services taxLinks to footnote 1 in Table 7 52,503 51,416
Energy taxes 5,650 5,599
Customs import duties 6,264 5,571
Other excise taxes and duties 7,487 6,829
Total other taxes and duties 71,904 69,415
Table 7 notes
Table note 1

Goods and services tax revenues reflect the 2-month goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax break on qualifying items from December 14, 2024 to February 15, 2025.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 7

(b) Federal tax objections

As of March 31, 2025, $29,428 million of federal taxes were under objection ($23,686 million for 2024).

5. Non-tax revenues

Non-tax revenues consist of exchange and non-exchange transactions, and other non-tax revenues. The government has three main types of exchange and non-exchange transactions: employment insurance premiums, pollution pricing proceeds and other program revenues.

Exchange and non-exchange transactions include exchange transactions (where goods or services are provided for consideration and a performance obligation exists), and non-exchange transactions (where no performance obligation exists to provide a good or service). These transactions can be recurring or non-recurring in nature. Recurring transactions are viewed as ongoing, routine activities that form part of the normal course of operations and can be reasonably expected to be earned again in future years.

Other non-tax revenue, not otherwise defined as exchange or non-exchange transactions above, include revenues from enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises and interest on bank deposits, income on loans, investments and advances, and other returns recognized on investments.

Significant accounting policies

Exchange and non-exchange transactions are recognized when they are earned, that is, as performance obligations are met and/or when they are authorized by legislation and the past transaction has occurred. The accounting policy is applied in the following manner for the following exchange and non-exchange transactions:

  • Employment insurance premiums are non-exchange transactions that are levied under the provisions of the Employment Insurance Act. Employment insurance premiums are recognized as revenue in the period in which the insurable earnings are authorized and earned. This occurs when workers, through their employment, have generated these premiums and the related employer's contribution.
  • Pollution pricing proceeds are non-exchange transactions and include revenues earned from fuel charge proceeds and excess emission charges revenue pursuant to the Output-based Pricing System (OBPS) Regulations. As part of the federal carbon pollution pricing framework, fuel and excess emission charges are collected pursuant to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and are applicable to jurisdictions that request the federal carbon pollution pricing backstop system in whole or in part and those that do not meet the federal benchmark requirements.
    • Fuel charge proceeds are recognized as revenues in the period in which the charge is authorized and earned. This occurs as fuel is produced and delivered by registered distributors of the fuel under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. As of April 1, 2025, the government ceased the application of the federal fuel charge in all applicable jurisdictions, with the fuel charge rates set to zero.
    • The compensation for excess emissions provided for under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act are recognized upon confirmation by the registered facility that the compensation is to be provided.
  • Other program revenues from the sale of goods or services are exchange transactions and include: earnings from the sale of rights and privileges, the lease and use of public property, services of a regulatory and non-regulatory nature, the sale of goods and information products, and other fees and charges. Other program revenue from the sale of goods and services are recognized when earned as goods and services are provided either at a point in time or over a period of time depending on how the good or services are delivered, and when performance obligation(s) are met.
  • Other miscellaneous revenues are primarily from interest and penalties (which are non-exchange transactions), but also include other miscellaneous exchange and non-exchange revenues. Miscellaneous revenues such as interest and penalties on taxes are recorded as other revenues when they are earned. Interest is charged on overdue balances using rates determined quarterly, which in most cases is based on the ninety day Treasury Bills rate rounded plus 4%. The interest rate applicable as at March 31, 2025 on most overdue balances was 8% (10% in 2024).

Notable revenues recognized over a period of time include:

  • Spectrum licence fees which are recognized as rights and privileges under sales of goods and services within other program revenue as access to the frequency is provided, meeting the performance obligation, on a straight-line basis over the term of the licence. Deferred revenue consists of spectrum licence fees and other amounts received in advance of the delivery of goods and the rendering of services that will be recognized as revenue in a subsequent fiscal year as it is earned.
  • Policing services revenue is presented as services of a non-regulatory nature under sales of goods and services within other program revenue and is recognized as the performance obligation is satisfied. Policing services are provided under the terms of various Police Service Agreements.

The following policies are applied for other non-tax revenue:

  • Revenues from enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises reflect the government's share of profits and losses from those organizations that form part of the Government reporting entity consolidated under the modified equity basis of accounting. Where appropriate, adjustments are also made to present the accounts of these organizations on a basis consistent with the accounting policies of the Government and to eliminate significant inter‑organizational accounts and transactions.
  • Other revenues from enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises include interest earned on loans to enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises. Interest on loans to enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises are recognized as earned and in accordance with the underlying terms and conditions of the loans and measured using the effective interest method.
  • Net foreign exchange revenues include the revenues from investments held in the Exchange Fund Account and the International Monetary Fund, as well as the net gains or losses resulting from the translation of these investments to Canadian dollars as at March 31. Net foreign exchange revenues also include the net gains or losses resulting from foreign debt and currency swap revaluations. Net foreign exchange revenues are determined by reference to prevailing exchange rates at the time of the transaction and at the year-end date, as applicable, on foreign currency denominated items.
  • Interest on bank deposits, income on loans, investments and advances, and other returns are recognized as return on investments and are earned in accordance with the terms and conditions of the underlying financial instrument measured using the effective interest rate method.

Measurement uncertainty

Employment insurance premium revenues are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the use of estimates of premiums earned but not yet assessed or reassessed and estimated annual payment accuracy rate related to unemployment and self-employment benefits. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Management's estimates are reviewed periodically and changes in estimates are recorded as necessary when they become known.

There are no other significant measurement uncertainties related to non-tax revenues.

(a) Disaggregated non-tax revenues 

Table 8:Disaggregated non-tax revenues
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Exchange and non-exchange transactions
Employment insurance premiums (non-exchange) 31,530 29,560
Pollution pricing proceeds (non-exchange) 13,552 10,503
Other program revenues (exchange and non-exchange)
Sales of goods and services (exchange)
Rights and privileges 3,569 2,848
Lease and use of public property 995 912
Services of a regulatory nature 2,998 2,959
Services of a non-regulatory nature 6,625 5,273
Sales of goods and information products 1,124 998
Other fees and charges 488 996
Total sales of goods and services 15,799 13,986
Miscellaneous (exchange and non-exchange)
Interest and penalties (non-exchange) 16,273 14,390
Other (exchange and non-exchange) 2,276 1,483
Total miscellaneous 18,549 15,873
Total other program revenues 34,348 29,859
Other non-tax revenue
Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises 8,048 3,217
Net foreign exchange revenues and return on investments 6,768 4,290
Total other non-tax revenues 14,816 7,507
Total non-tax revenues 94,246 77,429

There were no significant revenues from non-recurring activities. Non-recurring revenues are typically from gains on the sale of assets, court awards and revenues from the forfeitures of licenses.

There were no significant revenues for which the government did not recognize due to the lack of expectation to collect payment.

(b) Pollution pricing proceeds

As of March 31, 2025, there were $13,537 million of fuel charge proceeds recorded ($10,278 million in 2024).

As of March 31, 2025, the excess emission charges revenue pursuant to the output-based pricing system for industrial facilities with high emissions totalled $15 million ($225 million in 2024).

(c) Deferred revenues

Deferred revenues include:

Table 9:Deferred revenues
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Opening balance Receipts and other credits Earned and other charges Closing balance Closing balance
Deferred revenues
Spectrum license fees 15,451 1,898 1,283 16,066 15,451
Other deferred revenues 1,660 3,768 3,641 1,787 1,660
Other deferred revenues—Specified purpose accounts 83 69 88 64 83
Total 17,194 5,735 5,012 17,917 17,194
Table 9 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 5 (unaudited) of this volume.

The majority of deferred revenues result from auctions of radio frequency licenses. Auction amounts are paid immediately in full and are recognized as revenue typically over a 20-year period (10-year period for some older auctions) for licenses arising from spectrum auctions.

6. Expenses

The government has three major types of expenses: transfer payments, other expenses and public debt charges.

Transfer payments are monetary payments, or transfers of goods, services, or assets to third parties. These transfers do not result in the acquisition by the government of any goods, services, or assets.

Other expenses include personnel, professional and special services, repair and maintenance, utilities, materials and supplies, as well as amortization of tangible capital assets. Provisions to reflect changes in the value of assets or liabilities, such as provisions for bad debts, loans, investments and advances and inventory obsolescence, are also included in other expenses. Public sector pension and other employee and veteran future benefit expenses are included in personnel expenses except for net actuarial losses which are presented separately in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit.

Public debt charges include effective interest calculated on market debt including amounts arising on the extinguishment of debt, as well as interest on obligations for public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits.

Significant accounting policies

Transfer payments are recorded as an expense in the year the transfer is authorized and all eligibility criteria have been met by the recipient. Certain transfer payments to individuals have legislated income thresholds where higher income recipients are required to repay a portion of the benefits they received. Overpayments or underpayments identified through post-payment verification are recorded in the year when the existence and amounts have been determined.

Other expenses are generally recorded when goods are received or services are rendered.

Public sector pension and other employee and veteran future benefit expenses are recorded as employees render services using the projected benefit method prorated on service, except for: veteran future benefits and workers’ compensation where benefits are accrued on an event driven basis; and accumulated sick leave entitlements where benefits are recognized using an accrued benefit method. Past service costs or cost reductions related to amendments and curtailments are recorded when amendments and curtailments are approved while past service costs or cost reductions related to settlements are recorded when benefits are paid.

To enhance financial reporting and decision-making for users of the consolidated financial statements, the impacts of re-measurements of public sector pension and other employee and veteran future benefit obligations were isolated as they are often significant and could potentially mask underlying events and trends in current government spending. These amounts are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit line item titled net actuarial losses.

Public debt charges are recorded when incurred. Interest on market debt and the amortization of premium and discounts are recorded in public debt charges using the effective interest rate method. Interest expense related to public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits is calculated on the basis of the average accrued benefit obligations of the various plans and is presented net of the expected return on the average market-related value of pension investments.

Measurement uncertainty

Measurement uncertainties that impact certain expenses are described in the following consolidated financial statement notes: Provision for contingent liabilities (Note 9), Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations (Note 10), Public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits (Note 12), Taxes receivable (Note 16), Other accounts receivable (Note 17), Other loans, investments and advances (Note 20), and Tangible capital assets and inventories (Note 21).

Expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit include:

(a) Major transfer payments to other levels of government

Major transfer payments to other levels of government include the Canada Health Transfer, the Canada Social Transfer, the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care and fiscal arrangements pursuant to the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act. Other major transfers include contributions under the federal Canada Community-Building Fund program, and the Home Care and Mental Health Transfer.

Table 10:Major transfer payments to other levels of government
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Canada Health Transfer 52,070 49,431
Canada Social Transfer 16,909 16,417
Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care 6,639 5,612
Fiscal arrangements 22,915 21,738
Other major transfers 6,568 6,975
Total major transfer payments to other levels of government 105,101 100,173
Table 10 notes

General notes:

(b) Employment insurance and support measures

Pursuant to the Employment Insurance Act, employment insurance includes unemployment and self-employed benefits and support measures paid to/for individuals of $23,133 million ($21,141 million in 2024) and payments to provinces and territories related to Labour Market Development Agreements of $1,947 million ($2,374 million in 2024). The Employment Insurance Act was amended to authorize the emergency response benefit payments, as part of the Government's Economic Response Plan. As at March 31, 2025, benefit overpayments to be recovered of $200 million ($385 million in 2024) related to the Employment Insurance Emergency Response Benefit (EI-ERB) were recorded. Refer to Note 6(c) for information on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

(c) COVID-19 income support for workers

The government provided financial support to workers during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (ended on October 3, 2020), the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (ended on May 7, 2022) and the Canada Recovery Benefits. The Canada Recovery Benefits included three temporary recovery benefits starting September 27, 2020: the Canada Recovery Benefit (ended on October 23, 2021), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (ended on May 7, 2022), and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (ended on May 7, 2022). Post-payment verification activities commenced shortly after payment issuance and were primarily completed by March 31, 2025.

Details of COVID-19 income support provided to workers and the related benefit overpayments to be recovered are as follows:

Table 11:Details of COVID-19 income support provided to workers Links to footnote * in Table 11
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Canada Emergency Response Benefit—overpayments (negative 942) (negative 3,019)
Canada Recovery Benefits 2 5
Canada Recovery Benefits—overpayments (negative 1,205) (negative 1,818)
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit 1
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit—overpayments (negative 24) (negative 7)
Total COVID-19 income support for workers (negative 2,169) (negative 4,838)
Table 11 notes
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 11

(d) Pollution pricing proceeds returned

All the direct proceeds from the federal carbon pollution pricing system were returned in the province and territory where they were collected. For the year ended March 31, 2025, these expenses for proceeds returned include $12,719 million ($9,648 million in 2024) in Canada Carbon Rebate payments for individuals and the new Canada Carbon Rebate payments for small businesses of $2,569 million.

(e) Other transfer payments

Other transfer payments totalling $107,140 million ($95,951 million in 2024), include various amounts paid or payable through federal programs to stabilize market prices for commodities, develop new technologies, conduct research, provide international development assistance, support health care and infrastructure of First Nations and Inuit communities, support social housing and families and promote educational and cultural activities. Also included are expenses of other consolidated entities and other miscellaneous payments. The various types of transfer payments are being delivered by departments according to their departmental legislative mandates.

As COVID-19 support measures ended, related transfer payment expenses in 2025 include:

Details can be found in Table 3.6 of Section 3 (unaudited) of this volume.

(f)  Public debt charges

Table 12:Public Debt Charges
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Public debt charges related to unmatured debt and cross-currency swaps
Interest on market debt 41,864 36,247
Net interest on cross-currency swaps 321 183
Interest on capital lease obligations 143 151
Interest on obligations under public-private partnerships 127 129
Total 42,455 36,710
Interest expense related to pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits 9,623 9,139
Other liabilities 1,332 1,424
Total public debt charges 53,410 47,273
Table 12 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 3 (unaudited) of this volume.

(g) Total expenses by segment

The government has defined segments as Ministries which groups the activities of departments, agencies and consolidated Crown corporations and other entities for which a Minister is responsible to Parliament. Additional segmented information is provided in Note 24. The following table presents the total expenses by segment after the elimination of internal transactions:

Table 13:Total expenses by segment
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Ministries
Agriculture and Agri-Food 3,953 5,424
Canadian HeritageLinks to footnote 1 in Table 13Links to footnote 2 in Table 13 7,386 6,797
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs 12,612 20,864
Democratic InstitutionsLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 304 253
Employment and Workforce Development 130,264 124,372
Energy and Natural Resources 6,694 4,816
Environment and Climate ChangeLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 3,102 2,396
Finance 147,112 135,130
Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard 3,699 3,654
Global AffairsLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 9,452 8,269
Health 14,055 14,645
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities 14,088 13,654
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 7,326 6,802
Indigenous ServicesLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 26,737 23,824
Innovation, Science and IndustryLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 11,876 11,733
Justice 2,782 2,443
National Defence 36,026 33,063
National Revenue 69,371 59,914
Office of the Governor General's Secretary 29 26
ParliamentLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 954 932
Privy CouncilLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 414 414
Public SafetyLinks to footnote 2 in Table 13 18,452 18,519
Public Services and Procurement 7,029 6,884
Transport 6,006 5,356
Treasury Board 11,748 4,956
Veterans Affairs 546 532
Provision for valuation and other items (negative 8,738) (negative 1,736)
Total expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 543,279 513,936
Net actuarial lossesLinks to footnote 3 in Table 13 4,020 7,489
Total expenses 547,299 521,425
Table 13 notes

General notes:

  • Details providing total expenses by segment and type can be found in Section 3 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note 1

As of March 14, 2025, the appropriate Minister for Parks Canada Agency and the Department for Women and Gender Equality is the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Parks Canada and Women, Gender Equality and Youth are reported as a separate ministry from Canadian Heritage in all other sections of the Public Accounts of Canada.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 13

Table note 2

Comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 13

Table note 3

Allocation by segment provided in Note 24.

Return to table note 3 referrer in Table 13

(h) Expenses by object

The following table presents the total expenses by main objects of expense:

Table 14:Total expenses by main objects of expense
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Transfer payments 359,415 326,649
Other expenses, excluding net actuarial losses
Personnel, excluding net actuarial losses 76,283 71,902
Transportation and communications 2,908 3,379
Information 565 473
Professional and special services 19,598 17,776
Rentals 4,156 4,029
Repairs and maintenance 4,284 4,257
Utilities, materials and supplies 4,464 6,468
Other subsidies and expenses 12,098 26,039
Amortization of tangible capital assets 6,044 5,633
Net loss on disposal of assets 54 58
Total other expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 130,454 140,014
Total program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 489,869 466,663
Public debt charges 53,410 47,273
Total expenses, excluding net actuarial losses 543,279 513,936
Net actuarial losses 4,020 7,489
Total expenses 547,299 521,425
Table 14 notes

General notes:

  • Details reconciling objects of expense to objects of expenditure can be found in Section 3 (unaudited) of this volume and details on ministerial expenditures by object can be found in Section 1 (unaudited) of Volume II of the Public Accounts of Canada.

7. Accumulated deficit

The accumulated deficit comprises accumulated operating deficit and accumulated remeasurement gains and losses.

Accumulated operating deficit

The accumulated operating deficit is equal to the net liabilities of the government less any accumulated remeasurement gains and losses. The government includes in its revenues and expenses certain accounts established for specified purposes. Legislation requires that revenues received for purposes specified in the legislation be credited to these accounts and that related payments be charged to these accounts. Any deficiency of revenues over payments must be met through future revenues or transfers credited to these accounts. The following table shows the balance of these consolidated accounts included in the accumulated operating deficit:

Table 15:Accumulated Deficit
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Accumulated operating deficit, excluding consolidated specified purpose accounts (negative 1,269,377) (negative 1,228,654)
Consolidated specified purpose accounts
Employment Insurance Operating Account (negative 14,250) (negative 18,437)
Other insurance accounts 928 722
Other consolidated accounts 857 875
Accumulated operating deficit (negative 1,281,842) (negative 1,245,494)

Accumulated remeasurement gains and losses

Remeasurement gains and losses are revenues and expenses recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Remeasurement Gains and Losses arising when financial instruments in the fair value category are remeasured. When a financial instrument is derecognized, previously reported remeasurement gains or losses are reclassified to the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit. Other comprehensive income or loss of enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises is also reported in accumulated remeasurement gains and losses.

8. Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities mainly consist of amounts owed to suppliers and employees that have been invoiced or accrued.

Significant accounting policies

Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities are recognized when the government becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial liability and are measured at the cost to settle the obligation given they are either short-term in nature or payable on demand.

Measurement uncertainty

There are no significant measurement uncertainties related to other accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities include:

Table 16:Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Accounts payable 48,532 54,689
Accrued salaries and benefits 6,855 6,872
Matured debt 626 666
Notes payable to international organizationsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 16 310 91
Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Tax Agreements Account 11,049 16,533
Other 1,020 1,043
Total other accounts payable and accrued liabilities 68,392 79,894
Table 16 notes
Table note 1

Notes payable to international organizations are denominated in US dollars and translated into Canadian dollars as at March 31.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 16

9. Provision for contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities arise in the normal course of operations and their ultimate disposition is unknown. Contingent liabilities are potential liabilities which may become actual liabilities when one or more future events not wholly within the government’s control occur or fail to occur.

Significant accounting policies

For claims, if the future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, a provision is accrued and an expense recorded. If the likelihood is not determinable or likely but an amount cannot be reasonably estimated, the contingency is disclosed.

For guarantees, an allowance is recorded when it is determined that a loss is likely and the amount of the allowance can be estimated. The allowance is reviewed on an ongoing basis and changes in the allowance are recorded as other expenses in the year they become known.

Measurement uncertainty

Contingent liabilities are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the use of estimates relating to both the outcome of the future event as well as the value of the potential loss. The estimate of the provision for claims is continuously reviewed and refined considering several factors, including ongoing negotiations, settlements or agreements and decisions made by the courts and administrative tribunals. Rulings by the judiciary that contain elements applicable to other claims filed against Canada could also result in significant changes to the contingent liability recorded.

For guarantees, the estimate considers the nature of the guarantee, loss experience, assessments of individual companies, particular fields or markets as well as the broader Canadian and global economies which can result in changes to the contingent liability recorded.

The following table presents the different components of the provision for contingent liabilities:

Table 17:Contingent liabilities
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Claims
Pending and threatened litigation and other claims 16,142 19,725
Specific claims 27,781 26,336
Comprehensive land claims 10,348 9,957
Provision for guarantees provided by the government 450 570
Total provision recorded 54,721 56,588

(a) Claims

Where the government has assessed a claim as likely and measurable, an estimated provision is determined using relevant historical experience, facts and circumstances. In situations where the estimate of loss is based on a range of amounts, the amount accrued within the range is management’s best estimate of the potential loss which may be at an amount lesser than the maximum of the range. Significant exposure to a liability could exist in excess of what has been accrued.

The government has claims for which the outcome is likely to result in a liability, but management cannot reasonably measure the amount at the financial statement date. These claims are continually reassessed as they progress through the legal process. Until more information becomes available which would allow for a reasonable estimate of the liability or the extent, no amount is accrued or disclosed.

Claims for which the outcome is not determinable and for which an amount has not been accrued are estimated at $3,652 million ($3,314 million in 2024). The resolution of these claims may result in a liability, if any, that differs from the estimated amount.

Pending and threatened litigation and other claims

There are thousands of pending and threatened litigation cases as well as claims outstanding against the government. These claims include items with pleading amounts and items where an amount is not specified. While the total amount claimed in these actions is significant, their outcomes are not known in all cases. As a result, provisions that are recorded are based on management’s best estimate of the potential loss.

Specific claims

Specific claims deal with the past grievances of First Nations related to Canada's obligations under historic treaties or the way it managed First Nations' funds or other assets. The past grievances may be proceeding via the legal system or via the specific claims program. The Government of Canada will pursue a settlement agreement with the First Nation when a claim demonstrates an outstanding lawful obligation. There are currently 828 (747 in 2024) specific claims under negotiation, accepted for negotiation or under review. A liability is estimated and recorded for claims that have progressed to a point where quantification is possible. This estimate also includes projections based on historical rates and costs of settlement for similar claims and includes an estimate for claims which have been filed but not yet assessed.

Comprehensive land claims

Comprehensive land claims arise in areas of the country where Indigenous rights and title have not been resolved by treaty or by other legal means. There are currently 103 (104 in 2024) comprehensive land claims under negotiation, accepted for negotiation or under review. A liability is estimated and recorded for claims that have progressed to a point where quantification is possible. This estimate also includes projections based on historical rates and costs of settlement for similar claims.

(b) Guarantees provided by the government

Guarantees provided by the government include guarantees on the borrowings of enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises, loan guarantees, insurance programs managed by the government or agent enterprise Crown corporations, and other explicit guarantees. At March 31, guarantees provided by the government include:

Table 18:Guarantees provided by the government
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Principal amount outstanding Principal amount outstanding
Guarantees with an authorized limit (2025 limit: $382,347; 2024 limit: $409,628) 293,264 299,789
Guarantees with no authorized limit (including borrowings of agent enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises) 311,934 319,212
Total 605,198 619,001
Less: provision for guarantees 450 570
Net exposure under guarantees 604,748 618,431
Borrowings held by the Government of Canada
Guarantees with no authorized limit – Canada Mortgage BondsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 18 36,557 7,580
Table 18 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 11 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note 1

Canada Mortgage Bonds (CMBs) are guaranteed coupon paying bonds purchased by the Department of Finance Canada. The bonds are sold globally to investors and the proceeds are used to purchase insured eligible residential loans. Additional details on these bonds are included in Note 19 and Section 9 (unaudited) of this volume.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 18

The authorized limit represents the aggregate total of various types of authorities of government bodies as stipulated in legislation, legal agreements or other documents that may be in force at any one time. The principal amount outstanding represents the total amount of guarantees provided as at the end of the fiscal year.

(c) Other

Assessed taxes under appeal

Contingent liabilities include previously assessed federal taxes where amounts are being appealed to the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, or the Supreme Court of Canada. As of March 31, 2025, an amount of $7,796 million ($7,354 million in 2024) was being appealed to the courts, for which the likelihood of an adverse outcome was not determinable or for which an amount could not be reasonably estimated. The government has recorded, in the amounts payable related to tax or in reduction of the amounts receivable from taxpayers, as applicable, the estimated amount of appeals that are considered likely to be lost and that can be reasonably estimated.

International organizations

The government has callable share capital whereby certain international organizations have the ability to require payments. As at March 31, 2025, the callable share capital amounts to $43,557 million ($40,949 million in 2024). No amounts (nil in 2024) have been requested by international organizations or paid by the government in the year related to the callable share capital.

Insurance programs of agent enterprise Crown corporations

Four agent enterprise Crown corporations operate insurance programs for the government. In the event that the corporations have insufficient funds, the government will have to provide financing. The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation operates the Deposit Insurance Fund which provides basic protection coverage to depositors for up to $100,000 of eligible deposits with each member bank, trust or loan company; the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation operates the Mortgage Insurance Fund which provides insurance for mortgage lending on Canadian housing by private institutions and the Mortgage-Backed Securities Guarantee Fund which guarantees the timely payment of the principal and interest for investors of securities based on the National Housing Act through the Mortgage-Backed Securities program and the bonds issued by the Canada Housing Trust through the Canada Mortgage Bond program, of which the government purchased $36,557 million (including accrued interest) during the year ($7,580 million in 2024) - refer to Other Investments in Note 19(a); Export Development Canada provides export and foreign investment insurance to help with export trade; and Farm Credit Canada sells group creditor life and accident insurance to its customers through a program administered by a major insurance provider and Farm Credit Canada’s risk of the insurance program is limited.

At March 31, 2025, total insurance in force amounts to $2,288,032 million ($2,165,120 million in 2024). The government expects that all four corporations will cover the cost of both current claims and possible future claims.

10. Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations

Environmental liabilities represent the amount required to remediate contaminated sites to current minimum environmental standards.

Asset retirement obligations represent the estimated amount required to retire for legally obligated costs for the asset retirement activities of tangible capital assets.

Significant accounting policies

An environmental liability for the remediation of contaminated sites is recognized when all of the following criteria are satisfied: an environmental standard exists, contamination exceeds the environmental standard, the government is directly responsible or accepts responsibility, it is expected that future economic benefits will be given up and a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made. The liability reflects management’s best estimate of the amount required to remediate the sites to the current minimum environmental standard for its use prior to contamination.

A liability for unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) affected legacy sites is recognized when there is an appropriate basis for measurement and a reasonable estimate can be made. These liabilities are present obligations arising from past transactions or events, the settlement of which is expected to result in the future sacrifice of economic benefits.

An asset retirement obligation is recognized when all of the following criteria are satisfied: there is a legal obligation to incur retirement costs in relation to a tangible capital asset controlled by the government; the past event or transaction giving rise to the retirement liability has occurred; it is expected that the government will give up future economic benefits to retire the asset; and, a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made. The estimated amount to retire an asset is normally capitalized to the related tangible capital asset and amortized over the estimated remaining useful life. An asset retirement obligation may arise in connection with a tangible capital asset that is not recognized or no longer in productive use. In this case, the asset retirement cost would be expensed. The measurement of the liability is the government’s best estimate of the amount required to retire a tangible capital asset at the financial statement date.

When the future cash flows required to settle or otherwise extinguish a liability are estimable, predictable and expected to occur over extended future periods, a present value technique is used. The discount rate used reflects the government’s cost of borrowing, associated with the estimated number of years to complete the retirement or remediation.

The recorded liabilities are adjusted each year, as required, for the passage of time as an accretion expense, present value adjustments, inflation, new obligations, and changes in management estimates and actual costs incurred.

Measurement uncertainty

Environmental liabilities are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the evolving technologies used in remediation activities of contaminated sites, the use of discounted present value of future estimated costs, inflation and the fact that not all sites have had a complete assessment of the extent and nature of remediation costs. Changes to underlying assumptions, the timing of the expenditures, the technology employed, the revisions to environmental standards or changes in regulatory requirements could result in significant changes to the liabilities recorded.

Asset retirement obligations are also subject to measurement uncertainty, as asset retirement costs are typically based on long term estimates. These estimates rely on assumptions about the timing and cost of future retirement activities, the use of discounted present value of future estimated costs and inflation. The government utilizes various techniques, including models, historical cost analysis and expert opinions to make these estimates. Changes in these techniques or assumptions could result in a significant impact to the liabilities recorded.

The government’s ongoing efforts to assess contaminated sites, UXO affected sites, and asset retirement obligations may result in additional liabilities.

Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations include:

Table 19:Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Remediation liability for contaminated sites 10,299 10,037
Other environmental liabilities 121 120
Asset retirement obligations 13,485 12,486
Total environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations 23,905 22,643

(a) Remediation of contaminated sites

The government’s “Federal Approach to Contaminated Sites” sets out a framework for management of contaminated sites using a risk-based approach. Under this approach the government has inventoried the contaminated sites identified on federal lands or on lands where the government has assumed responsibility for the clean-up, allowing them to be classified, managed and recorded in a consistent manner. This systematic approach aids in the identification of the high risk sites in order to allocate limited resources to those sites which pose the highest risk to human health and the environment.

The government has identified 5,365 sites (5,939 sites in 2024) where contamination may exist and assessment, remediation and monitoring may be required. Of these, the government has identified 2,194 sites (2,314 sites in 2024), where action is required and for which a liability of $10,027 million ($9,762 million in 2024) has been recorded. This liability estimate has been determined based on site assessments performed by environmental experts. In addition, a statistical model based upon a projection of the number of sites that will proceed to remediation and upon which current and historical costs are applied is used to estimate the liability for a group of unassessed sites. This group includes 2,410 unassessed sites (2,709 sites in 2024), of which 1,125 sites (1,264 sites in 2024) are projected to proceed to remediation and for which an estimated liability of $272 million ($275 million in 2024) has been recorded. These two estimates combined, totalling $10,299 million ($10,037 million in 2024), represents management's best estimate of the costs required to remediate sites to the current minimum environmental standard for its use prior to contamination, based on information available on March 31. For the remaining 761 sites (916 sites in 2024), no liability for remediation has been recognized. Some of these sites are at various stages of testing and evaluation and, if remediation is required, liabilities will be reported as soon as a reasonable estimate can be determined. For other sites, the government does not expect to give up any future economic benefits (there is likely no significant environmental impact or human health threats). These sites will be re-examined and a liability for remediation will be recognized if future economic benefits will be given up.

When the liability estimate is based on a future cash requirement, the amount is adjusted for inflation using a forecast CPI rate of 2.0% (2.0% in 2024). Inflation is included in the undiscounted amount. The Government of Canada's cost of borrowing by reference to the actual zero-coupon yield curve for Government of Canada bonds has been used to discount the estimated future expenditures. March 2025 discount rates range from 2.50% (4.53% in 2024) for a 1-year term to 3.27% (3.29% in 2024) for a 30 or greater year term.

Table 20:Remediation of contaminated sites
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Total number of sites Number of sites with a liability Estimated liability Estimated total undiscounted expenditures Total number of sites Number of sites with a liability Estimated liability Estimated total undiscounted expenditures
Former mineral exploration sitesLinks to footnote 1 in Table 20 128 104 6,385 9,821 129 104 6,129 9,945
Radioactive materialLinks to footnote 2 in Table 20 7 6 1,008 1,106 7 6 1,177 1,336
Military and former military sitesLinks to footnote 3 in Table 20 380 197 686 788 409 203 615 735
Fuel related practicesLinks to footnote 4 in Table 20 1,463 929 538 564 1,684 1,031 442 477
Marine facilities/aquatic sitesLinks to footnote 5 in Table 20 1,508 1,018 728 808 1,682 1,085 707 821
Landfill/waste sitesLinks to footnote 6 in Table 20 959 514 379 408 1,084 579 372 409
OtherLinks to footnote 7 in Table 20 920 551 575 612 944 570 595 648
Total 5,365 3,319 10,299 14,107 5,939 3,578 10,037 14,371
Table 20 notes
Table note 1

Contamination associated with former mine activities, e.g. heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, etc. Sites often have multiple sources of contamination.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 20

Table note 2

Contamination associated with former nuclear operations, e.g. low-level radioactive waste, radioactive isotopes.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 20

Table note 3

Contamination associated with the operations of military and former military sites where activities such as fuel handling and storage activities, waste sites, metals/PCB-based paint used on buildings resulted in former or accidental contamination, e.g. petroleum hydrocarbons, PCBs, heavy metals. Sites often have multiple sources of contamination.

Return to table note 3 referrer in Table 20

Table note 4

Contamination primarily associated with fuel storage and handling, e.g., accidental spills related to fuel storage tanks or former fuel handling practices, e.g. petroleum hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes).

Return to table note 4 referrer in Table 20

Table note 5

Contamination associated with the operations of marine assets, e.g., port facilities, harbours, navigation systems, light stations, hydrometric stations, where activities such as fuel storage/handling, use of metal based paint on light stations resulted in former or accidental contamination, e.g. metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and other organic contaminants. Sites often have multiple sources of contamination.

Return to table note 5 referrer in Table 20

Table note 6

Contamination associated with former landfill/waste site or leaching from materials deposited in the landfill/waste site, e.g. metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, BTEX, other organic contaminants, etc.

Return to table note 6 referrer in Table 20

Table note 7

Contamination from other sources, e.g. use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers at agricultural sites; use of PCBs, firefighting training areas, firing ranges and training facilities, the operations of assets such as airports, railways and roads where activities such as, fuel storage/handling, waste sites, and chemical storage areas resulted in former or accidental contamination, e.g. metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, BTEX and other organic contaminants.

Return to table note 7 referrer in Table 20

Also, during the year, 768 sites (588 sites in 2024) were closed as they were either remediated or assessed to confirm that they no longer meet all the criteria required to record a liability for contaminated sites. Estimated recoveries related to environmental liabilities amounted to $27 million as at year end ($27 million in 2024) and are reported as other accounts receivable.

(b) Other environmental liabilities

The government has identified approximately 481 unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) suspected sites (512 in 2024) for which clearance action may be necessary. Of these sites, 38 (37 in 2024) are confirmed UXO affected sites. Based on management's best estimates, a liability of $121 million ($120 million in 2024) has been recorded for clearance action on 8 of the confirmed UXO sites (8 in 2024). Following a risk assessment and review, 16 suspected sites (35 in 2024) were closed. The remaining 457 suspected sites (469 in 2024) are currently either still in the assessment phase or assessment has been completed, but a decision has not yet been made regarding risk mitigation or site closure. Of these sites, the obligation for clearance action is indeterminable for 54 (51 in 2024) and unlikely for the 403 remaining (418 in 2024).

(c) Asset retirement obligations

The government has recorded asset retirement obligations for the removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials in buildings, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, demilitarization or disarmament and other asset retirement obligations.

The changes in the asset retirement obligations during the year are as follows:

Table 21:Asset retirement obligationsLinks to footnote * in Table 21
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Asbestos and other hazardous material Decommissioning of nuclear facilities Demilitarization or disarmament Others Total Asbestos and other hazardous material Decommissioning of nuclear facilities Demilitarization or disarmament Others Total
Opening balance 2,483 8,671 759 573 12,486 2,641 8,723 780 736 12,880
Liabilities incurred 9 45 3 57 24 50 10 84
Liabilities settled (negative 17) (negative 597) (negative 15) (negative 629) (negative 27) (negative 595) (negative 2) (negative 624)
Revisions in estimate 81 1,112 59 (negative 92) 1,160 (negative 233) 276 (negative 106) (negative 191) (negative 254)
Accretion expenseLinks to footnote 1 in Table 21 80 285 25 21 411 78 267 35 20 400
Closing balance 2,636 9,471 888 490 13,485 2,483 8,671 759 573 12,486
Table 21 notes
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 21

Table note 1

Accretion expense is the increase in the carrying amount of an asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 21

The undiscounted future expenditures, adjusted for inflation, for the planned projects comprising the liability are $24,822 million ($24,067 million at March 31, 2024). Estimated recoveries related to asset retirement obligations amounted to nil as at year end (nil in 2024).

Key assumptions used in determining the provision are as follows:

Table 22:Key assumptions

  2025 2024
  Asbestos and other hazardous material Decommissioning of nuclear facilities Demilitarization or disarmament Others Asbestos and other hazardous material Decommissioning of nuclear facilities Demilitarization or disarmament Others
Discount rate 1.0% - 4.5% 3.3% 2.0% - 3.0% 1.0% - 4.5% 3.3% - 4.5% 3.3% 3.3% - 4.5% 3.3% - 4.5%
Time period over which the undiscounted expenditures are to be incurred 1-50 years 160 years 3-39 years 1-68 years 1-58 years 161 years 1-40 years 1-69 years
Long-term rate of inflation 2.0% - 2.3% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

(d) Sensitivity analysis

Changes in assumptions can result in significantly higher or lower estimates of the environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations. The table below illustrates the possible impact of a 1% change in the principal assumptions.

Table 23:Sensitivity analysis
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Environmental liabilities Asset retirement obligations Environmental liabilities Asset retirement obligations
Possible impact due to:
Increase of 1% in discount rates (negative 645) (negative 1,891) (negative 642) (negative 1,737)
Decrease of 1% in discount rates 832 2,488 830 2,298
Increase of 1% in rate of inflation 776 2,333 781 2,145
Decrease of 1% in rate of inflation (negative 608) (negative 1,835) (negative 611) (negative 1,681)

11. Unmatured debt

Unmatured debt consists of market debt, capital lease obligations and the obligation under public-private partnerships.

Significant accounting policies

Market debt is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position when the government becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument and is measured at amortized cost. At initial recognition, amortized cost is calculated by taking into account transaction costs, including debt issuance costs, and any discount or premium arising on issuance of the debt when the face value of the instrument issued differs from the proceeds received. Subsequently, the effective interest method is applied to determine the amortized cost of the instrument and allocate the unamortized portion and interest to public debt charges over the term to maturity of the instrument, or a shorter period when appropriate. Unmatured debt is derecognized when the obligation is legally discharged or otherwise extinguished.

When a marketable bond is exchanged or repurchased, and the transaction results in an extinguishment of the debt, the difference between the carrying amount of the debt instrument and the net consideration paid is recognized as a gain or loss in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit, and the debt instrument is derecognized. An extinguishment occurs on the repurchase of bonds. The government's holdings of its own securities, if any, are offset against market debt until they are legally cancelled to report unmatured debt owed to external parties.

Capital lease obligations are the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments under capital lease agreements.

Obligations under public-private partnerships (P3s) are the financial liabilities resulting from the government's agreements with private sector partners to design, build, acquire or better certain tangible capital assets. These liabilities are initially measured at the same amount as the portion of the infrastructure asset being financed and reduced for any consideration previously provided to the private sector partner. The government subsequently measures obligations under P3s at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The implicit contract rate is used to recognize interest expense.

Measurement uncertainty

There are no significant measurement uncertainties related to unmatured debt.

Unmatured debt includes:

Table 24:Unmatured debt
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Market debt
Payable in Canadian currency 1,451,649 1,350,669
Payable in foreign currencies 29,557 21,246
Total 1,481,206 1,371,915
Obligation related to capital leases 2,188 2,366
Obligation under public-private partnerships 2,493 2,541
Total unmatured debt 1,485,887 1,376,822
Table 24 notes

General notes:

  • Accrued interest payable of $8,315 million ($7,033 million in 2024) is included in market debt.

(a) Market debt

The following table presents the future principal repayments at the contractual maturity date of debt issues, interest rates by currency and type of instrument and the weighted average annual interest rates as at March 31, 2025:

Table 25:Market DebtLinks to footnote * in Table 25
(in millions of dollars)

Maturing year Marketable bonds Treasury bills Canada bills Total
CAD USD CAD USD
2026 186,373 5,035 285,200 4,210 480,818
2027 169,064 5,035 174,099
2028 66,361 66,361
2029 60,500 5,754 66,254
2030 90,899 9,349 100,248
2031 and subsequent 589,848 589,848
Subtotal 1,163,045 25,173 285,200 4,210 1,477,628
Less: Government holdings of unmatured debt and consolidation adjustmentsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 25 (negative 137) 260 123
Total future principal repayments at contractual maturity 1,163,182 25,173 284,940 4,210 1,477,505
Less: Adjustment to amortized costLinks to footnote 2 in Table 25 6,215 191 (negative 2,688) (negative 17) 3,701
Total market debt 1,169,397 25,364 282,252 4,193 1,481,206
Nature of interest rateLinks to footnote 3 in Table 25 FixedLinks to footnote 4 in Table 25 Fixed Variable Variable  
Weighted average annual interest rates 2.63 3.31 3.24 4.29  
Range of interest rates 0.43 - 9.05 0.86 - 4.80 2.60 - 4.18 4.03 - 4.58  
Table 25 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.
  • A blank cell means there is no available data.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 25

Table note 1

Includes $281 million of securities held by consolidated Crown corporations and other entities and $158 million of borrowings by consolidated agent Crown corporations.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 25

Table note 2

The adjustment to amortized cost represents the difference between the carrying amount of debt measured at amortized cost and the principal payable at maturity. The carrying amount for unmatured debt includes accrued interest and unamortized discounts and premiums.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 25

Table note 3

Debt with terms to maturity of less than one year is considered to have a variable interest rate. For marketable bonds and foreign currency notes, some of the fixed interest rates were converted into variable interest rates through swap agreements.

Return to table note 3 referrer in Table 25

Table note 4

Includes real return bonds which have a variable component based on the consumer price index. The above table does not include future fluctuations associated with the variable component of the real return bond portfolio.

Return to table note 4 referrer in Table 25

(b) Obligation related to capital leases

The net obligation related to capital leases as at March 31, 2025, is $2,188 million ($2,366 million in 2024). Interest on this obligation of $143 million ($151 million in 2024) is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit as part of public debt charges. At March 31, 2025 future minimum lease payments are summarized as follows:

Table 26:Obligation related to capital leases
(in millions of dollars)

  Amount
2026 366
2027 345
2028 341
2029 312
2030 299
2031 and subsequent 1,320
Total minimum lease payments 2,983
Less: imputed interest at the average discount rate of 4.78% 795
Obligation related to capital leases 2,188
Table 26 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.

A significant number of leases have a duration from inception that falls within the range of 10 to 25 years.

(c) Obligation under public-private partnerships

Under the government's P3 arrangements, private sector partners provide financing for the tangible capital assets built, acquired, or bettered. The financing can be partial or complete, depending on the arrangement. The obligations under P3s represent financial liabilities to the private sector partners for the tangible capital asset component of the P3s. The financial liability related to P3s is $2,493 million as at March 31, 2025 ($2,541 million in 2024). Interest on this obligation of $127 million ($129 million in 2024) is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit as part of public debt charges and $17 million ($17 million in 2024) is capitalized as tangible capital assets. Repayment periods range between 25 and 35 years following the assets being ready for use. At March 31, 2025, the future minimum payments for the obligation under public-private partnerships are summarized as follows:

Table 27:Obligation under public-private partnerships
(in millions of dollars)

  Amount
2026 193
2027 193
2028 193
2029 193
2030 193
2031 and subsequent 3,368
Total minimum payments for public-private partnerships 4,333
Less: imputed interest at the average discount rate of 5.67% 1,840
Obligation under public-private partnerships 2,493
Table 27 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.

12. Public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits

The accrued benefit obligations in respect of public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits are presented net of pension assets, unrecognized net actuarial gains or losses and valuation allowance, as well as contributions and benefits paid by some of the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities after their measurement date of December 31 up to March 31, in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Significant accounting policies

Public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits are measured on an actuarial basis. The actuarial valuations estimate the current value of benefits earned and use various actuarial assumptions in the process. When actual experience of the plans varies from estimates or when actuarial assumptions change, actuarial gains or losses arise. Actuarial gains and losses are not recognized immediately but rather over the expected average remaining service life (EARSL) of the employees, which varies across plans, or the average remaining life expectancy (ARLE) of the benefit recipients under wartime veteran plans. Recognition commences in the year following the determination of the actuarial gains and losses. In addition, an unrecognized net actuarial loss is recognized immediately upon plan amendment, up to a maximum of the related decrease in the accrued benefit obligation; similarly, an unrecognized net actuarial gain is recognized immediately, up to a maximum of the related increase in the accrued benefit obligation. The unrecognized net actuarial loss or gain, relating to the obligation that is curtailed or settled, is recognized immediately upon a plan curtailment or settlement.

Pension plan and other future benefit assets are mostly comprised of investments held by the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSPIB), which are valued at market-related value. Under this valuation methodology, the expected return on investments is recorded immediately while the difference between the expected and the actual return on investments is recorded over a five-year period through actuarial gains and losses. The market-related value of investments is adjusted, if necessary, to ensure that it does not fall outside a limit of plus or minus 10% of the market value of investments at year end; any amount outside this limit is recorded immediately through actuarial gains and losses.

Contributions receivable from employees for past service buyback elections are discounted to approximate their fair value.

Measurement uncertainty

As the accrued benefit obligations for public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits are actuarially determined, the actual experience may differ significantly from the assumptions used in the calculation of the accrued benefit obligations. The actuarial assumptions used in measuring the accrued benefit obligations are outlined in Section (g) below and a sensitivity analysis showing how the accrued benefit obligations would have been affected by changes in the principal actuarial assumptions is found in Section (h) below.

The economic environment continues to be subject to global uncertainty and heightened geopolitical tensions, which could impact the actuarial assumptions used to measure the present value of the accrued benefit obligations and the market value of the PSPIB's portfolio. The accrued benefit obligations and the investments held by PSPIB, as at March 31, 2025, as well as the return on investments for the year, reflect the impacts resulting from these events to the extent known and estimable at the reporting date.

(a) Overview of benefits

i. Pension benefits

The government sponsors a number of defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all the employees of the federal public service, as well as certain Public Service corporations as defined in the Public Service Superannuation Act, territorial governments, members of the Canadian Forces (including the Reserve Force), members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federally appointed judges and Members of Parliament, including Senators. The public service, Canadian Forces - Regular Force and Royal Canadian Mounted Police pension plans represent the three main public sector pension plans sponsored by the government. In addition, some of the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities maintain their own defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of their employees. In this note, the term “employees” is used in a general manner to apply to plan members of the different groups.

The defined benefit pension plans are designed to provide employees with a retirement income during their lifetime and, in the case of government-sponsored plans, are indexed to inflation. The indexation for Crown corporations and other entities pension plans varies depending on the specific plan. In the event of death, the pension plans also provide an income for a plan member’s eligible survivors and dependants.

Pension benefits generally accrue as follows:

ii. Other future benefits

In addition to pension plans, the government and the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities sponsor different types of future benefit plans, with varying terms and conditions. The benefits are available to employees during or after employment or upon retirement. Other future benefits include disability and associated benefits available to war veterans, current and retired members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, their survivors and dependants, health care and dental benefits available to retired employees and their dependants, accumulated sick leave entitlements, severance benefits and workers’ compensation benefits.

(b) Financing arrangements

The government has a statutory obligation to pay the pension benefits it sponsors. Pursuant to pension legislation, the transactions for funded and unfunded pension benefits are tracked in the pension accounts within the accounts of Canada. The details (unaudited) of the pension accounts can be found in Section 6 of this volume.

i. Funded pension benefits

Pension benefits are generally financed from employee and employer contributions, as well as investment earnings. Pension benefits funded by the government relate to post March 2000 service that falls within the Income Tax Act limits for the three main public sector pension plans and all service for the Canadian Forces—Reserve Force pension plan. An amount equal to contributions less benefit payments and other charges is invested by the PSPIB. Funded pension benefits also relate to consolidated Crown corporations and other entities where pension plans’ assets are held in external trusts that are legally separate from Crown corporations and other entities.

During the year ended March 31, 2025, PSPIB transferred $1,943 million (nil in 2024), from the Public Service Pension Fund to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Government of Canada in order to eliminate a non-permitted surplus in the Public Service Pension Fund (relating to service on or after April 1, 2000), as recommended by the President of the Treasury Board pursuant to subparagraph 44.4(2)(b) of the Public Service Superannuation Act.   

ii. Unfunded pension benefits

For unfunded pension benefits, separate invested funds are not maintained. These relate to all pre April 2000 service, and only to post March 2000 service that falls above the Income Tax Act limits for the three main public sector pension plans, all service periods for the pension plans of the federally appointed judges and Members of Parliament, and some of the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities' pension plans. Employee and employer contributions for unfunded pension benefits sponsored by the government are part of general government funds. Contributions amounted to $6,722 million ($3,590 million in 2024) of which $209 million ($180 million in 2024) represents regular employer contributions, $6,425 million ($3,333 million in 2024) represents special employer contributions, and $88 million ($77 million in 2024) represents employee contributions.

iii. Other future benefits

Other employee and veteran future benefits sponsored by the government and almost all of the other employee future benefits sponsored by the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities are unfunded. The health care and dental plans for retired employees are contributory plans, whereby contributions by retired plan members are made to obtain coverage. These contributions amounted to $545 million ($536 million in 2024). The cost of benefits earned and benefits paid are presented net of these contributions. Additional details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.

(c) Actuarial valuations

i. For funding purposes

Pursuant to the Public Pensions Reporting Act, actuarial valuations of the pension plans sponsored by the government are performed at least every three years to determine the state of the pension plans, as well as to assist in making informed decisions regarding the financing of the government’s pension benefit obligations. The actuarial valuation report in respect of a pension plan must be filed with the Minister responsible for that pension plan within eighteen months of the valuation date. The Minister then has thirty sitting days to present the actuarial valuation to the Parliament. The actuarial assumptions underlying the valuations for funding purposes are based on the actuary’s best estimates.

The most recent triennial actuarial valuations were conducted as at March 31, 2023, for the public service pension plan; as at March 31, 2022, for the Canadian Forces - Regular Force and Reserve Force, the Members of Parliament and the federally appointed judges pension plans; and as at March 31, 2021, for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police pension plan.

Federally regulated private pension plans sponsored by consolidated Crown corporations and other entities are governed by the provisions of the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and are required to adhere to the directives of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. The actuarial valuations are conducted at least every three years, or more often depending on the financial situation of the plan.

ii. For accounting purposes

Actuarial valuations of the public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits are performed every year to measure and report the obligations and to attribute the costs of the benefits to the period. Actuarial valuations are conducted as at March 31, except for some of the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities for which the actuarial valuations are conducted as at December 31. The actuarial valuations are based on the most recent actuarial valuation for funding purposes, as applicable, in regards to the majority of the demographic assumptions. The other assumptions underlying the valuations are based on best estimates of the government or of the management of the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities.

(d) Change to benefits

No plan amendments, curtailments or settlements occurred this year. 

(e) Net future benefit liabilities and assets

The net future benefit liabilities and assets are comprised of different components. The details are as follows:

i. Accrued benefit obligations

The changes in the accrued benefit obligations during the year are as follows:

Table 28:Accrued benefit obligationsLinks to footnote * in Table 28
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Pension benefits Other future benefits Pension benefits Other future benefits
  Funded Unfunded Total Funded Unfunded Total
Accrued benefit obligations at beginning of year 211,333 157,939 369,272 227,911 199,295 167,272 366,567 223,206
Benefits earned 9,149 428 9,577 12,802 8,605 416 9,021 12,036
Interest on average accrued benefit obligations 12,943 5,198 18,141 7,679 12,409 4,943 17,352 6,835
Benefits paid (negative 6,758) (negative 9,873) (negative 16,631) (negative 8,918) (negative 6,135) (negative 9,684) (negative 15,819) (negative 7,548)
Administrative expenses (negative 144) (negative 62) (negative 206) (negative 181) (negative 150) (negative 70) (negative 220) (negative 127)
Net transfers to other plans (negative 322) (negative 24) (negative 346) (negative 293) (negative 24) (negative 317)
Amendment costs (cost reductions)
Actuarial (gains) losses 7,523 6,445 13,968 15,697 (negative 2,398) (negative 4,914) (negative 7,312) (negative 6,491)
Accrued benefit obligations at end of year 233,724 160,051 393,775 254,990 211,333 157,939 369,272 227,911
Table 28 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 28

ii. Pension and other future benefit assets

Pension and other future benefit assets include investments held by the PSPIB and external trusts of consolidated Crown corporations and other entities and contributions receivable from employees for past service buyback elections.

The changes in pension and other future benefit assets during the year are as follows:

Table 29:Pension and other future benefit assetsLinks to footnote * in Table 29
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Funded pension benefits Other future benefits Funded pension benefits Other future benefits
Investments at beginning of year 265,281 241,394
Expected return on average market-related value of investments 16,195 15,048
Contributions
Employees 4,843 4,695
Public Service corporations, territorial governments and Crown corporations and other entities 233 215
Government 4,838 4,805
Benefits paid, transfers and others (negative 7,133) (negative 6,663)
Transfer addressing non-permitted surplus (negative 1,943)
Actuarial gains 11,444 5,787
Investments at end of year 293,758 265,281
Contributions receivable from employees for past service 293 327
Total pension and other future benefit assets at end of year 294,051 265,608
Table 29 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 29

As at March 31, the market value of the investments is $312,539 million ($277,141 million in 2024). The actual return on investments is $34,585 million ($18,512 million in 2024) and the actual net rate of return on investments, calculated on a time-weighted basis, is 12.5 % (7.2% in 2024) for the year.

iii. Net future benefit liabilities and assets

A reconciliation of the accrued benefit obligations to the amounts of net future benefit liabilities and assets follows:

Table 30:Net future benefit liabilities (assets)Links to footnote * in Table 30
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Pension benefits Other future benefits Pension benefits Other future benefits
  Funded Unfunded Total Funded Unfunded Total
Accrued benefit obligations 233,724 160,051 393,775 254,990 211,333 157,939 369,272 227,911
Less: Pension and other future benefit assets 294,051 294,051 265,608 265,608
Subtotal (negative 60,327) 160,051 99,724 254,990 (negative 54,275) 157,939 103,664 227,911
Plus: Unrecognized net actuarial gains (less losses) 33,164 2,695 35,859 (negative 41,321) 32,918 7,415 40,333 (negative 31,560)
Less:
Contributions after measurement date up to March 31
Benefits paid after measurement date up to March 31 2 1
Subtotal (negative 27,163) 162,746 135,583 213,667 (negative 21,357) 165,354 143,997 196,350
Plus: Valuation allowance 1,441 1,441 1,302 1,302
Net future benefit liabilities (assets) (negative 25,722) 162,746 137,024 213,667 (negative 20,055) 165,354 145,299 196,350
The net future benefit liabilities and assets are recognized and presented in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as follows:
Public sector pension liabilitiesLinks to footnote 1 in Table 30 162,746 162,746 165,354 165,354
Other employee and veteran future benefit liabilities 213,667 196,350
Less: Public sector pension assetsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 30 25,722 25,722 20,055 20,055
Net future benefit liabilities (assets) (negative 25,722) 162,746 137,024 213,667 (negative 20,055) 165,354 145,299 196,350
Table 30 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 30

Table note 1

Public sector pension liabilities represent pension plans that are in a net liability position as at March 31, whereas public sector pension assets represent pension plans that are in a net asset position as at March 31.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 30

(f) Benefit and interest expenses

The components of public sector pension and other employee and veteran future benefit expenses are as follows:

Table 31:Benefit and interest expensesLinks to footnote * in Table 31
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Pension benefits Other future benefits Pension benefits Other future benefits
  Funded Unfunded Total Funded Unfunded Total
Benefit expense
Benefits earned, net of employee contributions 4,072 333 4,405 12,802 3,697 333 4,030 12,036
Amendment costs (cost reductions)
Valuation allowance 139 139 (negative 332) (negative 332)
Total benefit expense included in personnel expenses 4,211 333 4,544 12,802 3,365 333 3,698 12,036
Actuarial (gains) losses recognized during the year (negative 3,643) 1,723 (negative 1,920) 5,940 (negative 3,063) 3,348 285 7,205
Total benefit expense 568 2,056 2,624 18,742 302 3,681 3,983 19,241
Interest expense
Interest on average accrued benefit obligations 12,943 5,198 18,141 7,679 12,409 4,943 17,352 6,835
Expected return on average market-related value of investments (negative 16,195) (negative 16,195) (negative 15,048) (negative 15,048)
Total interest expense (negative 3,252) 5,198 1,946 7,679 (negative 2,639) 4,943 2,304 6,835
Table 31 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 31

Net actuarial losses of $4,020 million ($7,489 million in 2024) are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit. The net actuarial losses are comprised of actuarial gains of $3,643 million ($3,063 million in 2024) on funded pension benefits, actuarial losses of $1,723 million ($3,348 million in 2024) on unfunded pension benefits and actuarial losses of $5,940 million ($7,205 million in 2024) on other future benefits.

(g) Actuarial assumptions

The assumptions used in the actuarial valuations for accounting purposes are based on the government’s or the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities management’s best estimates of expected long-term experience and short-term forecasts, as well as the majority of the demographic assumptions underlying the most recent actuarial valuations for funding purposes, as applicable. The assumptions include estimates of discount rates, future inflation, returns on investments, general wage increases, workforce composition, retirement rates and mortality rates.

The discount rates used to measure the present value of the accrued obligations for public sector pensions and other employee and veteran future benefits sponsored by the government are as follows:

The principal actuarial assumptions used in measuring the accrued benefit obligations as at March 31 for government-sponsored benefits, as well as the related benefit and interest expenses for the year, are as follows:

Table 32:Actuarial assumptionsLinks to footnote * in Table 32
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Accrued benefit obligations Benefit and interest expenses Accrued benefit obligations Benefit and interest expenses
Discount rates
Funded pension benefitsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 32 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.2%
Unfunded pension benefitsLinks to footnote 2 in Table 32 3.1% 3.4% 3.4% 3.0%
Other employee and veteran future benefitsLinks to footnote 2 in Table 32 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 3.0%
Expected rate of return on investments 6.1% 6.2%
Long-term rate of inflation 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Long-term general wage increase 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6%
Assumed health care cost trend rates
Initial health care cost trend rate 3.5% 5.5% 5.5% 6.5%
Cost trend rate is expected to stabilize at 4.1% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3%
Year that the rate is expected to stabilize 2039 2039 2039 2039
Table 32 notes
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 32

Table note 1

In regards to funded pension benefits, the streamed discount rates used to measure the accrued benefit obligations are equivalent to the flat discount rates presented in the table; the initial discount rates used to measure the benefit and interest expenses are presented in the table whereas the ultimate discount rates are expected to reach 6.1% by 2035 (6.1% by 2032 in 2024).

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 32

Table note 2

In regards to unfunded pension and other future benefits, the discount rates disclosed in the table reflect weighted average discount rates derived from the computation of the equivalent flat discount rate of each benefit plan. The equivalent flat discount rates are used to measure the costs of benefits earned and the interest expense, as well as any amendments, curtailments or settlements.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 32

The discount rates used to measure the significant classes of pensions and other employee future benefits sponsored by the consolidated Crown corporations and other entities are based on a variety of methodologies. To measure the present value of their accrued benefit obligations, these consolidated Crown corporations and other entities used expected rates of return on invested funds ranging from 5.0% to 6.2% (5.2% to 6.2% in 2024) for the funded pension benefits, discount rates ranging from 3.1% to 4.7% (3.1% to 4.9% in 2024) for the unfunded pension benefits and discount rates ranging from 3.1% to 4.8% (3.1% to 4.9% in 2024) for the other employee future benefits. The long-term general wage increase ranged from 2.5% to 3.5% (2.5% to 4.0% in 2024). The long-term inflation rate has remained consistent at 2.0% (2.0% in 2024).

The expected average remaining service life (EARSL) of the employees represent periods ranging from 4 to 23 years (4 to 23 years in 2024) according to the plan in question; more specifically, from 11 to 15 years (11 to 15 years in 2024) for the three main public sector pension plans. The average remaining life expectancy (ARLE) of the benefit recipients under wartime veteran plans represent periods ranging from 5 to 7 years (5 to 7 years in 2024).

(h) Sensitivity analysis

Changes in assumptions can result in significantly higher or lower estimates of the accrued benefit obligations. The table below illustrates the possible impact of a 1% change in the principal actuarial assumptions.

Table 33:Sensitivity analysisLinks to footnote * in Table 33
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Pension benefits Other future benefits Pension benefits Other future benefits
  Funded Unfunded Funded Unfunded
Possible impact on the accrued benefit obligations due to:
Increase of 1% in discount rates (negative 33,700) (negative 16,400) (negative 40,700) (negative 30,000) (negative 16,000) (negative 35,800)
Decrease of 1% in discount rates 43,600 19,900 53,800 38,600 19,200 48,100
Increase of 1% in rate of inflation 29,400 18,800 46,000 26,700 18,300 43,300
Decrease of 1% in rate of inflation (negative 24,400) (negative 15,900) (negative 34,600) (negative 22,000) (negative 15,600) (negative 31,200)
Increase of 1% in general wage increase 10,900 400 400 8,700 200 300
Decrease of 1% in general wage increase (negative 9,600) (negative 400) (negative 400) (negative 7,500) (negative 400) (negative 300)
Increase of 1% in assumed health care cost trend rates 6,000 6,000
Decrease of 1% in assumed health care cost trend rates (negative 4,500) (negative 4,500)
Table 33 notes
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 33

13. Derivatives

Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is derived from movements in one or more underlying assets, indexes, interest rates, currency exchange rates, or other market-based factors. The government uses derivatives for hedging purposes and in conjunction with its other risk management activities.

Significant accounting policies

Derivatives are measured at fair value and reported as derivative assets or derivative liabilities on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. Unrealized fair value gains and losses arising on derivatives, excluding those relating to changes in foreign exchange rates, are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Remeasurement Gains and Losses. All exchange gains and losses arising on remeasurement or settlement of cross currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts are recognized as part of net foreign exchange revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit. Net interest paid or payable and received or receivable on all swap transactions is recorded as part of public debt charges. When derivatives are derecognized, any cumulative remeasurement gain or loss associated with the derecognized item, is reversed and reclassified to the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit.

Fair values of the swap and foreign exchange forward agreements are the estimated amount that the government would receive or pay, based on market factors, if the agreements were terminated on March 31. They are established by discounting the expected cash flows of the swap and foreign exchange forward agreements, calculated from the contractual or notional principal amounts, using year-end market interest and exchange rates. A positive (negative) fair value indicates that the government would receive (make) a payment if the agreements were terminated on March 31. The government classifies the fair value measurement of cross currency swaps and foreign exchange forward agreements as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Measurement uncertainty

The measurement of cross currency swaps and foreign exchange forward agreements is based on observable inputs for market interest rates and exchange rates and classified at level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Consequently, there are no significant measurement uncertainties related to these derivatives.

The following table presents derivatives at March 31:

Table 34:Fair value of derivative
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Fair value Fair value
Liabilities
Cross-currency swaps 5,398 4,125
Foreign exchange forward agreements and other derivatives 185 6
Total 5,583 4,131
Assets
Cross-currency swaps 1,741 2,872
Foreign exchange forward agreements and other derivatives 11 56
Total 1,752 2,928

(a) Cross-currency swap agreements

The government has entered into individual cross-currency swap contracts with various counterparties to facilitate management of its debt structure. Terms and conditions associated with these outstanding contracts are established using International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreements, which are in place with each counterparty. Cross-currency swaps are used primarily to fund foreign-denominated asset levels in the foreign exchange accounts. Using cross-currency swap agreements, Canadian dollar and other foreign currency debt has been converted into US dollars or other foreign currencies with either fixed interest rates or variable interest rates. As a normal practice, the government’s swap positions are held to maturity. 

The fair value of cross-currency swaps as at March 31, 2025 in terms of maturity date, stated in Canadian dollars, are as follows:

Table 35:Fair value of cross-currency swaps
(in millions of dollars)

  Amount
2026 407
2027 (negative 709)
2028 (negative 209)
2029 (negative 832)
2030 (negative 38)
2031 and subsequent (negative 2,276)
Total (negative 3,657)

(b) Foreign exchange forward agreements

The government’s lending arrangements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), included in the foreign exchange accounts, are denominated in special drawing rights (SDR). However, the government funds some of these loans with US dollars, while other are made directly in SDRs. Consequently, since the value of the SDR is based upon a basket of key international currencies (US dollar, Euro, Japanese yen, British pound sterling and Chinese renminbi), a currency mismatch results, whereby fluctuations in the value of the loan asset are not equally offset by fluctuations in the value of the related funding liability. Therefore, the government enters into forward agreements to hedge this foreign exchange risk.

The notional principal amount of a foreign exchange forward agreement refers to the principal amount used to calculate contractual cash flows. Foreign exchange forward agreements outstanding at March 31, with notional principal amounts in Canadian dollars of $5,239 million ($5,106 million at March 31, 2024), mature during the next fiscal year.

14. Other liabilities

Other liabilities include:

Table 36:Other liabilities
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Canada Pension Plan Accounts 465 159
Others
Government Annuities Account 53 60
Deposit and trust accounts 1,706 2,016
Other specified purpose accounts 4,807 4,728
Subtotal 6,566 6,804
Total other liabilities 7,031 6,963

Table 36 notes

General notes:

  • Details and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Canada Pension Plan can be found in Section 6 (unaudited) of this volume.

(a) Canada Pension Plan Accounts

As explained in Note 1, the financial activities of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) are not included in these consolidated financial statements.

The CPP is a federal/provincial social insurance program established by an Act of Parliament. It is compulsory and in operation in all parts of Canada, except for the Province of Quebec. The objective of the program is to provide a measure of protection to workers and their families against the loss of earnings due to retirement, disability or death. The CPP is financed from employee, employer and self-employed worker contributions, as well as investment earnings. The CPP's investments are held and managed by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). As administrator of the CPP, the government’s authority to provide benefits is limited to the consolidated net assets of the CPP. As at March 31, the fair value of the CPP’s consolidated net assets is $662,288 million ($600,471 million in 2024) for the CPP Account and $59,903 million ($39,742 million in 2024) for the Additional CPP Account.

Pursuant to the Canada Pension Plan Act, the transactions of the CPP are recorded in the Canada Pension Plan Accounts (the Accounts) within the accounts of Canada. The Accounts also record the amounts transferred to or received from the CPPIB. The $465 million ($159 million in 2024) balance in the Accounts represents the CPP's deposit with the Receiver General for Canada and, therefore, is reported as a liability. The CPP's deposit with the Receiver General for Canada is comprised of the CPP Account balance of $389 million ($126 million in 2024) and the Additional CPP Account balance of $76 million ($33 million in 2024).

(b) Others

Deposit and trust accounts are a group of liabilities representing the government’s financial obligations in its role as administrator of certain funds that it has received or collected for specified purposes and that it will pay out accordingly. The net liability of the government is presented after reducing applicable accounts for securities held in trust. Certain accounts earn interest which is charged to interest on the public debt. Some of the largest deposit and trust accounts are the swap collateral guarantee deposit account of $255 million ($687 million in 2024) and the Indian band funds account in the amount of $587 million ($571 million in 2024). These accounts were established to record cash received as credit support under a collateral agreement with financial institutions and to record funds belonging to Indian bands throughout Canada pursuant to the Indian Act.

Other specified purpose accounts are liability accounts that are used to record transactions made under authorities obtained from Parliament through either the Financial Administration Act or other specific legislation. Certain accounts earn interest which is charged to interest on the public debt. The largest other specified purpose account is the Public Service Death Benefit Account totalling $4,314 million ($4,222 million in 2024). This account was established under the Public Service Superannuation Act to provide life insurance to contributing members of the public service.

15. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash consists of public moneys on deposit and cash in transit less outstanding cheques and warrants. Cash equivalents consist mainly of term deposits usually not exceeding 31 days.

Cash and cash equivalents are as follows:

Table 37:Cash and cash equivalents
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
CashLinks to footnote 1 in Table 37 38,259 67,059
Cash equivalents 15,850 8,000
Total cash and cash equivalents 54,109 75,059

Table 37 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 7 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note 1

Included in cash is $20,000 million ($20,000 million in 2024) which has been designated as a deposit held at the Bank of Canada with respect to prudential liquidity management undertaken by the government.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 37

16. Taxes receivable

Taxes receivable include taxes, interest, penalties, and other revenues assessed or estimated but not yet collected as at March 31. They also include other receivables for amounts collectible through the tax system such as provincial and territorial taxes, Employment Insurance premiums and Canada Pension Plan contributions receivable from individuals and employers as applicable.

Significant accounting policies

Tax revenues and other revenues that were not collected at year end are reported as taxes receivable in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Taxes receivable are measured at net realizable value. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded where recovery is considered uncertain. The annual provision for the allowance for doubtful accounts is reported as a bad debt expense which is charged against other expenses.

The allowance for doubtful accounts for taxes receivable is management’s best estimate of the uncollectible amounts that have been assessed, including the related interest and penalties.

The allowance for doubtful accounts for taxes receivable has two components. A general allowance is calculated based on the age and type of tax accounts using rates based on historical collection experience. A specific allowance is calculated based on an annual review of all accounts over $25 million. The allowance for doubtful accounts is adjusted every year through a provision for doubtful accounts and is reduced by amounts written off as uncollectible during the year.

Measurement uncertainty

Taxes receivable and the allowance for doubtful accounts are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the use of estimates of amounts not yet assessed/reassessed based on cash received as well as taxpayer objections to assessed federal tax.

Key assumptions used in estimating tax revenues are tax instalments, source deductions withheld and historical information on refund rates, and payments received on filing tax returns.

Measurement uncertainties exist at March 31, 2025 as a result of the on-going uncertainties around the economic outlook. Historical experiences related to the estimated tax receivables and the allowance for doubtful accounts, may not be relevant to predict future outcomes which may lead to a greater possibility of a material variance in the upcoming year.

The details of the taxes receivable and other amounts collectible through the tax system and allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

Table 38:Taxes receivable
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Total taxes receivable Allowance for doubtful accountsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 38 Net Total taxes receivable Allowance for doubtful accountsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 38 Net
Income taxes receivable
Individuals 117,232 12,140 105,092 107,183 10,565 96,618
Employers 34,638 2,990 31,648 34,930 2,284 32,646
Corporations 44,522 7,106 37,416 40,787 6,212 34,575
Non-residents 5,262 626 4,636 4,436 643 3,793
Goods and services tax receivable 38,669 7,144 31,525 38,972 6,764 32,208
Customs import duties receivable 1,039 196 843 821 196 625
Other excise taxes and duties receivable 3,446 949 2,497 3,157 577 2,580
Total 244,808 31,151 213,657 230,286 27,241 203,045
Table 38 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 7 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note 1

The government has recorded a bad debt expense of $8,362 million ($7,952 million in 2024) under other expenses, excluding net actuarial losses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 38

17. Other accounts receivable

Other accounts receivable consist of billed or accrued financial claims arising from amounts owed to the government at year end, including COVID-19 benefit overpayments receivable, and cash collateral pledged to counterparties.

Significant accounting policies

Revenues (other than tax revenues) that were not collected at year end are reported as other accounts receivable in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

A recipient of a COVID-19 benefit payment is obligated to repay benefits for any amounts for which they were not eligible. These overpayments are reported as other accounts receivable when determined and management has an appropriate basis of measurement.

Other accounts receivable are measured at amortized cost. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded where recovery is considered uncertain. The annual provision for the allowance for doubtful accounts is reported as a bad debt expense which is charged against other expenses.

The allowance for doubtful accounts for billed or accrued financial claims represents management's best estimate of uncollectable amounts receivable. The allowance is determined based on an analysis of historic loss experience, characteristics of the debt, expected collections activities and/or an assessment of current economic conditions. Overpayments receivable balances are written off upon management's determination that such overpayments are uncollectible.

Measurement uncertainty

Measurement uncertainties exist at March 31, 2025 as a result of the on-going uncertainties around the economic outlook.

Historical experiences related to other accounts receivable and the allowance for doubtful accounts, may not be relevant to predict future outcomes which may lead to a greater possibility of a significant variance in the upcoming year.

There is no significant measurement uncertainty related to cash collateral pledged to counterparties.

The details of the other receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

Table 39:Other accounts receivableLinks to footnote * in Table 39
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Gross receivables Allowance for doubtful accounts Net receivables Gross receivables Allowance for doubtful accounts Net receivables
Other receivables 10,258 2,557 7,701 8,854 2,214 6,640
COVID-19 benefit overpayments 12,962 10,491 2,471 11,356 6,291 5,065
Subtotal 23,220 13,048 10,172 20,210 8,505 11,705
Cash collateral pledged to counterpartiesLinks to footnote 1 in Table 39 3,456 3,456 2,294 2,294
Total 26,676 13,048 13,628 22,504 8,505 13,999
Table 39 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 7 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 39

Table note 1

Cash collateral pledged to counterparties represents collateral support under International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreements in respect of outstanding cross-currency swap arrangements. Further details can be found in Note 22.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 39

The following table provides an aging analysis of billed or accrued financial claims:

Table 40:Aging analysis of billed or accrued financial claims
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024Links to footnote 2 in Table 40
Billed or accrued financial claims
Not past due and not impaired 5,548 4,754
Number of days past due
1 to 30 195 641
31 to 60 208 428
61 to 90 373 122
91 to 365 664 2,108
Over 365 3,126 3,580
Total net past due 4,566 6,879
ImpairedLinks to footnote 1 in Table 40 58 72
Total 10,172 11,705
Table 40 notes
Table note 1

These exclude the COVID-19 benefit overpayments as they are not financial instrument assets since they are legislative debt that are non-contractual in nature.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 40

Table note 2

Comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 40

18. Foreign exchange accounts

Foreign exchange accounts represent financial assets and liabilities related to Canada's official international reserves, primarily held in the Exchange Fund Account (EFA), and its membership in the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Significant accounting policies

Purchases and sales of securities held in the EFA are recognized on the trade date. Short-term deposits and marketable securities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account transaction costs and any discount or premium arising on purchase of the securities. Special drawing rights are recorded at cost.

The government assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there has been a loss in the value of the investments held in the EFA. When the assessment, which considers both qualitative and quantitative factors, indicates a loss in value that is other than a temporary decline, the carrying value of the investment is written down to reflect its recoverable amount. Once an investment has been written down, no reversals of the impairment are recognized in subsequent periods. A loss in value of a portfolio investment that is other than a temporary decline occurs when the actual value of the investment to the government becomes lower than the carrying value and the impairment is expected to remain for a prolonged period or when the carrying value may not be realizable.

Foreign exchange accounts assets also include Canada’s subscriptions to the capital of the IMF and loans receivable from the IMF and IMF-established trusts, which are recorded at cost.

Foreign exchange accounts liabilities include special drawing rights allocations and notes payable to the IMF, which are recorded at cost.

Investment income earned with respect to foreign exchange accounts, write-downs to reflect other-than-temporary declines in the value of securities, and interest revenues and charges related to the IMF balances are included in net foreign exchange revenues.

Measurement uncertainty

There are no significant measurement uncertainties related to foreign exchange accounts.

The following table presents the balances of foreign exchange accounts assets:

Table 41:Foreign exchange accounts assets

  2025 2024
International reserves held in the Exchange Fund Account
Deposits
US dollar 8,706 11,710
Euro 107 552
British pound sterling 743 431
Japanese yen 282 93
Short-term deposits 1,603 218
Total 11,441 13,004
Marketable securitiesLinks to footnote 1 in Table 41
US dollar 92,964 77,649
Euro 20,299 18,344
British pound sterling 13,595 12,128
Japanese yen 6,517 6,298
Total 133,375 114,419
Special drawing rights holdings 32,775 31,992
Total international reserves held in the Exchange Fund Account 177,591 159,415
International Monetary Fund assets
Subscriptions 21,070 19,757
Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust 1,911 494
Resilience and Sustainability Trust 790 474
Total foreign exchange accounts assets 201,362 180,140
Table 41 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 8 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note 1

The fair value of marketable securities is $129,532 million as at March 31, 2025 ($108,711 million in 2024), established using market quotes or other available market information. Further details on these investments are provided in the unaudited financial statements of the EFA in Section 8 of this volume. Interest earned on marketable securities was $3,587 million ($2,743 million in 2024).

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 41

The following table presents the balances of foreign exchange accounts liabilities:

Table 42:Foreign exchange accounts liabilitiesLinks to footnote * in Table 42
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Exchange Fund Account liabilities
Due to broker 316
International Monetary Fund liabilities
Special drawing rights allocations 31,640 29,668
Notes payable 15,741 14,438
Total 47,381 44,106
Total foreign exchange accounts liabilities 47,697 44,106
Table 42 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 8 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 42

(a) International reserves held in the Exchange Fund Account

The purposes of the EFA, as specified in the Currency Act, are to aid in the control and protection of the external value of the Canadian dollar and to provide a source of liquidity for the government, if required. The EFA holds the largest component of Canada’s official international reserves in a portfolio consisting of high-quality liquid foreign currency securities, deposits and IMF special drawing rights (SDR) holdings. 

SDR holdings are interest-bearing international reserve assets created by the IMF. The SDR is not considered a currency, nor is it a direct claim on the IMF; rather, SDR holdings represent a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of other IMF members. The IMF allocates SDRs to its members who are also participants in its SDR department, such as Canada. In an SDR allocation by the IMF, a participant receives SDR holdings (assets) and assumes an equal amount of SDR allocations (liabilities). As a holder of SDRs, Canada has the right to exchange them for an equivalent amount of freely usable currency, or other reserve assets, with other IMF members. The exchange value of the SDR is determined by a weighted basket of major international currencies (US dollar, euro, Japanese yen, British pound sterling and Chinese renminbi). The SDR can also be used in a variety of transactions between the holder and other participants in the SDR department, the IMF, and other prescribed SDR holders. Also, the SDR serves as the unit of account for the IMF and certain other international organizations.

There were no impairments of the marketable securities held in the EFA in 2025 (nil in 2024).

(b) International Monetary Fund assets

As an IMF member, Canada has subscribed to the capital of the IMF in an amount corresponding to its quota, which broadly reflects its relative position in the world economy. IMF quotas are denominated in SDRs. Canada’s subscription to the IMF, or its quota, is SDR 11,024 million, or $21,070 million, at March 31, 2025 (SDR 11,024 million, or $19,757 million, in 2024). Subscriptions to the IMF are also a key determinant of a member’s voting power in the IMF, a member’s share in new general SDR allocations, a member’s maximum amount of loans that can be obtained from the IMF under normal access, and the maximum amount of financial resources a member may be required to provide to the IMF.

Canada also lends funds to the IMF and certain IMF-established trusts, which are used by the IMF to provide financing to other members. Canada, along with certain other IMF-member countries, participates in lending arrangements with the IMF (New Arrangements to Borrow, or NAB, and Bilateral Borrowing Agreements, or BBAs) and with the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) and Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST). The loans resulting from these arrangements that are considered part of Canada’s official international reserves are included in foreign exchange accounts assets.

Collectively, the maximum direct lending under the NAB and BBAs is limited to no more than the equivalent of SDR 11,279 million, or $21,558 million, at March 31, 2025 (SDR 11,279 million, or $20,214, million in 2024). The total lending committed to the PRGT is SDR 2,700 million at March 31, 2025 (SDR 2,700 million, in 2024). Total outstanding PRGT loans at March 31, 2025 are SDR 1,656 million, or $3,165 million (SDR 960 million, or $1,720 million, in 2024), of which SDR 1,000 million, or $1,911 million, is included in foreign exchange accounts assets (SDR 276 million, or $494 million, in 2024) and SDR 656 million, or $1,254 million, is included in other loans, investments and advances (SDR 684 million, or $1,226 million, in 2024). The RST lending commitment is for the equivalent of $2,000 million at March 31, 2025 ($2,000 million in 2024).

(c) International Monetary Fund liabilities

Canada is a participant in the IMF's SDR Department (participant), and as such it has received SDR allocations from the IMF. In an SDR allocation by the IMF, a participant assumes the obligations associated with its SDR allocations (liability) and receives an equal amount of SDR holdings (assets). SDR allocations represent an obligation to provide, on demand, freely usable currency to another participant(s) in exchange for an equivalent amount of SDRs, where that other participant(s) has a balance of payments or reserve position need. The SDR market generally functions on a voluntary basis and Voluntary Trading Arrangements (VTAs) are intermediated by the IMF, which handles most SDR transactions between a group of SDR participants who have agreed to exchange SDRs for specific currencies within set trading limits. Canada’s obligation to provide currency in exchange for an equivalent amount of SDRs is generally limited as Canada has a standing arrangement with the IMF which specifies the range of Canada’s SDR holdings and the maximum number of transactions per week. Canada’s SDR allocations are SDR 16,554 million, or $31,640 million, at March 31, 2025 (SDR 16,554 million, or $29,668 million, in 2024).

In partial consideration for its subscription to the capital of the IMF, Canada has issued promissory notes to the IMF which are non-interest bearing, payable on demand, and are subject to redemption or reissue, depending on the needs of the IMF for Canadian currency. These promissory notes have an outstanding amount of SDR 8,236 million, or $15,741 million, at March 31, 2025 (SDR 8,056 million, or $14,438 million, in 2024).

19. Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises

The net assets and liabilities of enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises are recognized as an investment by the government. The government holds other investments issued by Crown corporations and other government business enterprises. In addition, the government has loans and advances receivable from these entities.

Significant accounting policies

Investments in enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises are recorded under the modified equity method whereby the cost of the government’s investment is reduced by dividends and adjusted to include the annual profits and losses of these corporations, and the elimination of unrealized inter-organizational gains and losses. All of these corporations follow International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Under the modified equity method, the corporations’ accounts are not adjusted to the government’s basis of accounting and other comprehensive income or loss is recorded to the government’s accumulated deficit and net debt through the Consolidated Statement of Remeasurement Gains and Losses.

Other investments include the purchase of financial instruments in the primary market, such as bonds, that are issued by enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises. Other investments are measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method. The temporary transfer of a financial instrument asset under securities lending agreements does not result in its derecognition if the government retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership. The financial instrument continues to be recognized as an asset by the government.

Some enterprise Crown corporations provide loans to borrowers outside the government reporting entity. Some of these loans will be repaid through future appropriations of the government under various subsidy programs, which provide funds directly related to the repayment of the loan. For these loans receivable, the amount expected to be repaid from future appropriations is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the loan to an amount that approximates the amount to be recovered from sources outside the government reporting entity.

Measurement uncertainty

Each enterprise Crown corporation and other government business enterprise has measurement uncertainties that are inherent to their organization such as those relating to pension and employee future benefits and other liabilities. Measurement uncertainty exists with regards to the estimate of the amount of loans expected to be repaid through future appropriations which is based upon the amount qualified borrowers are expected to receive under various government subsidy programs and the percentage of the subsidy expected to be applied to the outstanding loan balance.

(a) Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises

The following table presents the government's recorded loans, investments and advances in significant enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises:

Table 43:Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Investments in enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises
Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationLinks to footnote 1 in Table 43 14,614 12,831
Export Development Canada 11,340 12,157
Farm Credit Canada 8,650 8,736
Business Development Bank of Canada 15,328 16,527
Canada Port Authorities 5,038 4,723
Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation 8,060 6,849
Canada Development Investment Corporation (negative 874) (negative 686)
Canada Growth Fund 4,462 1,359
Canada Post Corporation 5,045 5,257
Bank of Canada (negative 8,970) (negative 6,660)
Other 942 842
Inter-organizational adjustments (negative 12,465) (negative 14,085)
Total investments 51,170 47,850
Other investments
Canada Mortgage BondsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 43 36,557 7,580
Loans and advances
Farm Credit Canada 47,503 43,097
Business Development Bank of Canada 33,801 29,490
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 24,245 22,128
Canada Development Investment CorporationLinks to footnote 2 in Table 43 35,603 16,896
Other 376 297
Total loans and advances 141,528 111,908
Less:
Loans expected to be repaid from future appropriations 1,899 1,994
Total loans, investments and advances to enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises 227,356 165,344
Table 43 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 9 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note 1

Canada Mortgage Bonds (CMBs) are Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) guaranteed coupon paying bonds. The bonds are sold globally to investors and the proceeds are used to purchase insured eligible residential loans, packaged into marketable National Housing Act Mortgage Backed Securities (NHA MBS), under CMHC's NHA MBS Program. The guarantee on these bonds is disclosed in Note 9. Beginning February 10, 2025, the government made its Canada Mortgage Bond holdings available to borrow through a securities lending program. As of March 31, 2025, $1,834 million of Canada Mortgage Bond holdings were on loan to third parties. The market value of the collateralized securities held totaled $1,926 million, representing 105% of the market value of securities loaned.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 43

Table note 2

During the year, a $19,000 million refinancing facility was made available to TMP Finance to provide funding to TMC to refinance and pay down its Syndicated Facility and to repay the related guarantee fees. The refinancing included restructuring intercompany loans from TMP Finance to TMC, in addition to TMP Finance subscribing to additional TMC equity.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 43

The following table presents the summary financial position and results of enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises:

Table 44:Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Third Parties Government, Crown corporations and other entities Total Third Parties Government, Crown corporations and other entities Total
Assets
Financial assets 532,051 262,694 794,745 497,112 315,574 812,686
Non-financial assets 51,360   51,360 49,193   49,193
Total assets 583,411 262,694 846,105 546,305 315,574 861,879
Liabilities 577,113 205,357 782,470 623,868 176,076 799,944
Equity of Canada as reported     63,635     61,935
Inter-organizational adjustments     (negative 12,465)     (negative 14,085)
Equity of Canada     51,170     47,850
Revenues 36,992 9,589 46,581 34,631 9,949 44,580
Expenses 40,407 4,798 45,205 42,814 4,265 47,079
Profit as reported     1,376     (negative 2,499)
Adjustments and others     1,863     1,839
Profit (Loss)     3,239     (negative 660)
Other changes in equity
Equity adjustments and other     (negative 11)     13
Other comprehensive income (loss)     920     (negative 221)
DividendsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 44     (negative 1,184)     (negative 1,423)
CapitalLinks to footnote 2 in Table 44     356     290
Subtotal     3,320     (negative 2,001)
Equity of Canada at beginning of year     47,850     49,851
Equity of Canada at end of year     51,170     47,850
Contingent liabilities     9,396     8,652
Contractual obligations     62,253      
Table 44 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 9 (unaudited) of this volume.
  • A blank cell means there is no available data.
Table note 1

Amounts reported as dividends include $145 million ($830 million in 2024) from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, $690 million ($210 million in 2024) from Farm Credit Canada, and $337 million ($337 million in 2024) from Business Development Bank of Canada. Of these amounts, there are no dividends declared but not yet paid as at March 31, 2025 (nil in 2024).

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 44

Table note 2

Amounts reported as capital include a net sale of common shares of $1,400 million ($350 million purchase in 2024) from Business Development Bank of Canada, a purchase of common shares of $3,000 million from Canada Growth Fund ($1,390 million purchase in 2024), and a sale of common shares of $1,244 million ($1,200 million sale in 2024) to Export Development Canada.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 44

(b) Non-public property

Non-public property (NPP), as defined under the National Defence Act, consists of money and property contributed to or by Canadian Forces members and is administered for their benefit and welfare by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS). Morale and welfare and military family programs, services and activities are provided across Canada and overseas through NPP entities, including CFMWS, Canadian Forces Charitable Fund (CFCF), Canadian Forces Exchange System (CANEX), Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), Canadian Forces Charitable Funds and those local to Bases and Wings. Under the National Defence Act, NPP is explicitly excluded from the Financial Administration Act. The government provides some services related to NPP activities such as accommodation and security for which no amount is charged. The cost of providing these services is included in the consolidated financial statements of the Government of Canada. In 2025, NPP administered estimated revenues and expenses of $543 million ($462 million in 2024) and $470 million ($420 million in 2024) respectively, and had net equity of $989 million at March 31, 2025 ($897 million at March 31, 2024). These amounts are excluded from the consolidated financial statements of the Government of Canada.

20. Other loans, investments and advances

Other loans, investments and advances are financial claims through debt instruments held by others that are owing to the government and ownership interests acquired through the use of parliamentary appropriations, excluding investments in enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises.

Significant accounting policies

Other loans, investments and advances are initially recorded at cost, and where applicable, are discounted to reflect any concessionary terms. Concessionary terms include cases where loans are made on a long-term, low interest or interest-free basis, or include forgiveness clauses, and are recorded as a transfer payment expense at the time of initial recognition. Other loans and advances are subsequently measured at amortized cost.

When necessary, an allowance for valuation is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of other loans, investments and advances to amounts that approximate their net recoverable value. The valuation allowance for other loans, investments and advances reflects the collectability and risk of loss based on past events, current conditions, known circumstances and if applicable a provision for forgiveness. The determination of the valuation allowance considers the borrower's or group of borrowers' credit risk rating, collateral provided, recent collection history, economic situation in the country or industry of operation, repayment mechanisms in place and any other known circumstances impacting collectability. Subsequent changes in valuation allowances are recognized as expenses. When other loans, investments and advances are determined to be uncollectible, with no realistic prospect of recovery, they are written off. Subsequent recoveries are recorded as revenue when received.

Portfolio investments are measured at amortized cost unless quoted in an active market, in which case they are measured at fair value.

Measurement uncertainty

Other loans, investments and advances are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the use of estimates relating to the valuation allowance that reflects the possibility of losses associated with potential defaults, as well as for determining whether investments are concessionary in nature and the valuation of the concession.

The estimate of the provision for other loans, investments and advances is regularly reviewed and refined in light of several factors, including: historical loan loss rates, residual values, expert judgment, management assumptions, and model-based approaches that consider current economic conditions. Credit risk exposure for loans to national governments can lead to material variances in the valuation allowance for other loans and advances. Similarly, any changes to the terms of Canada's investments (such as changes to the interest rate, forgiveness terms, the expected return on investment, and how much of the initial capital is expected to be returned) would result in a review of the estimates used to determine any associated concessions. There is limited historical experience to assess the expected recoveries of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans which may lead to a material variance in the valuation of the loans receivable.

The following table presents a summary of the balances of other loans, investments and advances by category:

Table 45:Other loans, investments and advancesLinks to footnote * in Table 45
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Carrying Amount Valuation allowance Net Carrying Amount Carrying Amount Valuation allowance Net Carrying Amount
Portfolio InvestmentsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 45 2,240 66 2,174 2,394 70 2,324
Capital Subscriptions - international organizations 19,039 19,039 18,350 18,350
Loans and Advances
Canada Emergency Business Account Loans 7,758 5,354 2,404 8,507 4,942 3,565
Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans 25,351 5,258 20,093 22,814 4,926 17,888
Unconditionally repayable contributions 9,828 1,112 8,716 9,053 995 8,058
Other loans and advances 31,221 13,444 17,777 25,799 13,176 12,623
Total Loans and Advances 74,158 25,168 48,990 66,173 24,039 42,134
Total other loans, investments and advances 95,437 44,273 51,164 86,917 42,459 44,458
Table 45 notes

General notes:

  • Details can be found in Section 9 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 45

Table note 1

Of the $2,174 million ($2,324 million in 2024) included in portfolio investments, $1,115 million ($1,511 million in 2024) is measured at fair value. The remaining balance is measured at amortized cost, including valuation allowances, to reflect the net carrying amount.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 45

The following table presents a summary of the balances of other loans, investments and advances by currency:

Table 46:Other loans, investments and advances by currency
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
  Loans, investments and advances in base currency Foreign exchange rate Loans, investments and advances in CAD Loans, investments and advances in CAD
Canadian dollar 86,278   86,278 78,827
US dollar 5,253 1.4385 7,556 6,751
Special drawing rights 656 1.9113 1,254 1,226
Various other currencies     349 113
Total     95,437 86,917
Table 46 notes

General notes:

  • A blank cell means there is no available data.

Portfolio investments include investments such as bonds, equity investments, money market funds, fixed income securities, and hybrid capital.

Capital subscriptions are composed of both paid-in and callable capital of multilateral development banks. These investments are treated as concessionary as they do not provide a return on investment, but are repayable on termination of the organization or withdrawal from it.

Loans under the CEBA program were provided interest free until January 18, 2024. These loans included repayment incentives of up to a maximum of $20,000 forgiveness on loans of $60,000, where loan repayment was made in full by January 18, 2024 (March 28, 2024 with refinancing application). Loans not repaid by January 18, 2024, were not eligible for forgiveness but are subject to a one-time extension of three years and 5% interest per annum commencing on January 19, 2024. No principal repayments are required until December 31, 2026, at which time the entire loan becomes due and payable. In 2025, $258 million of loans were repaid and a valuation allowance of $5,354 million for estimated credit losses was applied to the outstanding loans ($21,339 million of loans were repaid in 2024 and a valuation allowance of $4,942 million). The valuation allowance includes $5,006 million of loans ($4,842 million in 2024) that were determined to be impaired due to events of default including overdue payments and bankruptcy. The following table provides an aging analysis of CEBA loans:

Table 47:Aging analysis of CEBA LoansLinks to footnote * in Table 47
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Canada Emergency Business Account Loans
Not past due and not impaired 2,752 3,665
Past due
Impaired 5,006 4,842
Subtotal 7,758 8,507
Less: Allowance 5,354 4,942
Total 2,404 3,565
Table 47 notes
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 47

Effective April 1, 2023, loans under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and Canada Apprentice Loans are provided interest-free and no longer accrue interest. A concessionary amount of $1,108 million for newly issued loans ($1,016 million in 2024) is recognized as a transfer payment expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit. The loans are recorded net of the concessionary amount, which will be amortized over the term of the loans. The repayment period is generally 10 years, with a maximum of 15 years. Repayments are not required while borrowers are completing their studies, enrolled in their apprentice program, or during a 6-month period following completion. The following table provides an aging analysis of Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans:

Table 48:Aging analysis of Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans
Not past due and not impaired 21,589 19,113
Number of days past due
1 to 90 818 977
91 to 365 184 154
Impaired 2,760 2,570
Subtotal 25,351 22,814
Less: Allowance 5,258 4,926
Total 20,093 17,888

Unconditionally repayable contributions are administered under a transfer payment program to achieve objectives such as stimulating economic development and providing international assistance in support of sustainable development goals. The recipients are expected to repay all or part of the amounts advanced. As there is an expected financial return, they are in substance loans. Certain contributions are non-interest bearing and others bear interest at rates varying from 0.3% to 7.0%. Generally, unconditionally repayable contributions have concessional terms, with final instalments due within 1 to 30 years of initial disbursement. Unconditionally repayable contributions are recorded in part as transfer payment expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit when their economic value is reduced due to their concessionary terms. 

Other loans and advances consist primarily of loans to international organizations and loans to national governments. Loans and advances to international organizations are primarily made to banks and associations that use these funds to make loans to developing countries at significant concessionary terms. Loans to national governments consist mainly of loans to support economic resilience, development assistance, or development of export trade. In 2025, the Government provided $2,900 million ($2,000 million in 2024) in financial assistance in the form of interest-bearing loans to Ukraine. As at March 31, 2025, the outstanding loan balance to Ukraine was $9,842 million ($6,908 million as at March 31, 2024). Certain loans are non-interest bearing and others bear interest at rates varying from 0.6% to 10.3%. These loans are repayable over 1 to 55 years, with final instalments due in 2071.

21. Tangible capital assets and inventories

Tangible capital assets consist of acquired, built, developed or improved tangible assets whose useful lives extend beyond the fiscal year and which are intended to be used on an ongoing basis for producing goods or delivering services, including military activities. Tangible capital assets include land; buildings; works and infrastructure; machinery and equipment including computer hardware and software; vehicles including ships, aircraft and others; leasehold improvements; and assets under construction. Tangible capital assets also include assets under capital lease. Renewal options for assets under capital leases are typically for periods of 3 to 5 years and are exercisable at the discretion of the lessee. Certain tangible capital assets relate to public-private partnerships (P3s), where the government enters into long-term agreements with private sector partners to design, build, acquire or better tangible capital assets, and for operating and/or maintaining those assets once they are ready for use. The government’s private sector partners, who provide partial or complete financing for the transactions, are not granted ownership interests in the assets. Detailed information on tangible capital assets is provided in Section 10 (unaudited) of this volume.

Inventories are comprised of spare parts and supplies held for future program delivery and are not primarily intended for resale.

Significant accounting policies

The costs of acquiring land, buildings, equipment and other capital property are capitalized as tangible capital assets and, except for land, are amortized to expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets. For certain tangible capital assets where the costs were not readily available, such as older buildings, estimated current costs have been extrapolated retroactively in a systematic and rational manner to approximate original costs. When significant parts of a tangible capital asset have different useful lives, they may be accounted for as separate items (major components) of capital assets with amortization being recognized over the useful life of each major component. Estimated useful lives of assets are included in the table below.

Assets acquired under capital leases are recorded at the present value of the minimum lease payments using the appropriate discount rate, which is generally the lower of the interest rate implicit in the lease and government’s rate of incremental borrowing at the inception of the lease. These assets are amortized over the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset in accordance with the asset type when terms allow ownership to pass to the government. The corresponding lease obligations are recorded under unmatured debt in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

When conditions indicate that a tangible capital asset no longer contributes to the government’s ability to provide goods and services, or that the value of future economic benefits associated with the tangible capital asset is less than its net book value, the cost of the tangible capital asset is reduced to reflect the decline in the asset’s value.

Tangible capital assets do not include immovable assets located on reserves as defined in the Indian Act; works of art, museum collections and Crown land to which no acquisition cost is attributable; and developed and non-purchased intangibles. Acquisitions of works of art and museum collections consisting mainly of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, monuments, films and videos are expensed in the fiscal year in which they are acquired.

Inventories are valued at cost. Inventories that no longer have service potential are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Items for which the costs are not readily available are valued using management’s best estimate of original cost, based on available information.

Measurement uncertainty

Tangible capital assets are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the estimation of the expected useful lives of the assets. In determining the expected useful lives, factors taken into account include experience, industry trends, changing technologies and expectations for the in-service period of these assets.

The appropriateness of useful lives of assets and amortization methods is assessed periodically, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis. Changes to useful life estimates would affect future amortization expenses and future carrying values of tangible capital assets.

Judgment is used in determining the appropriate level of componentization when a tangible capital asset comprises individual components for which different amortization rates are appropriate.

Inventory is subject to measurement uncertainty due to the estimation of the net realizable value at year-end which considers the estimated value of obsolete inventory.

Except for land, the cost of tangible capital assets used in government operations is generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Table 49:Tangible capital assets policy
(in millions of dollars)

   
Buildings 10 to 125 years
Works and infrastructure 5 to 100 years
Machinery and equipment 1 to 40 years
Vehicles 2 to 50 years
Leasehold improvements lesser of useful life of improvement or lease term
Assets under construction once in service, in accordance with asset type
Assets under capital leases in accordance with asset type or over the lease term

The following table presents a summary of the transactions and balances for the main categories of tangible capital assets:

Table 50:Tangible capital assetsLinks to footnote * in Table 50
(in millions of dollars)

  Cost Accumulated amortization Net book value 2025Links to footnote 2 in Table 50 Net book value 2024
  Opening balance Acquisitions Disposals AdjustmentsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 50 Closing balance Opening balance Amortization expense Disposals Adjustments Closing balance
Land 2,386 13 (negative 4) 16 2,411 2,411 2,386
Buildings 42,822 211 (negative 136) 1,611 44,508 23,143 1,052 (negative 107) 1 24,089 20,419 19,679
Works and infrastructure 25,391 136 (negative 67) 949 26,409 12,536 687 (negative 53) 20 13,190 13,219 12,855
Machinery and equipment 47,379 1,063 (negative 2,691) 1,269 47,020 33,787 2,333 (negative 2,651) (negative 426) 33,043 13,977 13,592
Vehicles 52,281 435 (negative 696) 2,796 54,816 33,757 1,540 (negative 580) 345 35,062 19,754 18,524
Leasehold improvements 4,531 21 (negative 77) 225 4,700 2,895 225 (negative 63) 7 3,064 1,636 1,636
Assets under construction 33,403 14,730 Links to footnote 3 in Table 50 (negative 121) (negative 6,759) 41,253 41,253 33,403
Assets under capital leases 4,374 199Links to footnote 3 in Table 50 (negative 42) (negative 97) 4,434 1,897 207 (negative 42) (negative 50) 2,012 2,422 2,477
Total 212,567 16,808 (negative 3,834) 10 225,551 108,015 6,044 (negative 3,496) (negative 103) 110,460 115,091 104,552
Table 50 notes
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 50

Table note 1

Adjustments include assets under construction of $6,154 million ($5,405 million in 2024) that were transferred to other categories upon completion of the assets.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 50

Table note 2

The government has $59 million ($121 million in 2024) in net book value of capital assets with an original acquisition cost of $1,249 million ($1,653 million in 2024) that have been declared surplus. Upon physical disposal, the government’s investment in the tangible capital asset will be removed.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 50

Table note 3

Acquisitions of $17 million ($17 million in 2024) in assets under construction through P3 arrangements, including $17 million ($17 million in 2024) in interest, and $199 million ($105 million in 2024) in assets under capital leases do not involve the use of cash and are therefore excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow.

Return to table note 3 referrer in Table 50

22. Financial instruments

The government uses various financial instruments to manage financial risks associated with its financial assets and liabilities. The government does not hold or use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

(a) Classification and risks overview

The government's financial instruments, the classification, and the nature of certain risks to which they may be exposed are as set out in the following table:

Table 51:Classification and risks overviewLinks to footnote * in Table 51
(in millions of dollars)

  $ millions Note Credit Liquidity Currency Interest
Financial liabilities by class
Measured at amortized cost
Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities 68,392 8   X    
Market debt
Domestic debtLinks to footnote 1 in Table 51 1,451,649 11   X   X
Foreign debt 29,557 11   X X X
Swap collateral deposit 255 14   X    
Loan guarantees 604,748 9 X      
Measured at fair value
Derivative liabilities 5,583 13   X X X
Financial assets by class
Measured at cost or amortized cost
Cash and cash equivalents 54,109 15 X      
Other accounts receivable, net of allowanceLinks to footnote 2 in Table 51 11,157 17 X      
Cash collateral pledged 3,456 17 X    X X
Foreign Exchange Accounts   18 X    X X
Exchange Fund Account
Deposits 11,441   X    X  
Marketable securities 133,375   X    X X
Investment in Canada Mortgage Bonds—on loan 1,834 19 X      
Other loans, investments and advances:   20        
Unconditionally repayable contributions 8,716   X    X  
Loans receivable:            
Student loans 20,093   X      
CEBA loans 2,404   X      
Capital Subscriptions—International Organizations   X      
Other 17,777   X   X  
Measured at fair value
Derivative assets 1,752 13 X   X X
Portfolio investmentsLinks to footnote 3 in Table 51 1,115 20 X   X X
Table 51 notes

General notes:

  • A blank cell means there is no available data.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 51

Table note 1

Real return bonds, which are a component of domestic debt, are subject to other price risk. Refer to section (d)iii of this note for more information.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 51

Table note 2

Other accounts receivables, net of allowance excludes other receivables that are based on legislation and non-contractual in their origin, e.g. COVID-19 benefit overpayments.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 51

Table note 3

Of the $2,174 million included in portfolio investments in Note 20, $1,115 million is measured at fair value. The remaining balance is measured at amortized cost.

Return to table note 3 referrer in Table 51

(b) Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss.

Except for loan guarantees, the government's maximum exposure to credit risk is the carrying amount of its financial assets. The maximum exposure to credit risk related to guarantees is the principal amount outstanding as outlined in Note 9(b).

Cash and cash equivalents

The government has deposited cash with the Bank of Canada, from which management believes the risk of loss to be remote. The prudential liquidity balance is held by the Bank of Canada.

Exchange Fund Account

As specified in the Statement of Investment Policy (SIP) for the Government of Canada that sets out the policy governing the acquisition, management, and divestiture of assets held in the Exchange Fund Account (EFA), to help achieve the objective of preserving capital value, an entity must be deemed to have a credit rating of A - or higher to be eligible for investment by the EFA. The determination of credit quality is informed by external credit ratings and internal credit analysis.

Investment in Canada Mortgage Bonds – on loan

The government made its Canada Mortgage Bond holdings available to borrow through a securities lending program. As of March 31, 2025, $1,834 million of Canada Mortgage Bond holdings were on loan to third parties. The market value of the collateralized securities held totaled $1,926 million, representing 105% of the market value of securities loaned.

As of March 31, 2025, the majority of these investments were given a rating of AAA by external credit rating agencies. The external ratings are based on the second highest rating among those provided by Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings and Dominion Bond Rating Service.

Table 52:Exchange Fund Account
(in millions of dollars)

  Maximum exposure to credit risk
AAA 108,022
AA- to AA+ 18,298
A- to A+ 7,055
Total 133,375
Concentration of credit risk

Concentrations of credit risk occur when a significant proportion of the portfolio is invested in securities subject to credit risk with similar characteristics or subject to similar economic, political or other conditions. The EFA may hold fixed income securities of highly rated sovereigns, central banks, government-supported entities and supranational organizations. The EFA may also make deposits and execute other transactions, up to prescribed limits and subject to credit rating criteria, with commercial financial institutions. The SIP ensures that the EFA's asset portfolio is prudently diversified with respect to credit risk by placing limits on holdings by class of issuer (sovereign, agency, supranational, corporation or commercial financial institution), by individual issuer or counterparty, and by type of instrument. It also specifies the treatment of holdings that do not meet eligibility criteria or limits due to exceptional circumstances such as ratings downgrades. The following table provides the fair value of the investments held in the EFA as at March 31, 2025, by currency and class of issuer:

Table 53:Exchange Fund Account by currency and class of issuerLinks to footnote * in Table 53
(in millions of dollars)

  EUR GBP JPY USD Total
  $ % $ % $ % $ % $ %
Securities issued by:
Sovereigns 8,717 44 7,867 60 6,274 100 55,582 62 78,440 61
Sub-sovereign entities 752 4 565 4 3,938 4 5,255 4
Supranational entities 5,960 31 3,483 26 20,316 22 29,759 23
Implicit agencies 3,994 21 1,287 10 10,797 12 16,078 12
Fair value of securities held by the EFA 19,423 100 13,202 100 6,274 100 90,633 100 129,532 100
Carrying value of securities held by the EFA 20,299 13,595 6,517 92,964 133,375
Table 53 notes
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 53

Other accounts receivable

There is no significant concentration of credit risk related to billed and accrued financial claims. An analysis of the age of these financial assets and the associated valuation allowances used to reflect these accounts at their net recoverable value is disclosed in Note 17.

Other accounts receivable also includes cash collateral pledged to counterparties on swap agreements. Credit risk related to these agreements is discussed with respect to derivatives below.

Other loans, investments and advances

The government intentionally takes on counterparty risk related to other loans, investments and advances with concessionary terms in order to support various policy aims. Other loans are issued pursuant to legislation or based on the established criteria set out under various loan programs. These loans have been provided to different borrowers such as small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, students, national governments, and international organizations.

Loans under the CEBA program to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations were provided to help these entities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and remain resilient. Loans to students under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program are provided to help students pay for their post-secondary education. Other loans and unconditionally repayable contributions are provided to various recipients including international organizations, banks, associations and national governments under various acts or programs, these instruments can include concessionary terms. These instruments are not provided based on a credit risk assessment of the borrower, but based on individual program criteria. Under these programs, various levels of credit risk are assumed. Credit risk is reduced on loans provided to national governments through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) mechanism as the principal and interest of bilateral loan commitments is repaid by extraordinary revenues stemming from the immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets.

Valuation allowances are applied accordingly to reflect these accounts at their net recoverable amount. The valuation allowances take into consideration the borrower’s or group of borrowers’ credit risk rating, recent collection history, economic situation in the country or industry of operation, repayment mechanisms in place and any other known circumstances impacting collectability. These accounts are described in detail in Note 20.

Derivatives

For cross-currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts, the government manages its exposure to credit risk by dealing with counterparties having acceptable credit ratings.

The credit risk associated with cross-currency swaps is mitigated through netting provisions in the ISDA Master Agreements, which govern cross-currency swaps entered into by the government and which give the government the right, upon default of a counterparty, to settle all contracts with that counterparty under the particular ISDA Master Agreement on a net basis. This reduces the maximum exposure to credit risk from cross-currency swaps in the event of a counterparty’s default, in that the government may offset the amounts due from that counterparty with the obligations due to that counterparty under all derivative contracts covered by the particular ISDA Master Agreement.

Credit risk is also managed through collateral provisions in swap and foreign exchange forward agreements. The government enters into two-way Credit Support Annex (CSA) agreements for cross-currency swaps with certain counterparties pursuant to ISDA Master Agreements. Under the terms of those agreements, the government may be required to pledge and/or receive eligible collateral. In the normal course of business, these pledged collateral amounts (which may include cash and/or securities) will be returned to the pledgor when there are no longer any outstanding obligations. Collateral held in securities from counterparties has not been recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as the government does not obtain economic ownership unless the pledgor defaults. Collateral pledged by counterparties to the government may be liquidated in the event of default to mitigate credit losses.

Collateral pledged by counterparties under two-way CSA agreements as at March 31, 2025, is presented in the following table:

Table 54:Collateral pledged
(in millions of dollars)

  Nominal amount Fair value
Cash 255 255
Securities 4,006 4,138
Total 4,261 4,393

The collateral posted by counterparties is sufficient to cover the government’s entire net exposure to credit loss under derivative contracts. The government does not have a significant concentration of credit risk with any individual institution and does not anticipate any counterparty credit loss with respect to its swap and foreign exchange forward agreements.

The following table presents the contractual or notional principal amounts of the swap and foreign exchange forward agreements organized by credit ratings based on published Standard & Poor's credit ratings and stand-alone credit profiles at year end:

Table 55:Contractual or notional principal amounts of the swap and foreign exchange by credit ratings
(in millions of dollars)

Credit ratings 2025 2024
A+ 27,515 37,190
A 80,316 64,310
A- 23,201 20,105
Total 131,032 121,605

(c) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities.

The fundamental objective of the government’s debt management strategy is to provide stable, low-cost funding to meet the government’s financial obligations and liquidity needs. The government has access to multiple active borrowing programs, including those in the domestic Canadian market and those in foreign currency markets. Through the Borrowing Authority Act (BAA) and the Financial Administration Act (FAA), parliament authorizes the Minister of Finance to borrow money on behalf of His Majesty in right of Canada. Details of these programs are provided in Note 3(c) Borrowing Authorities.

Under its prudential liquidity plan, the government’s overall liquidity is maintained at a level sufficient to cover at least one month of net projected cash flows, including coupon payments and debt refinancing needs. The government holds liquid financial assets in the form of domestic cash deposits, including $20 billion in cash expressly designated for prudential liquidity, and foreign exchange reserves to safeguard its ability to meet payment obligations in situations where normal access to funding markets may be disrupted or delayed. 

Proceeds of the government’s foreign currency borrowings are held in the Exchange Fund Account to provide liquidity and provide funds needed to promote orderly conditions for the Canadian dollar in foreign exchange markets.

The following table details the contractual maturities for the government’s significant financial liabilities. The amounts represent undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date the government can be required to pay. The table includes both principal and interest cash flows:

Table 56:Liquidity risk
(in millions of dollars)

Undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities Less than one year or on demand Later than one year and less than five years Later than 5 years Total
Market debtLinks to footnote 1 in Table 56 (Note 11) 510,073 486,946 724,262 1,721,281
DerivativesLinks to footnote 2 in Table 56 (Note 13) 17,421 51,560 81,343 150,324
Other financial liabilitiesLinks to footnote 3 in Table 56 (Note 8) 67,438 803 476 68,717
Total 594,932 539,309 806,081 1,940,322
Table 56 notes
Table note 1

The difference between Market Debt as presented in this table and Note 11 is that the amount above includes coupon payments, whereas Note 11 does not.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 56

Table note 2

Derivatives are presented at face value, while Note 13 reports them at fair value. Maturities for undiscounted cash flows of derivative receivables consist of $17,388 million in less than one year, $47,454 million in later than one year and less than five years, $74,328 million in later than five years for a total of $139,170 million.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 56

Table note 3

Consists of undiscounted other accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $68,392 million, and the swap collateral deposit liability of $255 million.

Return to table note 3 referrer in Table 56

(d) 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. Market risk comprises three types of risk: currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk.

i. Currency risk

Currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The government is exposed to currency risk through fluctuations in foreign-denominated future cash flows, namely those related to investments in the Exchange Fund Account, foreign debt, loans to international organizations and derivatives including collateral.

Exchange Fund Account

Currency risk is managed using a strategy of matching the currency and the duration of the Exchange Fund Account assets and the related foreign currency borrowings of the government. As at March 31, 2025, the impact of exchange rate changes affecting the Exchange Fund Account assets and the liabilities funding the assets naturally offset each other, resulting in no significant impacts to the government’s net debt. 

The majority of the Exchange Fund Account foreign currency assets and liabilities are held in 4 currency portfolios: US dollar, Euro, British pound sterling, and Japanese yen. The following table presents the net impact to the Exchange Fund Account, and the related foreign-denominated debt, cross-currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts of a 1% appreciation in the Canadian dollar as at March 31, 2025, as compared to the US dollar, euro, British pound sterling and the Japanese yen.

Table 57:Currency risk
(in millions of dollars)

  2025 2024
Foreign currency
US dollar (negative 7) (negative 2)
Euro 1 2
British pound sterling (negative 5) (negative 4)
Japanese yen (negative 2) (negative 1)
(Loss) net impact of 1% appreciation in Canadian dollar against foreign currencies (negative 13) (negative 5)

The net foreign exchange gain included in net foreign exchange revenues, other revenues and other expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Deficit amounts to $303 million (net foreign exchange gain of $158 million in 2024).

ii. Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.

The government’s exposure to interest rate risk principally arises from possible fluctuations in the future cash flows related to variable-rate cross-currency swaps due to changes in market interest rates.

The table below shows the sensitivity analysis of the possible net impact of an increase in interest rates of 100 basis points as at March 31 on cross-currency swaps.

Table 58:Interest rate risk
(in millions of dollars)

  2025
Decrease in derivativesLinks to footnote 1 in Table 58 1,558
Increase in interest expense 263
Table 58 notes
Table note 1

The net impact of a 100bps increase in interest rates on cross-currency swaps is the net impact on the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities as at the reporting date.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 58

Interest rate risk for the Exchange Fund Account is managed using a strategy of matching the duration of the assets with the related borrowings of the government, the foreign debt and cross-currency swaps, under the asset-liability matching strategy. By matching the duration of the assets with that of the liabilities, a change in interest rates has a similar effect on the fair value of both assets and liabilities.

The government’s domestic debt, cash equivalents and certain other loans, investments and advances generally bear fixed interest rates. Although subject to interest rate risk because the fair value of these instruments will be affected by changes in market interest rates, there is no impact in the consolidated financial statements as these financial instruments are measured at cost or amortized cost.

iii. Other price risk

Other price risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices, other than those arising from interest rate risk or currency risk, whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual financial instrument or its issuer, or factors affecting all similar financial instruments traded in the market.

In 2022, the government stopped issuing new real-return bonds. However, the government is exposed to inflation risk through its existing real return bonds, as interest and principal payments are adjusted for changes in the consumer price index (CPI). If the CPI applicable to real return bonds were to increase by 5% at March 31, 2025, the carrying amount of the bonds as at that date would increase by $3,831 million ($3,769 million in 2024), with the adjustment recognized immediately as an expense charge. Such a change would also increase annual interest expenses by $81 million. A decrease in the CPI would have the opposite effect, by decreasing the carrying amount of the bonds, with the adjustment recognized immediately as income, and by decreasing annual interest expense.

Other than inflation risk, the government is not exposed to significant other price risk.

23. Contractual obligations and contractual rights

(a) Contractual obligations

The nature of government activities results in large multi-year contracts and agreements, including international treaties, protocols and agreements of various size and importance. Detailed information on contractual obligations is provided in Section 11 (unaudited) of this volume.

Significant accounting policies

Contractual obligations are financial obligations of the government to others that will become liabilities when the terms of those contracts or agreements for the acquisition of goods and services or the provision of transfer payments are met. Major outstanding contractual obligations are disclosed when terms allow for a reasonable estimate. In the case of perpetual agreements, disclosure is provided for a ten-year period despite the obligation existing in perpetuity. Contractual obligations do not include the government’s obligations related to ongoing programs such as health, welfare, education and major transfers to provinces and persons. In these cases, the government does not have a contractual obligation to others and maintains complete discretion as to whether to modify the delivery of these programs.

Measurement uncertainty

While there are no significant measurement uncertainties related to contractual obligations, some measurement uncertainty is inherent in all estimates. Contractual obligations for transfer payment agreements and international organizations are subject to some measurement uncertainty where obligations are dependent upon a future activity of the other underlying party to the agreement, requiring the use of estimates in the disclosure of future expenses. These estimates also consider factors such as experience or general economic conditions. For perpetual agreements specifically, there exists measurement uncertainty due to the selection of a ten-year basis of measurement, as well as through the use of a price index in developing an estimate.

Major contractual obligations that will generate expenditures in future years and that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:

Table 59:Contractual Obligations
(in millions of dollars)

Minimum payments expected to be made in: Transfer payment agreementsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 59 Capital assets and purchases Operating leases International organizationsLinks to footnote 2 in Table 59 Total
2026 65,971 30,260 478 2,084 98,793
2027 40,194 21,237 456 1,035 62,922
2028 31,731 18,048 429 589 50,797
2029 23,049 11,263 367 371 35,050
2030 18,366 7,321 270 261 26,218
2031 and subsequent 37,695 27,177 1,329 638 66,839
Total 217,006 115,306 3,329 4,978 340,619
Table 59 notes
Table note 1

Includes future expenditures of $945 million that the government has committed to as part of legal settlements.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 59

Table note 2

Includes transfer payments, as well as loans for the development of export trade (administered by Export Development Canada), if any, which Canada has agreed to disburse in the future.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 59

(b) Contractual rights

The activities of government sometimes involve the negotiation of contracts or agreements with outside parties that result in the government having rights to both assets and revenues in the future. They principally involve sales of goods and services, leases of property, and royalties and revenue/profit-sharing arrangements while all other contractual rights are combined for reporting purposes. The government has agreements that provide contractual rights to future revenue based on a percentage of revenue or profits of the other party to the agreement or based on receiving an amount for each unit of goods sold. The terms of these contracts or agreements may not allow for a reasonable estimate of future revenues.

Significant accounting policies

Contractual rights to economic resources arising from contracts and agreements that will result in both an asset and revenue in the future are disclosed when terms allow for a reasonable estimate.

Measurement uncertainty

Contractual rights are subject to measurement uncertainty due to the terms and conditions of certain agreements resulting in contractual rights. Certain rights are dependent on the sales or other future activity of the other party to the agreement, requiring the use of estimates in the disclosure of future revenue. Estimates may be based on factors such as experience or general economic conditions.

Where the terms of contracts and agreements allow for a reasonable estimate, the major contractual rights are summarized in the table presented below. Detailed information on contractual rights is provided in Section 11 (unaudited) of this volume.

Table 60:Contractual rights
(in millions of dollars)

Revenue expected to be received in: Sales of goods and services Leases of property Royalties and revenue/profit-sharing arrangements Other Contractual rights subject to non-disclosure clauses Total
2026 3,590 631 4 591 2 4,818
2027 3,836 662 2 488 2 4,990
2028 4,036 694 2 773 3 5,508
2029 4,293 723 5 816 3 5,840
2030 4,547 736 4 919 3 6,209
2031 and subsequent 10,207 918 6 6,308 165 17,604
Total 30,509 4,364 23 9,895 178 44,969

24. Segmented information

The government segmented information is based on the ministry structure, which groups the activities of departments, agencies and consolidated Crown corporations and other entities for which a Minister is responsible, and the enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises as described in Note 1 and Note 19.

Significant accounting policies

The presentation by segment is prepared in accordance with the accounting policies adopted for preparing and presenting the consolidated financial statements of the government. Inter-segment transfers are measured at the exchange amount.

Measurement uncertainty

There are no significant measurement uncertainties related to segmented information.

In the table below, the five main ministries are reported separately, and the Other ministries column includes amounts for all other ministries as well as the provision for valuation and other items. The following tables present the segmented information by Ministry and enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises before the elimination of internal transactions that are eliminated in the adjustments column before arriving at the total for the year ended March 31:

Table 61:Segmented InformationLinks to footnote * in Table 61
(in millions of dollars)

  2025
  Employment, Workforce and Development Finance National Defence National Revenue Public Safety Other ministries Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises AdjustmentsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 61 Total
Revenues
Tax revenues
Income tax revenues 344,801 344,801
Other taxes and duties 30,207 41,697 71,904
Total tax revenues 375,008 41,697 416,705
Employment insurance premiums 32,104 (negative 574) 31,530
Pollution pricing proceeds 13,537 15 13,552
Other revenues
Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises 8,048 8,048
Net foreign exchange revenues and return on investments 15 5,792 (negative 9) 970 6,768
Other program revenues 4,748 1,051 377 17,154 3,757 29,572 (negative 22,311) 34,348
Total other revenues 4,763 6,843 368 17,154 3,757 30,542 8,048 (negative 22,311) 49,164
Total revenues 36,867 6,843 368 405,699 45,454 30,557 8,048 (negative 22,885) 510,951
Expenses
Program expenses
Transfer payments
Old age security benefits, guaranteed income supplement and spouse's allowance 80,294 80,294
Major transfer payments to other levels of government 6,639 91,794 6,668 105,101
Employment insurance and support measures 24,880 24,880
Children's benefits 1 28,573 28,574
COVID-19 income support for workers (negative 2,169) (negative 2,169)
Pollution pricing proceeds returned 15,450 145 15,595
Other transfer payments 10,581 832 1,592 9,257 737 84,776 (negative 635) 107,140
Total transfer payments 120,226 92,626 1,592 53,280 737 91,589 (negative 635) 359,415
Other expenses, excluding net actuarial losses (gains) 12,598 3,219 34,733 16,719 18,233 67,188 (negative 22,236) 130,454
Total program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses (gains) 132,824 95,845 36,325 69,999 18,970 158,777 (negative 22,871) 489,869
Public debt charges 53,153 63 1 207 (negative 14) 53,410
Total expenses, excluding net actuarial losses (gains) 132,824 148,998 36,388 69,999 18,971 158,984 (negative 22,885) 543,279
Net actuarial losses (gains) 4,698 1,141 (negative 1,819) 4,020
Total expenses 132,824 148,998 41,086 69,999 20,112 157,165 (negative 22,885) 547,299
Table 61 notes

General notes:

  • Details providing total expenses by segment and type can be found in Section 3 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 61

Table note 1

Represents consolidation adjustments to eliminate internal transactions.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 61

Table 62:Segmented Information Previous yearLinks to footnote * in Table 62
(in millions of dollars)

  2024
  Employment, Workforce and DevelopmentLinks to footnote 2 in Table 62 Finance National Defence National RevenueLinks to footnote 2 in Table 62 Public SafetyLinks to footnote 2 in Table 62 Other ministriesLinks to footnote 2 in Table 62 Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises AdjustmentsLinks to footnote 1 in Table 62 Total
Revenues
Tax revenues
Income tax revenues 312,705 312,705
Other taxes and duties 29,507 39,908 69,415
Total tax revenues 342,212 39,908 382,120
Employment insurance premiums 30,156 (negative 596) 29,560
Pollution pricing proceeds 10,278 225 10,503
Other revenues
Enterprise Crown corporations and other government business enterprises 3,217 3,217
Net foreign exchange revenues and return on investments 16 3,949 2 323 4,290
Other program revenues 4,441 827 402 15,204 3,624 26,869 (negative 21,508) 29,859
Total other revenues 4,457 4,776 404 15,204 3,624 27,192 3,217 (negative 21,508) 37,366
Total revenues 34,613 4,776 404 367,694 43,532 27,417 3,217 (negative 22,104) 459,549
Expenses
Program expenses
Transfer payments
Old age security benefits, guaranteed income supplement and spouse's allowance 76,036 76,036
Major transfer payments to other levels of government 5,612 87,893 6,668 100,173
Employment insurance and support measures 23,130 23,130
Children's benefits 1 26,338 26,339
COVID-19 income support for workers (negative 4,838) (negative 4,838)
Pollution pricing proceeds returned 9,783 75 9,858
Other transfer paymentsLinks to footnote 2 in Table 62 14,474 (negative 604) 1,131 8,259 1,757 71,452 (negative 518) 95,951
Total transfer payments 114,415 87,289 1,131 44,380 1,757 78,195 (negative 518) 326,649
Other expenses, excluding net actuarial losses (gains) 12,562 2,319 32,187 16,169 17,241 81,108 (negative 21,572) 140,014
Total program expenses, excluding net actuarial (gains) losses 126,977 89,608 33,318 60,549 18,998 159,303 (negative 22,090) 466,663
Public debt charges 47,007 64 1 216 (negative 15) 47,273
Total expenses, excluding net actuarial (gains) losses 126,977 136,615 33,382 60,549 18,999 159,519 (negative 22,105) 513,936
Net actuarial (gains) losses 6,540 1,503 (negative 554) 7,489
Total expenses 126,977 136,615 39,922 60,549 20,502 158,965 (negative 22,105) 521,425
Table 62 notes

General notes:

  • Details providing total expenses by segment and type can be found in Section 3 (unaudited) of this volume.
Table note *

The dash means that the amount is 0 or is rounded to 0.

Return to table note * referrer in Table 62

Table note 1

Represents consolidation adjustments to eliminate internal transactions.

Return to table note 1 referrer in Table 62

Table note 2

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Return to table note 2 referrer in Table 62

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