April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025
Northwestern Polytechnic
Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2025
Statement of Management Responsibility
The consolidated financial statements of Northwestern Polytechnic (Polytechnic), have been prepared by management in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards as described in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements present fairly the financial position of the Polytechnic as at March 31, 2025 and the results of its operations, remeasurement gains and losses, change in net financial assets and cash flows for the year then ended.
In fulfilling its responsibilities and recognizing the limits inherent in all systems, management has developed and maintains a system of internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Polytechnic's assets are safeguarded from loss and that the accounting records are a reliable basis for preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
The Board of Governors is responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements, and overseeing management's performance of its financial reporting responsibilities.
The Board of Governors carries out its responsibility for review of the consolidated financial statements principally through its Audit Committee. With the exception of the President, all members of the Audit Committee are not employees of the Polytechnic. The President is an ex-officio member of the committee and is ineligible to vote. The Audit Committee meets with management and the external auditors to discuss the results of audit examinations and financial reporting matters. The external auditors have full access to the Audit Committee, with and without the presence of management.
These consolidated financial statements have been reported on by the Auditor General of Alberta, the auditor appointed under the Post-secondary Learning Act. The Independent Auditor's report outlines the scope of the audit and provides the audit opinion on the fairness of presentation of the information in the consolidated financial statements.
[Original signed by V. Sheane, PhD, RN]
Vanessa Sheane, PhD, RN President and CEO
[Original signed by T. Watts, MBA]
Thomas Watts, MBA Vice President Administration
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Board of Governors of the Northwestern Polytechnic
Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements
Opinion
I have audited the consolidated financial statements of the Northwestern Polytechnic (the Group), which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at March 31, 2025, and the consolidated statements of operations, change in net financial assets, remeasurement gains and losses and cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
In my opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group as at March 31, 2025, and the results of its operations, its changes in net financial assets, its remeasurement gains and losses, and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards.
Basis for opinion
I conducted my audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of my report. I am independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the consolidated financial statements in Canada, and I have fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion.
Other information
Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, but does not include the consolidated financial statements and my auditor’s report thereon. The Annual Report is expected to be made available to me after the date of this auditor’s report.
My opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with my audit of the consolidated financial statements, my responsibility is to read the other information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or my knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If, based on the work I will perform on this other information, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to communicate the matter to those charged with governance.
Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless an intention exists to liquidate or to cease operations, or there is no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements
My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, I exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. I also:
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If I conclude that a material uncertainty exists, I am required to draw attention in my auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify my opinion. My conclusions are based on the audit
evidence obtained up to the date of my auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
• Plan and perform the group audit to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business units within the Group as a basis for forming an opinion on the group financial statements. I am responsible for the direction, supervision and review of the audit work performed for purposes of the group audit. I remain solely responsible for my audit opinion.
Icommunicatewiththosechargedwithgovernanceregarding,amongothermatters,theplanned scopeandtimingoftheauditandsignificantauditfindings,includinganysignificantdeficienciesin internalcontrolthatIidentifyduringmyaudit.
[Original
signedbyW.DougWylieFCPA,FCMA,ICD.D] AuditorGeneral
May28,2025 Edmonton,Alberta
Northwestern Polytechnic
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at March 31, 2025
assets excluding portfolio investments restricted for endowments
(note 3)
(note 4)
Contingent assets and contractual rights (notes 16 and 18)
Contingent liabilities and contractual obligations (notes 17 and 19)
Approved by the Board of Governors:
Northwestern Polytechnic
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Year Ended March 31, 2025
(note 20)
Northwestern Polytechnic
Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets
Year Ended March 31, 2025
Northwestern Polytechnic
Consolidated Statement of Remeasurement Gains and Losses
Year Ended March 31, 2025
(losses),
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to:
Amounts reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations:
(losses)
Northwestern Polytechnic
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended March 31, 2025
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
1. Authorityand purpose
The Board of Governors of Northwestern Polytechnic is a corporation which manages and operates Northwestern Polytechnic ("the Polytechnic") under the Post-secondary Learning Act (Alberta). All members of the Board of Governors are appointed by either the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Minister of Advanced Education, with the exception of the President, who is an ex-officio member. Under the Post-secondary Learning Act the Polytechnic is a polytechnic institute offering mandated credentials and programs. The Polytechnic is a registered charity, and under section 149 of the Income TaxAct (Canada), is exempt from the payment of income tax.
2. Summaryof significant accounting policies and reporting practices
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards (PSAS) as recommended by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada). Significant aspects of the accounting policies adopted by the Polytechnic are as follows:
a)
Use of estimates
The measurement of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses is contingent upon future events; therefore, the preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the use of estimates, which may vary from actual results. The Polytechnic's management uses judgement to determine such estimates. Employee future benefit liabilities, amortization of tangible capital assets, asset retirement obligations, allowance for doubtful accounts, fair values for recognition of in-kind donations, and the revenue recognition for expended capital are the most significant items based on estimates. In management's opinion, the resulting estimates are within reasonable limits of materiality and are in accordance with the significant accounting policies summarized below. These significant accounting policies are presented to assist the reader in evaluating these consolidated financial statements and, together with the following notes, should be considered an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
There is measurement uncertainty related to asset retirement obligations as it involves estimates in determining settlement amount, discount rates and timing of settlement. Changes to any of these estimates and assumptions may result in changes to the obligation.
b) Valuation of financial assets and liabilities
The Polytechnic's financial assets and liabilities are measured as follows:
Financial Statement Component Measurement
Cash and cash equivalents
Portfolio investments
Inventories held for sale
Accounts receivable
Cash surrender value of life insurance
Cost
Fair value
Lower of cost or net realizable value
Lower of carrying value or net realizable value
Cost
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Cost
Asset retirement obligations
Debt
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
Unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are recognized in the consolidated statement of remeasurement gains and losses. When the restricted nature of a financial instrument and any related changes in fair value create a liability, unrealized gains and losses are recognized as deferred revenue.
All financial assets are tested annually for impairment. When financial assets are impaired, impairment losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. A write-down of a portfolio investment to reflect a loss in value that is other than temporary is not reversed for a subsequent increase in value.
For financial assets and liabilities measured using amortized cost, the effective interest rate method is used to determine interest revenue or expense. Transaction costs are a component of cost for financial instruments measured using cost or amortized cost. Transaction costs are expensed for financial instruments measured at fair value. Investment management fees are expensed as incurred. The purchase and sale of cash and cash equivalents and portfolio investments are accounted for using trade-date accounting.
The Polytechnic does not use foreign currency contracts or any type of derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Management evaluates contractual obligations for the existence of embedded derivatives and elects to either designate the entire contract for the fair value measurement or separately measure the value of the derivative component when characteristics of the derivative are not closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the contract itself. Contracts to buy or sell non-financial items for the Polytechnic's normal purchase, sale or usage requirements are not recognized as financial assets or liabilities. The Polytechnic does not have any embedded derivatives.
c) Revenue recognition
All revenues are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Cash received for which goods or services have not been provided by year end is recognized as deferred revenue.
Government grants, non-government grants and donations
Government transfers are referred to as government grants.
Restricted grants and donations are recognized as deferred revenue if the terms for the use, or the terms along with the Polytechnic's actions and communications as to the use, create a liability. These grants and donations are recognized as revenue as the terms are met. If the grants and donations are used to acquire or construct tangible capital assets, revenue will be recognized over the useful life of the tangible capital asset.
Government grants without terms for the use of the grant are recognized as revenue when the Polytechnic is eligible to receive the funds. Unrestricted non-government grants and donations are recognized as revenue in the year received or in the year the funds are committed to the Polytechnic if the amount can be reasonably estimated and collection is reasonably assured.
In-kind donations of services, materials and tangible capital assets are recognized at fair value when such value can reasonably be determined. Transfers of tangible capital assets from related parties are recognized at the carrying value.
Grants and donations related to land
Grants and donations for the purchase of land are recognized as deferred revenue when received, and recognized as revenue when the land is purchased.
The Polytechnic recognizes in-kind contributions of land as revenue at the fair value of the land when a fair value can be reasonably determined. When the Polytechnic cannot determine the fair value, it recognizes such in-kind contributions at nominal value.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
Sales of services and product
Sales of services and products represents revenues from non-tuition related services and/or products such as parking fees, locker rental fees, one day workshops, media production, laundry revenues, conferences, amenities fees, recreation program registration fees, membership fees, food services and related commissions, vending revenue, gift certificates, book sales, rental income, theatre ticket sales, fine and surcharges, non-refundable application fees, interest revenue, sponsorship revenue, other administrative charges.
These revenues, with the exception of parking fines and surcharges, non-refundable application fees, cancellation fees and some administrative fees, are considered revenues arising from exchange transactions. Revenue from these transactions is recognized when or as the Polytechnic fulfils its performance obligation(s) and transfers control of the promised goods and services to the payor. If the performance obligation is outstanding at year-end, the remaining revenue is deferred.
Revenue without performance obligations is a non-exchange transaction with a payor and is recognized when the Polytechnic has the authority to claim or retain an inflow of economic resources and identifies a past transaction or event that gives rise to an asset.
Student tuition and fees
Student tuition and fees are charged for the programs offered by the Polytechnic such as program registration and application fees, course delivery fees, student ID fees and laboratory fees.
These fees are considered revenue arising from exchange transactions with performance obligations. The Polytechnic recognizes revenue from program registration and application fees when received as the performance obligations of registering the student are met when paid. Revenue from course delivery and laboratory fees are recognized over the course of each academic period/semester as the Polytechnic fulfils its performance obligations by delivering the courses. If the performance obligation is outstanding at year-end, the remaining revenue is deferred. Revenue from student ID fees is recognized when the performance obligation to provide the student ID cards to the student has been met.
Endowment contributions
Endowment contributions are recognized as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations in the year in which they are received, and are required by donors to be maintained intact in perpetuity.
Investment income
Investment income includes dividends, interest income, and realized gains and losses on the sale of portfolio investments. Investment income from restricted grants and donations is recognized as deferred revenue when the terms for use create a liability, and is recognized as investment income when the terms of the grant or donations are met.
The endowment spending allocation portion of investment income earned by the endowments is recognized as deferred revenue when the terms for the use by the endowment create a liability. Realized investment income allocated to endowment balances for the preservation of endowment capital purchasing power is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
d) Endowments
Endowments consist of externally restricted donations received by the Polytechnic and internal allocations from the Polytechnic's Board of Governors, the principal of which is required to be maintained intact in perpetuity.
Investment income (excluding unrealized income) earned on endowments must be used in accordance with the various purposes established by the donors or the Board of Governors. Benefactors, as well as the Polytechnic policy, stipulate that the economic value of the endowments must be protected by limiting the amount of income that may be expended.
Under the Post-secondary Learning Act, the Polytechnic has the authority to alter the terms and conditions of endowments to enable:
Income earned by the endowments to be withheld from distribution to avoid fluctuations in the amounts distributed, generally to regulate the distribution of income earned by the endowments.
Encroachment on the capital of the endowments to avoid fluctuations in the amounts distributed and generally to regulate the distribution of investment income earned by the endowments if, in the opinion of the Board of Governors, the encroachment benefits the Polytechnic and does not impair the long-term value of the fund.
In any year, if the investment income earned on endowments is insufficient to fund the spending allocation, the spending allocation is funded from the accumulated capitalized investment income. However, for individual endowment funds without sufficient accumulated capitalized income, endowment principal is used in that year. The amount is expected to be recovered by future investment income.
Endowment contributions, matching contributions, and associated investment income allocated for the preservation of endowment capital purchasing power are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which they are received
e) Inventories
Inventories held for sale are valued at the lower of cost and expected net realizable value and are determined using the first-in, first-out basis. Inventories of supplies are valued at the lower of cost or replacement cost.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
f)
Tangible capital assets
Tangible capital assets are recognized at cost, which includes amounts that are directly related to the acquisition, design, construction, development, improvement or betterment of the assets and costs associated with asset retirement obligations. Cost includes overhead directly attributable to construction and development, as well as interest costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of the asset. Work-in-progress, which includes facilities construction and improvement projects and development of information systems, is not amortized until after the project is complete and the asset is in service.
All leases are recorded in the financial statements as either a capital or operating lease. Any lease which transfers substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership associated with the leased asset are accounted for as leased tangible capital assets. Capital lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lesser of the present value of the future minimum lease payments and the asset's fair market value at the inception of the lease, excluding executor costs (e.g. insurance, maintenance costs, etc.). The discount rate used to determine the present value of the lease payments is the lower of the Polytechnic's rate for incremental borrowing or the interest rate implicit in the lease. As at March 31, 2025 the Polytechnic did not hold any capital leases.
The cost, less residual value, of tangible capital assets, excluding land, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows:
Buildings and site improvements
25-40 years
Furnishings, equipment and systems 5-15 years
Learning resources 10 years
Tangible capital asset write-downs are recognized when conditions indicate they no longer contribute to the Polytechnic's ability to provide services, or when the value of future economic benefits associated with the tangible capital assets are less than their net book value. Net write-downs are recognized as expenses.
Works of art, historical treasures and collections are expensed when acquired and not recognized as tangible capital assets because a reasonable estimate of the future benefits associated with such property cannot be made.
g) Foreign currencytranslation
Transaction amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into their Canadian dollar equivalents at exchange rates prevailing at the transaction dates. Carrying values of monetary assets and liabilities and non-monetary items included in the fair value category reflect the exchange rates at the consolidated statement of financial position date. Unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of remeasurement gains and losses.
In the period of settlement, foreign exchange gains and losses are reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations, and the cumulative amount of remeasurement gains and losses is reversed in the consolidated statement of remeasurement gains and losses.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
h)
Employee future benefits Pension
The Polytechnic participates with other employers in the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP). This pension plan is a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan that provides pensions for the Polytechnic's participating employees based on years of service and earnings.
The Polytechnic does not have sufficient plan information on the LAPP to follow the standards for defined benefit accounting, and therefore follows the standards for defined contribution accounting. Accordingly, pension expense recognized for the LAPP is comprised of employer contributions to the plan that are required for its employees during the year, which are calculated based on actuarially predetermined amounts that are expected to provide the plan's future benefits.
Supplementaryretirement plans (SRP)
The Polytechnic provides a non-contributory defined benefit supplementary retirement plan for executive members based on years of service and earnings. The expense for this plan is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method prorated on service. Actuarial gains or losses on the accrued benefit obligation are amortized over the expected average remaining service life.
Accumulating non-vesting sick leave liability
Sick leave benefits accumulate with employee service and are provided by the Polytechnic to all employee groups as defined by employment agreements to cover illness related to absences that are outside of long-term disability coverage. The maximum accumulated sick leave is up to 81 days depending on the employee group. The liability for the accumulated non-vested sick pay benefit is actuarially determined with an excess utilization model. The cost of accumulating non-vesting sick benefits are expensed as the benefits are earned.
Long-term disability(LTD)
The cost of providing non-vesting and non-accumulating employee future benefits for compensated absences under the Polytechnic's long-term disability plans is charged to expense in full when the event occurs which obligates the Polytechnic to provide the benefits. The cost of these benefits is actuarially determined using the accumulated benefit method, a market interest rate and administration's best estimate of the retirement ages of employees, expected health care costs and the period of employee disability. Actuarial gains or losses on the accrued benefit obligation are amortized over the average expected period the benefits will be paid.
Leave plans
The leave plans allow employees to make contributions of their salary towards a year of leave. In the year of leave, the Polytechnic makes a one-time contribution of a portion of the employee's salary and continues to pay the employee's benefits.
The cost of these benefits is based on actual costs once the leave plan is approved and commences. The employee's contributions and interest are held by the Polytechnic and recorded as a liability until the leave period when they are paid to the employee, along with the Polytechnic's contributions.
Maternityand parental leave
The Polytechnic offers a Supplemental Employment Insurance Benefit (SEIB) plan to all employee groups. During the leave, the Polytechnic makes supplemental payments for a portion of the employee's salary and continues to pay the employee's benefits. The cost of these benefits is based on actual costs once the employee's SEIB plan is approved.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
i) Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of the Northwestern Polytechnic Foundation ("the Foundation"). The Foundation's Board of Directors is made up of individuals from the Board of Governors from the Polytechnic. The Polytechnic is the sole beneficiary of the activities of the Foundation.
The Foundation operates under the Alberta Companies Act and is a registered charity for income tax purposes. The Foundation's activities are directed to support the advancement of the Polytechnic. All transactions between the Polytechnic and the Foundation are eliminated upon consolidation. The accounts of the consolidated entity is consolidated using the line-by-line method.
j) Liabilityfor contaminated sites
Contaminated sites are a result of contamination of a chemical, organic, or radioactive material or live organism that exceeds an environmental standard, being introduced into soil, water or sediment. It does not include airborne contaminants. The Polytechnic recognizes a liability for remediation of contaminated sites when the following criteria have been met:
an environmental standard exists;
there is evidence that contamination exceeds an environmental standard;
the Polytechnic 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.
A liability for a contaminated site may arise from operations that are either considered in productive use or no longer in productive use when environmental standards are exceeded. It will also arise when an unexpected event occurs resulting in contamination that exceeds an environmental standard. The Polytechnic has determined that a contaminated site liability does not exist at March 31, 2025.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
k) Asset retirement obligations
Asset retirement obligations are legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible capital assets. The tangible capital assets include but are not limited to assets in productive use, assets no longer in productive use, and leased tangible capital assets. Asset retirement activities include all activities relating to an asset retirement obligation. These may include, but are not limited to:
decommissioning or dismantling a tangible capital asset that was acquired, constructed or developed;
remediation of contamination of a tangible capital asset created by its normal use;
post-retirement activities such as monitoring; and
constructing other tangible capital assets to perform post-retirement activities.
A liability for an asset retirement obligation is recognized when, as at the financial statement reporting date, all of the following criteria are met:
there is a legal obligation to incur retirement costs in relation to a tangible capital asset;
the past transaction or event giving rise to the liability has occurred;
it is expected that future economic benefits will be given up; and
a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made.
When a liability for asset retirement obligation is recognized, asset retirement costs related to the recognized tangible capital assets in productive use are capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related asset and are amortized over the estimated useful life of the underlying tangible capital asset. Asset retirement costs related to unrecognized tangible capital assets and those not in productive use are expensed.
When the present value technique is used to measure a liability, the liability is adjusted for the passage of time and is recognized as accretion expense in the consolidated statement of operations. This expense ensures that the time value of money is considered when recognizing outstanding liabilities at each reporting date. When a present value technique is not used, the asset retirement obligation is measured at the current estimated cost to settle or otherwise extinguish the liability. The Polytechnic measures all asset retirement obligations at their current estimated cost to settle as the estimated settlement date of these obligations is indeterminable.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
l) Expense byfunction
The Polytechnic uses the following categories of functions on its consolidated statement of operations:
Instruction
Instruction is the purposeful direction of the learning process and is one of the major teacher class activities along with planning and management of existing curriculum. This is the primary function of the institution and includes all activities, salaries and benefits and materials and supplies that provide learning to the students.
Academic and student support
Expenses relating to activities directly supporting the academic functions of the Polytechnic. This includes items such as libraries, galleries and expenses for Deans. Academic and student support also include expenses for centralized functions that support individual students or groups of students.
Facilityoperations and maintenance
Expenses relating to maintenance and renewal of facilities that house the teaching, research and administrative activities within the Polytechnic. These include utilities, facilities administration, building maintenance, custodial services, landscaping and grounds keeping, as well as major repairs and renovations.
Institutional support
Expenses for centralized Polytechnic-wide administration including executive management, public relations, alumni relations and development, corporate insurance premiums, corporate finance, human resources, centralized core computing, network and data communications.
Ancillaryservices
Expenses relating to services and products provided to the Polytechnic community and to external individuals and organizations. Services include the Polytechnic's bookstore, parking services, food services and student residences.
Sponsored research
Expenses for all sponsored research activities specifically funded by restricted grants and donations.
Special purpose
Expenses for fundraising and donations related to the Foundation, and other programs specifically funded by restricted grants and donations.
m) Funds and reserves
Certain amounts, as approved by the Board of Governors, are set aside in accumulated operating surplus for future operating and capital purposes. Transfers to and from funds and reserves are an adjustment to the respective fund when approved.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
n) Future changes in accounting standards
The Polytechnic will adopt the following new conceptual framework and accounting standard approved by the Public Sector Accounting Board:
Effective April 1, 2026, The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting in the Public Sector. The Conceptual Framework is the foundation for the public sector financial reporting standards. It replaces the conceptual aspects of Section PS 1000, Financial Statement Concepts, and Section PS 1100, Financial Statement Objectives. The conceptual framework highlights considerations fundamental for the consistent application of accounting issues in the absence of specific standards.
Effective April 1, 2026, PS 1202, Financial Statement Presentation. Section PS 1202 sets out general and specific requirements for the presentation of information in general purpose financial statements. The financial statement presentation principles are based on the concepts within the Conceptual Framework.
The Polytechnic is currently assessing the impact of the new conceptual framework and standard, and the extent of the impact of their adoption on the consolidated financial statements has not yet been determined.
3. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following:
Cash balances earn a rate of return of Prime less 1.8% (2024 - Prime less 1.8%).
The Polytechnic holds a $4 million revolving line of credit that has no draws on it at March 31, 2025. The line of credit bears interest at Prime less 0.25% per annum.
4. Portfolio investments
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
The composition of portfolio investments measured at fair value is as follows:
The fair value measurements are those derived from:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;
Level 2: Fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included with Level 1 that are observable for the assets, either directly (i.e as prices) or indirectly (i.e derived from prices);
Level 3: Fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the assets that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
5. Accounts receivable Accounts receivable consists of the following:
6. Cash surrender value of life insurance
The Foundation is the assignee and beneficiary of life insurance policies with cash surrender values totalling $179,086 (2024 - $166,890).
7. Accounts payable Accounts payable consists of the following:
8. Financial risk management
The Polytechnic is exposed to a variety of financial risks on its financial instrument holdings, including market price risk, foreign currency risk, liquidity risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk. To manage investment risks, the Polytechnic invests in a diversified portfolio of investments that is guided by established investment policies that outline risk and return objectives. The long term objectives of the Polytechnic's investment policies are to achieve a long term real rate of return in excess of fees and expenses and maintain the real value of the fund. To manage interest rate risks, the Polytechnic utilizes fixed-rate agreements.
Market price risk
The Polytechnic is exposed to market price risk - the risk that the value of the financial instrument will fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices, whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual security, its issuer, or general market factors affecting all securities. To manage this risk, the Polytechnic has established an investment policy with a target asset mixthat is diversified by asset class with individual issuer limits and is designed to achieve a long-term rate of return that in real terms equals or exceeds total endowment expenditures with an acceptable level of risk.
The Polytechnic assesses its portfolio sensitivity to a percentage increase or decrease in the market prices. The sensitivity rate is determined using the historical annualized standard deviation for the total portfolio over a five-year period as determined by a consulting report. At March 31, 2025 if market prices had a 6.18% (2024 - 7.86%) increase or decrease, with all other variables held constant, the increase or decrease in accumulated remeasurement gains and losses and endowment net assets for the year would be $2,979,122 (2024 - $3,515,082).
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
Foreign currencyrisk
Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Polytechnic is exposed to foreign exchange risk on investments that are denominated in foreign currencies and uses foreign currency investment limits to manage this risk. The Polytechnic does not use foreign currency forward contracts or any other type of derivative financial instrument for trading or speculative purposes. The Polytechnic's exposure to foreign exchange risk due to daily operating activities is very low due to minimal business activities conducted in a foreign currency.
The impact of a change in value of the Canadian dollar against the foreign currency portfolio investments is as follows:
The Global fixed income mutual funds are denominated in Canadian dollars, therefore the foreign currency risk exposure is indirect.
Credit risk
Counterparty credit risk is the risk of loss arising from the failure of a counterparty to fully honour its financial obligations with the Polytechnic. The Polytechnic is exposed to credit risk on investments and has established an investment policy with required minimum credit quality standards and issuer limits to manage this risk. The credit risk from accounts receivable is low as the majority of balances are due from government agencies and corporate sponsors.
The credit risks on investments held as bonds are as follows:
Liquidityrisk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Polytechnic will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with its financial liabilities. The Polytechnic maintains a portfolio of investments that are highly liquid and readily convertible to cash, to manage short-term cash requirements.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk to the Polytechnic's earnings that arise from the fluctuations in interest rates and the degree of volatility of these rates. The risk is managed by investment policies that limit the term to maturity of certain fixed income securities that the Polytechnic holds. If interest rates increased by 1% (2024 - 1%), across all points of the yield curve and all other variables are held constant, the potential loss in fair value to the Polytechnic would be approximately 7.14%, of total investments (2024 - 7.20%). Interest risk on the Polytechnic's debt is managed through fixed-rate agreements with the Department of Treasury Board and Finance. (note 10)
The maturity and effective market yield of interest bearing investments are as follows:
9. Employee future benefit liabilities
Employee future benefits liabilities are comprised of the following:
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
a) Defined benefit plan accounted for on a defined benefit basis
Long-term disability(LTD)
The Polytechnic provides long-term disability (academic and support staff) defined benefits to its employees. An actuarial valuation for these benefits was carried out as at March 31, 2025. Benefits for all employees approved by the group benefits provider for long-term disability include the payment of monthly benefits until approval ceases or the age of 65, and the employee and employer Local Authority Pension Plan (LAPP) contributor for a total of five years for members of the Academic Staff Association (ASA).
Sick leave
Sick leave benefits are provided by the Polytechnic to all employee groups and accumulate with employee service, as defined by employment agreements, to cover illness related to absences that are outside of long-term disability coverage. The maximum accumulated sick leave is up to 81 days depending on the employee group. An actuarial valuation of these benefits was carried out as at March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024.
Supplementaryretirement plans (SRP)
The Polytechnic provides a non-contributory defined benefit supplementary retirement benefit to executives. An actuarial valuation of these benefits was carried out as at March 31, 2024 and the results were used to calculate the March 31, 2025 liability.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
The expense and financial position of these defined benefit plans are as follows:
Financial Position
(1)The Polytechnic plans to use its working capital to finance these future obligations.
The accrued benefit liability does not include obligations under the leave plans, maternity and parental leave benefits as described in section c.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
The significant actuarial assumptions used to measure the accrued benefit obligations are as follows:
(1)SRP actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the remaining contract terms of the participants.
b) Defined benefit plan accounted for on a defined contribution basis
Local authoritypension plan (LAPP)
The LAPP is a multi-employer contributory defined benefit pension plan for support staff members and is accounted for on a defined benefit contribution basis. At December 31, 2024, the LAPP reported an actuarial surplus of $19,557,148 (2023 - surplus of $15,056,661). The pension expense recorded in these consolidated financial statements is $2,580,225 (2024 - $2,480,247). Other than the requirement to make additional contributions, the Polytechnic does not bear any risk related to the LAPP if it runs a deficit.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
c) Defined contribution
Leave plans
The Polytechnic provides two leave plans, one for the Academic Staff Association (ASA) employees and one for the Employee Association (EA) employees.
The ASA Four for Five leave plan allows the employee to make contributions up to 14% of their salary to the plan for 4 years. In the year of the leave, the Polytechnic will make a one-time contribution of 24% of the employee's annual salary and will continue to pay the Polytechnic's normal premium costs for the employee's benefits.
The EA self-initiated leave plan allows for the employee to make contributions of their salary to the plan. In the year of leave, the Polytechnic will make a one-time contribution of 15% of the employee's annual salary and will continue to pay the Polytechnic's normal premium costs for the employee's benefits.
EA self-initiated leave and ASA Four for Five plans expenses were $61,383 (2024 - $108,668).
Maternity and parental leave
The Polytechnic offers a Supplemental Employment Insurance Benefits (SEIB) to all employee groups; Academic Staff Association (ASA), Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), Employee Association (EA) and Administrative Group (Admin).
The SEIB plan offered to the Employees' Association (EA) and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) allows eligible employees to receive a supplemental salary payment from the Polytechnic during an eight-week period for two weeks prior to the delivery and six weeks following delivery. The employee will receive 95% of their regular salary during the one-week waiting period for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. Thereafter, the employee will receive the difference between the EI payments and 95% of their regular salary. The Polytechnic will continue to pay its portion of benefits premiums during the time the employee is receiving SEIB plan payments.
The SEIB plan offered to the Academic Staff Association (ASA) and the Administrative Group allows eligible employees to receive a supplemental salary payment from the Polytechnic during a sixteen week period for one week prior to the delivery or adoption and up to sixteen weeks following delivery with a medical certificate (cannot exceed sixteen weeks). The employee will receive 100% of their regular salary during the one-week waiting period for EI benefits. Thereafter, the employee will receive the difference between EI benefit payments and 100% of their salary. The Polytechnic will continue to pay its portion of the benefits premiums during the time the employee is receiving SEIB plan payments. SEIB plan for eligible employees combined with EI payments must not exceed 100% of the employees regular salary for the sixteen-week period.
The Polytechnic's SEIB plan expense was $81,112 (2024 - $15,131).
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025 10. Debt
Collateral for all loans is the title to student residence land and buildings with a carrying value of $6,813,847 (2024 - $7,636,720).
The Polytechnic's debt is with the Department of Treasury Board and Finance.
Principal and interest repayments in each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
Interest expense on debt is $474,162 (2024 - $505,249) and is included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
11. Deferred revenue
Deferred revenues are set aside for specific purposes as required either by legislation, regulation or agreement:
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
12. Tangible capital assets
Accumulated Amortization
No interest was capitalized by the Polytechnic in 2025 (2024 - $nil).
(a) Cost includes work in progress at March 31, 2025, totalling $20,484,893 (2024 - $1,184,947) comprised of buildings and site improvements of $20,270,251 (2024 - $1,102,732) primarily for the Power Engineering and Instrumentation Lab, and furnishings, equipment and systems of $214,642 (2024 - $82,215). These assets are not amortized until put in use.
Costs includes asset retirement obligations at March 31, 2025, totalling $4,560,385 (2024 - $4,560,385) comprised of buildings and site improvements of $4,554,728 (2024 - $4,554,728) and furnishings, equipment and systems of $5,657 (2024 - $5,657).
(b) Furnishings, equipment and systems include vehicles, heavy equipment, office equipment, computer and electronic equipment, instruction equipment, furniture and other equipment. Acquisitions include $218,001, of gift-in-kind donations (2024 - $116,999).
(c) Learning resources consists of library holdings.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
13. Spent deferred capital contributions
Spent deferred capital contributions are comprised of externally restricted grants and donations spent on tangible capital acquisitions (not yet recognized as revenue).
14. Asset retirement obligations
Asset retirement obligations at March 31, 2025, totalling $4,758,464 (2024 - $4,637,879) include buildings and site improvements of $4,752,595 (2024 - $4,632,158) and furnishings, equipments and systems of $5,869 (2024 - $5,721). The Polytechnic has asset retirement obligations to remove hazardous asbestos fibre containing materials from various buildings under its control. Regulations require the Polytechnic to handle and dispose of the asbestos in a prescribed manner when it is disturbed, such as when the building undergoes renovations or is demolished. Although timing of the asbestos removal is conditional on the building undergoing renovations or being demolished, regulations create an existing obligation for the Polytechnic to remove the asbestos when asset retirement activities occur.
Asset retirement obligations are initially measured as of the date the legal obligation was incurred, based on management's best estimate of the amount required to retire tangible capital assets and may be subsequently re-measured at each financial reporting date taking into account any new information and the appropriateness of assumptions used. The estimate of the liability is based on independent, third party quotes.
Asset retirement obligations are expected to be settled over the next 1 to 31 years.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
15. Net assets
The composition of net assets is as follows:
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
(a) The Polytechnic's closing net assets invested in tangible capital assets is the sum of its tangible capital assets, less debt, asset retirement obligation and spent deferred capital contribution balances.
Investment in tangible capital assets represents the amount of the Polytechnic's accumulated surplus that has been invested in the Polytechnic's capital assets.
(b) Internally restricted accumulated surplus represents amounts set aside by the Polytechnic's Board of Governors for specific purposes. Those amounts are not available for other purposes without the approval of the Board.
Internally restricted net assets with significant balances include:
Internally restricted net assets under Capital Renewal and Upgrade, Information Technology Renewal and Upgrade, and Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence are expected to be used over the next 5 fiscal years based on the current capital plan as approved by the Board.
16. Contingent assets
As of March 31, 2025, the Polytechnic does not have any open matters which would give rise to contingent assets.
17. Contingent liabilities
As of March 31, 2025, Northwestern Polytechnic was named a defendant in three (2024 - three) specific legal actions. For all the claims, no specified amount has yet to be claimed; the amount of these claims will be determined at trial. The loss from these claims, if any, cannot be determined. Management has concluded that none of the claims meet the criteria for recognizing a liability.
The Polytechnic's on-going efforts to assess environmental liabilities may result in additional environmental remediation liabilities related to newly identified sites, or changes in the assessments or intended use of existing sites. Any changes to the environmental liabilities will be accrued in the year in which they are assessed as likely and measurable.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
18. Contractual rights
Contractual rights are rights of the Polytechnic to economic resources arising from contracts or agreements that will result in both assets and revenues in the future when the terms of those contracts or agreements are met.
Estimated amounts that will be received or receivable for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
19. Contractual obligations
The Polytechnic has contractual obligations which are commitments that will become liabilities in the future when the terms of the contracts or agreements are met. The estimated aggregate amount payable for the unexpired terms of these contractual obligations are as follows:
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
20. Expense byobject
The following is a summary of expense by object:
21. Funds held on behalf of others
The Polytechnic holds the following funds on behalf of others over which the Board has no power of appropriation. Accordingly these funds are not included in the consolidated financial statements.
22. Related parties
The Polytechnic is a related party with organizations within the Government of Alberta reporting entity. Key management personnel of the Polytechnic and their close family members are also considered related parties. The Polytechnic may enter into arm's length transactions with these entities and individuals.
The Polytechnic has debt with the Department of Treasury Board and Finance as described in note 10.
The Polytechnic holds a lease agreement with Alberta Health Services (AHS) for 34,132 square feet of instructional space within Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. The lease is for a nominal amount and has a term of 30 years, beginning June 1, 2022, with two, ten-year extensions. The construction costs of the leased space was $40.8 million and was funded by Alberta Infrastructure. AHS receives funding from the Provincial Government to support the operating costs related to the leased space.
The Polytechnic received one (2024 - three) lot of land from Alberta Infrastructure during the year for a nominal amount of $12,000 (2024 - $0.03). The land is recorded at a nominal value.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
23. Government transfers
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
24.Investment income
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
25. Salaryand employee benefits
(a) The Chair and Members of the Board of Governors receive honorariums and other payments for participation on the Board. The annual Chair remuneration was $4,500 (2024 - $4,500). The Chair and Members of the Board also receive $500 per year for each subcommittee.
(b) Base salary includes pensionable base pay.
(c) Other cash benefits include cash payments for health and retirement benefits specifically for the President. Other earnings include honoraria, car allowance, moving allowance, retiring allowance, remote retention allowance, and vacation payouts. Bonuses are not paid to employees.
(d) Other non-cash benefits include the Polytechnic's share of all employee benefits and contributions or payments made on behalf of employees including pension, group life insurance, employee family assistance program, supplementary health care, long-term disability plans, dental coverage, accidental death and disbursement, flexible health and wellness spending accounts, professional development and memberships, computer equipment, tuition and current and prior year service cost of the supplementary retirement plan.
(e) This position was occupied by two individuals during the fiscal year. The former Vice President of Academics and Research was in this role from June 3, 2024, to March 13, 2025. The Interim Vice President of Academic and Research has occupied this role since March 18, 2025. This position was vacant outside of these dates.
(f)The position was renamed to Vice President Administration during the year. This position was formerly Vice President Finance and Administration.
(g) The Chief of Staff position is no longer part of the organizational structure.
Northwestern Polytechnic
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended March 31, 2025
Under the terms of the supplementary retirement plan (SRP), executive members may receive supplemental payments. Retirement arrangement costs as detailed below are not cash payments in the period but are period expenses for rights to future compensation. Costs shown reflect the total estimated cost to provide annual pension income over the post employment period. SRP provides future pension benefits to participants based on years of service and earnings. The cost of these benefits is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method pro-rated on services, market interest rate, and management's best estimate of expected costs and the period of benefit coverage. Net actuarial gains and losses of the benefit obligation are amortized over the average remaining service life of the employee group. Current service cost is the present value of the benefits earned in the current year.
The significant actuarial assumptions used to measure the accrued benefit obligation are disclosed in note 9.
26. Budget figures
The Polytechnic's 2024-25 budget was approved by the Board of Governors and submitted to the Minister of Advanced Education.
27. Approval of consolidated financial statements
The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Governors at the Polytechnic's Board Meeting on May 28, 2025.
