Financial Statements for the year ended March 31, 2009

Statement of Management Responsibility

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2009 and all information contained in this report rests with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) management. These financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting standards issued by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector.

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these financial statements. Some of the information in the financial statements is based on management's best estimates and judgement and gives due consideration to materiality. To fulfil its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provide a centralized record of the Department's financial transactions. Financial information submitted to the Public Accounts of Canada and included in the WD's Departmental Performance Report is consistent with these financial statements.

Management maintains a system of financial management and internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is reliable, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are in accordance with the Financial Administration Act are executed in accordance with prescribed regulations, within Parliamentary authorities, and are properly recorded to maintain accountability of Government funds. Management also seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its financial statements by careful selection, training and development of qualified staff, by organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility, and by communication programs aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards and managerial authorities are understood throughout the Department.

The Departmental Audit Committee supports management. This Committee approves the departmental audit plan and oversees the internal audit activities in the Department. It also reviews the results of audits as well as management responses and action plans developed to address audit recommendations.

The financial statements of Western Economic Diversification Canada have not been audited.

____________________________
Daniel Watson
Deputy Minister
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

____________________________
Date

 

_____________________________
Jim Saunderson
Chief Financial Officer

_____________________________
Date

Statement of Operations (unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31, 2009 (in thousands of dollars)
Transfer Payments (note 4)	2009	2008
Policy, Advocacy and Coordination	923	934
Community Economic Development	69,828	91,871
Entrepreneurship and Innovation	112,068	100,842
Total Transfer Payments	182,819	193,647
Operating Expenses (note 4)
Policy, Advocacy and Coordination	13,497	13,981
Community Economic Development	17,737	18,374
Entrepreneurship and Innovation	28,486	29,510
Total Operating Expenses	59,720	61 865
Total Expenses	242,539	255,512
Revenues (note 5)
Policy, Advocacy and Coordination	-	-
Community Economic Development	16	281
Entrepreneurship and Innovation	1,553	10,340
Total Revenues	1,569	10,621
Net Cost of Operations	240,970	244,891

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Statement of Financial Position (unaudited)

At March 31, 2009 (in thousands of dollars)
	2009	2008
Assets
Financial Assets
Receivables (note 6)	886	2,906
Repayable Contributions (note 7)	8,284	8,227
Total Financial Assets	9,170	11,133
Non Financial Assets
Prepayments (note 8)	10,642	10,929
Prepaid Expenses	-	110
Tangible Capital Assets (note 9)	2,325	1,842
Total Non-Financial Assets	12,967	12,881
Total Assets	22,137	24,014
Liabilities
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (note 10)	106,478	135,425
Vacation pay and compensatory leave	1,709	1,628
Employee severance benefits (note 11)	6,496	6,489
Total Liabilities	114,683	143,542
Equity of Canada	(92,546)	(119,528)
Total Liabilities and Equity of Canada	22,137	24,014
Contractual Obligations (note 12)
Contingent Liabilities (note 14)

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Statement of Equity of Canada (unaudited)

At March 31, 2009 (in thousands of dollars)
	2009	2008
Equity of Canada, beginning of year	(119,528)	(83,710)
Net cost of operations	(240,970)	(244,891)
Current year appropriations used (note 3)	242,173	247,160
Revenue not available for spending	(1,843)	(11,010)
Refund of prior years expenditures (note 3-c)	(3,305)	(3,816)
Change in net position in the Consolidated Revenue Fund (note 3-c)	24,944	(27,847)
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 13-a)	5,983	4,586
Equity of Canada	(92,546)	(119,528)

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Statement of Cash Flow (unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31, 2009 (in thousands of dollars)
	2009	2008
Operating transactions
Net cost of operations	240,970	244,891
Non-Cash Items:
Amortization of tangible capital assets	(429)	(337)
(Loss) gain on disposal of tangible capital assets	(3)	11
Services provided without charge by other government departments (note 13 (a))	(5,983)	(4,586)
Variations in Statement of Financial Position:
(Decrease) in receivables	(2,020)	(81)
Increase (decrease) in repayable contributions	57	(1,528)
(Decrease) in prepayments	(287)	(30)
(Decrease) increase in prepaid expenses	(110)	110
Decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,947	(35,027)
(Increase) decrease in vacation pay and employee severance benefits	(88)	66
Cash used by operating activities	261,054	203,489
Capital investment activities
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets (note 9)	915	1,013
Proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets	-	(15)
Cash used by capital investment activities	915	998
Financing Activities
Net Cash Provided by Government of Canada	(261,969)	(204,487)

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Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31, 2009

1. Authority and Objectives

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), a department of the Government of Canada operates under the authority of the Western Economic Diversification Act of 1988 that works to strengthen Western Canada's economy and advance its interests in national economic policy.

Through the Act, WD is mandated to:

Working in partnership with provincial and municipal governments, as well as other organizations, WD's programs and initiatives contribute to the Government of Canada's agenda for building a 21st Century economy in the West.

WD's headquarters and Deputy Minister are located in Edmonton, Alberta. In close cooperation with western stakeholders, WD's objective is to more effectively guide federal government policies, regulations and resources so that they become more constructive instruments of western economic growth and diversification. WD's efforts are concentrated in three distinct but interrelated areas leading to the following strategic outcomes:

• policies and programs that support the development of Western Canada (Policy, Advocacy & Coordination);
  
  
• economically viable communities in western Canada with a high quality of life (Community Economic Development); and
  
  
• a competitive and expanded business sector in Western Canada and a strengthened western Canadian innovation system (Entrepreneurship and Innovation).

As part of WD's mandate to co-ordinate federal economic activities in the West, WD implements some programs on behalf of other federal departments and agencies. These programs are implemented under Memoranda of Understanding where the other federal department provides the authorities and funding from Parliament. Related costs are reported in the accounts of other federal departments, they are not reflected as expenses in these Financial Statements.

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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards issued by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

(a) Parliamentary appropriations - WD is financed by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary appropriations. Appropriations provided to WD do not parallel financial reporting according to Canadian generally accepted accounting principles since appropriations are primarily based on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through appropriations from Parliament. Note 3 provides a high-level reconciliation between the two bases of reporting.

(b) Net Cash Provided by Government - WD operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). The Receiver General for Canada administers the CRF. All cash received by WD is deposited to the CRF and all cash disbursements made by WD are paid from the CRF. Net cash provided by Government is the difference between all cash receipts and all cash disbursements including transactions between departments of the federal government.

(c) Change in net position in the CRF is the difference between the net cash provided by government and appropriations used in a year, excluding the amount of non-respendable revenues recorded by WD. It results from timing differences between when a transaction affects appropriations and when it is processed through the CRF.

(d) Revenues

1. Revenues from regulatory fees are recognized in the accounts based on the services provided in the year.
2. Other revenues are accounted for in the period in which the underlying transaction or event occurred that gave rise to the revenues.
   • Sources of revenues include:
     • Interest charges on repayment of contributions.

(e) Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis:

1. Transfer Payments:
   • Grants are recognized in the year in which the conditions for payment are met.
   • Contributions are recognized in the year in which the recipient has met the eligibility criteria or fulfilled the terms of a contractual transfer agreement.
2. Vacation pay and compensatory leave are expensed as the benefits accrue to employees under their respective terms of employment.
3. Services provided without charge by other government departments for accommodation, the employer's contribution to the health and dental insurance plans, workers' compensation and legal services are recorded as operating expenses at their estimated cost.

(f) Employee future benefits

1. Pension benefits: Eligible employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan (The Public Service Superannuation Act), a multi-employer plan administered by the Government of Canada. WD's contributions to the plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total departmental obligations to the plan. Current legislation does not require WD to make contributions for any actuarial deficiencies of the plan.
2. Severance benefits: Employees are entitled to severance benefits under labour contracts or conditions of employment. These benefits are accrued as employees render the services necessary to earn them. The obligation relating to the benefits earned by employees is calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benefits for the government as a whole.

(g) Accounts receivables and advances. These are stated at amounts expected to be ultimately realized; a provision is made for receivable where recovery is considered uncertain.

(h) Loan and Investment Program - are agreements with financial institutions under which the financial institutions authorize and issue loans or make investments using their own capital, and WD provides a loss support contribution, equal to between 10 and 20% of the value of the loans or investments issued. This contribution is used to offset a portion (up to 80%) of net losses on defaulted loans and investments up to a maximum not exceeding WD's total contribution.

(i) Transfer Payments are payments that are made on the basis of an appropriation for which no goods or services are directly received (but may require the recipient to provide a report or other information subsequent to receiving payments). WD administers two types of transfer payments:

• Grants: transfer payments made to an individual or organization that is not subject to being accounted for or audited, but for which eligibility and entitlement may be verified or the recipient may need to meet pre-conditions.
• Contributions: conditional transfer payments made to an individual or organization for a specified purpose pursuant to a contribution agreement that is subject to being accounted for and audited.

Within the Contributions category, WD is authorized to make both non-repayable and repayable contributions. Repayable contributions are contributions whereby the recipient is expected to repay the amount advanced. Depending on their nature, they are classified as either unconditionally repayable or conditionally repayable and are accounted for differently. Normally, these contributions are provided at no interest.

1. Unconditionally repayable contributions are contributions that must be repaid without qualification. Due to their concessionary nature, they are recorded on the Statement of Financial Position as loans at their estimated present value. A portion of the unamortized discount is brought into income each year to reflect the change in the present value of the contributions outstanding. Appropriate allowances for uncollectible amounts are also established based on an individual appraisal of accounts. Interest revenue on outstanding receivables is recognized in the year that they are earned.
   
   
2. Conditionally repayable contributions are contributions that all or part of which becomes repayable if conditions specified in the contribution agreement come into effect. Accordingly, they are not recorded on the Statement of Financial Position until such time as the conditions specified in the agreement are satisfied at which time they are then recorded as a receivable and a reduction in transfer payment expenses. Appropriate allowances for uncollectible amounts are also established based on an individual appraisal of accounts.
   
   Prior to 1995 repayable contributions were regularly used to assist in the delivery of WD's mandate. Since 1995 they have only been used in limited circumstances. However, these repayable contributions will continue to be recorded on the financial statement and will continue to be until they are repaid or all reasonable attempts to collect have been taken and the accounts written-off.
   
   
3. Non-Repayable contributions are contributions that are not repayable unless default conditions in the agreement are exercised.

(j) Prepayments (note 8) - WD follows the Treasury Board Directive on Transfer Payments, Section 6.4 Cash Management, whereby advance payments are only provided to a recipient if (i) they are essential to the achievement of objectives, (ii) they are provided for in the funding agreement and (iii) their cash flow requirements warrant/support said advance.

(k) Contingent liabilities (note 14) are potential liabilities, which may become actual liabilities when one or more future event(s) occurs or fails to occur. To the extent that the future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, an estimated liability is accrued and an expense recorded. If the likelihood is not determinable or an amount cannot be reasonably estimated, the contingent liability is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

(l) Tangible capital assets (note 9) - All tangible assets and leasehold improvements having an initial cost of $10,000 or more are recorded at their acquisition cost. WD does not capitalize intangibles, works of art and historical treasures that have cultural, aesthetic or historical value.

Amortization of tangible capital assets is done on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Asset class	Sub-asset class	Amortization period
Machinery and equipment	Computer equipment	3 years
	Computer software	3 - 7 years
	Other equipment	10 years
Vehicles		5 years
Leasehold improvements		Term of the lease

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(m) Measurement uncertainty - The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting standards issued by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements. At the time of preparation of these statements, management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable. The most significant items where estimates are used are allowance for doubtful accounts, the liability for employee severance benefits, the useful life of tangible capital assets and unamortized discount related to unconditionally repayable contributions. Actual results could differ from those estimated. Management's estimates are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, they are recorded in the financial statements in the year they become known.

3. Parliamentary Appropriations

WD receives most of its funding through annual Parliamentary appropriations. Items recognized in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Financial Position in one year may be funded through Parliamentary appropriations in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, WD has different net cost of operations for the year on a government-funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences between net cost of operations and appropriations are reconciled in the following tables.

(a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to current year appropriations used:

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Net cost of operations	240,970	244,891
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting appropriations:
Add (Less):
Amortization of tangible capital assets	(429)	(337)
Services provided without charge by other government departments - note 13(a)	(5,983)	(4,586)
Revenue not available for spending	1,843	11,010
Refund of prior years expenditures	3,305	3,816
(Loss) gain on disposal of tangible capital assets	(3)	11
(Increase) in vacation and compensatory leave	(81)	(39)
(Increase) decrease in employee severance benefits	(7)	105
Other:	1,930	(8,694)
	575	1,286
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations, but affecting appropriations:
Add (less):
(Decrease) in prepayments	(287)	(30)
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets	915	1,013
	628	983
Current year appropriations used	242,173	247,160

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(b) Appropriations provided and used:

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Vote 1 - Operations	53,102	50,706
Vote 5 - Transfer Payments	232,594	270,983
Statutory amounts	5,518	5,034
Total Appropriations	291,214	326,723
Less:
Appropriations available for future years	-	(11)
Lapsed / Unused appropriations: - Operating Expenditures incl EBP	(3,456)	(5,689)
Lapsed / Unused appropriations: - Transfer Payments *	(45,585)	(73,863)
	(49,041)	(79,563)
Total Appropriations Used	242,173	247,160
*WD received approval from TB to reprofile 17,432 K of unused appropriations from 08/09 to 09/10 through the 2009/10 ARLU process.

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(c) Reconciliation of net cash provided by Government of Canada to current year appropriations used:

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Net Cash provided by government	261,969	204,487
Revenue not available for spending	1,843	11,010
Refund of prior years expenditures	3,305	3,816
Change in net position in the Consolidated Revenue Fund:
Decrease in accounts receivable	2,020	81
(Increase) decrease in repayable contributions	(57)	1,528
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses	110	(110)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(28,947)	35,027
Increase (decrease) in proceeds from disposal of tangible capital assets	-	15
Other adjustments:	1,930	(8,694)
Total Change in net position	(24,944)	27,847
Current year appropriations used	242,173	247,160

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4. Expenses

The following table presents details of expenses by category:

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Transfer Payments
Transfer Payments	182,819	193,647
Total Transfer Payments	182,819	193,647
Operating Expenses
Salaries	33,587	29,568
Employee benefits	8,351	6,997
Transportation & Communications	3,877	3,530
Information	373	500
Professional and special services	8,316	6,933
Rentals	931	993
Repairs, utilities, materials and supplies	901	895
Acquisition of machinery and equipment	1,325	1,106
Accommodation	3,079	2,392
Bad Debts (adjustments) *	(1,215)	8,294
Amortization of tangible capital assets	429	337
Other	(234)	320
Total Operating Expenses	59,720	61,865
The adjustment of 1,215 K is attributed to a reduction to the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts under repayable contributions.

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5. Revenues

The following table presents details of revenues by category:

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Interest	822	1,311
Amortization of discount on repayable contributions	418	372
Revenues from Conditionally repayable contributions	279	8,835
Compensatory Repayments	-	89
Other	50	14
Total Revenues	1,569	10,621

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6. Receivables

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
External Parties
Accrued Interest	568	954
Receivable from the Province of British Columbia	298	1,491
Non-Repayable Contributions	126	94
Other Receivables	5,692	11,533
Employee Advances	5	5
Gross External Parties Account Receivable	6,689	14,077
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	(5,924)	(11,445)
Subtotal - External Parties	765	2,632
Other Government Departments	121	274
Total Receivables	886	2,906

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7. Repayable Contributions

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Unconditionally Repayable Contributions	19,699	24,120
Unamortized Discount on Unconditionally Repayable Contributions	(194)	(612)
Allowance for Doubtful - Repayable Contributions	(11,221)	(15,358)
Net Unconditionally Repayable Contributions	8,284	8,150
Accrued Interest -Unconditionally Repayable Contributions	5,927	5,885
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Accrued Interest Receivable	(5,927)	(5,808)
Total Repayable Contributions	8,284	8,227

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8. Prepayments

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Loss Support Contributions	12,995	12,390
Allowance for Losses on Loss Support Contributions	(3,263)	(2,371)
Net Loss Support Contributions	9,732	10,019
Non-Repayable and Conditionally Repayable Contributions	910	910
Total Prepayments	10,642	10,929

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9. Tangible Capital Assets

(in thousands of dollars)

	Machinery & Equipment	Vehicles	Leasehold Improvements	Total
Cost
Opening balance	2,728	89	462	3,279
Acquisitions	559	23	234	816
Work in Progress	99	-	-	99
Disposals	(164)	-	-	(164)
Closing balance	3,222	112	696	4,030
Accumulated amortization
Opening balance	(995)	(45)	(397)	(1,437)
Amortization *	(371)	(11)	(47)	(429)
Disposals	161	-	-	161
Closing balance	(1,205)	(56)	(444)	(1,705)
2009 Net book value	2,017	56	252	2,325
2008 Net book value	1,733	44	65	1,842
* Amortization expense for the year ending March 31, 2009 is $428,565 ($336,538 for the year ending March 31, 2008).

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10. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
External Parties
Transfer Payments	100,786	130,667
Operating	2,626	2,944
Accrued Salaries and Wages	1,098	928
Subtotal - External Parties	104,510	134,539
Other Government Departments	1,968	886
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	106,478	135,425

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11. Pension and Severance Benefits

1. Pension benefits: WD's employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan, which is sponsored and administered by the Government of Canada. Pension benefits accrue up to a maximum period of 35 years at a rate of 2 percent per year of pensionable service, times the average of the best five consecutive years of earnings. The benefits are integrated with Canada/Québec Pension Plans benefits and they are indexed to inflation.
   
   Both the employees and WD contribute to the cost of the Plan. The 2008-09 expense amounts to $3,957,494 ($3,657,215 in fiscal year 2007-08), which represents approximately 2.0 (2.1 - 2007-08) times the contributions by employees.
   
   WD's responsibility with regard to the plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the financial statements of the Government of Canada, as the plan's sponsor.
   
   
2. Severance benefits: WD provides severance benefits to its employees based on eligibility, years of service and final salary. These severance benefits are not pre-funded. Benefits will be paid from future appropriations. Information about the severance benefits, measured as at March 31, is as follows:

	2009	2008
	( in thousands of dollars )
Accrued benefit obligation, beginning of year	6,489	6,594
Expense for the year	741	419
Benefits paid during the year	(734)	(524)
Accrued Benefit Obligations, end of year	6,496	6,489

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12. Contractual Obligations

The nature of the WD's activities can result in some large multi-year contracts and obligations, whereby WD will be obligated to make future payments when the conditions under the agreement are met. Significant commitments that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:

	2010	2011	2012	2013 and thereafter	Total
	(in thousands of dollars)
Transfer Payment
Rick Hansen Foundation	2,135	-	-	-	2,135
Infrastructure Canada	3,991	-	-	-	3,991
Alberta & Saskatchewan Centenaries	26,772	-	-	-	26,772
Mountain Pine Beetle	29,111	-	-	-	29,111
Community Adjustment Fund	13,560	11,540	-	-	25,100
VIDO/InterVac - U of Sask	21,427	9,671	-	-	31,098
Core Programming	123,563	48,715	11,973	3,064	187,315
Total Estimated Future Commitments	220,559	69,926	11,973	3,064	305,522

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13. Related party transactions

WD is related as a result of common ownership to all Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations. WD enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. Also, during the year, WD received services, which were obtained without charge from other Government departments as presented in part (a).

1. Services provided without charge:
   
   During the 2008-09 fiscal year, WD received without charge from other departments, accommodation services, legal fees, workers' compensation and the employer's contribution to the health and dental insurance plans. These services without charge have been recognized in WD's Statement of Operations as follows:
   
   

   	2009	2008
   	( in thousands of dollars )
   Services provided without charge
   Accommodation	3,079	2,392
   Employer's contribution to the health insurance plan and employee benefits plans	2,862	2,087
   Legal Services	1	67
   Worker's compensation	41	40
   Total services provided without charge	5,983	4,586

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   The government has structured some of its administrative activities for efficiency and cost-effectiveness purposes so that one department performs these on behalf of all without charge. The costs of these services, which include payroll and cheque issuance services provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada, are not included as an expense in the WD's Statement of Operations.
   
   
2. Administration of programs on behalf of other government departments.
   
   Part of WD's mandate is to coordinate federal economic activities in the West. In this regard, WD implements programs on behalf of other federal departments and agencies. The following is a list of programs valued at greater than one million dollars in federal contributions administered by WD over the last two fiscal years. These expenses are reflected in the financial statements of the other government departments and not those of WD.
   
   

   	2009	2008
   	( in thousands of dollars )
   Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund - Infrastructure Canada	72,685	188,639
   Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund - Infrastructure Canada	54,619	27,989
   Total	127,304	216,628

14. Contingent liabilities

Claims have been made against WD in the normal course of operations. To the extent that the future event is likely to occur or fail to occur, and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made, an estimated liability is accrued and an expense recorded in the financial statement.

WD is named as a co-defendant in a suit. The outcome of this claim is not determinable at this time. The potential financial impact of this case cannot be estimated but could be significant. No accrual for this contingency has been made in the financial statements.