Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and programs
1. Introduction
The Government of Canada uses financial information to support decision making, for policy development, for service delivery and for historical reference. These financial statements have been prepared to respond to these requirements. This Departmental Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) reflects the results of the current fiscal period in relation to the Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates (A) and Supplementary Estimates (B).
The QFR should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates and the Federal Budget. They have been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. F-11) and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Although these statements have not been subject to an external audit or review, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) attests that they are an accurate and true reflection of the financial position for the period ended December 31, 2025.
1.1 NRC mandate
The NRC exists under the National Research Council Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. N-15) and is a Departmental corporation named in Schedule II of the Financial Administration Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. F-11). The mission of the NRC is to have an impact by advancing knowledge, applying leading-edge technologies, and working with other innovators to find creative, relevant and sustainable solutions to Canada's current and future economic, social and environmental challenges.
Under the National Research Council Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. N-15), the NRC is responsible for:
- undertaking, assisting or promoting scientific and industrial research in fields of importance to Canada
- providing vital scientific and technological services to the research and industrial communities
- investigating standards and methods of measurement
- working on the standardization and certification of scientific and technical apparatus, instruments and materials used or usable by Canadian industry
- operating and administering any astronomical observatories established or maintained by the Government of Canada
- establishing, operating and maintaining a national science library
- publishing and selling or otherwise distributing such scientific and technical information as the Council deems necessary
Further details on the NRC's legislative framework, authority, mandate and program activities can be found in part II of the Main Estimates and the Departmental Plan.
1.2 Basis of presentation
This quarterly report has been prepared by management using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying statement of authorities includes the NRC's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the NRC consistent with the Main Estimates for fiscal year 2025 to 2026, Supplementary Estimates (A) for fiscal year 2025 to 2025 and Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year 2025 to 2026. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.
The authority of Parliament is required before moneys can be spent by the Government of Canada. 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 (pursuant to paragraph 5(1)(e) of the National Research Council Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. N-15), the NRC has authority to expend revenues it has received through the conduct of its operations).
The NRC uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual departmental financial statements which are part of the Departmental performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.
2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date results
This section highlights the items that contributed most significantly to the changes in budgetary authorities for the current fiscal year and to the actual expenditures for the quarter that ended on December 31, 2025 compared with the report for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. This section should be read in conjunction with the tables found in section 5 Statement of authorities and section 6 Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object of this report.
The following graph provides a comparison of the budgetary authorities and expenditures as of December 31, 2025 and those as of December 31, 2024.
as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024
(in millions of dollars)
Long description of the comparison of budgetary authorities and expenditures
| Budgetary elements | Fiscal year 2025 to 2026 | Fiscal year 2024 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Authorities | $2,208.4 | $1,864.9 |
| Expenditures – Quarter 1 | $320.4 | $307.0 |
| Expenditures – Quarter 2 | $356.1 | $341.4 |
| Expenditures – Quarter 3 | $555.0 | $422.0 |
| Expenditures as a percentage of authorities | 55.8% of authorities | 57.4% of authorities |
2.1 Significant changes to authorities
As of December 31, 2025, the NRC's authorities were $2,208.4M, representing an increase of $343.5M (18.4%) in comparison to the 2024 to 2025 authorities of the same period.
The following table provides a detailed explanation of these changes.
| Initiative | Operating (vote 1) | Capital (vote 5) | Grants and contributions (vote 10) | Budgetary statutory authorities | Total variances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funding for the Defence Industrial Strategy outlined in Budget 2025 | 11.8 | 103.1 | 41.5 | 0.0 | 156.4 |
| Funding for the transition of Sustainable Development Technology Canada employees and programming to the NRC | 13.5 | 0.0 | 126.4 | 2.6 | 142.4 |
| Funding for the modernization of the NRC facilities to support economic growth and government priorities as presented in the Fall Economic Statement 2022 | 0.6 | 24.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24.7 |
| Transfer from Public Health Agency of Canada to support biologics manufacturing in Canada | 8.0 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 | 18.0 |
| Funding for salary increases due to collective bargaining | 24.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 26.8 |
| Increase in the NRC's statutory revenue carry-forward | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.2 | 10.2 |
| Funding for TRIUMF | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.1 | 0.0 | 10.1 |
| Funding for Canada's membership in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory | (10.3) | 0.0 | 6.2 | 0.0 | (4.1) |
| Budget 2023 Refocusing Government Spending | (3.3) | 0.0 | (5.8) | (0.9) | (10.0) |
| Transfer to Health Emergency Readiness Canada | 0.0 | 0.0 | (10.0) | 0.0 | (10.0) |
| Operating and Capital Budget Carry-Forward | (4.7) | (10.5) | 0.0 | 0.0 | (15.2) |
| Sunset of funding received for the revitalization of the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre | (1.5) | (20.0) | 0.0 | (0.3) | (21.8) |
| All other funding changes | (2.0) | 3.8 | 7.6 | 6.6 | 16.0 |
| Cumulative variance in authorities available for use | 36.5 | 100.5 | 186.0 | 20.5 | 343.5 |
2.2 Significant changes to budgetary expenditures
This section should be read in conjunction with the NRC's tables entitled Statement of authorities and Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object both located at the end of this report.
2.2.1 Variances in year-to-date expenditures
As of December 31, 2025, year-to-date expenditures were $1,231.4M , representing an increase of $161.0M in comparison to the 2024 to 2025 expenditures for the same period. The quarter-to-date expenditures were $555.0M, representing an increase of $133.0M in comparison to the 2024 to 2025 expenditures for the same period. The following table provides a detailed explanation of these changes by standard object (in millions of dollars).
| Standard object | Changes to expenditures | Variance between 2025 to 2026 year-to-date and 2024 to 2025 year-to-date expenditures | Variance between 2025 to 2026 Q3 and 2024 to 2025 Q3 expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquisition of machinery and equipment | The increase in year-to-date and Q3 expenditures is primarily a result of a capital project in support of Canada's defence industry. | 76.0 | 78.9 |
| Transfer payments | The increase in year-to-date and Q3 expenditures is mainly due to increased transfer payments for IRAP Clean Technologies and TRIUMF. | 43.5 | 43.6 |
| Personnel | The majority of the increase in year-to-date and Q3 expenditures is mainly due to ratification of collective bargaining for the Administrative Support (AD) and Technical Category (TO) groups and the increased costs related to the transition of Sustainable Development Technology Canada employees to the IRAP Clean Technology program. | 25.6 | 8.3 |
| Acquisition of land, buildings and works | The increase in year-to-date expenditures is primarily a result of a capital project to modernize a facility at the Construction Research Centre. | 11.5 | 1.4 |
| All other | Miscellaneous program delivery cost increases across several standard objects. | 4.4 | 0.8 |
| Total variance in expenditures | 161.0 | 133.0 | |
3. Risks and uncertainties
The NRC continues to actively monitor and mitigate several key risks and issues that could impact its operations, including cybersecurity and IT infrastructure.
Cybersecurity remains a top-level risk for the organization. To address this, the NRC continues to implement its Security Strategy and enhances its IT operations to strengthen cyber resilience. The NRC is also implementing its IT and Data strategy and integrating enterprise AI- capabilities.
During the quarter, the NRC launched a Risk Forum to bring together risk practitioners from across the organization. The forum serves as a platform to share information, best practices, and communication tools to more effectively manage and mitigate risks that could affect the NRC.
4. Significant changes in relation to operations, personnel and programs
Budget 2025 identified the NRC as a key delivery partner in a number of initiatives, including establishing the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS), advancing dual-use technologies, anchoring quantum companies in Canada and exploring growth opportunities for the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC).
In support of Canada's defence industry, the NRC is working with strategic partners to accelerate the development of innovative technologies and businesses. The NRC launched a new Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist) programming stream, designed to help high-potential Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale made-in-Canada defence and dual-use innovations. The NRC also initiated work on the Benchmarking Quantum Platform initiative under the Canadian Quantum Champions Program (CQCP) to accelerate industrial applications of quantum technologies. Budget 2025 proposed expanding the NRC IRAP's IP Assist Program to help firms protect and commercialize intellectual property in international markets. The NRC continues to invest in research infrastructure, including a $12 million upgrade to photonics facilities at the Quantum and Nanotechnology Research Centre, which will support program delivery and commercialization under Canada's National Quantum Strategy.
Budget 2025 introduced savings targets for all departments, including planned reductions at the NRC. In response, the NRC advanced a series of organizational changes to strengthen coordination, streamline operations and support effective delivery under evolving fiscal conditions.
The NRC established a new Industry and Innovation Division (IID), bringing together the National Program Office, Business and International Innovation, and NRC IRAP under the leadership of Acting Vice-President Laural Porth-Jones, following the departure of Vice-President Dave Lisk. Since joining the NRC in 2009, David played a key role in strengthening Canada's innovation ecosystem, including leading NRC IRAP's transition to a multi-program model, and expanding support for areas such as intellectual property and artificial intelligence.
Approved by senior officials
Approved by:
Mitch Davies
President
Karen Cahill
Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer
Ottawa, Canada
5. Statement of authorities (unaudited)
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025
| Budgetary authorities | Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2026Table note * | Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 | Year to date used at quarter-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 648,329 | 172,153 | 471,512 |
| Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 269,967 | 111,723 | 152,517 |
| Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 816,334 | 212,978 | 436,544 |
| Statutory revenueTable note ** | 395,082 | 38,433 | 111,864 |
| Statutory EBP | 78,706 | 19,665 | 58,996 |
| Total budgetary authorities | 2,208,418 | 554,952 | 1,231,433 |
| Budgetary authorities | Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2025Table note * | Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 | Year to date used at quarter-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vote 1 - Operating expenditures | 611,739 | 166,326 | 458,397 |
| Vote 5 - Capital expenditures | 169,733 | 31,544 | 64,283 |
| Vote 10 - Grants and contributions | 630,295 | 169,354 | 393,085 |
| Statutory revenueTable note ** | 384,861 | 37,776 | 103,659 |
| Statutory EBP | 68,256 | 17,000 | 50,999 |
| Total budgetary authorities | 1,864,884 | 422,000 | 1,070,423 |
6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object (unaudited)
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025
| Budgetary expenditures | Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2026Table note * | Used during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 | Year to date used at quarter-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | 617,369 | 166,319 | 481,076 |
| Transportation and communications | 27,982 | 4,641 | 11,505 |
| Information | 2,777 | 302 | 827 |
| Professional and special services | 169,552 | 28,038 | 68,932 |
| Rentals | 28,373 | 3,666 | 12,436 |
| Purchased repair and maintenance | 43,979 | 7,244 | 17,507 |
| Utilities, materials and supplies | 79,894 | 13,464 | 30,536 |
| Acquisition of land, buildings and works | 74,761 | 11,531 | 29,684 |
| Acquisition of machinery and equipment | 321,358 | 103,346 | 130,183 |
| Transfer payments | 816,334 | 212,978 | 436,544 |
| Other subsidies and payments | 26,039 | 3,423 | 12,203 |
| Total net budgetary expenditures | 2,208,418 | 554,952 | 1,231,433 |
| Bugetary expenditures | Total available for use for the year ending March 31, 2025Table note * | Used during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 | Year to date used at quarter-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | 569,064 | 157,988 | 455,522 |
| Transportation and communications | 18,602 | 5,093 | 12,648 |
| Information | 2,204 | 357 | 1,410 |
| Professional and special services | 152,070 | 24,520 | 61,473 |
| Rentals | 28,497 | 4,048 | 11,368 |
| Purchased repair and maintenance | 45,557 | 6,459 | 17,034 |
| Utilities, materials and supplies | 87,840 | 15,277 | 31,849 |
| Acquisition of land, buildings and works | 117,153 | 10,109 | 18,172 |
| Acquisition of machinery and equipment | 177,615 | 24,488 | 54,151 |
| Transfer payments | 630,295 | 169,354 | 393,085 |
| Other subsidies and payments | 35,987 | 4,307 | 13,711 |
| Total net budgetary expenditures | 1,864,884 | 422,000 | 1,070,423 |