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Information Services

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FY2013 Annual Report · Information Services
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Building on the power  
of infor mation
Building on the power  
of infor mation

2 0 1 3   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

2 0 1 3   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

h i s t o r y

i n n o v a t i o n

e f f i c i e n c y

s t a b i l i t y

r e l i a b i l i t y

t r a n s f o r m a t i o n

o p p o r t u n i t y   

i

Infor mation

IN SID E:

2 

4 

6 

8 

Letter from our Chair

Letter from our CEO

Performance Highlights

About ISC

20  Management’s Discussion & Analysis

59  Consolidated Financial Statements

82  Board of Directors

83	 Officers

84  Corporate Information

It brings structure to our 

lives and delivers energy 

to our businesses.

At ISC, we build on it – 
delivering registry and 
information services that 
create certainty, stability   
and opportunity.

For nearly 14 years, the people and businesses of 
Saskatchewan have entrusted Information Services 
Corporation (“ISC”) with some of their most important 
information.	We’ve	been	up	to	the	challenge,	finding	
innovative ways to gather and maintain accurate and 
secure	registries	in	our	home	province	–	first	as	a	Crown	
corporation and now, since our initial public offering 
(“IPO”) in 2013, as a publicly traded company.

This	Annual	Report	–	our	first	since	listing	on	the	Toronto	
Stock Exchange – shows how we’re using our expertise 
in managing information to deliver value for our 
investors today – and how we’re building on the power 
of information to grow our business for tomorrow.

1

LETTER FROM OUR CHAIR

Building on a  
solid foundation

Joel Teal  
Chair,   
Board of Directors

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

Following the success of our 
IPO in July, our primary focus 
for the remainder of 2013 was 
to guide the smooth transition 
of the Company from a Crown 
corporation to a publicly traded 
company.	Based	on	our	financial	
results and the feedback from our 
customers, we were successful in 
achieving this goal. 

Built on a 20-year Master Service 
Agreement with the Government 
of Saskatchewan, ISC begins 
its journey as a publicly traded 
company with a foundation 
that enables us to provide 
attractive dividend returns to 
investors. Nevertheless, the 
Board of Directors recognizes 
the importance of using this 
foundation as a platform to 
protect and improve the future 
performance of the Company. 

Our long-term success in creating 
added customer and shareholder 
value will be underpinned by our 
continued commitment to our 
full-service approach to providing 
registry information services to 
governments and private sector 
organizations. As you will see 
from the discussion in this Annual 
Report, our strategy is to continue 
with this focus while prudently 

I can say, without reservation, 
that we have all been impressed 
by the dedication and ability of 
all our employees, who proved 
themselves both capable and 
adaptable through a year of 
significant	change.	On	behalf	of	
the Board, I would like to thank 
our employees for their hard work 
and dedication.   

As Chair of the Board of Directors, 
I am excited about what our team 
– at all levels of the Company – 
can accomplish.

On behalf of the Board 

Joel Teal 
Chair

assessing growth opportunities 
through new relationships and 
expanded services to provide 
added value for our existing and 
potential customers.

ISC’s success will also be 
dependent on having a strong 
Board of Directors to lead the 
Company’s continuing evolution. 
At the time of the IPO, nine 
appointments were made to 
the Board, including business 
leaders with the acumen needed 
to meet the new requirements of 
your Company. We have a team 
that brings an understanding of 
our history and potential, along 
with new and independent 
perspectives that will help 
us grow.	

Like any new team, we spent much 
of	our	first	six	months	together	
defining	our	new	corporate	
governance requirements*, 
the roles each of us will play, 
appointing responsibilities 
and assessing our strengths, 
weaknesses, and approach. 

“ ISC begins its jour ney as a publicly traded 
company with a foundation that enables 
us to provide attractive dividend retur ns 
to investors.”

*  For a more detailed discussion of our corporate governance policies and practices,  

please visit the governance section of our website at www.isc.ca/About/CorporateGovernance

3

 
 
Jeff Stusek 
President and 
Chief Executive 
Of ficer

For ISC, 2013 was a 
paradox. On one hand, it 
was the most significant 
period of change the 
Company has ever 
experienced. On the 
other, it was as if nothing 
had changed at all. 

In the span of six months, we 
transformed a public sector 
organization into a publicly traded 
company, negotiated a 20-year 
Master Service Agreement with 
the Government of Saskatchewan, 
laid the groundwork for a new 
relationship with our former 
owners, and prepared to meet 
the expectation of a new set of 
stakeholders: you.

people outside the Company 
noticed it had happened. While 
an undertaking like this can 
often distract a business from its 
core purpose, our people did a 
remarkable job of maintaining a 
stellar level of customer service. In 
fact, customers continue to give us 
exceptional grades in our annual 
satisfaction survey.

Our	financial	performance	also	
remained strong, with adjusted 
EBITDA	rising	12.7 per	cent	
compared to 2012. Revenues 
were $79.1 million	in	2013	–	
more than	a	5.2	per	cent	increase	
compared to last year. Following 
our listing, we also declared 
$6.7 million	in	dividends	to	the	
benefit	of	our	shareholders.		

The mark of success for our 
transformation was that, from a 
performance perspective, few 

We even kept up our record as a 
business and sustainability leader 
in 2013, when we were named one 

of Canada’s Greenest Employers 
by Mediacorp for the second 
year in a row, one of Canada’s 
Best Diversity Employers by Bank 
of Montreal for the third year 
in a row, and a top employer in 
Saskatchewan	for	the	fifth	year	
in a row. We upped the ante 
this	year	by	becoming	the	first	
Saskatchewan-based organization 
to earn a platinum-level Canada 
Award for Excellence by Excellence 
Canada – the highest level 
currently attainable. 

So despite the change happening 
within our walls, to the world 
outside of ISC, things weren’t much 
different, which is exactly what we 
worked so hard to accomplish. 
That seamless	transition	is	the	
product of the tireless effort of 
talented people combined with 
a business model that works – 
both reasons to be optimistic as 

4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

LETTER FROM OUR CEO

Building on the 
power of change 

we move into a new world as a 
publicly traded company. 

Now, with our journey to 
privatization behind us, we are 
shifting our focus toward the 
opportunities and challenges 
that await.	2013	was	about	
transition – 2014 is about 
exploring prudent ways to grow 
that	don’t	sacrifice	the	stability	
that you, our investors, expect.

Of course our primary customer will 
continue to be the Government 
of Saskatchewan and the people 
of the province. We’ll continue 
to serve those who entrust us 
with their critical information, 
looking for ways to enhance 
their experience with improved 
convenience	and efficiency.

But we’ll also look for ways to 
use the same business model 
that has brought us success to 

grow both within and outside the 
province. After seeing all we’ve 
accomplished, I’m more convinced 
than ever that what works here 
at home could work anywhere 
information is collected, and that 
ISC can be a vanguard in helping 
governments and other institutions 
manage this important function. 

In short, it is an exciting time to 
be part of the ISC story. That 
excitement, along with the faith 
our customers place in us to 
handle their valuable information, 
has always been at the core of 
who we are at ISC. It is the same 
excitement and faith that drove our 
employees through the immense 
workload of the privatization 
process to outperform their own 
high standards, and the same 
excitement and faith we will need 
to foster in our new relationships 
as we	look	to	grow	our	business.

And so, in 2014, we will continue 
to embrace opportunity as we 
look for ways to shift our focus 
without changing who we are as 
a Company, to grow and maintain 
stability, while moving forward 
without forgetting where we 
came from.	

But one thing remains clear: 
wherever we operate, we will be 
the same Company that people 
entrust with some of the most 
important information in their 
lives – and the same Company that 
delivers excellence for everyone 
connected with our business. 

Sincerely, 

Jeff Stusek

5

 
 
Performance Highlights

(thousands of CAD dollars, except earnings per share) 

2013 

2012 

2011

Revenues 

$  79,131	

$	 75,216	

$	 68,670

Net income and total comprehensive income 

$  76,981	

$	 21,240	

$	 17,218

Year Ended December 31,

Total assets 
Total non-current liabilities 

EBITDA 1 
Adjusted EBITDA 1 

EBITDA margin (% of Revenues) 1 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 

Free	cash	flow 1 

Dividends declared per share 2  

Earnings per share from continuing and  
  discontinued operations, basic 3 
Earnings per share excluding taxes, basic 4 

$ 108,101	
  10,814 

$  30,554	
  34,008 

  38.1% 
  43.0% 

$	 48,638	
  1,493 

$	 28,794	
  30,167 

  37.2% 
  40.1% 

$	 47,435
  1,766

$	 24,171
  25,266

  34.1%
  36.8%

$  23,208	

$	 22,561	

$	 19,022

$ 

0.38 

$ 
$ 

4.40 
1.48 

– 

– 
– 

–

–
–

1		For	a	reconciliation	of	EBITDA,	Adjusted	EBITDA	and	Free	cash	flow,	see	“Financial	Measures	and	Key	Performance	Indicators”.
2  Dividends declared per share since our listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange on July 9, 2013.
3  The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income after tax and the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.
4  See “Results of Operations” for calculation.

6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.7% 

Y/Y increase in
adjusted EBITDA1

$77.0m 

Net income 2013
($4.40 per share)2

5.2% 

Y/Y revenue increase

Revenue by business line 

Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys and Geomatics

$61.1m

Personal Property Registry

$9.8m

Corporate Registry

$8.2m

1  Excluding Vital Statistics Registry revenue, which is treated as a discontinued operation.
2		Includes	$51.9	million	of	income	tax	recovery.

7

About ISC

Headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 

Infor mation Services Corporation is the exclusive 

provider of land, personal property and corporate 

registry administration and management services to 

the Gover nment of Saskatchewan under a 20-year 

Master Service Agreement that began in 2013.

Since the Company launched in 

2000 as a Crown corporation charged 

with moder nizing Saskatchewan’s 

land titles registry, ISC has acquired 

and improved registries to support 

economic activity in the province.

In July 2013, ISC became a publicly 

traded company, with shares trading 

on the Toronto Stock Exchange 

under the symbol “ISV”.

8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Our Vision

To be a full-service provider of registry and information services 
and solutions	to	governments	and	private	sector	organizations.	

Our Values

Integrity
We treat our customers, stakeholders, suppliers and each other with 
integrity at all times, with respect in our actions, and honesty and 
openness in our communication. 

Excellence
We provide quality service and products to our customers and 
stakeholders in a professional, accurate and timely manner that will 
exceed their expectations.

Customer Focus
We are reliable in the delivery of our services and proactively respond 
to the needs of our customers. 

Accountability
We are accountable to our customers, stakeholders, and each other for 
our work, our actions and the services we provide.

Commitment to People
We foster a healthy and supportive environment, leverage diversity and 
promote mental, physical and social well-being.

Leadership
We	provide	clear	direction,	lead	change	and	celebrate success.

9

Powered  
by infor mation

1 The Land Registry 
includes, for performance reporting purposes:

The Land Titles Registry, which issues land titles and registers 
transactions affecting titles, including changes of ownership and  
land interests (mortgages, easements, etc.);

The Land Surveys Directory, which records legal survey measurements 
and	survey	monument	information,	defining	the	legal	boundaries	
of every surface and mineral property in the province’s Land Titles 
Registry; and 

Geomatics Services provides the technology and support to develop, 
maintain, and distribute geographic information in Saskatchewan. 
ISC also manages Saskatchewan’s survey system, keeping complete 
records for all land parcels. These services are the foundation of the 
Land Surveys Directory and Land Titles Registry. 

Specific	Geomatics	Services	provided	by	ISC	include	Geographic	
Information Systems (“GIS”), Maps, Photos and Imagery, and the 
Saskatchewan Field Book Index.

2 The Personal Property Registry 
enables individuals, corporations, lenders and others to register their 
interests (liens) on movable types of personal property, such as 
automobiles, farm equipment and boats. 

3 The Corporate Registry 
is a province-wide system for registering business corporations, non-
profit	corporations,	co-operatives,	sole	proprietorships,	joint	ventures	
and business partnerships. 

1 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

ISC LINES OF BUSINESS

ISC currently manages and administers three 

full-service registries as well as complementary 

infor mation services and solutions on behalf of the 

Gover nment of Saskatchewan.  

Complementary Services and Solutions

Business Registrations Saskatchewan is an information 
services portal that streamlines the registration 
process for	businesses	entering	the	province’s	
Corporate Registry.

GeoSask.ca is a free online public access portal to 
Saskatchewan geospatial data (maps, images, etc.).

Customized Information Services includes 
supplementary information services for government 
ministries, such as the Mineral Administration Registry 
of Saskatchewan (“MARS”) and the Saskatchewan Civic 
Address Registry.

Su b m it   you r    
L a nd   R e g i s t r y  
a p p l i c a t i o n s   o n l i ne  
a nd   sa v e   t ime,  
ef for t   a nd   pa per !  

O n li n e  S u b m i s s i o n  c a t c h e s  e r r o r s  b e f o r e    
y o u   s u b m i t   y o u r   L a n d  R e g i s t r y  a p p li c a t i o n ,    
s a v i n g   y o u  u n n e c e s s a r y   r e - w o r k .
“ I ha ve used Onl ine Subm is s ion s ince  
incept ion a nd I find it qu ite ea sy   
to use. . . it defin itely is t he fa stest   
wa y to get t h ings done.”  

C A R O L   M I L L E R ,   A N D E R S O N   L A W   F I R M   P R O F .   C O R P .

C h e c k  o u t  o u r  C u s t o m e r  Te s t i m o n i a l s  p a g e   t o   s e e  w h a t  

o t h e r  c u s t o m e r s  a r e   s a y i n g  a b o u t   t h e  b e n e fi t s  o f   s u b m i t t i n g  

t h e i r   L a n d  R e g i s t r y  a p p l i c a t i o n s  o n l i n e .

I SC.ca/onl inesubm is s ion

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF REGISTRIES

Governments play a key role in collecting, 
maintaining, and providing information related 
to people and businesses in Canada – from 
land ownership and resource claims to business 
incorporation, personal property and other 
important records. 

That information is often kept in a registry – a 
unique collection of documents often available 
to or searchable by the public. ISC’s registries 
are used to record changes of ownership interests 
in land, liens against personal property and 
business registrations. 

Registries are essential because they facilitate 
economic growth, provide security of title to owners 
and decrease the frequency of ownership disputes. 

11

Building Revenue

1 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

ISC FEE-GENERATING TRANSACTIONS

Each of ISC’s three major lines of business produce 

revenue through three types of transactions:   

registrations, searches and maintenance and 

related services.

These transactions represent ISC’s core and  

non-core services.

ISC Revenue-Producing Transactions – 2013

Registrations

Searches

Maintenance & related services

$59.3m

$11.0m

$8.8m

Record interests in land and  
property or corporate transactions.

Provide archival information for 
each registry. Customized services 
are available for larger searches or 
searches that require information 
from multiple sources.

Transactions related to maintaining 
accurate, current registry 
information, including mineral 
certifications	and	annual	filings	for	
corporate entities.

Service:  
Online or in person

Service:  
Online or in person 
Customized

Revenues:  
Flat fees for all except Land  
Registry, which is largely  
value-based

Revenue Type:  
Flat fees for standard  
searches; variable fees for 
customized searches

Service:  
Online or in person  
Customized

Revenues:  
Flat or negotiated fees

13

Building Value

ISC has identified three strategic priorities that 

we believe will contribute to value creation, risk 

management and ef ficiency enhancements:

•  Ear nings Growth and Sustainable  

Cost Management;

•  Organizational Ef fectiveness  

and Compliance; and

• Growth Identification and Execution.

To support these priorities, we have identified several principles that 
are the foundation of our strategic focus, including:

Leveraging the substantial experiences gained through our long-term 
relationship with the Government of Saskatchewan;

Generating value from Saskatchewan registry information and data, 
which is available to ISC exclusively until 2033;

Maximizing our balance sheet strength, both from a cash and  
debt perspective;

Delivering reliable returns to shareholders by sustaining and 
enhancing dividends over time;

Diversifying revenues among our primary registries to reduce reliance 
on Saskatchewan and land registry-based income;

Exploring replication opportunities across Canada; and 

Developing relationships, alliances and partnerships with international 
leaders within the information services industry to enhance our brand 
and explore complementary service offerings.

1

2

3

4

5

6
7

1 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

SASKATCHEWAN: OPPORTUNITY IN A GROWING PROVINCE

Our Master Service Agreement with the Government 
of Saskatchewan gives ISC the exclusive right to 
manage and operate registries on behalf of the 
province until 2033, tying the Company to one  
of Canada’s fastest growing economies. 

Driven by a diverse range of industries, 
Saskatchewan’s growth has led to increases 
in economic activity of all kinds – from rising 
construction investment and increases in home and 
personal property sales to more jobs, higher real 
estate values, and a growing list of new businesses.

The non-discretionary registry services ISC offers 
both support and benefit from this increase in 
economic activity. While Saskatchewan’s growth  
is not likely to continue at its unprecedented pace, 
it is still expected to remain strong and steady, 
supporting stable earnings for ISC in the years 
to come.

Real Gross Domestic Product (”GDP”) by Province 
5-Year Compound Annual Growth Rate (2007-2012)

SK

AB

MB

QC

NS

PE

BC

ON

NB

NL

2.3%

2.2%

2.1%

1.4%

1.2%

1.2%

1.2%

0.7%

0.2%

(1.5%)

Source: Statistics Canada. Table 384-0038 – Gross domestic product, expenditure-
based, provincial and territorial, annual (dollars unless otherwise noted)

Between 2007 and 2012, Saskatchewan’s was the fastest growing 
economy in Canada. Strong, stable growth is predicted to continue 
in the coming years. 

15

A Powerful  
Core

ISC’S CORE COMPETENCIES  
AND STRENGTHS  
DRIVE OUR POTENTIAL

History

With extensive experience in developing and fostering 
relationships with governments, ISC understands their 
expectations and decision-making processes. 

Innovation and Efficiency

Stability

ISC can call on its unique expertise delivering full-
service registry solutions to provide a “one-stop” 
option for governments and private-sector 
organizations, enabling them to deliver quality 
services to their customers at a lower cost.

Under the terms of the Master Service Agreement, 
ISC has the exclusive right to manage and operate 
registries on behalf of the Government until 2033. 
This agreement	creates	a	significant	barrier	to	entry	
for competitors	in	ISC’s	home	market. 

1 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Reliability

Information

Steady earnings from non-discretionary registry 
transactions, combined with low debt and moderate 
capital expenditures, enable ISC to generate stable 
cash	flow	to	invest	in	new	products,	services	and	
growth initiatives while supporting ISC’s commitment 
to delivering solid shareholder returns. 

With the exclusive right to use and distribute data 
available through existing registry systems, ISC is well 
positioned to develop additional services that leverage 
public information to add value for governments and 
end-users.

Transformation

Opportunity

ISC’s experienced management team and customer 
service staff have a track record of improving 
registry delivery in Saskatchewan, developing and 
implementing processes that improve service, reduce 
turnaround	times,	save	money,	and	increase	efficiency.

With new access to capital after transitioning to a 
private	company,	plus	low	debt	levels,	significant	free	
cash	flow	and	a	diversified	shareholder	base,	ISC	
has	the	financial	foundation	upon	which	to	grow	our	
services in Saskatchewan and beyond. 

17

A VALUED SERVICE

ISC’S EXPERTISE ALIGNS WITH INDUSTRY GROWTH TRENDS

Several factors are contributing to an 
increase in third-party outsourcing of 
infor mation services by gover nments 
and private sector entities: 

Individuals and businesses are demanding better 
customer service and convenience

Private sector providers such as banks and retailers 
have raised consumer expectations in delivering 
an integrated, intuitive and well-crafted user 
experience.

Governments and companies are looking to 
outsource non-core processes and services

With fiscal constraints, governments are turning 
to private parties to efficiently deliver services. 
This is also true in the private sector, where more 
than 90 per cent of Fortune 500 companies are 
outsourcing at least one non-core business process.

Consumers and businesses demand reliable,  
secure information

As governments focus on cross-enterprise service 
integration, concerns about information privacy 
increase. Third-party service providers with 
expertise in providing authenticated and secure 
data have a competitive edge in this environment.

1 8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

2013 Key Perfor mance Indicators

$30.6m  

EBITDA

$34.0m  

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 79.1m  

Revenues

KPIs 

$ 77.0m  

Net Income

$23.2m  

Free Cash Flow

$4.40  

Earnings per Share

19

Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2013

2 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Contents

22 

Introduction

22  Responsibility for Disclosure

22  Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

23  Highlights

25  Selected Financial Information

25  Business Overview

32  Business Strategy

33  Core Competencies and Strengths

35  Results of Operations

42  Summary of Quarterly Results

42	 Financial	Measures	and	Key	Performance	Indicators

43  Liquidity and Capital Resources 

46  Outlook

48  Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

48  Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

48  Related Party Transactions

48	 Critical	Estimates	and	Significant	Accounting	Policies

48  Changes in Accounting Policies 

49  Financial Instruments and Related Risk Management

49  Business Risks and Risk Management

57  Non-IFRS Measures

58  Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

21

INTRODUCTION 

The year 2013 was an important one for Information 
Services Corporation (“ISC,” or the “Company”) as we 
transitioned from a Crown corporation to a publicly 
traded company with shares listed on the Toronto 
Stock Exchange	(“TSX”)	under	the	stock	symbol	“ISV”.	

As a result of the transition, we expanded our investor 
base while continuing to deliver essential registry 
services on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan 
(“the Government”) to the customers, citizens, 
businesses, and corporations who depend on ISC. 

In the coming pages, we present our Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), a report that 
discusses	our	financial	performance,	business	
indicators and outlook from management’s viewpoint. 
This document should be read in its entirety, and 
is intended to complement and supplement ISC’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended 
December 31, 2013	and	2012.		

As a newly traded public company, our goal is to help 
you understand our Company, our key business drivers 
and our approach to future opportunities.  

While ISC had performance metrics in place for many 
years, they were based on government requirements as a 
Crown corporation. With an expanded stakeholder base 
and mandate, our performance metrics may need to 
change or be enhanced. Performance metric evaluation 
is underway and a priority for 2014. 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR DISCLOSURE 

This MD&A contains information from ISC’s audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended 
December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, which were 
prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the 
International	Accounting	Standards	Board.	The	financial	
information that appears throughout our MD&A is 
consistent with the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Unless otherwise noted, or unless the context indicates 
otherwise, “ISC”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” 
refer to Information Services Corporation, its subsidiary 
and its predecessors. Any statements in this MD&A 
made by or on behalf of management are made in such 
persons’	capacities	as	officers	of	ISC	and	not	in	their	
personal capacities. Additional information, including 
our Annual Information Form for the year ended 

2 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

December 31,	2013	is	available	on	SEDAR	at	 
www.sedar.com.

ISC presents its Consolidated Financial Statements in 
Canadian (“CAD”) dollars. In this MD&A, all references to 
“$”	or	“dollars”	are	to	Canadian	dollars	and	amounts	are	
stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

This MD&A is current as of March 19, 2014. The Board 
of Directors	(“Board”)	carries	out	its	responsibility	for	
review of this disclosure primarily through the Audit 
Committee, which is comprised exclusively of 
independent Directors. The Audit Committee reviews 
the	MD&A	and	recommends	it to	the	Board	of	Directors	
for approval. Other key responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee include reviewing our existing internal 
control procedures and planned revisions to those 
procedures,	and	advising	the Directors	on	auditing	
matters	and	financial	reporting issues.		

CAUTION REGARDING   
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Certain statements in this MD&A about ISC’s current and 
future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels 
of activity,	performance,	goals	or	achievements	or	any	
other future events or developments constitute forward-
looking statements. The words “may”, “will”, “would”, 
“should”, “could”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “trends”, 
“indications”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, 
“predicts”, “projects”, “targets”, “strive”, “strategy”, 
“continue”, “likely” or “potential” or the negative or other 
variations of these words or other comparable words 
or phrases	are	intended	to	identify	forward-looking	
statements. By their nature, these statements involve 
assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties 
and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels 
of activity and achievements to differ materially from 
those expressed or implied by such statements.

Discussions containing forward-looking statements may 
be found in this MD&A. Forward-looking statements, 
including, without limitation, those contained in the 
“Outlook” and “Core Competencies” sections hereof, 
management’s expectations, intentions and beliefs 
concerning the registry services and information 
products industry and, in particular, the land, personal 
property and corporate registry sectors thereof, its 
competitive landscape, the general economy and the 
real estate market, statements regarding the future 
financial	position	or	results	of	ISC,	business	strategy,	

proposed acquisitions, growth opportunities, capital 
and operating	expectations,	access	to	financing	on	
satisfactory terms, potential litigation, projected costs, 
and plans and objectives of or involving ISC, are based 
on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of 
ISC’s experience and perception of historical trends, 
current conditions and expected future developments, 
as well as other factors that ISC believes are appropriate 
and reasonable in the circumstances. There can be no 
assurance that such estimates and assumptions will 
prove to be correct.

Certain assumptions with respect to the Saskatchewan 
economy,	consumer	confidence,	interest	rates,	level	
of unemployment,	inflation,	real	estate	market	in	
Saskatchewan, claim liabilities, income taxes, our ability 
to attract and retain skilled staff, employee future 
benefits,	goodwill	and	intangibles	are	material	factors	
in preparing	forward-looking	statements	and	
management’s expectations.

Many factors could cause our actual results, levels of 
activity, performance or achievements or future events 
or developments to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, 
including, without limitation, the following factors, which 
are discussed in greater detail under the “Business Risks 
and Risk Management” section of this MD&A:

•  potential disagreements with the Government;

•  ISC’s limited ability to set fees;

•  legislative changes that affect our business;

•  the Saskatchewan and Canadian economies, including 

conditions	within	the	real	estate	market,	inflation,	
interest rate levels, unemployment levels and 
consumer	confidence;

•  the level of search and registration activities, 

principally as related to the Land, Personal Property and 
Corporate Registries (collectively, the “Registries”);

•  reliance on key personnel;

•  our ability to execute our growth strategy;

•  any compromise to the integrity or security of our 

information assets;

•  our reliance on information technology systems or a 

material disruption in our computer systems;

•  our reliance on third-party service providers or other 
contractors under key contractual arrangements;

•  competition for service offerings (other than our 
exclusive service offerings to the Government);

•  our insurance may not provide adequate coverage;

•  litigation and tax matters;

•  our liability to the Government under the Master 

Service Agreement (“MSA”) is unlimited, except in 
certain	specified	circumstances;

•  any adverse changes in labour relations;

•  any failure to protect ISC’s intellectual property rights;

•	 the	potential	for	a	volatile	market	price	for	our	Class A	

Limited Voting Shares (the “Class A Shares”); and

•  our ability to pay dividends, which is dependent on 

our	ability	to	generate	sufficient	income	and	cash	flow.

These factors should be considered carefully. We 
caution that the foregoing listings of important 
assumptions and factors are not exhaustive. Other 
events or circumstances could cause actual results to 
differ materially from those estimated or projected and 
expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking 
statements. The purpose of the forward-looking 
statements is to provide the reader with a description 
of management’s	expectations	regarding	ISC’s	financial	
performance and may not be appropriate for other 
purposes – readers should not place undue reliance 
on forward-looking	statements	made	herein.	

Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward-
looking statements contained in this MD&A are made 
as of	the	date	of	this	MD&A,	and	we	have	no	intention	
and undertake no obligation to update or revise any 
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of 
new information,	future	events	or	otherwise,	except	
as required	by	law.	The	forward-looking	statements	
contained	in	this	MD&A	are	expressly	qualified	by	this	
cautionary statement.

HIGHLIGHTS

Fourth Quarter Highlights

•	 Total	revenues	were	$20.0	million	for	the	three	months	
ended	December	31,	2013,	an	increase	of	$1.7	million	
or	9.6	per	cent,	compared	to	the	$18.3	million	for	the	
three months ended December 31, 2012. Revenues 
increased across all three registries in the fourth 
quarter compared to the same quarter last year. 
Revenues exclude the Vital Statistics Registry revenue, 
which is treated as a discontinued operation.

23

•  EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation 
and amortization) for the fourth quarter of 2013 was 
$8.3	million	compared	to	$6.7	million	for	the	fourth	
quarter of 2012, up 25.1 per cent quarter-over-quarter. 
ISC’s 2013 fourth quarter EBITDA margin was 
41.6 per cent	(35.3	per	cent	–	2012).

•	 Adjusted	EBITDA	grew	to	$8.4	million	for	the	quarter	
as	compared	to	$7.0	million	for	the	same	quarter	last	
year, with ISC generating an Adjusted EBITDA margin 
of 41.9 per cent (38.1 per cent – 2012). 

•	 Net	income	for	the	three	months	ended	December 31,	
2013	was	$4.7	million,	or	$0.27	per	share.	In	the	fourth	
quarter	last	year,	net	income	was	$5.0 million;	however,	
for comparative purposes, it is important to note that 
ISC was not subject to tax in 2012. Excluding this 
quarter’s tax expense, ISC generated an increase in 
income	over	the	fourth	quarter	of	2012	of	$2.1 million,	
or	41.7 per cent.

Year End Highlights 

•	 Total	revenues	increased	to	$79.1	million	for	the	year	

ended	December	31,	2013,	an	increase	of	$3.9 million,	
or	5.2 per	cent,	compared	to	$75.2 million	for	the	
year ended	December	31,	2012.	Revenues	exclude	
the Vital Statistics Registry, which is treated as a 
discontinued operation. 

•	 EBITDA	for	2013	was	$30.6	million,	slightly	ahead	of	
the	$28.8	million	for	2012,	with	an	EBITDA	margin	of	
38.1 per cent (37.2 per cent – 2012).

•	 Adjusted	EBITDA	rose	to	$34.0	million,	a	12.7	per	cent	
increase	compared	to	the	$30.2	million	generated	in	
2012, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 43.0 per 
cent (40.1 per cent – 2012). 

•  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 

was	$77.0	million,	or	$4.40	per	share.	Net	income	for	
2012	was	$21.2	million;	however,	it	is	important	to	
note that ISC was not subject to tax during that year. 
Excluding the income tax expense and recovery, ISC 
generated an increase in income over 2012 of 
$3.9 million,	or	18.3	per	cent.

2 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

85

80

75

70

65

60

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Revenues for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

79.1

75.2

68.7

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

EBITDA for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

EBITDA 1

Adjusted EBITDA 1,2

28.8

30.2

30.6

34.0

24.2

25.3

2011

2012

2013

1  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized as measures under IFRS and
  do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, are not
  comparable to similar measures by other corporations. See “Non-IFRS Measures”.
2  Adjusted EBITDA excludes one-time costs related to the public offering and
  the results of the Vital Statistics Registry.
Source: ISC

Free cash flow1 for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

22.6

23.2

19.0

2011

2012

2013

1  Free cash flow is not recognized as a measure under IFRS and does not have 
  a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, is not comparable 
  to similar measures by other corporations. See “Non-IFRS Measures”.
Source: ISC

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

EBITDA

Free cash flow

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

The	selected	financial	information	set	out	for	the	years	ended	December	2013, 	December	2012	and	December	
2011 was derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements and has been prepared on a consistent basis. In the 
opinion	of	management,	such	financial	data	reflects	all	adjustments	necessary	for	a	fair	presentation	of 	the	results	
for those periods. 

From a comparative standpoint, it is also important to note that, in 2012, we operated the Vital Statistics Registry, 
which has since been transferred back to the Government. As a result, our presentation includes “adjusted” numbers 
to provide a more accurate year-over-year comparison of results. The results of the Vital Statistics Registry are now 
reflected	under	“Discontinued	Operations”.

Year Ended December 31,

(thousands of CAD dollars, except earnings per share) 

2013 

2012 

2011

Revenues 

$  79,131	

$	 75,216	

$	 68,670

Net income and total comprehensive income 

$  76,981	

$	 21,240	

$	 17,218

Total assets 
Total non-current liabilities 

EBITDA 1 
Adjusted EBITDA 1 

EBITDA margin (% of revenues) 1 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 

Free	cash	flow 1 

Dividends declared per share 2 

Earnings per share from continuing and  
  discontinued operations, basic 3 
Earnings per share excluding taxes, basic 4 

$ 108,101	
  10,814 

$  30,554	
  34,008 

  38.1% 
  43.0% 

$	 48,638	
  1,493 

$	 28,794	
  30,167 

  37.2% 
  40.1% 

$	 47,435
  1,766

$	 24,171
  25,266

  34.1%
  36.8%

$  23,208	

$	 22,561	

$	 19,022

$ 

0.38 

$ 
$ 

4.40 
1.48 

– 

– 
– 

–

–
–

1		For	a	reconciliation	of	EBITDA,	Adjusted	EBITDA	and	Free	cash	flow,	see	“Financial	Measures	and	Key	Performance	Indicators”.
2  Dividends declared per share since our listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange on July 9, 2013.
3  The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income after tax and the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.
4  See “Results of Operations” for calculation.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW 

Headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, ISC  
is the exclusive provider of land, personal property and 
corporate registry administration and management 
services to the Government under a twenty-year Master 
Service Agreement that was implemented in May 2013.

Since ISC’s creation in 2000 as a provincial Crown 
corporation with a mandate to modernize the land titles 
registry, the Company has acquired and enhanced 
several registries within Saskatchewan.  

ISC is distinguished from typical registry software 
providers by its unique expertise in the full-service 
management and administration of registries. ISC works 
with governments and private-sector organizations to 
develop policies and procedures to support the integrity 
of the data, then manages the information technology 
and data management and authentication processes. 
Finally, the Company delivers the customer service 
experience online and through personal interactions. 

In 2013, Information Services Corporation made the 
transition from a provincial Crown corporation owned 
by the	Government	to	a	publicly	traded	company	with	
shares that began trading on July 9, 2013 on the Toronto 
Stock Exchange under the symbol “ISV.”

In addition to the registry services, ISC offers 
complementary and customized information services 
and solutions. 

The end-users of our products and services are 
individuals and businesses, including real estate agents, 

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FULL-SERVICE REGISTRY MANAGEMENT

Province

(cid:127) ISC is granted the 
exclusive right to 
manage and operate 
registry and information 
services under the 
terms of the Master 
Service Agreement

ISC

(cid:127) Process customer requests

(cid:127) Analyze, interpret and 
apply existing policy

(cid:127) Maintain system integrity through 
record keeping and upgrades

(cid:127) Initiate product development 
and product planning

Customer

(cid:127) ISC acts as the customer 

interface either online, or in 
person, or by telephone

(cid:127) Ongoing customer support, 
training and consultation 
through customer forums 
and committees

home builders and municipalities, governments, 
financial	institutions,	insurance	companies,	car	and	
equipment dealers, land developers, and resource, 
utility and pipeline businesses as well as small 
businesses and corporations and established 
intermediary customers such as legal, survey and 
engineering	firms.

Description of Revenue Sources

From a reporting perspective, ISC presents its 
operational	and	financial	performance	based	on	its	
three major registry services:

•  Land Registry, which includes the Land Titles Registry, 

the Land Surveys Directory (“Land Surveys”) and 
Geomatics Services and Solutions (“Geomatics”); 

–  Land Titles Registry issues titles to land and registers 
transactions affecting titles, including changes of 
ownership and the registration of interests in land; 

–  Land Surveys plans and creates a representation of 
Saskatchewan land parcels in the cadastral parcel 
mapping system; and 

–  Geomatics services manage geographic data in 
relation to the cadastral parcel mapping system 
that is	integrated	with	Land	Titles	Registry	and	Land	
Surveys. In addition, there are stand-alone services 
such as topographical maps and aerial photos.

•  The Personal Property Registry (“PPR”), which is 

a public	registry	where	individuals,	corporations,	
lenders and others can register their interests (liens) 
on movable types of personal property such as 
automobiles, farm equipment, boats, etc.; and

2 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

•  The Corporate Registry, which is a province-wide 

system for registering business corporations, non-
profit	corporations,	co-operatives,	sole	proprietorships,	
joint ventures and business partnerships. 

ISC’s revenues have increased 15.1 per cent over the 
past three years, with the majority of revenue coming 
from the Land Titles Registry.  

In each of these registries, there are three common 
revenue components. ISC generates revenues primarily 
by earning fees from our end-use customers for:

1. Registrations;

2. Searches; and 

3. Maintenance transactions.    

Registrations are conducted online or through staff-
assisted services that facilitate the submission and 
registration of interests in land or property or 
registrations related to business entities. Our  
customers typically submit registration requests 

100

80

60

40

20

0

Total Revenue for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

Land Titles Registry
Corporate Registry
Land Surveys Directory

68.7

Personal Property Registry
Geomatics 
Other

75.2

79.1

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Revenue

Other

Land Surveys Directory

Geomatics Services and Solutions

Corporate Registry

Personal Property Registry

Land Titles Registry

electronically, and registrations are completed through 
automated or manual processes.

Searches for current or historical information are 
conducted online by customers or in person at an ISC 
Customer Service Centre. Customized services are also 
available for searches of larger volumes of records or 
consolidated information from multiple registries and 
other sources.

Maintenance transactions are also conducted online 
or through	our	Customer	Service	Centres	and	include	
maintenance	of	registry	information,	mineral	certifications	
and	the	annual	filings	required	for	corporate	entities.

These transactions are primarily Core Registry Services 
as	defined	by	the	MSA,	and	the	fees	associated	with	
these	core	services	are	defined	within	the	agreement.	
ISC also has the ability to set and generate fees from 
non-core ancillary services, an example of which would 
be	priority	mineral	certification	services	and	geomatics	
related services.

The following section provides readers with a business 
description and discusses the revenue drivers that ISC 
monitors	to	determine	current	and	future	financial	
performance.

Description of Registries

The Land Registry

As noted previously, from a reporting perspective, Land 
Registry includes the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys 
Directory (“Land Surveys”) and Geomatics. Revenue 
has increased	17.0	per	cent	over	the	past	three	years, 	
with the majority of revenue coming from the Land 
Titles Registry.  

Land Registry Revenue 
for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

57.9

61.1

52.2

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Land Titles Registry

The Land Titles Registry issues titles to land and registers 
transactions affecting titles, including changes of 
ownership and the registration of interests in land.

The Land Titles Registry contributes to Saskatchewan’s 
economic activity by ensuring access to timely and 
reliable land ownership information to support new 
and used	home	sales,	land	and	home	development	
transfers and other value-added transactions that 
contribute to provincial economic development. Its 
primary	users	are	legal	firms,	financial	institutions,	
developers and resource-based companies.

As the Land Titles Registry revenue contains both 
residential and non-residential activity, mortgage 
rates and	business	lending	rates	may	affect	revenues.	
Changes in provincial population also affects the 
housing market, which, in turn, impacts vacancy rates, 
changes of ownership and revenue.  

The	chart	on	the	following	page	reflects	Land	Titles	
Registry volumes over a three-year period. Revenues for 
the Land Titles Registry are earned through registration, 
search and maintenance fees.

Registration 

• Title transfers

• Interest registrations, discharges and amendments 

•  Revenues are earned through both value-based 

and flat	fees	

Search

• Web searches of Land Titles Registry information

•  Bulk data requests for Land Titles Registry 

information

•		Revenues	are	generated	through	flat	fees	for	

Revenue

standard	searches	or	flat	or	negotiated	fees	for	
customized services

Maintenance

•	Mineral	certification	service

• Bulk data requests

• Flat fees for standard services

• Flat or negotiated fees for customized services

27

1,050,000

1,000,000

950,000

900,000

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Land Titles Registry Transaction Volume
for the year ended December 31,
(Number of Transactions)

1,017,137

1,027,372

1,010,991

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Land Titles Registry Revenue 
for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

54.6

56.9

49.1

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Land Titles Registry Revenue by Type
for the year ended December 31, 2013 

Maintenance 
0%

Searches

14%

86%

Registrations

Source: ISC

2 8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Land Titles 
Registry	generated	$56.9	million	in	revenue,	86 per cent	
of which was related to registrations. Registration fees 
are	either	a	flat	fee	or	value-based	fee	calculated	as	a	
percentage of the value of the land and/or property 
being	registered.	Approximately	74 per cent	of	all	Land	
Titles Registry registration transactions were submitted 
online in 2013.  

Revenue

We	typically	charge	a	flat	fee	per	transaction	for	search	
and maintenance transactions. However, in certain 
instances, we charge a custom fee for a customized 
search or maintenance transaction such as certain 
mineral	certification	or	bulk	data	requests.	

Land Surveys 

Land Surveys registers land survey plans and creates 
a representation	of	Saskatchewan	land	parcels	in	the	
cadastral parcel mapping system. Land survey plans 
define	the	geographic	boundaries	of	land	parcels	
throughout Saskatchewan, while the cadastral parcel 
mapping system depicts the land survey system with 
surface and mineral ownership parcel boundaries. 

Revenue

Land Surveys services include registrations, searches 
and related survey services. Revenues related to all 
services	are	earned	as	a	flat	fee	per	transaction.		

Land	Surveys	supports	significant	economic	
development activity within the province, including land, 
resource, community and commercial developments. 
Our customers include surveyors, developers, resource 
companies and other businesses that need access to our 
mapping systems and survey plans to support their 
development plans.  

Registration 

• Plan registrations

• Plan change orders

•	Revenues	are	earned	through	flat	fees

Revenue

Search

Maintenance
• Web searches of Land Surveys information

Search
•		Revenues	are	earned	through	flat	fees

Services

Registration

• Parcel picture on demand service

•		Revenues	are	generated	through	flat	fees	for	

standard services or negotiated fees for 
customized services

For the year ended December 31, 2013, Land Surveys 
generated	approximately	$1.6	million	in	revenue,	
83 per	cent	of	which	was	related	to	registrations.

In August 2013, ISC successfully launched a new online 
plan submission application – an easy-to-use web 
application	that	provides	an	efficient	way	to	submit	
survey plans. The new application performs fundamental 
checks and validations prior to submission to ensure 
submissions are complete, accurate and contain all the 
relevant information prior to examination, reducing 
rejections and rework.

Land Surveys Revenue 
for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

1.5

1.7

1.6

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Land Surveys Revenue by Type
for the year ended December 31, 2013

Services

Searches

6%

11%

83%

Registrations

Source: ISC

Geomatics

Geomatics manages geographic data related to the 
cadastral parcel mapping system, which is integrated 
with the Land Titles Registry and Land Surveys. 
Geomatics data is searchable by the public and 
provides the cadastral and derived data used to 
produce the Saskatchewan provincial base map for 
land-related activities within the province. The services 
we provide vary considerably.  

For example, we have developed the GeoSask portal 
(www.geosask.ca) to provide free online public access 
to Saskatchewan	geospatial	data	in	partnership	with	
a group	of	Government	ministries	and	agencies.	
Geospatial	data	combines	an	image	of	specific	land-
based attributes with its geographical location. ISC 
operates the portal, distributes data to end-users and 
has the rights under license to use the geospatial data 
within the GeoSask portal to support ancillary product 
and services offerings. 

Revenue

We have also provided Geomatics services and solutions 
for land-related data and applications. ISC developed 
the Mineral Administration Registry Saskatchewan 
(“MARS”) for the Ministry of the Economy, which 
provides an online system for issuing and administering 
Crown land mineral dispositions throughout 
Saskatchewan and eliminates the need to physically 
stake Crown mineral claims. 

In a similar service, we are leading the development 
of the	Saskatchewan	Civic	Address	Registration	(“CAR	
Project”) under contract with the Ministry of Government 
Relations to create a province-wide civic address registry 
and an online maintenance system. We expect that we 
will enter into a service agreement with the Ministry of 
Government Relations to host and support the CAR 
Project in exchange for a service fee.
Services

Revenue

Search

Registration

Unlike the other services offered within the Land Registry 
basket, Geomatics does not derive revenue from 
registration or maintenance services; rather, it produces 
revenue through searches and value-added services. 
Fees for Geomatics services are typically negotiated per 
transaction based on the type and nature of services 
required. For example, we receive an annual fee from 
certain Government ministries and agencies for 
operating the GeoSask portal, but do not receive 
transaction-based fees related to use of the portal.  

Total revenue derived from Geomatics search and 
services	was	$2.6	million	for	fiscal	2013.

29

Personal Property Registry

The PPR is a public registry into which interests in 
movable types of personal property may be registered. 
The PPR enables lenders as well as buyers of personal 
property (e.g. motor vehicles) to search for information 
such as security interests registered against an 
individual, business or personal property used as 
collateral. Buyers and lenders search the PPR to ensure 
there are no outstanding notices of third-party interests 
in personal property.

General provincial economic factors, including 
automotive sales, interest rates and the strength in 
commercial	activity	across	the	province	influence	
PPR revenues.	

Under	the	PPR,	we	charge	customers	flat	fees	per	
transaction.	The	chart	on	the	right	reflects	year-over-year	
transaction volumes for PPR.

Registration 

•  Registration or set-up events for Personal Property 

security agreements or judgments

•	Revenues	are	generated	from	flat	fees

Search

•  Web searches of Personal Property Registry or 

Judgment Registry information

•		Revenues	are	generated	from	flat	fees

Maintenance

• Amendments

•  Renewals

• Discharges

•		Revenues	are	generated	by	flat	fees

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the PPR 
generated	approximately	$9.8	million	in	revenue,	
74 per cent	of	which	was	related	to	registrations.	PPR’s	
highly automated web-based systems enable real-time 
completion of search and registration services and 
minimize operational effort to deliver services. 
Approximately 99 per cent of searches in the PPR are 
completed online. The high online usage is stable, with 
minimal numbers of end-use consumers needing staff 
assistance to complete their transactions.

3 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Personal Property Registry Transaction Volume
for the year ended December 31,
(Number of Transactions)

389,091

419,118

443,300

Revenue

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Personal Property Registry Revenue 
for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

9.1

9.8

Revenue

8.3

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

10

8

6

4

2

0

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Personal Property Registry Revenue by Type
for the year ended December 31, 2013 

Maintenance

11%

Searches

15%

74%

Registrations

Source: ISC

Revenue

Maintenance

Search

Registration

Corporate Registry

The Corporate Registry is a province-wide system  
for	registering	business	corporations,	non-profit	
corporations, co-operatives, sole proprietorships, joint 
ventures and business partnerships. Every corporation 
must be registered in the Corporate Registry to  
maintain its legal status and carry on business within 
Saskatchewan. Records on all Saskatchewan businesses 
are maintained and made available to the public 
through the Corporate Registry. 

This	registry	benefits	from	a	strong	provincial	economy,	
competitive tax rates and business incentives that 
encourage new and existing businesses to register 
and maintain	their	legal	status	in	Saskatchewan.	

Services	are	billed	as	flat	fees	for	each	transaction.	
Unlike other registries, we earn the majority of our 
fees in	relation	to	maintenance	services	provided	to	
entities	that	file	annual	returns	or	wish	to	make	changes	
to	their	structure	or	business	profile.	The	chart	on	the	
right	reflects	year-over-year	transaction	volumes	for	
the Corporate	Registry.

Registration 

• Registration or incorporations

Search

•  Name search and reservation service

•  Searches of Corporate Registry information

Maintenance

• Annual returns

•  Amendments, amalgamations, discontinuances

• Rush fees

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Corporate 
Registry	generated	approximately	$8.2	million	in	
revenue, 60 per cent of which was related to 
maintenance services. For the top 12 transaction types, 
approximately 75 per cent were received online in 
2013, which is consistent with our strategy to migrate 
customers to an online experience.

Corporate Registry Transaction Volume
for the year ended December 31,
(Number of Transactions)

374,351

391,577

408,680

Revenue

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Corporate Registry Revenue 
for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

8.1

8.2

8.2

Revenue

450,000

375,000

300,000

225,000

150,000

75,000

0

10

8

6

4

2

0

2011

2012

2013

Source: ISC

Corporate Registry Revenue by Type
for the year ended December 31, 2013

Registrations

22%

60%

Maintenance

18%

Searches

Source: ISC

31

Revenue

Maintenance

Search

Registration

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses

Our operating, general and administrative expenses 
consist of the following:

•  Wages and salaries are our largest expense and 

include	employee	salaries	with	related	benefits	for	
both unionized and non-unionized employees, as well 
as pension plan contributions, economic adjustments, 
performance increases, training and professional 
dues, and recruitment.

•  Information technology services include annual 

service charges, contract services with third-party 
service providers, annual service agreements, repairs 
and maintenance, system support and consulting, 
network charges, and operational releases.

•  Occupancy expenses include rent, parking, utilities, 

storage, janitorial supplies and services, facility repairs 
and	maintenance,	general	office	supplies,	printed	
forms, mail, courier and telephone charges.

•  Project initiatives include costs that can be operational 
or costs that are not eligible to be capitalized as part 
of the development of the asset, and therefore, must 
be expensed in the current year. Such costs include 
training, marketing, travel, selling, administration and 
general overhead costs.

•	 Other	costs	include	financial	services,	professional	
services, travel and business costs, advertising and 
promotion, insurance and assurance, and other 
corporate expenses.

Net Finance Expense (Income)

Net	finance	expense	(income)	is	derived	from	interest	
paid on long-term borrowed funds offset by interest 
earned for cash on hand.

Tax Provision 

As a Crown corporation, ISC was exempt from federal 
and provincial income taxes under the Income Tax Act 
(Canada) as amended (the “Tax Act”). In accordance 
with section 149(1)(d.2), this exemption continued to 
apply through the ISC’s continuation as a wholly 
owned subsidiary	of	Crown	Investments	Corporation	
of Saskatchewan	(“CIC”).	ISC’s	tax	status	was	initially	
reported	to	have	changed	upon	its	listing	on	the	 TSX	
on July	9,	2013.	However,	subsequent	review	revealed	
that	the	actual	loss	of ISC’s	tax-exempt	status	was 	
deemed	to	occur	on	June 27,	2013,	when	ISC	and	
CIC entered	into	an	Underwriting	Agreement	with	a	
syndicate of underwriters. As a result, ISC is now 

3 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

subject to	federal	and	provincial	income	taxes	at	an	
estimated combined rate of 27 per cent.  

Upon the change in status, a new taxation year 
commenced and ISC’s properties were deemed to 
have been disposed of at fair market value while the 
Company was still exempt from tax and reacquired 
at that	amount	at	the	commencement	of 	the	new	
taxation year. 

Consequently, the Company can amortize and deduct 
the cost of depreciable tangible and intangible 
properties in computing its income for tax purposes in 
accordance with the rules in the Tax Act. The increase 
in the	tax	basis	of	certain	of	the	Company’s	assets	upon	
the change in tax status created a deferred tax asset, the 
impact of which has been recognized as a tax recovery.

Seasonality 

Our business experiences moderate seasonality, 
primarily because our Land Titles Registry revenues 
fluctuate	in	line	with	real	estate	transaction	activity	in	
the province.	Typically,	our	second	and	third	quarters	
generate	slightly	higher	revenues	during	the	fiscal	year	
when	real	estate	activity	is	highest.	Margins	can	fluctuate	
as our expenses are relatively consistent, except for 
wages and salaries which are typically higher in the 
first quarter	due	to	incentive	payments	and	retroactive	
payments resulting from the collective agreement, as 
well	as	fluctuating	project	initiatives	costs.	However,	the	
impact of seasonality has not typically been material to 
our overall results.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Strategic Direction

ISC’s transition from a Crown corporation to a publicly 
traded company in 2013 broadened our mandate, 
expanded our shareholder base and created a 
foundation upon which ISC can grow strategically.  

In	many	respects,	2013	was	a	“year	of	firsts”	for	ISC.	
We recognize	there	are	new	competencies	needed	
to position	our	Company	for	future	growth.	Over	the	
past several	months,	we	have	been	building	internal	
competencies in the areas of taxation, investor relations 
and securities compliance. We are enhancing our market 
and competitive intelligence, fostering extra-provincial 
relationships and developing an internal investment 
framework	that	will	establish	the	strategic	and	financial	
parameters to guide our actions going forward.

At the same time, we remain highly committed to 
effectively delivering exclusive registry services to the 
Government through our twenty-year MSA. We believe 
that the successful execution of these services to the 
Province and its citizens is key to enhancing our brand 
inside and outside of Saskatchewan.  

Industry Trends

To set the context for this strategic discussion, it is 
important to consider market and industry trends that 
have and will continue to affect the delivery of registry 
and related services into the future.  

•  Governments across Canada are becoming 

increasingly receptive to non-traditional methods 
of delivering	services,	particularly	if	those	services	
are delivered	at	the	same	standard	for	a	lower	cost.	
We have witnessed the implementation of creative 
solutions to infrastructure and service delivery models 
including outsourcing, public-private partnerships, 
privatizations and revenue-sharing models. 

Strategic Priorities

ISC	has	identified	three	strategic	priorities	that	we	
believe will contribute to value creation, risk 
management	and	efficiency	enhancements:

•  earnings growth and sustainable cost management;

•  organizational effectiveness and compliance; and

•	 growth	identification	and	execution.

Strategic Principles

To	support	these	priorities,	we	have	identified	several	
principles that are the foundation of our strategic 
focus, including:

•  leveraging the substantial experiences gained 
through our long-term relationship with the 
Government; 

•  generating value from Saskatchewan registry 

information and data, which is available to ISC 
exclusively until 2033;

•  Governments, particularly in Western Canada, are 

•  maximizing our balance sheet strength, both from a 

experiencing unprecedented population growth amid 
budgetary	and	fiscal	constraints.	At	the	same	time,	
they recognize that the private-sector’s contribution 
to sustaining	economic	growth	is	increasing.

cash and debt perspective;

•  delivering reliable returns to shareholders by 

sustaining and enhancing dividends over time;

•  We are also witnessing a heightened willingness 

within governments to integrate services and share 
information to enhance their service offerings and 
improve government management systems and 
delivery models. In Western Canada, this concept 
has expanded	between	provinces.	The	New	West	
Partnership agreement among British Columbia, 
Alberta and Saskatchewan has aligned the three 
provinces’ business policies, establishing Canada’s 
largest inter-provincial, barrier-free trade and 
investment climate, reducing the complexity for 
companies that are looking to operate or deliver 
value to	one	or	more	of	these	three	provinces.

•  Consumers, business and citizens are also demanding 
secure and authenticated information and services. 
They expect that government services should be 
comparable to those delivered by private-sector 
organizations in terms of quality, security, value 
and cost.

These trends, together with the strength of the western 
Canadian economies, will shape ISC’s strategic approach 
and drive future growth opportunities.  

•  diversifying revenues among our primary registries to 
reduce reliance on Saskatchewan and land registry-
based income;

•  exploring replication opportunities across Canada; and

•  developing relationships, alliances and partnerships 
with international leaders within the information 
services industry to enhance our brand and explore 
complementary service offerings.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND STRENGTHS

We believe ISC’s key core competencies and strengths 
position	us	well to	achieve	our	strategic	objectives	and	
succeed in the future:

History

Extensive experience in developing and  
fostering relationships with governments

ISC has developed and maintains strong working 
relationships with the Government and its ministries 
regarding the development, provision and 
commercialization of registry and related information 
services. We understand the demands and service 

33

standards sought by governments, as well as the 
decision-making processes implemented by 
governments in connection with critical information 
services and the management of personal and 
business information. 

The strength of our partnership with the Government is 
demonstrated by the expanding nature and scope of 
our exclusive service offerings to the Government, 
including the addition of the Vital Statistics Registry in 
2008, the Corporate Registry in 2010 and Business 
Registrations Saskatchewan.  

generating	predictable	and	stable	cash	flow,	due	to	the	
non-discretionary nature of our core registry services. 
We	intend	to	use	our	internally	generated	cash	flow 	
to meet	our	anticipated	dividend	payments,	as	well	
as to	fund	anticipated	capital	expenditures	and	other 	
cash requirements.	

The foregoing section includes forward-looking 
statements related to expected moderate levels of 
capital expenditures and expected predictable and 
stable	cash	flow.	See	the	section	“Caution	Regarding	
Forward-Looking Statements”. 

Innovation and Efficiency

Transformation

Experienced and committed team with a track record 
of performance and excellence in customer service

ISC has an experienced and committed management 
team with a proven track record of successfully 
acquiring, integrating and modernizing registries and 
related information services to serve individuals and 
businesses in the province. ISC successfully completed 
the integration and automation of several registries, 
including a conversion of the Land Titles Registry, PPR 
and Vital Statistics Registry to online systems. 

These	initiatives	have	significantly	improved	service	
levels and turnaround times for our customers, as 
demonstrated by favourable customer survey results, 
while simultaneously generating cost savings and 
improved	operating	efficiencies	through	streamlined	
operational processes. We have an established 
infrastructure that includes customer service centres, 
key information systems and established processes 
that we	believe	can	be	leveraged	to	support	additional	
registry and information services.

Information

Leveraging the information from our core assets and 
providing value to governments and businesses

As	a	result	of	our	exclusive	right	to use	and	distribute	
the data available through the existing registry systems, 
we are able to provide data through various channels to 
many end-users and provide additional services in the 
future. Furthermore, by providing full-service capabilities, 
we are able to achieve a critical objective of governments 
and businesses who seek to deliver high quality services 
to their customers at a lower cost. 

Unique expertise in providing full-service  
registry services

By managing the entire set of registry information 
management and service delivery processes, ISC 
provides a “one-stop shop” for governments or private-
sector organizations, allowing them to fully outsource 
these processes to us. We have accumulated expertise in 
facilitating real property, personal property and corporate 
transactions, and our end-users rely on us to deliver quick 
and	efficient	processing	of	these	transactions	while	
avoiding unnecessary costs or errors.

By providing full-service or “end-to-end” service 
capabilities, we are able to achieve a critical objective 
of governments	and	private-sector	organizations	who	
seek to deliver high quality services to their customers 
at a lower cost.

Stability

Long-term exclusive provider of registry and related 
information services to the Government

ISC is the provider of Land Registry, Land Surveys, 
Personal Property Registry, and Corporate Registry 
systems in the Government. Under the terms of the MSA, 
we have the right to manage and operate the registries 
on behalf of the Government until 2033. The agreement 
creates	a	significant	barrier	to	entry	for	competitors	in	
the Saskatchewan market.

Reliability

Solid financial position

Our EBITDA, together with our moderate levels of 
capital expenditures and low levels of indebtedness, 
have	allowed	us	to	generate	strong	cash	flow	for 	
investment in new products and services, growth 
initiatives and dividends. We expect to continue 

3 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Opportunity

Maximizing our capital structure and corporate transformation to deliver new value 

ISC’s transformation in 2013 from a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government to a public company with 
shares	trading	on	the	Toronto	Stock	Exchange	was a	significant	milestone	for	our	organization	that	positioned	us	to 	
seek new opportunities and diversify our business into the future. With new access to capital, low debt levels, 
significant	free	cash	flow	and	a	diversified	shareholder	base,	ISC	has	the	financial	foundation	upon	which	we	may	
grow our services in Saskatchewan and beyond.   

The foregoing section includes forward-looking statements related to expected access to capital and expected 
significant	free	cash	flow.	See	the	section	“Caution	Regarding	Forward-Looking	Statements”.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Fourth Quarter Results

From continuing and discontinued operations

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenues

Land Registry, Land Surveys and Geomatics 
Personal Property Registry 

  Corporate Registry 
  Other 

Operating, general and administrative expenses
  Wages and salaries 

Information technology services 

  Occupancy costs 
Project initiatives 

  Other 

Net loss from discontinued operations 
EBITDA 1  

Depreciation and amortization 
Net	finance	expense	(income)	
Income before taxes 

Income tax expense 
Net income and total comprehensive income 

Adjusted EBITDA 1 

Three Months Ended December 31,

2013 

2012

$  15,688	
  2,358 
  1,982 
11 
  20,039 

  5,469 
  2,862 
  1,100 
475 
  1,803 
  11,709 

– 
  8,330 

  1,206 
1 
  7,123 

$	 14,311
  2,148
  1,811
10
  18,280

  5,667
  2,394
  1,097
414
  1,736
  11,308

(313)
  6,659

  1,660
(29)
  5,028

  2,380 
$  4,743	

–
$	 5,028

$  8,395	

$	 6,972

1		For	a	reconciliation	of	EBITDA	and	Adjusted	EBITDA,	see	“Financial	Measures	and	Key	Performance	Indicators”.

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
Revenues

For the three months ended December 31, 2013, total 
revenues	were	$20.0	million,	an	increase	of	$1.7 million,	
or	9.6 per	cent,	compared	to	the	three	months	ended	
December 31, 2012. Revenues for 2012 exclude the 
Vital “Discontinued	Operations”.	

(i)  Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys and Geomatics

Revenue	was	$15.7	million	for	the	three	months	
ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 
$1.4 million,	or	9.6	per	cent,	compared	to	the	three	
months ended December 31, 2012. Revenues from 
the Land Titles Registry remained strong due to the 
increases in average prices of existing homes, which 
offset a decrease in ownership volumes. 

(ii)  Personal Property Registry

The main driver of revenue – personal property 
security registration set-ups – has shown a strong 
increase in both volume and revenue, resulting in 
revenue for the three months ended December 31, 
2013	of	$2.4	million,	up	9.7	per	cent	from	the	
$2.1 million	generated	in	the	three	months	ended	
December 31, 2012.  Overall, volume experienced 
quarterly growth of 7.4 per cent.

(iii)  Corporate Registry

Revenue	for	the	three	months	ended	December 31,	
2013	was	$2.0	million,	a	9.4 per cent	increase	
compared	to	the	$1.8	million	for	the	three	months	
ended December 31, 2012. Volumes and revenue 
across all activities in the registry were higher for the 
quarter compared to the same period in 2012, with 
annual returns revenue leading the way with an 
11.5 per	cent	increase.	

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses

Operating, general and administrative expenses were 
$11.7	million	in	the	three	months	ended	December	31,	
2013	compared	to	$11.3	million	in	the	three	months	
ended	December	31,	2012,	an	increase	of	$0.4	million	
or 3.5 per cent. The variance increase was captured in 
the following areas:  

•	 Wages	and	salaries	decreased	$0.2	million,	or	3.5 per	

cent,	to	$5.5	million	in	the	three	months	ended	
December 31, 2013 compared to the same period 

in 2012.	This	decrease	was	due	to	a	lower	employee	
count compared to the same quarter last year – in 
part due	to	the	transfer	of	Vital	Statistics.

•  Information technology service costs increased 

$0.5 million,	or	19.5	per	cent,	to	$2.9	million	in	the	
three months ended December 31, 2013 over the 
same period in 2012. This increase was the result of 
additional technology initiatives over and above the 
base contracts.

•	 Occupancy	costs,	which	include	all	office	and	office	
supply	costs,	remained	stable	at	$1.1	million	in	the	
three months ended December 31, 2013 compared 
to the	same	period	in	2012.	

•  Project initiatives costs for the fourth quarter were 

$0.5 million	–	flat	when	compared	to	the	three	months	
ended December 31, 2012. 

•	 Other	costs	increased	3.9	per	cent	to	$1.8	million	
in the	three	months	ended	December	31,	2013	
compared to the same period of 2012. Changes in 
other costs have resulted from increases in expenses 
for support that has been required to transition to a 
publicly traded company. 

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization decreased by 
$0.5 million,	or	27.3	per	cent,	in	the	three	months	
ended December	31,	2013	compared	to	the	same	
period	of	2012.	The	significant	decline	in	the	fourth	
quarter was due to certain intangible assets reaching 
a fully	depreciated	state	in	2013,	combined	with	fewer	
capitalized projects being recorded during 2013 
(see “Capital	Expenditures”).

Net Finance Expense (Income)

The	finance	expense	for	the	three	months	ended	
December 31, 2013 increased, as compared to the same 
period for the previous year, due to a higher interest rate 
on the Credit Facilities entered into immediately prior to 
our IPO, as compared to our previous debt with the 
Government. As a result, the Company incurred a 
finance	expense	of	$1	for	the	three	months	ended	
December	31,	2013	versus	a	finance	income	of	$29	for	
the same period in the previous year. 

3 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

	
 
	
Discontinued Operations

As part of our privatization, the Government transferred the Vital Statistics Registry to eHealth Saskatchewan – another 
Government entity – effective June 16, 2013. Therefore, no revenues were recorded or expenses incurred for the 
three	months	ended	December	31,	2013	compared	to	a	net	loss	of	$0.3	million	in	the	same	period	of	2012.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenues 
Operating, general and administrative expenses 
Net loss from discontinued operations 

Net Income and Earnings per Share

Three Months Ended December 31,

2013 

–	
– 
–	

$ 

$ 

2012

580
893
(313)

$	

$	

Net	income	and	total	comprehensive	income	for	the	three	months	ended	December	31,	2013	were	$4.7 million	
compared	to	$5.0	million	for	the	same	period	in	2012.	The	decline	is	primarily	due	to	income	tax	expense	in	2013	as	
a	result	of	ISC	transitioning	from	a	tax-exempt	entity	to	a	taxable	entity.	Earnings	per	share	for	the	quarter	were	$0.27.	

Income	excluding	taxes	for	the	three	months	ended	December	31,	2013	was	$7.1	million	as	compared	to	$5.0 million	
for	the	same	period	of	2012,	resulting	in	an	earnings	per	share	excluding	taxes	of	$0.41.		

Results Excluding Taxes 

(thousands of CAD dollars, except earnings per share) 

Net income from continuing operations 
Net loss from discontinued operations 
Income tax expense 
Net income and total comprehensive income, excluding income tax expense 

Earnings per share excluding taxes, basic 

Three Months Ended December 31,

2013 

$  4,759	
– 
  2,364 
$  7,123	

$ 

0.41	

2012

5,341
(313)
–
5,028

–

$	

$	

$	

The weighted average number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 remained at 
17.5 million.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, once the impact of the one-time costs associated with the IPO and the loss on discontinued 
operations	was	removed,	totalled	$8.4	million	for	the	three	months	ended	December	31,	2013	–	an	increase	of	
$1.4 million,	or	20.4	per	cent	over	the	same	period	in	2012.	The	increase	is	a	result	of	revenue	growth	of	9.6 per	cent	 
in 2013 compared to 2012, coupled with a decrease of 3.5 per cent in operating, general and administrative 
expenses over 2012.

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year End Results

From continuing and discontinued operations

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenues

Land Registry, Land Surveys and Geomatics 
Personal Property Registry 

  Corporate Registry 
  Other 

Operating, general and administrative expenses 
  Wages and salaries 

Information technology services 

  Occupancy costs 
Project initiatives 

  Other 

Net loss from discontinued operations 
EBITDA 1  

Depreciation and amortization 
Net	finance	income	
Income before taxes 

Income tax recovery 
Net income and total comprehensive income 

Adjusted EBITDA 1 

Year Ended December 31,

2013 

2012

$  61,141	
  9,787 
  8,170 
33 
  79,131 

  23,803 
  10,001 
  4,202 
  4,919 
  4,897 
  47,822 

(755) 
  30,554 

  5,505 
(80) 
  25,129 

$	 57,920
  9,083
  8,157
56
  75,216

  23,608
  9,284
  4,476
  2,587
  5,094
  45,049

(1,373)
  28,794

  7,639
(85)
  21,240

 (51,852) 
$  76,981		

–
$	 21,240

$  34,008	

$	 30,167

1		For	a	reconciliation	of	Net	Income	to	EBITDA	and	Adjusted	EBITDA,	see	“Financial	Measures	and	Key	Performance	Indicators”.

Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2013, total revenues 
were	$79.1	million,	an	increase	of	$3.9	million,	or	5.2 per	
cent,	compared	to	the	year	ended	December 31,	2012.	
Revenues exclude the Vital Statistics Registry, which is 
now	reflected	under	“Discontinued	Operations”.	

The rise in total revenues in 2013 – including those 
related to the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys, the 
PPR and	the	Corporate	Registry	–	reflected	the	strong	
Saskatchewan economy. 

(i)  Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys and Geomatics

Revenue	was	$61.1	million	for	the	year	ended 	
December	31,	2013,	an	increase	of	$3.2	million,	
or 5.6 per	cent,	compared	to	the	year	ended	
December 31, 2012. Revenues from the Land Titles 
Registry remained strong due to the increases in 

average prices of existing homes, offsetting a 
decrease in volumes. Land transfer and mortgage 
registration volumes for the year were down, due 
in part	to	stricter	mortgage	rules	implemented	
in 2012.	

  Most of the revenue generated from the Land Titles 
Registry is value-based. The average price of existing 
housing continues to increase in Saskatchewan. For 
the	first	eleven	months	of	2013	(the	latest	data	
available), the Statistics Canada New Housing Price 
Index for Saskatchewan showed increases for every 
month except July. Comparing the same periods in 
2013 and 2012 (January to November), the index 
rose 1.9 per cent in 2013. 

Revenues	are	also	generated	on	flat	fees	charged	
on transactions, so volume also affects revenue.

3 8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
	
	
  We also processed more high-value property 

registrations in 2013 than in 2012, which generate 
a high	fee	per	transaction.

the	year,	annual	returns	revenue	was	up	5.2 per	cent	
over 2012 and incorporations revenue was down 
7.0 per	cent	over	2012.		

(ii)  Personal Property Registry

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 
totalled	$9.8	million,	up	7.8	per	cent	from	$9.1 million	
for the year ended December 31, 2012. The main 
driver of revenue – personal property security 
registration set-ups – has increased 5.3 per cent in 
volume and 8.0 per cent in revenue. 

Strong employment growth, a high rate of net 
migration, increased retail sales and, most 
importantly, growth in new motor vehicle sales in 
Saskatchewan all positively affected PPR revenue. 
For	the	first	eleven	months	of	2013	(the	latest	data	
available), the Statistics Canada New Motor Vehicle 
Sales for Saskatchewan increased 5.3 per cent 
compared to the same period in 2012.

The Enforcement of Money Judgments Act came 
into effect May 28, 2012 and has contributed to 
an increase	in	judgment	registration	transactions	
and revenues in 2013. Search volumes increased 
6.7 per	cent	in	the	year	compared	to	2012,	while	
registration volumes increased 3.5 per cent. 

(iii)  Corporate Registry

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 
remained	flat	at	$8.2	million	compared	to	the	same	
period in 2012. 

As expected, The New West Partnership Trade 
Agreement (“New West Partnership”) had a 
negative impact on revenues year-over-year. The 
New West Partnership is an agreement among the 
governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British 
Columbia that requires the three jurisdictions to 
reconcile registration and reporting requirements 
for business enterprises. Fees for extra-provincial 
registration are waived between the participating 
provinces	and	businesses	are	only	required	to	file 	
corporate annual returns in their home jurisdiction.

Notwithstanding that, the third and fourth quarter 
volumes and revenues showed positive growth, with 
annual returns revenue up by 12.5 per cent for the 
second half of 2013, helping to offset the lower 
revenues	experienced	in	the	first	half	of	2013.	For	

For the year ended December 31, 2013, operating, 
general	and	administrative	expenses	were	$47.8 million,	
compared	to	$45.1	million	for	the	year	ended	
December 31,	2012	–	an	increase	of	$2.7	million,	or	
6.2 per	cent.	The	increase	was	due	to	inflationary	
increases in wages and salaries, information technology 
services costs, and additional new expenses related to 
ISC becoming a publicly traded company. The variance 
increase was captured in these areas:

•	 Wages	and	salaries	increased	by	$0.2	million,	or	

0.8 per	cent,	to	$23.8	million	compared	to	2012.	The	
increase	was	a	result	of	normal	inflation	increases,	
coupled with compensation changes that were 
implemented upon transition to a publicly traded 
company	as	outlined	in	our	final	prospectus.

•  Information technology service costs increased by 
$0.7 million,	or	7.7	per	cent,	to	$10.0	million	in	the	
year ended December 31, 2013 over the same 
period in	2012.	The	increase	was	the	result	of 	
additional technology services over and above 
the base	contracts.	

•	 Occupancy	costs,	which	include	all	office	and	office	

supply	costs,	decreased	$0.3	million,	or	6.1	per	cent,	
to	$4.2	million	compared	to	2012.	The	decline	in	2013	
is a result of the increased rental costs incurred in 
2012 to pay for temporary space while ISC upgraded 
its Customer Service Centres, combined with a 
reduction of rental space costs in 2013 due to the 
transition of Vital Statistics.

•	 Project	initiatives	costs	for	2013	were	up	$2.3	million	
to	$4.9	million	in	the	year	ended	December	31,	2013	
compared to the same period of 2012. The increase is 
due to the one-time costs associated with our IPO.

•	 Other	costs	decreased	by	$0.2	million	to	$4.9 million	
in the year ended December 31, 2013 over the same 
period of 2012. Changes in other costs have resulted 
from a loss of disposal of property, plant and 
equipment	for	$0.5	million	in	2012	offset	by	increases	
in 2013 expenses for support that has been required 
to transition to a publicly traded company.

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation	and	amortization	decreased	$2.1	million,	or	27.9	per	cent,	to	$5.5	million	for	the	year	ended	December 31,	
2013	over	the	same	period	last	year.	The	significant	decrease	was	due	to	certain	intangible	assets	reaching	a	fully	
depreciated state, combined with less capitalized projects being recorded (see “Capital Expenditures”).

Net Finance Expense (Income)

Net	finance	income	decreased	marginally	for	the	year	ended	December	31, 	2013	compared	to	the	same	period	for 	
the previous year. Our cash on hand during 2013 has remained above the 2012 levels, generating higher interest 
income; however, our interest expense has increased, due to a higher interest rate on the Credit Facilities entered 
into immediately prior to our IPO, as compared to our previous debt with the Government.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations relates to the Vital Statistics Registry which was transferred to eHealth Saskatchewan 
effective	June 16,	2013.	For	the	year	ended	December	31,	2013,	revenues	were	$1.0	million	and	expenses	were	
$1.8 million,	resulting	in	a	loss	of	$0.8	million	for	the	six-month	period	ended	June	30,	2013,	compared	to	the	year	
ended	December	31,	2012	with	revenues	of	$2.1	million	and	expenses	of	$3.5	million,	resulting	in	a	loss	of	
$1.4 million	for	the	twelve-month	period.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenues 
Operating, general and administrative expenses 
Net loss from discontinued operations 

Tax Provision 

Year Ended December 31,

2013 

$  1,074	
  1,829 
(755)	

$ 

2012

$	 2,105
  3,478
(1,373)

$	

Income tax expense varies from the amounts that would be computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to 
earnings before taxes for the following reasons.

(thousands of CAD dollars, except where noted) 

Income before tax 
Combined statutory income tax rate  
Expected income tax expense 
Increase (decrease) in income tax resulting from:

Non-deductible expenses/non-taxable income 
Non-taxable earnings pre-IPO 

Income tax expense 

Income tax recovery recognized as a result of change in tax status  

Income tax recovery 

Effective income tax rate  

Year Ended December 31,

$	

$	

2013 

$  25,129	
  27.0% 
$  6,784	

295 
(2,367) 
  4,712 

   (56,564) 

$ (51,852)	

$	

(206.3)% 

2012

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

In assessing the recovery of deferred income tax assets, management assesses the likelihood that the deferred 
income tax assets will be realized. The recognition and measurement of the current and deferred tax assets and 
liabilities	involves	dealing	with	uncertainties	in	the application	of	complex	tax	regulations	and	in	the	assessment	
of the recoverability	of	deferred	tax	assets.	The	ultimate	realization	of	deferred	income	tax	assets	depends	on	the	
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the temporary differences are deductible. 

4 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates as 
a result of future events, including changes in income 
tax laws or the outcome of tax reviews by tax authorities 
and	related	appeals.	To	the	extent	the	final	outcome	
is different	from	the	amounts	initially	recorded,	such	
differences,	which	could	be	significant,	will	affect	
the tax provision	in	the	period	in	which	the	outcome	
is determined.	

No deferred tax has been recognized in respect of 
temporary differences associated with investments in its 
subsidiary where the Company is in a position to control 
the timing and reversal of the temporary differences and 
it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future. Further particulars with respect to the 
income tax recovery are provided in Note 5 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Results Excluding Taxes 

Net Income and Earnings per Share

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 
$77.0	million	compared	to	$21.2	million	for	the	same	
period	in	2012.	The	significant	increase	is	largely	due	to	
the	income	tax	recovery	for	the	year	of	$51.9 million.	
Earnings	per	share	after	tax	were	$4.40	for	the	year	
ended December 31, 2013.

As noted, for the year ended December 31, 2012, net 
income	was	$21.2	million;	however,	for	comparative	
purposes, it is important to note that ISC was not 
subject to tax in 2012. Income excluding taxes, for the 
year	ended	December 31,	2013,	was	$25.1	million	as	
compared to the same period of 2012, resulting in 
an earnings	per	share	excluding	taxes	of 	$1.48.	

(thousands of CAD dollars, except for earnings per share) 

Net income from continuing operations 
Net loss from discontinued operations 
Income tax recovery  
Net income and total comprehensive income, excluding income tax recovery 

Year Ended December 31,

2013 

2012

$  77,736	
(755) 
 (51,852) 
$  25,129	

$	 22,613
(1,373)
–
$	 21,240

Earnings per share excluding taxes, basic 

$ 

1.48	

$	

–

The	weighted	average	number	of	Class	A	Shares	issued	and	outstanding	as	of	December	31,	2013	was	17.5 million.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted	EBITDA	totalled	$34.0	million	for	the	year	ended	December	31,	2013,	an	increase	of	$3.8	million,	or	
12.7 per	cent	over	the	same	period	in	2012.	The	increase	is	a	result	of	revenues		increasing	at	a	rate	of	5.2 per	cent,	
which	is	greater	than	the	increase	of	$2.8	million	in	operating,	general	and	administrative	expenses	over	2012.

Expenses for 2013, excluding one-time expenses associated with the IPO to become a public company, are 
significantly	lower	than	normal	because	of	ISC’s	focus	on	completing	the	IPO,	which	shifted	resources	and	expenses	
away from operational initiatives that would be typical in the annual business cycle for ISC. As a result, the EBITDA and 
Adjusted EBITDA margins were much higher than normal. 

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS   

From continuing and discontinued operations

Comparative figures have been adjusted for discontinued operations

(thousands of CAD dollars,  
except where noted) 

2013 

2012

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

Revenues 
Expenses 
Income before taxes 
Income tax expense (recovery) 1 
Net income 

$ 20,039  $ 20,833  $ 21,182  $ 17,077	 $	18,280	 $	19,025	 $	21,310	 $	16,601
 13,973
  2,628
–
$  4,743  $  6,016  $ 63,190  $  3,032	 $	 5,028	 $	 5,692	 $	 7,892	 $	 2,628

 14,510 
  6,672 
(56,518) 

 12,531 
  8,302 
2,286 

 13,252 
  5,028 
– 

 14,045 
  3,032 
– 

 12,916 
  7,123 
  2,380 

 13,418 
  7,892 
– 

 13,333 
  5,692 
– 

EBITDA margin 2 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 2 
Earnings per share, basic  

  41.6% 
  41.9% 

  37.4% 
  45.6% 
  50.3% 
  45.9% 
$  0.27  $  0.34  $  3.61 

  26.1% 
  28.0% 
– 

  35.3% 
  38.1% 
– 

  41.4% 
  43.9% 
– 

  44.1% 
  46.3% 
– 

  25.9%
  24.0%
–

1			ISC’s	tax	status	was	initially	reported	to	have	changed	upon	its	listing	on	the	TSX	on	July	9,	2013.	However,	subsequent	review	revealed	that	the	actual	
loss of	ISC’s	tax	exempt	status	was	deemed	to	occur	on	June	27,	2013	when	ISC	and	CIC	entered	into	an	Underwriting	Agreement	with	a	syndicate	of	
underwriters. As a result, the income tax recovery recorded in the third quarter should have been recorded in the second quarter. The quarterly results 
above	have	been	adjusted	to	reflect	this	change,	and	future	reporting	periods	will	be	similarly	adjusted.

2   EBITDA margin and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not recognized as measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS 

and, therefore, are not comparable to similar measures by other corporations. See “Non-Financial Measures”.

Consistent with our historical trend, overall revenue in 
the fourth quarter declined relative to the third quarter. 
Revenues	decreased	$0.8	million	in	the	fourth	quarter	
of 2013, a 3.8 per cent decrease from the third quarter 
of 2013, but up from the fourth quarter of 2012. For 
further information on the seasonality of our business, 
see “Business Overview – Seasonality”.

Expenses	increased	$0.4	million	in	the	fourth	quarter	
of 2013	to	$12.9	million	from	$12.5	million	in	the	
previous quarter, mainly due to increases in information 
technology services for higher than anticipated third-
party business development consulting services. 

EBITDA margins and Adjusted EBITDA margins for the 
second through fourth quarters were unusually high. 
Expenses for this year, excluding one-time expenses 
associated with becoming a publicly traded company, 
were	significantly	lower	than	normal	because	of	ISC’s	
focus on completing the IPO, which shifted resources 
and expenses away from operational initiatives that 
would be typical in the annual business cycle for ISC.

FINANCIAL MEASURES AND   
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Revenues, operating, general and administrative 
expenses, and net income are the key performance 
indicators which we use to manage our business and 
evaluate	our	financial	results	and	operating	performance.

In addition to our results, which are reported in 
accordance with IFRS, we use certain non-IFRS 
financial measures	as	supplemental	indicators	of 	our	
operating	performance	and	financial	position	and	
for internal	planning	purposes.	We	evaluate	our	
performance against these metrics by comparing 
actual results to management budgets, forecasts, 
and prior	period	results.

These	non-IFRS	financial	measures	include	EBITDA,	
EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA 
margin,	and	Free	cash	flow.	See	“Non-IFRS	Measures”	
for additional	information.

4 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA 

Three Months Ended 
December 31, 

Year Ended 
December 31,

(thousands of CAD dollars, except where noted) 

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

Net income and total comprehensive income 
  Depreciation and amortization 
	 Net	finance	expense	(income)	
Income tax expense (recovery) 

EBITDA 1 

$  4,743	
  1,206 
1 
   2,380 
  8,330 

$	 5,028	
  1,660 
(29) 
– 
  6,659 

$  76,981	
  5,505 
(80) 
 (51,852) 
  30,554 

$	 21,240
  7,639
(85)
–
  28,794

Adjustments:
  One-time IPO expenses 2 
  Net loss before tax from discontinued operations 3 
Adjusted EBITDA 1 

65 
– 
$  8,395	

– 
313 
$	 6,972	

  2,699 
755 
$  34,008	

–
  1,373
$	 30,167

EBITDA margin (% of Revenues) 1 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 

  41.6% 
  41.9% 

  35.3% 
  38.1% 

  38.1% 
  43.0% 

  37.2%
  40.1%

1   EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not recognized as measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized 

meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, they are not comparable to similar measures by other corporations. See “Non-IFRS Measures”.

2  One-time costs associated with our IPO.

3   Represents the net effect of revenues less directly attributable expenses and before taxes for the transfer of the Vital Statistics Registry to eHealth 

Saskatchewan effective June 16, 2013. See “Discontinued Operations”.

Free Cash Flow  

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Cash provided by operating activities 
Cash additions to property, plant and equipment 
Cash additions to intangible assets  
Net change in non-cash working capital 1 
Free	cash	flow 2  

1  See the Consolidated Financial Statements Note 18.

Year Ended December 31,

2013 

2012

$  27,770	
(458) 
(3,288) 
(816) 
$  23,208	

$	 29,778
(2,396)
(5,295)
474
$	 22,561

2			Free	cash	flow	is	not	recognized	as	a	measure	under	IFRS	and	does	not	have	a	standardized	meaning	prescribed	by	IFRS	and,	therefore,	is	not	

comparable to similar measures by other corporations. See “Non-IFRS Measures”.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flow

Our	primary	source	of	operating	cash	flow	is	generated	from	revenues	related	to	the	Land	Registry,	PPR	and	
Corporate Registry. Our primary uses of funds are operational expenses, maintenance, and growth capital 
expenditures and dividends.

Historically,	we	have	financed	our	operations	and	met	our	capital	and	finance	expenditure	requirements	primarily	
through	cash	flows	provided	from	operations.	At	this	time,	we	do	not	expect	any	known	trend	or	uncertainty	to	affect	
our ability to access sources of liquidity.

The	Company	believes	that	internally	generated	cash	flow,	supplemented	by	additional	borrowings	available	under	
our	Credit	Facility,	will	be	sufficient	to	meet	our	capital	expenditures, 	anticipated	dividend	payments,	and	other	
cash	requirements.	We	also	believe	we	can	generate	sufficient	cash	and	cash	equivalents	to	meet	our	planned 	
growth targets.

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Free	cash	flow	for	the	year	ended	December	31,	2013	was	$23.2	million,	up	$0.6	million,	or	2.8	per	cent,	compared	
to the same period in 2012. This increase is mainly due to less cash spent on capital expenditures, even though there 
was	less	cash	provided	by	operating activities.			

Liquidity	risk	is	managed	based	on	financial	forecasts	and	anticipated	cash	flows.	Cash	is	held	with	a	major	chartered	
Canadian	bank,	and	we	believe	the	risk	of	loss	to	be	minimal.	As	of	December	31,	2013,	we	held	cash	of	$27.6	million	
and	had	long-term	debt	of	approximately	$9.9	million,	providing	flexibility	to	meet	any	unanticipated	cash	requirement	
due	to	changes	in	working	capital	commitments	or	liquidity	risk	associated	with	financial	instruments.	Such	changes	
may arise from, among other factors, general economic conditions and the failure of one or more customers to pay 
their obligations.

The	following	table	summarizes	our	sources	and	uses	of funds	for	the	three	months	and	year	ended	December 31, 	
2013 and 2012:

Three Months Ended 
December 31, 

Year Ended 
December 31,

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

Net	cash	flow	provided	by	operating	activities		
Net	cash	flow	used	by	investing	activities		
Net	cash	flow	used	by	financing	activities		
Increase in cash 
Cash, beginning of period  
Cash, end of period  

$  8,411	
(1,440) 
(3,218) 
  3,753 
  23,861 
$  27,614	

$	 9,056	
(1,913) 
(4,030) 
  3,113 
  18,025 
$	 21,138	

$  27,770	
(3,509) 
 (17,785) 
  6,476 
  21,138 
$  27,614	

$	 29,778
(7,479)
  (20,118)
  2,181
  18,957
$	 21,138

Net Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities

Net	cash	flow	provided	by	operating	activities	for	
the three months ended December 31, 2013 was 
$8.4 million,	compared	$9.0	million	for	the	three	
months ended December 31, 2012. For the year 
ended	December	31,	2013,	net	cash	flow	provided	by	
operating	activities	was	$27.8	million,	down	$2.0 million	
compared to 2012. 

Despite higher reported net income from continuing 
operations in 2013, 2012 net income had higher non- 
cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization 
and changes to working capital. The result was higher 
cash from operations in 2012.

Net Cash Flow Used in Investing Activities

Net	cash	flow	used	in	investing	activities	for	the	three	
months	ended	December	31,	2013	was	$1.4	million,	a	
decrease	of	$0.5	million	compared	to	the	three	months	
ended December 31, 2012. For the year ended 
December	31,	2013,	net	cash	flow	used	in	investing	
activities	was	$3.5	million,	a	decrease	of	$4.0	million	
compared to 2012. 

In 2013, fewer funds were invested to develop 
intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 

during the quarter and for the year, as fewer initiatives 
were undertaken in 2013 as a result of efforts being 
focused on the IPO.

Net Cash Flow Used in Financing Activities

Net	cash	flow	used	in	financing	activities	for	the	three	
months	ended	December	31,	2013,	was	$3.2	million,	a	
decrease	of	$0.8	million	compared	to	the	three	months	
ended December 31, 2012. For the year ended 
December	31,	2013,	net	cash	flow	used	in	financing	
activities	was	$17.8	million,	a	decrease	of	$2.3	million	
compared to 2012. 

The decrease in 2013 was attributable to less amount 
paid in dividends to CIC as a Crown corporation and a 
payment	of	long-term	debt	of	$1.1	million	in	2012.

Total	assets	increased	from	$48.6	million	at	December 31,	
2012	to	$108.1	million	at	December	31,	2013.	The	
increase was primarily due to the addition of a deferred 
tax	asset	of	$54.0	million,	an	increase	in	cash	on	hand	of	
$6.5	million,	and	a	$2.1	million	GST/HST	receivable	that	
was previously not applicable to ISC. These increases 
were partially offset by a decrease in the carrying value 
of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
of	$4.8	million	due	to	certain	intangible	assets	reaching	

4 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a fully depreciated state, combined with less capitalized 
projects being recorded.

(thousands of CAD dollars,   December 31, 
except where noted) 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Working capital 

$  33,582	
  (16,345) 
$  17,237	

$	 23,218
  (25,204)
(1,986)

$	

Current	liabilities	decreased	$8.9	million,	from	
$25.2 million	at	December	31,	2012	to	$16.3	million	at	
December 31, 2013. The decrease was primarily due to 
the conversion of debt from short-term to long-term, 
improving our working capital position.

On July 8, 2013, the Company entered into secured 
credit facilities (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”) 
provided by a Canadian chartered bank in the 
aggregate	amount	of	$19.9	million.	The	Credit	Facilities	
are	comprised	of	(i)	a	$9.9	million	three-year	committed	
revolving term loan facility (the “Revolving Term 
Facility”) which was used to replace the existing short-
term indebtedness of the Company to the General 
Revenue Fund of the Province of Saskatchewan, and 
(ii) a	$10.0 million	uncommitted	revolving	credit	facility	
(the “Operating Facility”) to be used for general 
corporate purposes. 

The Revolving Term Facility will mature on July 5, 2016 
unless renewed prior to that time; the Operating Facility 
is repayable by the Company upon demand by the 
lender and the lender may terminate such Operating 
Facility at any time.

Borrowings under the Credit Facilities will bear interest 
at a base rate of prime, bankers’ acceptance fee, letter of 
credit fee or letter of guarantee fee (each as determined 
in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facilities), 
plus	a	margin	varying	between	0.7	per	cent	and	1.7 per	
cent per annum depending on the type of advance. The 
Company is also required to pay a quarterly commitment 
fee in arrears at the rate of 0.34 per cent per annum of 
the unutilized portion of the Revolving Term Facility loan. 

The	Credit	Facilities	contain	financial	covenants,	which	
require the Company to maintain a ratio of Funded Debt 
to	EBITDA,	each	as	defined	in	the	Credit	Facilities,	of	less	
than 2:1, along with a Fixed Charge Coverage ratio, as 
defined	in	the	Credit	Facilities,	of	greater	than	1.35:1.	
The Credit Facilities also contain other positive 

covenants, negative covenants, events of default, 
representations and warranties customary for credit 
facilities of this nature. The Company was in compliance 
with all covenants throughout the year. 

All the indebtedness under the Credit Facilities is 
secured	by	a	first	ranking	security	interest	in	all	of	the	
personal	property	and	floating	charge	on	all	real	
property of the Company, a pledge of all shares of the 
Company’s subsidiary, ISC Saskatchewan Inc. (“ISC Sask”), 
an unlimited guarantee and postponement of claim from 
ISC Sask guaranteeing all of ISC’s indebtedness and 
obligations to the lender and a second ranking security 
interest (subject to the security of the Government under 
a debenture (the “Debenture”)) in all personal property 
and	floating	charge	over	all	property	of	ISC Sask.		

Outstanding Share Data

The number of issued and outstanding Class A Limited 
Voting Shares as of December 31, 2013 was at 
17.5 million.	The	number	of	issued	and	outstanding	
Class A Limited Voting Shares as of March 19, 2013 
remains	17.5	million.	Refer	to	Note 13	of 	the	
Consolidated Financial Statements for a description 
of our	capital	structure.	

On August 12, 2013, ISC’s Board established a policy of 
paying	an	annual	dividend	of	$0.80	per	Class	A	Limited	
Voting Share to be payable on a quarterly basis. The 
payment of dividends is not guaranteed, and the 
amount and timing of any dividends payable by ISC will 
be at the discretion of the Board and will be established 
on the basis of our cash available for distribution, our 
financial	requirements,	any	restrictions	imposed	by	our	
new Credit Facilities, the requirements of any future 
financings	and	other	factors	existing	at	the	time.

During 2013, the Board of Directors declared two 
dividends	on	Class	A	Limited	Voting	Shares	–	a	$0.18	
partial	dividend	for	the	period	July	9	to	September 30	
and	a	$0.20	dividend	for	the	period	October	1	to 	
December 31.

Capital Expenditures

We make expenditures to support and maintain our 
infrastructure, modernize our technology and facilities, 
address mandatory requirements resulting from 
legislative or policy changes from the Government and 
for strategic initiatives. 

45

The table below summarizes our maintenance and 
growth-related capital expenditures.  

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Maintenance capital 
   expenditures 
Growth capital  

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

$  2,458	

$	 5,027

expenditures 

  1,288 
Total capital expenditures  $  3,746	

  2,664
$	 7,691

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 
2013	were	$3.7	million	compared	to	$7.7	million	for	the	
same period in 2012. In 2013, capital expenditures were 
significantly	lower	both	on	an	absolute	basis	and	as	a	
percentage of our revenues as ISC deferred a number 
of projects	to	focus	efforts	on	the	privatization	and	
subsequent IPO. 

Maintenance	capital	expenditures	were	$2.4	million	for	
the year ended December 31, 2013 which included work 
completed on continued development efforts under 
the New	West	Partnership,	leasehold	improvements	to	
Customer Service Centres, the beginning of a technology 
hardware refresh and planning for the modernization of 
the Corporate Registry.  

Growth	capital	expenditures	were	$1.3	million	for	the	
year ended December 31, 2013 which included work 
completed on the renewal of the survey plan processing 
system and a new services framework for Business 
Registrations Saskatchewan. 

OUTLOOK

In 2014, ISC is focused on delivering stable returns 
through a focus on cost management while ensuring 
continuous compliance with the MSA and publicly 
traded company requirements and investigating 
growth opportunities. ISC has demonstrated 
operational excellence for many years and it is an 
important objective to ensure this focus on strong 
operational	and	financial	results	continues.

As the majority of our revenues, including those related 
to the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys, the PPR and 
the Corporate Registry, are tied to economic conditions, 
we use general forecast economic information to help 

predict	our	revenues.	Key	drivers	of	favorable	macro-
economic conditions in the province that support the 
growth of ISC revenue growth include the continuation 
of a low interest rate environment, which encourages 
new home purchases and resale transactions, strong 
consumption patterns and high levels of private 
capital investment.

In that regard, prevailing economic conditions in 
Saskatchewan are generally expected to continue in 
2014 driving positive growth in gross domestic product 
(“GDP”). According to Bank of Montreal (“BMO”) 
Capital Markets’ 1 most recent economic forecast for 
Saskatchewan, the provincial economy is expected to 
post real GDP growth of 2.4 per cent growth in 2014. 
Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) Economics Research 2 
projection for 2014 is currently 2.1 per cent.

Business	confidence	in	Saskatchewan	remains	at	levels	
similar	to	the	historical	average	over	the	past	five	years,	
around 68.4, according to The Canadian Federation of 
Independent Business (“CFIB”)’s business barometer 3 
for the province. This level of optimism may encourage 
new businesses to form; however, this may be 
constrained by Saskatchewan’s tight labour supply, 
which is cited as one of the greatest impediments to 
current sales and production growth.

Employment	growth	was	up	3.5	per	cent	for	the	first	
eleven months, with 18,600 jobs being added. Weekly 
earnings	rose	3.2	per	cent	in	the	first	ten	months	of	2013	
to	$946.37.	Manufacturing	sales	rose	6.4	percent	to	
$12.8	billion	in	the	first	ten	months	of	2013.	A	record	
38.4 million tonne crop was produced in 2013, resulting 
in	exports	of	$27.2	billion	from	January	to	October.	

Despite these records, the economy has experienced 
some setbacks, which will likely dampen growth 
expectations somewhat in 2014. Crown land oil lease 
sales were down 40 per cent from the province’s March 
estimates and may be an indication that activity in this 
sector will decline in 2014, which could result in slower 
growth	across	the	province.	Global commodities	prices	
are declining and logistical challenges may make it 
more	difficult	to	reach	export	markets,	which	could	
have a	negative	impact	on	different	sectors	of	the	
Saskatchewan economy in 2014.

1  BMO Capital Markets Economics – Provincial Economic Outlook – February 2014

2  RBC Economics Provincial Outlook – December 2013

3   CFIB Economics Business Barometer – Provincial Summary – December 2013

4 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
  
 
With respect to ISC’s offerings, Canada Mortgage 
and Housing	Corporation	(“CMHC”)	Housing	Market	
Outlook 4 currently forecasts a slight increase in existing 
home sales volumes in Saskatchewan for 2014. Average 
home resale prices are expected to increase marginally 
in 2014 by 2.4 per cent. While mortgage rates have 
begun to increase modestly, they are forecast to 
remain favorable	in	2014,	all	of	which	impacts	our	
land registry	revenues.

For ISC’s PPR, patterns of retail trade and new vehicle 
sales provide a useful metric for expected revenues in 
the PPR. From January to November 2013, retail trade 5 
in Saskatchewan grew 3.3 per cent over the same period 
in 2012. New vehicle sales increased 5.3 per cent from 
January to November 2013 compared to the same 
period in 2012, while the value of vehicle sales grew 
11.8 per cent over the same period.

To	our	flat	fees,	the	MSA	and	related	Registry	Operating	
Agreements specify the maximum fees allowed to be 
charged to the public for particular Core Registry 
Services. The maximum fees are adjustable on a yearly 
basis	and	are	based	on	a	formula	tied	to	inflation	as	
measured by the Saskatchewan Consumer Price Index 
published by Statistics Canada 6. These adjustment 
provisions do not apply to any value-based fees. There 
are no restrictions on the fees we may charge for non-
core Ancillary Services that use registry data. ISC expects 
to generally adjust prices as outlined in the MSA.

The key drivers of our expenses will continue to be 
wages and salaries, information technology and project 
initiatives	costs	as	we	continue	to	focus	on	efficiency	and	
effectiveness, leveraging investment in systems and 
processes while maintaining a high level of customer 
service. We expect our operating, general and 
administrative expenses to modestly increase based 
on inflation	and	in	connection	with	becoming	a	publicly	
traded company and as we expand our business.

In 2013, EBITDA margins were unusually high as a 
result of our focus on the IPO and not on operational 
initiatives and project work. Adjusted EBITDA margins 
in 2014 should return to more normal levels of 
approximately	35 per	cent.	One	of	our	objectives	will	
be to grow margins by approximately 0.5 per cent per 

year over the next several years, primarily through 
operational	efficiencies.	

As a result of the above economic factors and potential 
fee adjustments, our revenues are expected to remain 
stable in 2014 and EBITDA margins are expected to 
return to the more normal level of 35 per cent.

Capital investment will be aligned to our strategic 
priorities and will focus on initiatives that:

•  build or maintain corporate infrastructure;

•  contribute to compliance obligations;

•  produce process or technology improvement that 

increase revenues or reduce costs;

•  grow the business; and/or

•  generate an appropriate and acceptable return 

on investment.

Management expects its capital expenditures to be in the 
$8.0	to	$10.0	million	range	in	2014.	As	demonstrated	by	
our automation of the survey plan processing system, we 
remain committed to increasing the level of automation 
in	our	work	flows	and	developing	new	technologies	that	
lower overall costs. 

Looking forward into 2014 our capital expenditures are 
expected to include ongoing renewals of systems and 
technology	hardware.	One	of	our	more	significant	
expenditures is expected to be the modernization of 
the Corporate Registry, and we now expect this initiative 
to extend beyond the end of 2014.

The foregoing section includes forward-looking 
statements including statement related to projected 
economic growth in Saskatchewan, the prevailing and 
anticipated economic conditions in Saskatchewan, the 
continuation of a low interest rate environment, strong 
consumption patterns and high levels of private capital 
investment, housing sales volumes and prices in 
Saskatchewan, expected growth in retail sales (including 
motor vehicle sales), employment growth and labour 
supply in Saskatchewan and anticipated capital 
expenditures. See the section “Caution Regarding 
Forward-Looking Statements”.

4   CMHC Housing Market Outlook – Canadian Edition – First Quarter 2014

5   Statistics Canada (CANSIM Table 079-0003: New motor vehicle sales, Canada, provinces and territories), Statistics Canada, (CANSIM, table 080-0020: 

Retail trade, by province and territory (Monthly- Seasonally Adjusted))

6		Statistics	Canada,	CANSIM,	table	326-0021	and	Catalogue	nos.	62-001-X	and	62-010-X

47

 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS   

The following table summarizes our obligations under contractual arrangements as of December 31, 2013:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

2014 

2015 

2016 

Operating lease obligations 1		
Long-term debt 2  
Master Service Agreement 3  
Vendor commitments

IT Service Agreements 4,5  

Total	

$	 2,322	
– 
500 

$	 2,329	
– 
500 

$	

792	
  9,935 
500 

$	

  3,676 
$	 6,498	

– 
$	 2,829	

– 
$	11,227	

– 
$	 1,063	

2017 

563	
– 
500 

2018 

Thereafter

$	

$	

493	
– 
500 

– 
993	

$	 1,086
–
  7,500

–
$	 8,586

1			We	lease	all	of	our	office	space	through	operating	leases.	Operating	leases	related	to	office	space	include	lease	terms	of	between	two	to	ten	years,	with	

various options to extend. We do not have an option to purchase the leased assets at the expiry of the lease period.

2   The Revolving Term Facility loan will mature on July 5, 2016 unless renewed prior to that time.  

3   The MSA requires us to pay the Government and to manage and operate the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys, PPR and Corporate Registry on behalf of 

the Government for a twenty-year period. See “Master Service Agreement”. 

4   Hewlett-Packard Company (“HP”) provides application development, maintenance and support services related to the operation of the Land Titles 

Registry, PPR, and Geomatics pursuant to an agreement for information technology services. This agreement is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2014. 
Subsequent	to	year	end,	the	Company	entered	into	a	one-year	extension	of	the	current	contract	to	ensure	sufficient	time	to	amend	and	renew	a	
longer-term arrangement.

5   Information Services Management Canada Corporation (“ISM”) provides hardware management services and support services for software and hardware 

infrastructure pursuant to a services agreement. This agreement is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2014. This agreement is scheduled to expire on 
April 30,	2014.	Subsequent	to	year	end,	the	Company	entered	into	a	one-year	extension	of	the	current	contract	to	ensure	sufficient	time	to	amend	and	
renew a longer-term arrangement.

Master Service Agreement

Pursuant to a Master Service Agreement with the 
Government dated May 30, 2013, ISC was appointed on 
an exclusive basis to manage and operate the Land Titles 
Registry, Land Surveys, PPR and Corporate Registry on 
behalf of the Government for a twenty-year term expiring 
on May 30, 2033.

The MSA requires ISC to pay to the Government the 
sum	of	$0.5	million	annually	in	a	single	instalment	
payable on or before March 1 in each calendar year of 
the term commencing with an initial payment due on 
March 1, 2014. 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

ISC had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of 
December 31, 2013.  

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Refer to Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for information pertaining to transactions 
with related parties.  

CRITICAL ESTIMATES AND SIGNIFICANT   
ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our	significant	estimates	and	accounting	policies	are	
contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements (see 
Note 2 and Note 3 for the summary of estimates and 
significant	accounting	policies).	Management	is	required	
to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that 
might affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues and 
expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and 
liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on 
an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognized in the period in which the estimates are 
revised and in any future periods affected. 

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for information pertaining to accounting 
changes effective in 2013 and for information on issued 
accounting pronouncements that will be effective in 
future years.  

4 8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND   
RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT 

ISC	does	not	use	any	form	of	derivative	financial	
instruments to manage our exposure to credit risk, 
interest rate risk or market risk. 

Market Risk

The Company is not exposed to market risk with 
respect to	financial	instruments	as	it	does	not	hold	any	
financial	assets	or	liabilities	whose	fair	value	is	affected	
by equity prices.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Interest Rate Risk

The carrying values of cash, trade receivables, grant 
receivable, trade and other payables, and dividend 
payable approximate fair value due to their immediate 
or relatively short-term maturity. Long-term debt is 
currently managed throughout the three-year term with 
short-term bankers’ acceptance notes and, as such, the 
carrying value approximates fair value due to the short 
term to maturity as well. It has been determined that 
there are no differences between the carrying amount 
and the fair market value of these instruments. 

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that one party to a transaction will fail 
to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to 
incur	a	financial	loss.	ISC	extends	credit	to	its	customers	
in the normal course of business and is exposed to credit 
risk in the event of non-performance by customers, but 
does not anticipate such non-performance which 
would be	material.	

ISC monitors the credit risk and credit rating of customers 
on	a	regular	basis.	The	Company	has	significant	
concentration of credit risk among government sectors. 
Its customers are primarily provincial, federal and 
municipal government ministries and agencies, and its 
private sector customers are diverse. 

Cash is held with a major chartered Canadian bank and 
management believes the risk of loss to be minimal. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk at December 31, 2013 
is	$30.6	million	(December	31,	2012	–	$22.7	million),	
equal	to	the	carrying	value	of	ISC’s	financial	assets –	
those	being	cash	at	$27.6	million	(December	31,	2012	–	
$21.1	million)	and	trade	receivables	at	$3.0	million	
(December	31,	2012	–	$1.6	million).	Quarterly	reviews	of	
the aged receivables are completed. ISC expects to fully 
collect on all outstanding receivables – therefore, the risk 
to ISC is low.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that ISC will not be able to meet 
our	financial	obligations	as	they	fall	due.	The	Company’s	
cash	resources	are	managed	based	on	financial	forecasts	
and	anticipated	cash	flows.	

The interest rates on long-term debt are currently 
managed throughout the three-year term with short-
term bankers’ acceptance notes with an option to lock 
in rates	at	any	time.	Therefore,	this	risk	to	ISC	is	low.

BUSINESS RISKS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk Management Approach

All companies are exposed to risk and are required to 
mitigate risks on a daily and long-term basis. A key 
component of creating strong and sustainable corporate 
performance is to balance risk and reward. This begins 
by understanding a company’s risk tolerance and 
appetite for taking on new risks. 

ISC	actively	identifies	risks	that	may	affect	the	
Company’s ability to achieve its goals and objectives 
and implements processes to manage those risks. At 
the foundation of this process are the frameworks, 
policies, tools and procedures, which helps the 
organization	to	ensure	risks	are	being	identified	and	
managed at a strategic, operational and procedural 
level. ISC is constantly addressing numerous existing 
and emerging risks. Our corporate strategies and plans 
are designed to implement effective risk mitigation or 
management approaches.

The Board of Directors oversees ISC’s Enterprise Risk 
Management (“ERM”) framework through its Audit 
Committee. This includes ensuring appropriate 
management systems are in place to manage ISC’s 
risks and	to	oversee	the	Company’s	risk	management	
policies and procedures.

The Executive team is accountable for providing 
Executive oversight of ISC’s ERM activities, including 
the	ongoing	identification	and	assessment	of 	risks	
and the	development	of	mitigation	strategies	to	
manage the corporate risks facing the Company. The 
key corporate risks are documented and tracked as 
part	of ISC’s	risk	register.

As ISC moves forward as a publicly traded company, we 
continue to embed risk management into the corporate 
culture so risk is not a process but rather a pervasive 

49

consideration in daily decision-making and activities. ISC 
is focused on continually improving our ERM framework 
to ensure a structured and disciplined approach to ERM.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Changes to or loss of our MSA with the Government 
could result in a material loss of revenues.

Substantially all current revenues are derived from 
services the Company provides pursuant to the MSA. ISC 
faces the risk that our key service agreement could be 
affected as a result of a breach of the service agreement 
terms, potential disagreements with the Government, 
changes to applicable laws affecting our service, 
obligations or expected revenues to be realized from 
the delivery of our services, and potential termination 
of the	MSA	and	Registry	Operating	Agreements.	

Any	of	these	events	could	have	a	significant	material	
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial	condition.	Any	impact	on	this	agreement	would	
also have a negative impact on our reputation and 
growth strategy.  

Termination of the MSA would have material adverse 
consequences for our business.

If an ISC Material Breach occurs under the MSA, 
then, subject to applicable cure periods, if any, the 
Government has the right to terminate the MSA and 
the Registry Operating Agreements. Termination of the 
MSA and the Registry Operating Agreements would 
have	a	material	adverse	effect	on	our	business,	financial	
condition and results of operations.  

Potential disagreements with the Government may have 
material adverse consequences for our business.

Disagreements may arise between ISC and the 
Government in a number of areas, including, but not 
limited to ISC’s and the Government’s respective rights 
and obligations under the MSA, Registry Operating 
Agreements, or other agreements between ISC and 
the Government,	amendments	to	any	of	the	existing	
agreements between ISC and the Government under 
the MSA, or other agreements between ISC and 
the Government.

ISC may not be able to resolve any potential 
disagreements with the Government and, even if such 
disagreements are resolved, the resolution may be on 
terms and conditions less favourable to ISC, which could 
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.

5 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Limitations on our ability to increase fees for our core 
registry services may negatively impact our ability to 
offset future increases in operating costs or capital 
investment needs.

The MSA restricts our ability to increase the fees that 
we may	charge	our	customers	for	substantially	all	of	the	
Core Registry Services we provide. Increases to the fees 
we may charge for our Core Registry Services, that are 
not determined as a percentage of transaction value, 
are limited	to	the	increase	in	the	Consumer	Price	Index	
for the Province of Saskatchewan as compared to the 
December 31, 2012 base level. Fees for our Core 
Registry Services that are determined as a percentage 
of transaction	value	(for	example,	land	transfer	fees),	will	
fluctuate	based	on	the	value	of	transactions	processed.

In addition, the fees we charge may change due to 
changes in scope or other changes which result in a 
change order. There can be no assurance that the 
combination of increases in the Consumer Price Index 
and the value of transactions processed by ISC and fee 
increases resulting from the change order process in our 
MSA	will	sufficiently	offset	increases	in	our	operating	
costs or required capital investment, which could have 
a significant	material	adverse	effect	on	our	business,	
results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

Legislative changes may have material adverse 
consequences for our business.

No assurances can be given that legislation (including 
regulations, policies, decisions or orders enacted 
thereunder), which is currently in force and affecting ISC, 
the Land Titles Registry, the Land Surveys, the PPR, and 
the Corporate Registry, will not be amended or enforced 
otherwise than in accordance with current practices or 
new laws enacted. 

The MSA provides for limited opportunity to increase 
fees where such amendments to legislation, changes in 
practices or new laws are reasonably expected to result 
in material increases in our costs or a reduction in our 
revenues. However, there can be no assurance that we 
will be able to increase fees or reduce our costs to fully 
offset any increase in costs or reduction in revenues 
that may	result	from	such	amendments,	changes	in	
practices or new laws, which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations 
and	financial	condition.

Changes in economic, market and other conditions 
could adversely affect our level of search and 
registration activity.

management expertise and knowledge of our operations 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.	

Substantially all of ISC’s current revenues consist of 
fees received	in	connection	with	search	and	registration	
activity in the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys, PPR and 
Corporate Registry. The level of search and registration 
activity depends on a number of factors which are not 
in our control, including the strength of the global, 
Canadian and Saskatchewan economies, the potential 
tightening of mortgage regulations, household debt 
levels, interest rates, job growth, asset prices and the 
degree	of	economic	and	financial	uncertainty,	and	
the growth	and	development	of	the	resource	sector	
in Saskatchewan.

With low interest rates in Canada and low unemployment 
rates in Saskatchewan, the real estate market has 
experienced substantial growth over the last several 
years. Unprecedented levels of development in the 
resource sector combined with population growth in 
Saskatchewan have also impacted the general level of 
economic activity in the province. 

Reduced levels of activity in the resource sector, 
increased	interest	rates,	unemployment	and	inflation	
over an extended period of time could lead to a 
reduction in economic activity, thereby reducing the 
level	of	registration	and	search	activity.	A	significant	
reduction in the level of registration and search activity 
as a result of these or other factors could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial	condition.		

Changes in economic, market and other conditions 
could also adversely affect our ability to implement our 
strategy to look for opportunities to grow revenues in 
other Canadian provinces and international jurisdictions, 
which could negatively affect our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.

The loss of the services of our CEO or other members of 
our senior management team could harm our business.

Our future success will depend on, among other 
things, our	ability	to	retain	the	services	of	our	senior	
management	team	and	to	hire	other	highly	qualified	
employees at all levels. Many of our senior management 
team members have extensive experience in our 
industry and with our business, products and customers. 
Since we are managed by a small group of senior 
executive	officers,	the	loss	of	their	technical	knowledge,	

Our future success will depend upon the abilities, 
experience and personal efforts of senior management, 
including their ability to attract and retain skilled 
employees. We compete with other employers for 
senior management talent and other employees, and we 
may not be successful in hiring and keeping the services 
of our senior management team and other employees 
that we need. The loss of the services of, or the inability 
to hire, senior management personnel or other key 
employees could have a material adverse effect on our 
business,	results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

Failure to successfully implement our growth strategy 
could reduce, or reduce the growth of, our revenue and 
net income.

Our growth strategy is focused on enhancing our service 
offerings in Saskatchewan, replicating our core service 
offerings in other jurisdictions, acquiring companies, 
systems and assets to strengthen our competitive 
advantage, and increasing margins for current offerings 
using	process	efficiencies	and	service	additions.	There	
is a	risk	that	we	may	not	be	able	to	achieve	some	or	all	
of	these	objectives	and	they	may	not	be	profitable.	
Execution of this growth strategy could expose ISC to 
new risks, cause potential disruptions in our current 
business or be unsuccessful if integration and synergies 
are not achieved. 

The successful implementation of these growth 
strategies could depend on various factors, including 
competition from other service providers in current 
and future	markets,	identification	of	viable	growth	
opportunities, the Government’s right to use the registry 
data for its own internal purposes or to provide free 
services that are not in direct competition with our Core 
Registry Services, the Government’s right to approve 
certain Ancillary Services, subject to the terms of the 
MSA, changes to the MSA and Registry Operating 
Agreements, general economic and business conditions, 
our	ability	to	hire	and	train	qualified	management	
personnel, and the level of search and registration 
activity in current and future markets.

Failure to successfully implement our growth strategy 
could reduce, or reduce the growth of, our revenue and 
net income and adversely affect our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.

51

A compromise to the integrity and security of our 
information assets could adversely affect our financial 
results, growth opportunities and reputation.

As the custodian of public registries for the Government, 
ISC is required to protect physical and digital information 
assets. This includes protection from fraud, inappropriate 
access, privacy breaches and natural disasters. 

Failure to provide this protection could also have an 
adverse effect on our reputation, growth strategy and 
could put us in breach of the terms of our MSA and 
Registry Operating Agreements. A compromise to the 
integrity and security of ISC’s information could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.

Significant disruptions in our information technology 
systems could adversely affect our business and 
financial results.

Our operations rely on information technology systems 
in order to provide products and services. Modernization 
and renewal of these information technology systems is 
part of ISC’s regular business operations. While ISC has 
in place technology security initiatives and disaster 
recovery plans, these systems may prove inadequate. 
Our information technology systems may be vulnerable 
to unauthorized access, computer viruses, system 
failures,	human	error,	natural	disasters,	fire,	power	loss,	
communications failure or acts of sabotage or terrorism. 
If	a	significant	disruption	or	repeated	failure	occurs,	ISC’s	
revenues could be adversely affected.

There	may	also	be	significant	costs	incurred	as	a	result	
of such disruptions or failures which may adversely affect 
financial	performance	or	capital	expenditure	levels.	Such	
disruptions or failures could also adversely affect ISC’s 
ability to meet performance standards in the MSA and 
Registry Operating Agreements. The occurrence of any 
of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on 
our	business,	results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

The failure of key third-party suppliers to provide us with 
critical products or services could adversely affect our 
business and financial results.

ISC’s application development and maintenance, 
mainframe and technology support services are 
maintained by agreements with two separate third-party 
suppliers, HP and ISM. We depend on these third-party 
suppliers, over which we have no operational or 

financial	control	for	certain	products	and	services	that	
are critical to our operations.

If, at any time, HP or ISM cannot provide us with critical 
products or services including, without limitation, the 
necessary IT services, hardware and software, this could 
result in interruptions to our business and ISC incurring 
additional costs to engage new service providers, which 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

Our Credit Facilities may restrict our ability to finance 
operations and capital needs.

Our	Credit	Facilities	contain	financial	and	other	
covenants which affect and, in some cases, limit or 
prohibit the manner in which we may structure or 
operate our business, including by reducing our 
liquidity, limiting our ability to incur indebtedness, 
create liens, sell assets, pay dividends, make capital 
expenditures, be subject to a change of control and 
engage in acquisitions, mergers or restructurings. 

Future	financings	and	other	major	agreements	may	
also be	subject	to	similar	covenants	which	may	limit	
our operating	and	financial	flexibility,	which	could	have	
a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.

Competition in the industry could limit our growth 
opportunities and adversely affect our financial results.

ISC may face competition for its service offerings, other 
than those exclusive products and services presently 
being provided to the Government and end-use 
customers under the MSA, such as Land Titles Registry, 
PPR and Corporate Registry. As we work to expand 
and evolve	our	product	and	services	offerings,	we	may	
face competition with new products and services in 
Saskatchewan as well. Competitors may enter the 
Saskatchewan market through value-add service 
offerings or as a result of the expiry or other termination 
of the MSA or Registry Operating Agreements with the 
Government.	ISC is	likely	to	experience	competition	
through the implementation of our growth strategy to 
increase revenues in other Canadian provinces and 
international jurisdictions.	

Many of our potential competitors are larger than ISC 
and	have	greater	financial,	sales,	marketing,	technical	
and other resources. Management of ISC cannot be 
certain that we will be able to compete successfully 

5 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

against current or future competitors. If ISC is unable to 
successfully compete, our ability to expand our business 
and revenues will be limited. Increased competition in 
connection with our services and products could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.

Our insurance may not provide adequate coverage.

Our property and liability insurance may not provide 
sufficient	coverage	for	losses	related	to	these	types	of 	
losses or other potential losses. Insurance against 
certain risks may not be available to us. In addition, our 
insurance coverage may be limited in amount or may 
not continue to be available at economically feasible 
premiums, or at all. Any such event could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial	condition.

Litigation may adversely affect our business and 
financial results.

Our business is subject to the risk of litigation, including 
lawsuits based upon registration errors, claims of 
copyright, including claims of copyright in documents 
registered	and	made	publicly	available	and	lost	profits	
or other consequential damage claims resulting 
therefrom. The outcomes of litigation, regulatory 
investigations and arbitration disputes are inherently 
difficult	to	predict	and,	as	a	result,	there	is	the	risk	that	
an unfavourable outcome from any of these types of 
matters could negatively affect our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.	

Regardless of the outcome, litigation may result in 
substantial	costs	and	expenses	and	significantly	divert	the	
attention of ISC’s management. ISC may not be able to 
prevail in, or achieve a favourable settlement of, pending 
litigation. In addition to pending litigation, future litigation 
or government proceedings could lead to increased costs 
or interruption of ISC’s normal business operations. There 
can be no assurance that these matters will not have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations	and	financial	condition.

The Registry Operating Agreements provide for a sharing 
of the risk associated with Statutory Compensation 
Claims. The thresholds were determined by negotiation 
between the Government and ISC and generally exceed 
the historical claim experience of ISC in respect of 
Statutory Compensation Claims. If the level of Statutory 
Compensation Claims rises due to an increase in the 
number of errors made in processing transactions, 

changes in registry practices, changes in laws or other 
factors beyond our control, ISC’s costs will rise, subject 
to the limit on exposure to Statutory Compensation 
Claims set out in the Registry Operating Agreements.

Under the MSA, the Government has agreed to 
indemnify us in respect of, among other things, direct 
costs incurred by us in connection with (i) third-party 
claims made against us that are based on a material 
breach of the Government’s obligations under the MSA 
or on our acts or omissions in operating and managing 
the registries that were taken or made in compliance 
with applicable laws and the terms of the MSA; and  
(ii) third-party claims made against us that are based 
on determinations	that	the	Government’s	intellectual	
property infringes or breaches any third-party 
intellectual property rights. 

The Government’s liability in respect of such indemnities 
for third-party claims does not arise until the claim has 
been	finally	adjudicated	by	a	court	of	law	or	settled	with	
the consent of the Government. If we become subject 
to any	such	third-party	claims,	we	may	be	required	to	
expend	significant	resources	in	the	defence	of	such	
claims, which could have a material and adverse effect on 
our	business,	results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.	

Our liability to the Government under the MSA is 
unlimited, except in certain specified circumstances.

Pursuant to the MSA, we are required to indemnify the 
Government in respect of, among other things, (i) direct 
costs incurred by the Government in connection with a 
breach of our obligations under the MSA, (ii) third-party 
claims made against the Government that are based on 
a breach of our obligations under the MSA or our acts or 
omissions in operating and managing the registries in 
violation of applicable laws, (iii) third-party claims made 
against the Government that are based on determinations 
that our intellectual property infringes or breaches any 
third-party intellectual property rights and, (iv) costs 
incurred by the Government in connection with a breach 
of our obligations to implement the transition plan and 
provide the transition assistance required under the MSA. 

Our annual liability under the MSA is limited to 
$40.0 million	in	the	case	of	certain	specified	matters	
(namely, our third-party claims indemnity, our intellectual 
property indemnity and our indemnity in respect of a 
breach of our transition plan obligations) and to the 
specific	limits	set	out	in	the	Registry	Operating	
Agreements in respect of statutory claims liabilities, 

53

but is	unlimited	in	the	case	of	other	obligations	owing	
to the	Government	under	the	MSA.	

There can be no assurance that we will not, in the future, 
be	subject	to	indemnification	claims	by	the	Government	
or that the nature and magnitude of such claims will not 
have a material and adverse effect on our business, 
results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

Adverse changes in labour relations could affect our 
operations and financial results.

ISC currently employs approximately 296 full-time 
employees, of whom approximately 70 per cent are 
members of the Saskatchewan Government Employee 
Union (“SGEU”). We signed a new collective bargaining 
agreement with our unionized employees in April 2013, 
which expires on September 30, 2015. Under this 
collective bargaining agreement, there was a wage 
increase for unionized employees of 1.5 per cent on 
October 1, 2013. The collective bargaining agreement 
provides for a further wage increase of 2 per cent 
effective October 1, 2014. 

In the event of a labour disruption such as a strike or 
lockout, our ability to carry on operations are expected 
to	be	impaired	significantly,	which	could	have	a	material	
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial	condition.

Failure to protect our intellectual property rights could 
adversely affect our financial results.

Third parties may infringe or misappropriate ISC’s 
trademarks or other intellectual property rights or may 
challenge the validity of ISC’s trademarks or other 
intellectual property rights, which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial	condition.	

The actions that ISC takes to protect its trademarks, 
patents and other proprietary rights may not be 
adequate. Litigation may be necessary to enforce or 
protect ISC’s intellectual property rights, protect its 
trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of the 
proprietary rights of others. ISC cannot ensure that it 
will be able to prevent infringement of its intellectual 
property rights or misappropriation of its proprietary 
information. Any infringement or misappropriation 
could harm any competitive advantage ISC currently 
derives or may derive from its proprietary rights. 

Third parties may assert infringement claims against 
ISC. Any	such	claims	and	any	resulting	litigation	could	

5 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

subject	ISC	to	significant	liability	for	damages.	An	
adverse determination in any litigation of this type 
could require ISC to design around a third party’s 
patent or to license alternative technology from another 
party. In addition, litigation may be time consuming and 
expensive to defend and could result in the diversion of 
ISC’s management time and resources. Any claims from 
third parties may also result in limitations on ISC’s ability 
to use the intellectual property subject to these claims 
and could have a material adverse effect on our 
business,	result	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

The requirement to use commercially reasonable 
efforts to obtain certain consents to the sub-license of 
customized registry software to the Government could 
result in material increases in our costs that will not 
be recouped through any corresponding increase in 
fee revenue.

Pursuant to the Shared Resources License Agreement, 
ISC is required to use commercially reasonable efforts 
to obtain	consents	and	acknowledgements	from	certain	
third-party vendors of customized registry software 
utilized by the Company for the sub-license to the 
Government of such software. Any costs to be incurred 
by ISC in connection with the obtaining of such consents 
and acknowledgements are to be borne by ISC.

It is not clear from the terms of the Shared Resources 
License Agreement the extent to which ISC would be 
required to incur additional costs or become subject to 
additional restrictions imposed by such software vendors 
as a condition to their grant of the required consents and 
acknowledgements. There can be no assurance that such 
costs or any additional terms that may be imposed on 
ISC by customized software vendors in connection with 
the grant of such consents and acknowledgements 
would not have a material and adverse effect on our 
business,	results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

The Government’s rights under the Debenture could 
affect our ability to obtain financing.

Pursuant to the MSA, all of the revenue ISC receives 
with respect	to	the	operation	and	management	of	the	
Registries must be collected by ISC Sask (our subsidiary). 
It is expected that all of the net revenue of ISC Sask will 
be paid to ISC on a regular basis and be available for 
the payment of dividends and our debts owed to 
third-party creditors. Pursuant to the Debenture, ISC 
Sask has pledged all of its assets, including its revenues, 
as collateral security for the obligations owed to the 

Government under or in connection with the MSA and 
the Registry Operating Agreements. 

Although the Debenture contains no restrictions on the 
ability of ISC Sask to pay its income to ISC, in the event 
the Government were to exercise its rights under the 
Debenture as a result of the occurrence of an ISC 
Material Breach under the MSA or Registry Operating 
Agreements or if the Government appoints an 
administrator under The Operation of Public Registry 
Statutes Act (Saskatchewan) (“OPRSA”) then our 
subsidiary’s ability to pay income to ISC will be limited 
to its net revenues after deducting expenses and the 
Government’s costs associated with the exercise of its 
rights under the Debenture.

Further, in such circumstances, the Government would 
be entitled to seize all of the assets of ISC Sask. There 
can be no assurance that the existence of the Debenture 
and	its	implications	for	our	ability	to	flow	income	from	
ISC Sask to ISC will not be viewed negatively by future 
lenders or affect our ability to obtain future debt 
financing	at	attractive	rates,	which	could	have	a	material	
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial	condition.

The Government’s right to appoint an administrator over 
our subsidiary may have material adverse consequences. 
The OPRSA provides the Government with broad 
oversight rights respecting the operation and 
management of the public registries. In particular, the 
OPRSA provides that the Lieutenant Governor in Council 
may	appoint	an	administrator	for	a	term	specified	by	the	
Lieutenant Governor in Council to discharge the powers,  
duties and functions of the board of directors of a 
contractor (such as ISC) with respect to the management 
and operation of a registry or the provision of registry 
services and functions in accordance with such Act, a 
public registry statute or a service agreement if the 
minister is of the opinion that there is an immediate 
and direct	threat	that	could	significantly	compromise	
the management	and	operation	of	the	registry	or	the	
provision of the registry services or functions. 

The OPRSA further provides that, on the appointment of 
an administrator, the members of the board of directors 
of	the	contractor	will	cease	to	hold	office	unless	
otherwise ordered by the Lieutenant Governor in 
Council and, during the term of the administrator, the 
powers of any members of the board of the contractor 
who	continue	to	hold	office	will	be	suspended	unless	
otherwise provided by the Lieutenant Governor in 

Council. This right may be exercised irrespective of 
the occurrence	of	a	default	under	the	MSA.	The	
Government has agreed in the MSA that it will not 
exercise the right to appoint an administrator for ISC 
and will limit its rights to appoint an administrator under 
such Act or a receiver or receiver-manager under the 
Debenture to ISC Sask. The appointment of an 
administrator in respect of ISC Sask under the OPRSA 
could have a material and adverse effect on our 
business,	results	of	operations	and	financial	condition.

The Government’s rights to temporarily suspend services 
may have material adverse consequences.

Pursuant to the OPRSA, if, in the opinion of a Registry 
Officer	or	the	minister,	the	circumstances	are	such	that	it	
is not practical to provide one or more registry services 
or	functions,	a	Registry	Officer	or	the	minister	may,	by	
order, suspend all or any registry services or functions 
for the period during which, in the opinion of the 
Registry	Officer	or	the	minister,	those	circumstances	
prevail. The suspension of registry services or functions 
under the OPRSA could have a material and adverse 
effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial	condition.

Expiry of licenses to use Registry Data upon termination 
or expiry of the term of the MSA could affect our ability 
to continue to provide certain services.

Our exclusive license to use the registry data will expire 
upon the termination or expiry of the term of the MSA. 
If the license is not renewed at that time, we will not be 
able to continue providing any services which rely on or 
use registry data, which could have a material adverse 
effect	on	our	business,	financial	condition	and	results	
of operations.

Although we believe our financial statements are 
prepared with reasonable safeguards to ensure 
reliability, we cannot provide absolute assurance.

We	prepare	our	financial	reports	in	accordance	with	
accounting policies and methods prescribed by IFRS. 
In the	preparation	of	financial	reports,	management	
may need	to	rely	upon	assumptions,	make	estimates	
or use	their	best	judgment	in	determining	the	financial	
condition	of	ISC.	Significant	accounting	policies	are	
described in more detail in the notes to our 
Consolidated Financial Statements for the year 
ended December 31,	2013.	

55

Class A Shares. The ISC Act and the ISC Regulations 
also contain	provisions	for	the	enforcement	of	the	
ownership restrictions.		

Restrictions may limit the rights of certain persons to 
acquire Class A Shares, to exercise their rights as 
shareholders and to initiate and complete takeover 
bids in	respect	of	the	Class	A	Shares.	As	a	result,	the	
ownership	restrictions	may	limit	the	demand	for	Class A	
Shares and adversely affect the liquidity and market 
value of the Class A Shares held by the public.

Director appointment rights and restrictions limiting 
certain actions of ISC under The Information Services 
Corporation Act may limit demand for our shares.

The ISC Act provides that, in lieu of voting the Class A 
Shares held by the Government on any resolution 
electing	directors	to	the Board,	the	Lieutenant	Governor	
in Council of the Province of Saskatchewan has the right 
to appoint	that	number	of	members	to	the	Board	equal	
to the Government’s pro rata share of the issued and 
outstanding Class A Shares (rounded to the nearest 
whole number), but always subject to a minimum of 
two directors.	Market	reaction	to	these	provisions	may	
limit	demand	for	Class A	Shares	and	adversely	affect	
the liquidity	and	market	value	of	the	Class	A	Shares.

Under the ISC Act, the holder of the Class B Golden 
Share (“Golden Share”) shall vote to veto, and thereby 
prohibit, ISC	from	undertaking	certain	actions,	including	
transferring	ISC’s	registered	office	to	a	jurisdiction	
outside Saskatchewan, transferring all or any part of 
ISC’s	head	office	operations	to	a	jurisdiction	outside	
Saskatchewan and the sale, lease or exchange of all or 
substantially all of ISC’s property. 

The ISC Act further prohibits ISC from applying for a 
continuance in a jurisdiction outside Saskatchewan or 
amending ISC’s articles without the approval of the 
holder of the Golden Share. The ISC Act also includes 
a separate	restriction	which	provides	that	ISC	shall	not	
transfer	all	or	part	of	its	head	office	operations,	or	all	
or any	part	of	the	functions	constituting	its	head	office	
operations, to a jurisdiction outside of Saskatchewan. 
Market reaction to these provisions may limit the 
demand for Class A Shares and adversely affect the 
liquidity and market value of the Class A Shares.

In order to have a reasonable level of assurance that 
financial	transactions	are	properly	authorized,	assets	
are safeguarded	against	unauthorized	or	improper	use	
and transactions are properly recorded and reported, 
we have implemented and continue to analyze our 
internal	control	systems	for	financial	reporting.	
Although	we	believe	our	financial	reporting	and	
financial	statements	are	prepared	with	reasonable	
safeguards to ensure reliability, we cannot provide 
absolute assurance in that regard.

Our internal controls over financial reporting and 
disclosure controls may prove ineffective.

Inadequate disclosure controls or ineffective internal 
controls	over	financial	reporting	could	result	in	an	
increased risk of material misstatements in the 
financial reporting	and	public	disclosure	record	of	
ISC. Inadequate	controls	could	also	result	in	system	
downtime, give rise to litigation or regulatory 
investigation. ISC has designed and implemented 
a system	of	internal	controls	and	a	variety	of	policies	
and procedures	to	provide	reasonable	assurance	that	
material	misstatements	in	the	financial	reporting	and	
public disclosures are prevented and detected on a 
timely basis and other business risks are mitigated. 

An internal control system, no matter how well 
conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable 
— not absolute — assurance to management and the 
Board regarding achievement of intended results. ISC’s 
current system of internal and disclosure controls places 
reliance on key personnel across the Company to 
perform a variety of control functions, including key 
reviews, analysis, reconciliations and monitoring. The 
failure of individuals to perform such functions or 
properly implement the controls as designed could 
have a material adverse effect on our business, results 
of	operations	and	financial	condition.

Risks Related to The Information Services Corporation Act

Ownership restrictions may limit demand for our shares.

The ownership restrictions under The Information 
Services Corporation Act provide that, subject to certain 
limited exceptions, no person, alone or together with 
associates,	may	hold,	beneficially	own	or	control,	
directly or indirectly, other than by way of security only 
or for purposes of distribution by an underwriter, voting 
securities to which are attached more than 15 per cent 
of the votes attached to the issued and outstanding 

5 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Risks Related to an Investment in the Shares

Cash dividend payments are not guaranteed and our 
dividend policy may be changed at the Board’s 
discretion depending on numerous factors.

The payment of dividends under the Company’s 
dividend	policy	is	not	guaranteed	and	will	fluctuate	with	
the performance of the Company and its subsidiary. The 
Board has the discretion to determine the amount of 
dividends to be declared and paid to shareholders. The 
Board may alter the Company’s dividend policy at any 
time and the payment of dividends will depend on, 
among	other	things,	results	of	operations,	financial	
condition, current and expected future levels of earnings, 
cash	available	for	distribution,	operating	cash	flow,	
liquidity requirements, market opportunities, income 
taxes, maintenance capital, growth capital expenditures, 
the	requirements	of	future	financings,	debt	repayments,	
legal, regulatory and contractual constraints, working 
capital requirements, tax laws and other relevant factors. 

The Company’s Credit Facilities may prohibit the 
Company from paying dividends at any time at which a 
default or event of default would exist under such credit 
facilities, or if a default or event of default would exist as 
a result of paying the dividend.

Over time, the Company’s capital and other cash needs 
may	change	significantly	from	its	current	needs,	which	
could affect whether the Company pays dividends and 
the amount of any dividends it may pay in the future. If 
the Company pays dividends at the level currently 
anticipated under the current dividend policy, it may 
not retain	a	sufficient	amount	of	cash	to	finance	growth	
opportunities, meet any large unanticipated liquidity 
requirements	or	fund	its operations	in	the	event	of	a	
significant	business	downturn.	The	Board	may	amend,	
revoke or suspend the Company’s dividend policy at any 
time. A decline in the market price or liquidity, or both, 
of the Class A Shares could result if the Board reduces 
the amount of quarterly dividends paid or eliminates 
dividend payments.

Our share price may decline because of the ability of 
the Government and others to sell our shares.

Future sales, or the ability for sale, of substantial 
amounts of the Class A Shares in the public market, 
by the	Government	and	other	shareholders,	could	
adversely affect the prevailing market price for the 
Class A	Shares.	If	the	Company’s	shareholders	sell	

substantial amounts of their Class A Shares in the 
public market,	the	market	price	of	the	Class	A	Shares	
could decline. These sales might also make it more 
difficult	for	the	Company	to	sell	equity	or	equity-related	
securities in the future at a time and price that the 
Company deems appropriate.

The future issuance of Class A Shares may be dilutive 
to existing shareholders.

The Company’s articles authorize the Company to 
issue an	unlimited	number	of	Class	A	Shares	for	such	
consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall 
be established by the Board without the approval of any 
shareholders. The shareholders will have no pre-emptive 
rights in connection with such further issues. Subject 
to any	applicable	stock	exchange	rules	requiring	
shareholder approval, the Company may make future 
acquisitions	or	enter	into	financings	or	other	transactions	
involving the issuance of Class A Shares which may be 
dilutive to existing shareholders. Sales or issuances of a 
substantial number of Class A Shares, or the perception 
that such sales could occur, may adversely affect 
prevailing pricing for the Class A Shares.

NON-IFRS MEASURES

This MD&A includes certain measures which have not 
been prepared in accordance with IFRS such as EBITDA, 
EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA 
margin	and	Free	cash	flow.	Rather,	these	measures	are	
provided as additional information to complement those 
IFRS measures by providing further understanding of 
our results of operations from management’s 
perspective, to provide investors with supplemental 
measures of our operating performance and thus 
highlight trends in our core business that may not 
otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS 
financial	measures.	

Management also uses non-IFRS measures to facilitate 
operating performance comparisons from period to 
period, prepare annual operating budgets and assess 
our ability to meet our future capital expenditure and 
working capital requirements. 

Accordingly, they should not be considered in isolation 
or	as	a	substitute	for	analysis	of	our	financial	information	
reported under IFRS. Such measures do not have any 
standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are, 
therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar 
measures presented by other corporations.

57

“EBITDA”	is	defined	as	earnings	before	interest,	taxes,	
depreciation and amortization. “Adjusted EBITDA” is 
defined	as	EBITDA	before	fees	related	to	our	IPO	and	
including costs associated with being a public company, 
costs associated with administering our MSA and 
normalization adjustments relating to the transfer of the 
Government’s Vital Statistics Registry. It is an alternative 
to	net	income	and income	from	operations	to	measure	
business	performance	and	cash	flow	generation	because	
it	removes	cash	flow	fluctuations	caused	by	the	above	
adjustments. “EBITDA margin” is calculated as EBITDA 
as a percentage of overall revenues. “Adjusted EBITDA 
margin” is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA as a 
percentage of overall revenues.

“Free	cash	flow”	is	used	as	a	financial	measure	in	our	
evaluation	of	liquidity	and	financial	strength.	Adjusting	
for the swings in non-cash working capital items due 
to seasonality	or	other	timing	issues	and	additions	to	
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
assists in the long-term assessment of liquidity and 
financial	strength.	This	measurement	is	useful	as	an	
indicator of our ability to service our debt, meet other 
payment obligations and make strategic investments. 
Free	cash	flow	does	not	represent	residual	cash	flow	
available for discretionary expenditures.  

EVALUATION OF CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management, including the President and Chief 
Executive	Officer	and	the	Vice	President,	Finance	&	
Technology	and	Chief	Financial	Officer,	is	responsible	
for establishing and maintaining appropriate internal 
controls	over	financial	reporting.	The	design	and	
effectiveness	of	ISC’s	internal	controls	over	financial	
reporting in accordance with National Instrument 52-109 
as of December 31, 2013 was evaluated by management. 
The Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by 

the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (“COSO”) was used to evaluate 
the	effectiveness	of	our	internal	controls	over	financial	
reporting. Based on this evaluation, the President and 
Chief	Executive	Officer	and	the	Vice	President,	Finance	
& Technology	and	Chief	Financial	Officer	concluded	
that our	internal	controls	over	financial	reporting	were	
effective as at December 31, 2013.  

No	changes	in	our	internal	controls	over	financial	
reporting that have occurred during the period have 
materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially 
affect	our	internal	controls	over	financial	reporting.		

It should be noted that all internal control systems, no 
matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. 
Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective 
can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to 
financial	statement	preparation	and	presentation.		

Management, including the President and Chief 
Executive	Officer	and	the	Vice	President,	Finance	&	
Technology	and	Chief	Financial	Officer,	is	responsible	
for establishing and maintaining appropriate disclosure 
controls and procedures. The design and effectiveness 
of ISC’s disclosure controls and procedures in 
accordance with National Instrument 52-109 as of 
December 31, 2013 was evaluated by management. 
Based on the foregoing evaluation, the President and 
Chief	Executive	Officer	and	the	Vice	President,	Finance	
& Technology	and	Chief	Financial	Officer	concluded	
that our	disclosure	controls	and	procedures	are	
effective to	provide	reasonable	assurance	that	material	
information relating to the Company is made known to 
them and that information required to be disclosed by 
the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and 
reported	within	the	time	periods	specified	in	applicable	
securities legislation. 

5 8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Consolidated  
Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013

59

Contents

61  Management’s Responsibility

62 

Independent Auditor’s Report

63  Consolidated Financial Statements

66  Note 1  Status of the Company

66  Note 2  Basis of Presentation

67	 Note	3	

	Summary	of	Significant	Accounting	Policies

72  Note 4  Cash

72  Note 5  Tax Provision

74  Note 6 

 Grant Receivable and Provision for Early Retirement Plan

74  Note 7  Deferred Revenue

75  Note 8  Property, Plant and Equipment

76  Note 9 

Intangible Assets

76  Note 10  Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

77  Note 11  Discontinued Operations

77  Note 12  Earnings per Share

77  Note 13  Equity and Capital Management

78  Note 14   Financial Instruments and Related Risk Management

80  Note 15  Related Party Transactions

80	 Note	16	 	Compensation	of	Key	Management	Personnel

80  Note 17  Revenue

80  Note 18   Net Change in Non-Cash Working Capital

81  Note 19  Commitments and Contingencies

81  Note 20  Pension Expense

81  Note 21  Borrowing Costs

6 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

MARCH 19, 2014

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY

Management’s Report on Financial Statements

The	accompanying	consolidated	financial	statements	of	Information	Services	
Corporation were prepared by management, which is responsible for the 
integrity and fairness of the information presented, including the many 
amounts that must of necessity be based on estimates and judgments. 
These	consolidated	financial	statements	were	prepared	in	accordance	with	
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board. Financial information appearing throughout our 
management’s discussion and analysis is consistent with these consolidated 
financial	statements.

In discharging our responsibility for the integrity and fairness of the 
consolidated	financial	statements	and	for	the	accounting	systems	from	which	
they are derived, we maintain the necessary system of internal controls 
designed to ensure that transactions are authorized, assets are safeguarded 
and proper records are maintained. These controls include quality standards 
in hiring employees, policies and procedure manuals, a corporate code of 
conduct and accountability for performance within appropriate and well-
defined	areas	of	responsibility.

The	Board	of	Directors	oversees	management’s	responsibilities	for	financial	
reporting through an Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of 
directors	who	are	neither	officers	nor	employees	of	Information	Services	
Corporation.	This	Committee	reviews	our	consolidated	financial	statements	
and recommends them to the Board for approval. Other key responsibilities 
of the Audit Committee include reviewing our existing internal control 
procedures and planned revisions to those procedures, and advising the 
directors	on	auditing	matters	and	financial	reporting	issues.

Deloitte LLP was appointed by the shareholder of Information Services 
Corporation upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee and Board, 
and	have	performed	an	independent	audit	of	the	consolidated	financial	
statements and their report follows. The auditors have full and unrestricted 
access	to	the	Audit	Committee	to	discuss	their	audit	and	related	findings.

Jeff Stusek 

President and 
Chief	Executive	Officer	

Shawn B. Peters, CA

Vice-President, Finance & Technology 
and	Chief	Financial	Officer

61

 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

MARCH 19, 2014

To the Shareholders of Infor mation Services Corporation

Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated 
financial	statements	present	fairly,	
in all	material	respects,	the	financial	
position of Information Services 
Corporation as at December 31, 
2013	and	its	financial	performance	
and	its	cash	flows	for	the	year	then 	
ended in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting 
Standards.

Other Matter

The	financial	statements	of	
Information Services Corporation 
of Saskatchewan	for	the	year	 
ended December 31, 2012 were 
audited by another auditor who 
expressed	an	unmodified	opinion	
on	those	financial	statements	on	
June 27, 2013.

Chartered Accountants  
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

We have audited the accompanying 
consolidated	financial	statements	of	
Information Services Corporation, 
which comprise the consolidated 
statement	of	financial	position	as	
at December	31,	2013	and	the	
consolidated statements of 
comprehensive income, changes 
in equity,	and	cash	flows	for	the	
year then	ended	and	a	summary	of	
significant	accounting	policies	and	
other explanatory information.

Management’s Responsibility for the 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the 
preparation and fair presentation 
of	these	consolidated	financial	
statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting 
Standards, and for such internal 
control as management determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation 
of	consolidated	financial	statements	
that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or	error.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on these consolidated 
financial	statements	based	on	our	
audit. We conducted our audit in 
accordance with Canadian generally 
accepted auditing standards. Those 
standards require that we comply 
with ethical requirements and plan 
and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about 

whether	the	consolidated	financial	
statements are free of material 
misstatement.

An audit involves performing 
procedures to obtain audit evidence 
about the amounts and disclosures 
in	the	consolidated	financial	
statements. The procedures selected 
depend on the auditor’s judgment 
including the assessment of the 
risks of material misstatement of the 
consolidated	financial	statements,	
whether due to fraud or error. In 
making those risk assessments, 
the auditor	considers	internal	
control relevant to the entity’s 
preparation and fair presentation 
of the	consolidated	financial	
statements	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 entity’s 
internal control. An audit also 
includes evaluating the 
appropriateness of the accounting 
principles used and the 
reasonableness of accounting 
estimates made by management, 
as well	as	evaluating	the	overall	
presentation of the consolidated 
financial	statements.

We believe the audit evidence we 
have	obtained	is	sufficient	and	
appropriate to provide a basis for 
our audit opinion.

6 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Assets
Current assets
  Cash 

Trade receivables 
  GST/HST receivable 
  Grant receivable 

Inventories 
Prepaid expenses 

Non-current assets
  Deferred tax asset 
  Grant receivable 

Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 

Total Assets 

Liabilities
Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 
  Advances from customers 

Income tax payable 

  Dividend payable 
  Deferred revenue 

Provision for early retirement plan 
Short-term debt 

Non-current liabilities
  Deferred revenue 
Long-term debt 
Provision for early retirement plan 

Shareholders’ Equity 
Share capital 
Retained earnings 

Note 

2013 

2012

As at December 31

4 

6 

5 
6 
8 
9 

5 

7 
6 
10 

7 
10 
6 

13 

$  27,614  	
  2,978 
  2,145 
– 
5 
840 
  33,582 

  54,034 
– 
  6,172 
  14,313 
$ 108,101 

  $  5,623 	
  4,425 
  2,181 
  3,500 
570 
46 
– 
  16,345 

833 
  9,935 
46 
  10,814 

  19,955 
  60,987 
  80,942 

$	 21,138
  1,432
–
68
7
573
  23,218

–
133
  6,978
  18,309
$  48,638

$	 4,232
  4,794
–
  5,958
217
68
  9,935
  25,204

  1,360
–
133
  1,493

–
  21,941
  21,941

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 

$ 108,101  

$  48,638

See Note 19 for Commitments and Contingencies

See Accompanying Notes

Approved by the Board on March 19, 2014

Joel Teal 
Director 

Anthony Guglielmin 
Director

63

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenues 

Expenses
  Wages and salaries 

Information technology services 

  Depreciation and amortization 
  Occupancy costs 
Project initiatives 

  Other 

Income	from	continuing	operations	before	net	finance	expense	(income)	

Finance expense (income)

Interest income 
Interest expense 
Net	finance	income	
Income from continuing operations before tax 
Income tax recovery 
Income from continuing operations 

Net loss from discontinued operations 

Net income and total comprehensive income 

Earnings per share	($	per	share)
From continuing operations, basic 
From discontinued operations, basic 
Total, from continuing and discontinued operations, basic 

See Accompanying Notes

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Note 

17 

8,9 

5 

11 

12 
12 
12 

Year Ended December 31

2013 

2012

$  79,131	

$	 75,216

  23,803 
   10,001 
  5,505 
  4,202 
 4,919 
 4,897 
  53,327 
	 25,804 

(237) 
157 
(80) 
  25,884 
 (51,852) 
  77,736 

  23,608
  9,284
  7,639
  4,476
  2,587
  5,094
  52,688
  22,528

(212)
127
(85)
  22,613
–
  22,613

(755) 

(1,373)

$  76,981 

$  21,240  

$ 

$ 

4.44	
(0.04) 
4.40	

$	

$	

–
–
–

(thousand of CAD dollars) 

Balance at January 1, 2012 
Net income 
Dividend declared 
Balance at December 31, 2012 
Transfer to share capital  
Net income 
Dividend declared 
Balance at December 31, 2013 

See Accompanying Notes

6 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Note 

13 

  Retained 
  Earnings 

$  19,817 
  21,240 
  (19,116) 
  21,941 
 (19,955) 
  76,981 
 (17,980) 
$  60,987 

Share  
  Capital 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 
  19,955 
– 
– 
$  19,955   

Total

$  19,817
  21,240
  (19,116)
  21,941
–
  76,981
  (17,980)
$  80,942

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Operating
  Net income from continuing operations 
  Add: Charges not affecting cash

  Depreciation 
  Amortization 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Impairment loss on intangible asset 
Recovery of MARS project expenses 

	 Net	finance	income	
  Deferred tax recovery 
  Net change in non-cash working capital 
	 Operating	cash	flow	from	discontinued	operations	

  Net cash flow provided by operating activities 

Investing

Interest received 

  Additions to property, plant and equipment 
  Additions to intangible assets 
  Net cash flow used in investing activities 

Financing

Interest paid 
Repayment of long-term debt 
Repayment of short-term debt 
Proceeds of long-term debt 

  Dividends paid 
  Net cash flow used in financing activities 

Increase in cash 
Cash, beginning of period 
Cash, end of period 

See Accompanying Notes

Year Ended December 31

Note 

2013 

2012

$  77,736	

$	 22,613

8 
9 
8 
9 
9 

5 
18 

8 
9 

10 
10 
10 

  1,262 
  4,243 
2 
– 
212 
(80) 
 (54,034) 
(816) 
(755) 
  27,770 

237 
(458) 
   (3,288) 
(3,509) 

 (176) 
– 
(9,935) 
  9,935 
 (17,609) 
 (17,785) 

  1,505
  5,721
510
413
–
(85)
–
474
(1,373)
  29,778

212
(2,396)
(5,295)
(7,479)

(127)
(1,146)
–
–
  (18,845)
 (20,118)

  6,476 
   21,138 
$  27,614  

  2,181
  18,957
$  21,138

65

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 STATUS OF THE COMPANY 

Information Services Corporation (“ISC” or “the 
Company”) was created by Order in Council as 
Saskatchewan Land Information Services Corporation, 
a Saskatchewan	Provincial	Crown	Corporation	on	
January 1,	2000,	pursuant	to	The Crown Corporations 
Act, 1993 (Saskatchewan). On November 1, 2000, the 
Company’s name was changed by Order in Council to 
Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan.

In November 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan 
(the “Government”) announced its intention to privatize 
Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan and 
introduced The Information Services Corporation Act 
(the “ISC Act”) into the Saskatchewan Legislature on 
November 19, 2012. The ISC Act received Royal Assent 
on May 15, 2013, and was proclaimed on May 30, 2013.

The proclamation of the ISC Act resulted in The Crown 
Corporations Act, 1993 (Saskatchewan) ceasing to apply 
to the Company. The Company was continued under The 
Business Corporations Act (Saskatchewan) on May 30, 
2013, as Information Services Corporation, a corporation 
with share capital, and a wholly owned subsidiary of 
Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan (“CIC”).

In May 2013, the Government proclaimed The Operation 
of Public Registry Statutes Act (Saskatchewan) and The 
Operation of Public Registry Statutes Consequential 
Amendments Act, 2013 (Saskatchewan). These acts 
authorize the execution between the Government 
and the Company of detailed service agreements 
addressing the powers, duties, responsibilities, and 
remedies relating to the operation and management 
of the public registries. ISC’s wholly owned subsidiary, 
ISC Saskatchewan Inc. (“ISC Sask”), was incorporated 
on	May 30,	2013	under	The Business Corporations 
Act (Saskatchewan) to hold certain assets which are 
dedicated to the operation of the registries. 

Saskatchewan.	The	registered	office	of	the	Company	is	
300 – 10 Research Drive, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 7J7.

On July 9, 2013, the Company became publicly listed on 
the	Toronto	Stock	Exchange	(“TSX”)	under	the	symbol	
“ISV”. As a result of the change of control, the Company’s 
status changed, and it is now subject to federal and 
provincial income taxes at an estimated combined rate 
of 27 per cent on income earned in Saskatchewan 
(see Note	5).

2 BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Statement of compliance

The	consolidated	financial	statements	have	been	
prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). 

The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the 
consolidated	financial	statements	for	the	year	ended	
December 31, 2013 for issue on March 19, 2014.

Basis of measurement

These	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	
on a going	concern	basis,	under	the	historical	
cost convention.

Functional and presentation currency

These	financial	statements	are	presented	in	
Canadian (“CAD”)	dollars,	which	is	the	Company’s	
functional currency.

Basis of consolidation

The	consolidated	financial	statements	incorporate	the	
financial	statements	of	the	Company	and	its	wholly	
owned subsidiary ISC Sask. All intragroup assets and 
liabilities,	equity,	income,	expenses	and	cash	flows	are	
eliminated in full on consolidation.

Use of estimates and judgments

The acts also provided for the transfer of the Vital Statistics 
Registry, previously operated by the Company, to 
eHealth Saskatchewan (“eHealth”), another Government 
entity. This transfer was completed effective June 16, 
2013 (see Note 11).  

The	preparation	of	financial	statements	in	conformity	
with IFRS requires management to make estimates and 
underlying assumptions and judgments that affect the 
accounting policies and reported amounts of assets, 
liabilities, revenue and expenses. 

As a result of the above actions, the Company is the 
provider of registry and information services and is 
the exclusive provider of the Land Titles Registry, Land 
Surveys Directory, Personal Property Registry (“PPR”) 
and Corporate Registry (collectively the “Registries”) in 

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed 
on an	ongoing	basis.	Actual	results	may	differ	from	
these estimates. Revisions to accounting estimates 
are recognized	in	the	period	in	which	the	estimates 	
are revised	and	in	any	future	periods	affected.	

6 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars)Significant	items	subject	to	estimates	and	underlying 	
assumptions include:

•  the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment 

of the	asset	less	its	residual	value	over	the	estimated	
productive life of each asset. The useful life of each 
asset is	as	follows:

(Note 8);

•  the carrying amounts of intangible assets (Note 9); and

•  deferred tax assets (Note 5).

The relevant accounting policies in Note 3 contain further 
details on our use of these estimates and assumptions.

Significant	judgments	have	been	made	in	the 	 
following areas:

•  the presentation of contracts with various government 
organizations as operating revenue or government 
grants (Note 7); and

•	 the	classification	and	valuation	of	the	Master	Service	

Agreement as an intangible asset (Note 19).

3  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT   

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment (“PPE”) are recorded at 
cost less accumulated depreciation and any provisions 
for impairment. Cost includes expenditures that are 
directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. 
The cost of self-developed assets includes materials, 
services, direct labour and directly attributable 
overheads. Interest costs associated with major capital 
and development projects are capitalized during the 
development period. Depreciation of assets under 
development will commence once they are operational 
and available for use.

The costs of maintenance, repairs, renewals or 
replacements which do not extend productive life of an 
asset are charged to operations when incurred. The costs 
of replacements and improvements which extend 
productive life are capitalized.

The cost of replacing part of an item of property, plant 
and equipment is recognized in the carrying amount 
of the	item	if	it	is	probable	that	the	future	economic	
benefits	embodied	within	the	part	will	flow	to	the	
Company and its cost can be measured reliably. The 
carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. 

Depreciation is recorded on property, plant and 
equipment on the straight-line basis, which is the cost 

Leasehold improvements 

Office furniture 

Office equipment 

Computer hardware 

10 Years

10 Years

 5 Years

 3 Years

The estimated useful life and depreciation methods are 
reviewed at the end of each annual reporting period, 
with the effect of any changes in estimate being 
accounted for on a prospective basis. 

Gains or losses arising from the disposition or retirement 
of an item of property, plant and equipment are measured 
at the difference between the net disposal proceeds and 
the carrying amount of the asset and are recognized in 
the statement of comprehensive income.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets acquired separately

Finite intangible assets acquired separately are carried at 
cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated 
impairment losses. Amortization is provided for on a 
straight-line basis over the corresponding estimated 
useful life of the applicable assets. The estimated useful 
life and amortization methods are reviewed at the end of 
each annual reporting period, with the effect of any 
changes in estimate being accounted for on a 
prospective basis. 

Gain or losses arising from derecognition of an 
intangible asset are measured at the difference between 
the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of 
the asset and are recognized in the statement of 
comprehensive income. 

Amortization on externally acquired system 
enhancements, including software, are recorded on the 
straight-line basis over the estimated productive life.

System enhancements (“SE”)  

– externally acquired 

3 Years

Internally generated intangible assets

Research expenditures are expensed and development 
expenditures are recognized only if they meet the 
recognition criteria for internally generated intangible 
assets as provided under IFRS. The amount initially 
recognized for an internally generated intangible asset 
is the	sum	of	the	expenditures	incurred	from	the	date	

67

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars)when	the	intangible	asset	first	meets	the	recognition	
criteria. If no internally generated intangible asset can 
be recognized,	development	expenditures	are	charged	
to operations in the period in which they are incurred. 
Internally generated intangible assets include: land titles 
automated network delivery (“LAND”), geographic 
information system (“GIS”), system enhancements, and 
assets under development. 

An internally generated intangible asset arising from 
development is recognized if, and only if, all of the 
following have been demonstrated:

•  the technical feasibility of completing the intangible 

asset so that it will be available for use or sale;

•  the intention to complete the intangible asset and use 

or sell it;

•  the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

•   how the intangible asset will generate probable future 

economic	benefits;

•	 the	availability	of	adequate	technical,	financial	and	

other resources to complete the development and to 
use or sell the intangible asset; and

•  the ability to measure reliably the expenditure 
attributable to the intangible asset during its 
development. 

Subsequent to initial recognition, an internally generated 
intangible asset is reported at cost less accumulated 
amortization and accumulated impairment losses, on the 
same basis as an intangible asset acquired separately. 
The estimated useful life and amortization methods for 
these assets are reviewed at the end of each annual 
reporting period, with the effect of any changes in 
estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis. 
Amortization is recorded on internally generated 
intangible assets on the straight-line basis over the 
estimated productive life.

LAND data conversion 

LAND development 

System enhancements  
  – internally generated 

15 years

7 years

3-7 years

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets

At	each	statement	of	financial	position	date,	ISC	reviews	
the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets 
to determine whether there is any indication that those 
assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such 
indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset 
is estimated	in	order	to	determine	the	extent	of	the	
impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to 
estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, 
ISC estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where a 
reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be 
identified,	corporate	assets	are	also	allocated	to	
individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are 
allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units 
for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis 
can	be	identified.

Intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for 
impairment annually in December, and whenever there 
is an	indication	that	the	asset	may	be	impaired.

The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, 
the	estimated	future	cash	flows	are	discounted	to	their	
present	value	using	a	discount	rate	that	reflects	current	
market assessments of the time value of money and the 
risks	specific	to	the	asset	for	which	the	estimates	of	future	
cash	flows	have	not	been	adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating 
unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the 
carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is 
reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is 
recognized immediately in comprehensive income. 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the 
carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) 
is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable 
amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does 
not exceed the carrying amount that would have been 
determined had no impairment loss been recognized 
for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A 
reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately 
in comprehensive income.

Geographic information system 

5 years

Leases

Other 

3-5 years

Assets under development  N/A (not ready for use)

Leases	are	classified	as	finance	leases	whenever	the	terms	
of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards 
of ownership to the Company. ISC has determined that all 
leases	entered	into	by	the	Company	are	classified	as	

6 8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars)operating leases, as the risks and rewards of ownership 
have not been transferred to the Company.

•	 it	is	probable	that	the	economic	benefits	associated	

with	the	transaction	will	flow	to	the	Company;

Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense 
on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where 
another systematic basis is more representative of the 
time	pattern	in	which	economic	benefits	from	the	leased	
asset are consumed. 

In the event that lease incentives are received to enter 
into operating leases, such incentives are recognized  
as	a	liability.	The	aggregate	benefit	of	incentives	is	
recognized as a reduction of rental expense on a 
straight-line basis, except where another systematic  
basis is more representative of the time pattern in which 
economic	benefits	from	the	leased	asset	are	consumed.		

Revenue recognition

Revenues from the Land Registry, the Personal Property 
Registry, the Corporate Registry, the Land Surveys 
Directory, Geomatic Services and Solutions (“Geomatics”) 
and other sources are recognized in the accounts when 
services are rendered. Amounts received in advance of 
Geomatics	services	being	performed	are	reflected	as	
deferred revenue and are recorded as revenue when 
services are rendered. Amounts received from customers 
in	advance	are	reflected	as	advances	from	customers	and	
are recorded as revenue when services are rendered. 

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized when all 
the	following	conditions	are	satisfied:

•  the Company has transferred to the buyer the 

significant	risks	and	rewards	of	ownership	of	the	goods;

•  the Company retains neither continuing managerial 
involvement to the degree usually associated with 
ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;

•  the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

•	 it	is	probable	that	the	economic	benefits	associated	
with	the	transaction	will	flow	to	the	Company;	and

•  the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the 

transaction can be measured reliably.

Revenue from a contract to provide services is 
recognized by reference to the stage of completion as 
defined	in	the	contract	when	the	outcome	of	the	contract	
can be estimated reliably. The outcome of a contract can 
be estimated reliably when all of the following conditions 
are	satisfied:

•   the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

•  the stage of completion of the transaction at the end 
of the	reporting	period	can	be	measured	reliably;	and

•  the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to 
complete the transaction can be measured reliably.

Employee benefits

The Company provides pension plans for all eligible 
employees. Employees hired after October 1, 1977 
make contributions to The Public Employees Pension 
Plan	(“PEPP”),	a	defined	contribution	plan.	Funding	
requirements are established by The Superannuation 
(Supplementary Provisions) Act and the Company 
matches employee contributions. The Company’s 
obligations are limited to making regular payment 
to the	plans	for	current	services.	These	contributions	
are expensed.

Employees hired prior to October 1, 1977 who did not 
elect to transfer to PEPP by October 1, 1978, make 
contributions to the Public Service Superannuation Plan, 
a	defined-benefit	plan.	The	obligation	under	the	defined-
benefit	pension	plan	is	the	responsibility	of	the	General	
Revenue Fund (“GRF”) of the Province of Saskatchewan.  

Government grants

Government grants are not recognized until there is 
reasonable assurance that ISC will comply with the 
conditions attached to them and that the grants will 
be received.

Government grants whose primary condition is that ISC 
should purchase, construct or otherwise acquire non-
current assets are recognized as deferred income in 
the consolidated	statement	of	financial	position	and	
transferred to income on a systematic and rational basis 
over the useful life of the related assets. 

Other government grants are recognized as income over 
the periods necessary to match them with the costs for 
which they are intended to compensate, on a systematic 
basis. Government grants that are receivable as 
compensation for expenses or losses already incurred or 
for	the	purpose	of	giving	immediate	financial	support	to	
ISC	with	no	future	related	costs	are	recognized	in	profit	
or loss in the period in which they become receivable.

Other government grants are netted against the related 
expenses as services are performed.

69

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars)Financial instruments

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of qualifying assets, which are 
assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to 
get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the 
cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are 
substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

Investment income earned on the temporary investment 
of	specific	borrowings	pending	their	expenditure	on	
qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs 
eligible for capitalization.

All	other	borrowing	costs	are	recognized	in	profit	or	loss	
in the period in which they are incurred.

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a 
present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of 
a past	event,	it	is	probable	that	the	Company	will	be	
required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate 
can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognized as a provision is the best 
estimate of the consideration required to settle the 
present obligation at the end of the reporting period, 
taking into account the risks and uncertainties 
surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is 
measured	using	the	cash	flows	estimated	to	settle	the	
present obligation, its carrying amount is the present 
value	of	those	cash	flows.

When	some	or	all	of	the	economic	benefits	required	to	
settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a 
third party, a receivable is recognized as an asset if it is 
virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and 
the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative	financial	instruments	are	recognized	
when the Company becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are 
derecognized	when	the	rights	to	receive	cash	flows	
from the assets have expired or have been transferred 
and the Company has transferred substantially all risks 
and	rewards	of	ownership.	Non-derivative	financial	
instruments are recognized initially at fair value plus, 
for instruments	not	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss,	
any directly	attributable	transaction	costs.

At	initial	recognition,	all	financial	instruments	are	
classified	in	one	of	the	following	categories	depending	
on the purpose for which the instruments were acquired:

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial	assets	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	
(“FVTPL”)	are	financial	assets	held	for	trading	or	that	are	
designated as such by management. Such assets are 
held for trading if they are acquired principally for the 
purpose of selling in the short term. These assets are 
initially recognized, and subsequently carried, at fair 
value, with changes recognized in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income. Transaction costs 
are expensed. Assets in this category include cash.

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables (“LAR”) are subsequently measured 
at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less 
any impairment losses, with interest expense recognized 
on an effective yield basis. Assets in this category include 
trade and grant receivables.

Other financial liabilities

Other	financial	liabilities	(“OFL”)	are	initially	measured	at	
fair value, net of transaction costs, and are subsequently 
measured at amortized cost using the effective interest 
method, with interest expense recognized on an effective 
yield basis. Liabilities in this category include trade and 
other payables, dividend payable, provision for early 
retirement plan and short-term and long-term debt.

7 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars)Changes in accounting policies

The Company has adopted the following new and revised standards, along with any consequential amendments, 
effective January 1, 2013, or on such date as they became applicable. These changes were made in accordance 
with the	applicable	transitional	provisions.	The	adoption	of	these	changes	did	not	require	any	adjustments	to	the	
financial	statements.

Proposed standard

Description

IAS 1 – Presentation of Items of 
Other Comprehensive Income

Provides guidance on the presentation of items contained in other 
comprehensive income.  

IFRS 7 – Financial Instrument 
Disclosures (offsetting assets  
and liabilities) 

IFRS 10 – Consolidated Financial 
Statements

Amends certain criteria for grouping assets and liabilities into classes and 
certain disclosure requirements.  

Builds on the existing principles of control and elaborates on the 
definition	of	control	when	determining	whether	an	entity	should	be	
consolidated or not. 

IFRS 12 – Disclosure of Interests  
in Other Entities

Consolidated disclosure standard requiring a wide range of disclosures 
about an entity’s interests in subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates 
and unconsolidated structured entities.

IFRS 13 – Fair Value Measurement

Sets out a single framework for measuring fair value and disclosure 
requirements surrounding the inputs and assumptions used in determining 
fair value.  

IAS	19	(R)	–	Employee	Benefits

Significant	changes	in	accounting	for	defined	benefit	pension	plans.		

IAS 27 – Separate Financial 
Statements

Outlines when an entity must consolidate another entity, how to account 
for	a	change	in	ownership	interest,	how	to	prepare	separate	financial	
statements, and related disclosures.

In addition, the Company has evaluated the following new and revised standards, along with any consequential 
amendments, effective January 1, 2013, and determined that they do not apply. 

Proposed standard

Description

IFRS 11 – Joint Arrangements

Focuses on the rights and obligations of an arrangement rather than its 
legal form and requires a single method to account for interests in jointly 
controlled entities.  

IAS 28 – Investments in Associates 
and Joint Ventures 

Prescribes the accounting for investments in associates and to set out the 
requirements for the application of the equity method when accounting for 
investments in associates and joint ventures.  

71

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars)Recent accounting pronouncements

The IASB and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) issued the following new standards 
and amendments to standards and interpretations, which become effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2014, and are currently being assessed by the Company to determine the impact.

Proposed standard

Description

Effective Date

IFRIC 21 – Levies

Clarifies	accounting	for	a	liability	to	pay	a	levy.

January 1, 2014

IAS 32 – Financial Instruments: 
Presentation

Prescribes the recognition, measurement, presentation 
and	disclosure	requirement	of	financial	instruments.

January 1, 2014

IFRS 7 – Financial Instrument 
Disclosures (transition)

Amends certain criteria for grouping assets and liabilities 
into classes and certain disclosure requirements.

January 1, 2015

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments

Addresses	the	classification	and	measurement	of	financial	
assets	and	financial	liabilities.

To be determined

4 CASH

Cash is held on deposit and earns interest at a rate of prime less 1.95 per cent. Interest revenue earned in 2013 was 
$237	(2012	–	$212).

5 TAX PROVISION

As a Crown corporation, ISC was exempt from federal and provincial income taxes under the Income Tax Act (Canada), 
as amended (the “Tax Act”). In accordance with section 149(1)(d.2), this exemption continued to apply through ISC’s 
continuation as a wholly owned subsidiary of CIC. ISC’s tax status was initially reported to have changed upon its listing 
on	the	TSX	on	July	9,	2013.	However,	subsequent	review	revealed	that	the	actual	loss	of	ISC’s	tax-exempt	status	was	
deemed to occur on June 27, 2013 when ISC and CIC entered into an Underwriting Agreement with a syndicate of 
underwriters. As a result, ISC is now subject to federal and provincial income taxes at an estimated combined rate of 
27 per	cent.	Upon	the	change	in	status,	a	new	taxation	year	commenced	and	the	Company’s	properties	were	deemed	
to have been disposed of at fair market value while the Company was still exempt from tax and were reacquired at that 
amount at the commencement of the new taxation year.

Consequently, the Company can amortize and deduct the cost of depreciable tangible and intangible properties in 
computing its income for tax purposes in accordance with the rules in the Tax Act. The increase in the tax basis of certain 
of the Company’s assets upon the change in tax status created a deferred tax asset, the impact of which has been 
recognized as a tax recovery.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Current tax expense
Current tax on earnings for the year 

Deferred tax expense
Current period expense 

Income tax expense 

Income tax recovery recognized as a result of change in tax status 
Income tax recovery 

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

$  2,181	

$	

  2,531 

  4,712 

  (56,564) 
$  (51,852) 

$	

–

–

–

–
–

7 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense varies from the amounts that would be computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to 
earnings before taxes for the following reasons:

(thousands of CAD dollars, except where noted) 

Net income before tax 

Combined statutory income tax rate 
Expected income tax expense 
Increase (decrease) in income tax resulting from:
  Non-deductible expenses/non-taxable income 
  Non-taxable earnings pre-initial public offering 
Income tax expense 

Income tax recovery recognized as a result of change in tax status 
Income tax recovery 

Effective income tax rate 

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

 $  25,129	

  27.0% 
$  6,784	

295 
(2,367) 
  4,712 

  (56,564) 
$  (51,852)	

 (206.3)% 

$	

	$	

$	

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

Income	tax	effects	of	temporary	differences	that	give	rise	to	significant	portions	of	deferred	income	tax	assets	and	
liabilities are as follows:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Deferred tax asset
Intangible	assets	
Property, plant and equipment 
Non-capital losses 
Other assets 

Deferred tax liability
Other	liabilities	

Recorded on the consolidated  
statement of financial position  
as follows:
Deferred	tax	asset	
Deferred tax liability 

January 1, 
2013 

Taxes credited  
(charged) to net  
earnings due to  
change in tax status 

Taxes credited (charged) 
to net earnings 
due to current period 
temporary differences 

December 31, 
2013

$	

$	

$	

$	

–	
– 
– 
– 
–	

–	

–	
– 

$	 56,214	
– 
– 
350 
$	 56,564	

$	

(7,998)	
20 
  5,435 
13 
(2,530)	

$	

$  48,216
20
  5,435
363
$  54,034

$	

–	

$	

–	

$ 

–

$	

–	
– 

$	

–	
– 

$  54,034
–

In assessing the recovery of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that 
the deferred income tax assets will be realized. The recognition and measurement of the current and deferred tax assets 
and liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations and in the assessment of 
the recoverability of deferred tax assets. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the 
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the temporary differences are deductible. 

Actual	income	taxes	could	vary	from	these	estimates	as	a result	of	future	events,	including	changes	in	income	tax	laws	
or	the	outcome	of	tax	reviews	by	tax	authorities	and	related	appeals.	To	the	extent	the	final	outcome	is	different	from	the	
amounts	initially	recorded,	such	differences,	which	could	be	significant,	will	impact	the	tax	provision	in	the	period	in	
which the outcome is determined. 

73

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
7 DEFERRED REVENUE 

The Company has received government grants for 
two of	its	projects.	They	are	the	Mineral	Administration	
Registry Saskatchewan (“MARS”) project and the 
Enhanced Mineral Cadastral project. The condition for 
the government grants issued to the projects was that 
the Company must complete the projects within the 
scope agreed between the Company and responsible 
government agencies. As of December 31, 2013, the 
Company was able to meet the conditions of the 
grants received.	

The Company has signed a Memorandum of 
Understanding with the Minister of Energy and 
Resources, now referred to as the Minister of Economy, 
to develop the MARS project. The MARS project 
has delivered two major deliverables: a storefront 
component and a database component. A review has 
indicated that the storefront component does not meet 
the	definition	of	intangible	asset	as	prescribed	under	
IFRS; therefore, expenditures incurred for the storefront 
portion were expensed immediately and the portion of 
government grant related to the storefront was netted 
against the expenditure. The database component 
meets	the	definition	of	intangible	assets	under	IFRS	and	
expenditures incurred on the database component are 
capitalized accordingly. The government grant related 
to the database was deferred and is recognized over 
the life of the database.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 
Current deferred revenue  
– government-related 
Other deferred revenue 
Total current deferred revenue 
Non-current deferred revenue  

– government-related 

Total deferred revenue 

December 31,  December 31,
  2012

2013 

$  362	
  208 
$  570	

  833 
$ 1,403 

$	

–
  217
$	 217

  1,360
$ 1,577

No deferred tax has been recognized in respect of 
temporary differences associated with investments in its 
subsidiary where the Company is in a position to control 
the timing and reversal of the temporary differences and 
it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.

6  GRANT RECEIVABLE AND PROVISION FOR 

EARLY RETIREMENT PLAN

Order in Council #590/2001 authorized CIC to provide 
a grant to the Company in an amount not exceeding 
$5.4 million	to	fund	the	retirement	costs	associated	
with Land Titles employees who experienced job loss 
as a result of the LAND project. The LAND Project 
redeveloped the land titles system, integrated it with 
a geographic information system and developed an 
infrastructure for the delivery of services common to all 
registry	systems	to	benefit	program	administration	and	
client services. It involved automation, process redesign, 
legislative changes and organizational redevelopment. 

As part of the privatization of ISC, on May 29, 2013, the 
grant receivable was paid to the Company in its entirety 
by CIC for the remaining balance owing to eligible 
employees. The funds will be disbursed by the Company 
to eligible employees as they become due.

At	December	31,	2013,	$92	(December	31,	2012	–	$200)	
is recorded in the accounts to provide for the outstanding 
amounts that management estimates will become 
payable	with	respect	to	eligible	employees,	with	$46	
(December	31,	2012	–	$68)	expected	to	become	due	
within the next twelve months.

7 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
8 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Cost
Balance	at	December	31,	2011	
Additions 
Disposals  
Transfer to intangible assets 
Balance	at	December	31,	2012		

Balance	at	December	31,	2012	
Additions 
Disposals 
Balance at December 31, 2013  

Accumulated Depreciation
Balance	at	December	31,	2011	
Depreciation 
Disposals  
Transfer to intangible assets 
Balance	at	December	31,	2012		

Balance	at	December	31,	2012	
Depreciation 
Disposals 
Balance at December 31, 2013  

Carrying Value
At	December	31,	2012	
At December 31, 2013 

Leasehold 
Improvements 

Office 
Furniture 

Office 
Equipment 

Hardware 

Asset under 
Development 

Total

$	 7,368	
  1,781 
  (1,024) 
– 
$	 8,125	

$	 8,125	
680 
– 
$  8,805 

$	 3,490	
790 
(989) 
– 
$	 3,291	

$	 3,291	
841 
– 
$  4,132  

$	 2,884	
341 
(186) 
– 
$	 3,039	

$	 3,039	
56 
(6) 
$  3,089  

$	 1,252	
276 
(52) 
– 
$	 1,476	

$	 1,476	
266 
(6) 
$  1,736  

$	 4,834	
$  4,673 

$	 1,563	
$  1,353 

$	

$	

$	

$ 

$	

$	

$	

$ 

$	
$ 

77	
28 
(17) 
– 
88	

88	
15 
(5) 
98  

41	
6 
(1) 
– 
46	

46	
13 
(4) 
55  

42	
43 

$	 2,195	
113 
(143) 
(353) 
$	 1,812	

$	 1,812	
9 
(141) 
$  1,680  

$	 1,286	
433 
182 
(326) 
$	 1,575	

$	 1,575	
142 
(140) 
$  1,577 

$	 169	
  133 
– 
– 
$	 302	

$	 302	
(302) 
– 
–  

$ 

$	

$	

$	

$ 

–	
– 
– 
– 
–	

–	
– 
– 
– 

$	12,693
  2,396
  (1,370)
(353)
$	13,366

$	13,366
458
(152)
$ 13,672 

$	 6,069
  1,505
(860)
(326)
$	 6,388

$	 6,388
  1,262
(150)
$  7,500

$	
$ 

237	
103 

$	 302	
– 
$ 

$	 6,978
$  6,172

For	the	year	ended	December	31,	2013,	$1.3	million	(December	31,	2012	–	$1.5	million)	of	depreciation	was	
recognized for assets included in Property, Plant and Equipment. 

75

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

GIS 

SE –  

SE – 
Externally 
Acquired  Generated  ment 

Internally  Develop- 

Asset under 

LAND 
Develop- 
ment 

LAND  
– Data  
Conversion 

Total

Other 

Cost
Balance	at	December	31,	2011	
Additions 
Disposals  
Impairment losses recognized 
Transfer from PPE 
Balance	at	December	31,	2012		

$	 6,705	 $	 1,355	 $	26,558	 $	 4,632	 $	 1,414	 $	30,685	 $	17,262	 $	88,611
  5,295
(196)
(413)
353
$	 6,705	 $	 1,576	 $	29,301	 $	 6,707	 $	 1,414	 $	30,685	 $	17,262	 $	93,650

  2,488 
– 
(413) 
– 

  2,743 
– 
– 
– 

64 
(196) 
– 
353 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

$	 6,705	 $	 1,576	 $	29,301	 $	 6,707	 $	 1,414	 $	30,685	 $	17,262	 $	93,650
Balance	at	December	31,	2012		
  3,288
Additions  
  (3,574)
Dividend-in-kind (Note 11) 
–
Transfers  
Balance at December 31, 2013   $  6,705  $  1,804  $ 33,756  $  1,738  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 17,262  $ 93,364

  3,288 
– 
  (8,257) 

– 
  (3,391) 
  7,846 

– 
(183) 
411 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Accumulated Depreciation
Balance	at	December	31,	2011	
Amortization 
Disposals  
Transfer from PPE 
Balance	at	December	31,	2012		

$	 6,705	 $	

621	 $	19,137	 $	
497 
(196) 
326 
$	 6,705	 $	 1,248	 $	23,206	 $	

  4,069 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

–	 $	 1,414	 $	30,685	 $	10,928	 $	69,490
  5,721
– 
– 
(196)
– 
– 
– 
326
– 
–	 $	 1,414	 $	30,685	 $	12,083	 $	75,341

  1,155 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Balance	at	December	31,	2012		
Amortization  
Dividend-in-kind (Note 11)  
Recovery of  MARS expenses  
Balance at December 31, 2013   $  6,705  $  1,395   $ 25,618   $ 

$	 6,705	 $	 1,248	 $	23,206	 $	
167 
(20) 
– 

  2,925 
(725) 
212 

– 
– 
– 

–	 $	 1,414	 $	30,685	 $	12,083	 $	75,341
  4,243
– 
– 
– 
(745)
– 
212
– 
– 
–  $  1,414   $ 30,685   $ 13,234   $ 79,051 

  1,151 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Carrying Value
At	December	31,	2012		
At December 31, 2013  

$	
$ 

–	 $	
–  $ 

328	 $	 6,095	 $	 6,707	 $	
409  $  8,138  $  1,738   $ 

–	 $	
–  $ 

–	 $	 5,179	 $	18,309
–  $  4,028   $ 14,313

For	the	year	ended	December	31,	2013,	$4.2	million	(December	31,	2012	–	$5.7	million)	of	amortization	was	
recognized for assets in intangible assets.

10 SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Refinanced	short-term	debt	from	the	GRF,	due	November	1,	2013,	 
bearing interest at 1.16% per annum 

Bankers’ acceptance note, due April 7, 2014, bearing interest at  
1.38% per annum 

Total short-term and long-term debt 

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

$ 

–	

$	9,935

 9,935 

$ 9,935 

–

$ 9,935

The	bankers’	acceptance	note	has	been	classified	as	long-term	as	it	is	provided	under	a	three-year	committed	revolving	
term	loan	facility	and	the	Company	expects	to,	and	has	the	discretion	to,	refinance	the	obligation	under	this	facility.

7 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

As part of the privatization of the Company, the Government transferred the Vital Statistics Registry to another 
Government entity, eHealth, effective June 16, 2013. The intangible assets related to the Vital Statistics Registry were 
transferred	at	their	net	book	value	through	a	dividend-in-kind	to	the	Government	totalling	$2.8	million.		

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Statement of discontinued operations
Revenues 
Expenses 
Net loss from discontinued operations 

12 EARNINGS PER SHARE

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

$  1,074		
  1,829 

$ 

(755)  

$	 2,105
  3,478
$  (1,373) 

The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income after tax and the weighted average number of shares 
outstanding during the period. There are no dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding at year end. Details of the 
earnings per share are set out below:

(thousands of CAD dollars, except number of shares and earnings per share) 

Net income from continuing operations 
Net loss from discontinued operations 

Weighted average number of shares 

Earnings	per	share	($	per	share)
From continuing operations, basic 
From discontinued operations, basic 
Total, from continuing and discontinued operations, basic 

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

$  77,736	
 (755) 

$	 22,613	
(1,373)

17,500,000 

$ 

$ 

4.44 
(0.04) 
4.40 

–

–
–
–

13 EQUITY AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

In November 2012, the Government introduced 
legislation to privatize and enable the sale of shares of 
Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan. The 
Government	indicated	an	intention	to	retain	40 per	cent	
of	the	shares	in	the	Company,	with	the	remaining	60 per	
cent of the Company’s shares to be offered as follows: 
45 per	cent	of	the	shares	would	be	available	for	
Saskatchewan citizens, 5 per cent of the shares would 
be held	for	the	Company	employee	purchase,	and	the	
remainder would be available to outside investors.

In order to facilitate the sale of shares, and as part of  
the privatization, on May 30, 2013, the Company issued 
one Class A Share and one Class B Golden Share (the 
“Golden Share”) to its parent, CIC, for no consideration 
following the continuance of ISC under The Business 
Corporations Act (Saskatchewan), and the Company’s 
retained earnings, as of May 30, 2013, were transferred  
to share capital in accordance with the act. 

Effective June 26, 2013, the Company effected a stock 
split by way of articles of amendment changing the 

number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares from 
one to 17,500,000. On July 9, 2013, the Company 
became publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange 
by completing its Initial Public Offering (the “Offering”) 
of 10,500,000 Class A Limited Voting Shares (the “Class 
A	Shares”)	at	C$14.00	per	share.	On	July	17,	2013,	the	
underwriters exercised in full the Over-Allotment Option 
to purchase an additional 1,575,000 Class A Limited 
Voting Shares. The Offering was a secondary offering 
by the Selling Shareholder, CIC. The Company did not 
receive any proceeds from the Offering. 

The Company’s authorized share capital consists of an 
unlimited number of Class A Shares, one Class B Golden 
Share and an unlimited number of Preferred Shares, 
issuable in series. The Company currently has 17,500,000 
Class A Shares issued and outstanding, one Golden 
Share issued and outstanding and no Preferred Shares 
issued or outstanding. Class A Shares are entitled to one 
vote per share. The Class B Golden Share has certain 
voting rights with respect to the location of the head 
office	and	the	sale	of	all	or	substantially	all	of	the	assets	

77

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of the Company. The Golden Share has no pre-emptive, redemption, purchase or conversion rights and is not eligible 
to receive dividends declared by the Company. The Preferred Shares can be issuable at any time and may include 
voting rights.  

Class A 
June 30 

Class B Golden Share 
December 31

(thousands of CAD dollars, except number of shares)  Number of Shares 

Share Capital 

Number of Shares 

Share Capital

Balance	at	January	1,	2012	
No movement 
Balance at December, 31, 2012 
Issue of shares at continuation 
Class A Share split (1:17,500,000) 
Balance at December 31, 2013 

	–	
– 
– 
1 
17,499,999 
17,500,000 

$	

–	
– 
– 
  19,955 
– 
$  19,955 

–	
– 
– 
1 
– 
1 

$	

$ 

–
–
–
–
–
–

Credit Facility

On July 8, 2013, the Company entered into secured credit 
facilities (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”) provided by a 
Canadian chartered bank in the aggregate amount of 
$19.9	million.	The	Credit	Facilities	are	comprised	of	(i)	a	
$9.9 million	three-year	committed	revolving	term	loan	
facility (the “Revolving Term Facility”) which was used to 
replace the existing short-term indebtedness of the 
Company	to	the	GRF,	and	(ii)	a	$10.0 million	uncommitted	
revolving credit facility (the “Operating Facility”) to be 
used for general corporate purposes. The Revolving Term 
Facility	will	mature	on	July 5,	2016	unless	renewed	prior	
to that time; the Operating Facility is repayable by the 
Company upon demand by the lender and the lender 
may terminate such Operating Facility at any time. 

Borrowings under the Credit Facilities will bear interest 
at a	base	rate	of	prime,	bankers’	acceptance	fee,	letter	of	
credit fee or letter of guarantee fee (each as determined in 
accordance with the terms of the Credit Facilities), plus a 
margin varying between 0.7 per cent and 1.7 per cent per 
annum depending on the type of advance. The Company 
is also required to pay a commitment fee quarterly in 
arrears at the rate of 0.34 per cent per annum of the 
unutilized portion of the Revolving Term Facility loan. 

The	Credit	Facilities	contain	financial	covenants	which	
require the Company to maintain a ratio of Funded Debt 
to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and 
Amortization	(“EBITDA”),	(each	as	defined	in	the	Credit	
Facilities) of less than 2:1 and a Fixed Charge Coverage 
ratio	(as	defined	in	the	Credit	Facilities)	of	greater	than	
1.35:1. The Credit Facilities also contain other positive 
covenants, negative covenants, events of default, 
representations and warranties customary for credit 
facilities of this nature. The Company was in compliance 
with all covenants throughout the year.

7 8       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

All the indebtedness under the Credit Facilities is 
secured	by	a	first	ranking	security	interest	in	all	of	the	
personal	property	and	floating	charge	on	all	real	
property of the Company, a pledge of all shares of the 
Company’s subsidiary, ISC Sask, an unlimited guarantee 
and postponement of claim from ISC Sask guaranteeing 
all of ISC’s indebtedness and obligations to the lender 
and a second ranking security interest (subject to the 
security of the Government under a debenture) in all 
personal	property	and	floating	charge	over	all	property	
of ISC Sask. 

The Company’s capital at December 31, 2013 consisted 
of long-term debt, share capital and retained earnings 
(comprising total shareholders’ equity).  

(thousands of CAD dollars) 
Short-term debt 
Long-term debt 
Share capital 
Retained earnings 
Capitalization 

$ 

December 31,  December 31, 
 2012
$	 9,935
–
–
  21,941
$  31,876

2013 
–	
  9,935 
  19,955 
  60,987 
$  90,877 

14  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND   
RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company does not use any form of derivative 
financial	instruments	to	manage	its	exposure	to	credit	
risk, interest rate risk or market risk.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that one party to a transaction will 
fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party 
to	incur	a	financial	loss.	The	Company	extends	credit	to	
its customers in the normal course of business and is 
exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by 
customers, but does not anticipate such non-performance 
which would be material. The Company monitors the 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
credit	risk	and	credit	rating	of	customers	on a	regular	basis.	The	Company	has	significant	concentration	of	credit	risk	
among government sectors. Its customers are predominantly provincial, federal and municipal government ministries 
and agencies and its private sector customers are diverse. 

Cash is held with a major chartered Canadian bank and management believes the risk of loss to be minimal. The 
maximum	exposure	to	credit	risk	at	December	31,	2013	is	$30.6	million	(December	31,	2012	–	$22.7	million)	equal	to	the	
carrying	value	of	the	Company’s	financial	assets,	those	being	cash	at	$27.6	million	(December	31,	2012	–	$21.1 million)	
and	trade	receivables	at	$3.0 million	(December	31,	2012	–	$1.6	million).	Quarterly	reviews	of	the	aged	receivables	are	
completed. The Company expects to fully collect on all outstanding receivables. Therefore, the risk to the Company is low.

The	following	table	sets	out	details	of	cash	and	aging	of receivables:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Cash 
Current trade receivables and other* 
Up to three months past due date  
Greater than three months past due date  
Total credit risk 

*includes grant receivable

Interest rate risk

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2012

$  27,614	
  2,713 
23 
242 
$  30,592 

$	 21,138
  1,459
26
148
$  22,771

The interest rates on long-term debt are currently managed throughout the three-year term with short-term bankers’ 
acceptance notes with an option to lock in rates at any time. Therefore, this risk to the Company is low.

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity	risk	is	the	risk	that	the	Company	will	not	be	able	to	meet	its	financial	obligations	as	they	fall	due.	The	
Company’s	cash	resources	are	managed	based	on	financial	forecasts	and	anticipated	cash	flows.	

The	following	summarizes	the	contractual	maturities	for	the	Company’s	financial	liabilities	at	December	31,	2013:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Carrying Amount 

Long-term	debt	
Trade and other payables 
Total liabilities 

$	 9,935	
  5,623 
$  15,558 

Contractual 
Cash Flows 

$	 10,087		
  5,623 
$  15,710 

0-6 months 

7-12 months 

1-2 years

$	

152		
  5,623 
$  5,775 

$	

$ 

–	
– 
– 

$	 9,935
–
$  9,935

Contractual	cash	flows	for	long-term	debt	include	principal	and	interest.		

Market risk

The	Company	is	not	exposed	to	market	risk	with	respect	to	financial	instruments	as	it	does	not	hold	any	financial	assets	
or liabilities whose fair value is affected by equity prices.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Classification 

Carrying Amount 

Fair Value 

Carrying Amount  

Fair Value

December 31, 2013 

December 31, 2012

Financial Assets
Cash  
Trade receivables  
Grant receivable  

Financial Liabilities
Trade and other payables*  
Dividend payable  
Short-term debt  
Long-term debt  

*includes provision for early retirement plan

FVTPL 
LAR 
LAR 

OFL 
OFL 
OFL 
OFL 

$  27,614 
  2,978 
– 

$  27,614	
  2,978 
– 

$	 21,138	
  1,432 
201 

$	 21,138
  1,432
201

  5,715 
  3,500 
– 
  9,935 

  5,715 
  3,500 
– 
  9,935 

  4,433 
  5,958 
  9,935 
– 

  4,433
  5,958
  9,935
–

79

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of financial instruments

IFRS require fair value measurements to be categorized 
into levels within a fair value hierarchy based on the 
nature of inputs used in the valuation.  

Level 1 –  Quoted prices are readily available from  

an active market. 

Level 2 –  Inputs, other than quoted prices included  
in level 1 that are observable either directly 
or indirectly.

Level 3 –  Inputs are not based on observable  

market data.

The carrying values of cash, trade receivables, grant 
receivable, trade and other payables, and dividend 
payable approximate fair value due to their immediate or 
relatively short-term maturity. Long-term debt is currently 
managed throughout the three-year term with short-term 
bankers’ acceptance notes and as such the carrying value 
approximates fair value due to the short term to maturity 
as well. It has been determined that there are no 
differences between the carrying amount and the fair 
market value of these instruments and as such, 
considered to be level 1.

15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Included	in	these	financial	statements	are	transactions	
with various Saskatchewan Crown corporations, 
ministries, agencies, boards and commissions related 
to the Company by virtue of common control by 
the Government and non-Crown corporations and 
enterprises	subject	to	joint	control	and	significant	
influence	by	the	Government	(collectively	referred	to	
as “related parties”). The Company has elected to take 
the exemption under IAS 24 – Related Party Disclosures 
which allows government-related entities to limit the 
extent of disclosures about related party transactions 
with government or other government-related entities.

Routine operating transactions with related parties are 
settled at agreed upon exchange amounts under normal 
trade terms. 

In addition, the Company pays provincial sales tax to the 
Ministry of Finance on all its taxable purchases. Taxes paid 
are recorded as part of the cost of those purchases. Other 
amounts and transactions due to and from related parties 
and the terms of settlement are described separately in 
these	financial	statements	and	the	notes	thereto.

8 0       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

16  COMPENSATION OF KEY   

MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

The compensation of directors and other members of the 
key management team during the period were as follows: 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Wages, salaries and  

short-term	benefits	
Defined	contribution	plan	
Total compensation 

December 31,  December 31, 
2012

2013 

$  1,623	
104 
$  1,727 

$	 1,396
98
$  1,494

Members of the key management team include the 
President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer,	Chief	Financial	
Officer	and	the	Vice	Presidents.	

The compensation of directors and the key management 
team is determined by the Compensation Committee of 
the Board of Directors having regard to the performance 
of individuals and market trends. 

17 REVENUE

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

December 31,  December 31, 
2012

2013 

Land Registry, Land Surveys  
  Directory and Geomatics*  $  61,141 	
  9,787 
Personal Property Registry 
  8,170 
Corporate Registry 
33 
Other 
$  79,131 
Total revenue 

$	 57,920	
  9,083
  8,157
56
$  75, 216

*  includes revenue from sale of goods 

$ 

305	

$	

358

18  NET CHANGE IN NON-CASH   

WORKING CAPITAL

The net change during the year comprised the following:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Trade receivables 
GST/HST receivable 
Grant receivable 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses 
Trade and other payables 
Accrued interest 
Income tax payable 
Advances from customers 
Deferred revenue 
Provision for early  
retirement plan 

Net change in non-cash  
  working capital 

December 31,  December 31, 
2012

2013 

$ 

(1,546)	
(2,145) 
201 
2 
(267) 
  1,391 
19 
  2,181 
(369) 
(174) 

(109) 

$	

486
–
74
1
(41)
(500)
–
–
750
(222)

(74)

$ 

(816) 

$ 

474

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

Leasing arrangements

Master Service Agreement

The	Company	leases	all	of	its	office	space	through	
operating	leases.	Operating	leases	related	to	office	
spaces have lease terms of between two to ten years, 
with various options to extend. The Company does not 
have an option to purchase the leased assets at the 
expiry of the lease period. 

The Company leases all of its copiers through operating 
leases. Operating leases related to photocopiers have 
lease terms of three years. The Company does not have 
an option to purchase the leased assets at the expiry of 
the lease period. 

Commitments

Pursuant to a Master Service Agreement (the “MSA”) with 
the Government dated May 30, 2013, the Company was 
appointed on an exclusive basis to manage and operate 
the Land Registry, Land Surveys Directory, PPR and 
Corporate Registry on behalf of the Government for a 
twenty-year term expiring on May 30, 2033. The MSA 
requires the Company to pay to the Government the 
sum	of	$0.5	million	annually,	in	a	single	instalment	
payable on or before March 1 in each calendar year of 
the term commencing with an initial payment due on 
March 1,	2014.	

Future	minimum	payments	for	leasing	of	office	space,	information	technology	service	agreements	with	Hewlett	Packard	
and	ISM	Canada	and	to	the	Government	under	the	MSA	include	the	following	amounts	over	the	next	five	years	as	of	
December 31, 2013:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

2014	
2015 
2016  
2017  
2018 
Thereafter 

Office Leases 

$	 2,322	
  2,329 
792 
563 
493 
  1,086 
$  7,585 

IT Service 
Agreements 

Master Service  
Agreement 

$	 3,676 1	
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
$  3, 676 

$	

500	
500 
500 
500 
500 
  7,500 
$  10,000 

Total

$	 6,498
  2,829
  1,292
  1,063
993
  8,586
$  21,261 

1			Subsequent	to	year	end,	the	Company	entered	into	one-year	extensions	to	the	current	agreements	to	allow	sufficient	time	to	amend	and	renew	a	

longer-term agreement.

Contingencies

The Land Titles Act, 2000 contains assurance provisions that allow customers to recover losses from the Government 
related to certain statutory claims, including those related to the errors or omissions of the provincial Registrar. ISC has 
limited indemnity obligations to the Government in relation to those claims. Concurrent with the execution of the MSA, 
the Company also entered into Registry Operating Agreements with the Government for each of the Registries. Each 
Registry	Operating	Agreement	contains	registry-specific	terms	and	conditions	respecting	the	operation	of 	the	
applicable Registry, including, but not limited to, the fees (“Registry Fees”) we may charge for our services applicable 
to each	Registry	and	the	allowable	increases	to	those	Registry	Fees,	minimum	service	levels	applicable	to	each	Registry	
and	specific	allocation	of	risk	and	liability	associated	with	the	operation	of	each	Registry.	

Management’s estimate of liability for claims and legal actions that may be made by customers pursuant to the 
assurance provision and the MSA is based upon claims submitted; as at December 31, 2013, the liability was nil 
(December 31, 2012 – nil). 

20 PENSION EXPENSE

The	total	pension	costs	of	the	Company	for	the	year	were	$1,442	(2012	–	$1,516).

21 BORROWING COSTS

The amount of borrowing costs capitalized during 2013 and 2012 were nil. 

81

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Board of Directors

(left to right) Douglas Allen Emsley, Jess Huan Chua, William (Scott) Musgrave, Thomas Richard Christiansen, Joel Douglas Teal, 

Anthony Robert Guglielmin, Dion E. Tchorzewski, Bradley S. Sylvester, Michelle Ouellette

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Douglas Allen Emsley 
Regina, Saskatchewan 
Director since:  2013 
Chair of the Compensation 
Committee

Jess Huan Chua 
Calgary, Alberta 
Director since:  2013 
Member of the Audit Committee

William (Scott) Musgrave 
Lloydminster, Alberta 
Director since:  2010 
Member of the Audit Committee

Thomas Richard Christiansen 
Swift Current, Saskatchewan 
Director since:  2009 
Member of the Governance & 
Nominating Committee and a 
member of the Compensation 
Committee

Joel Douglas Teal 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
Director since:  2013 
Chair of the Board of Directors

Anthony Robert Guglielmin 
Vancouver, British Columbia 
Director since:  2013 
Chair of the Audit Committee

Dion E. Tchorzewski 
Regina, Saskatchewan 
Director since:  2013 
Chair of the Governance & 
Nominating Committee

Bradley S. Sylvester 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
Director since:  2008 
Member of the Compensation 
Committee

Michelle Ouellette, QC 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
Director since:  2013 
Member of the Governance & 
Nominating Committee

8 2       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Of ficers

Jeff Stusek 
President &  
Chief	Executive	Officer

Kenneth W. Budzak 
Vice President,  
Operations &  
Customer Experience

Kathy Hillman-Weir 
Vice President,  
Corporate Affairs & 
General Counsel, 
Corporate Secretary  
and	Chief	Privacy	Officer

Shawn B. Peters 
Vice President,  
Finance & Technology,  
and	Chief	Financial	Officer

More	information	on	our	directors	and	officers	can	be	found	in	our	most	
recent Annual Information Form or Management Proxy Circular, which are 
available on our website at www.isc.ca, or through the System for Electronic 
Disclosure and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com.

83

Corporate Infor mation

Head Office

Suite 300 
10 Research Drive 
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4S 7J7 
Canada

Stock Exchange Listing & Symbol

Toronto Stock Exchange:  ISV

Share Capital

Authorized – the Company’s authorized share capital 
consists of an unlimited number of Class A Limited 
Voting Shares (“Class A Shares”), one Class B Golden 
Share and an unlimited number of Preferred Shares.

Class A Shares 

Issued and outstanding – 17,500,000 Class A Shares 
as at	December	31,	2013.	

Class B Golden Share

Issued and outstanding – 1 Class B Golden Share 
(“Golden	Share”)	as	at	December 31,	2013.		

The Golden Share held by the Government of 
Saskatchewan has certain voting rights with respect to 
the	location	of	the	head	office	and	the	sale	of	all	or	
substantially all of the assets of the Company. The 
Golden Share has no pre-emptive, redemption, 
purchase or conversion rights and is not eligible to 
receive dividends declared by the Company.

Preferred Shares

Issued and outstanding – Nil as at December 31, 2013. 

The Preferred Shares can be issuable at any time and 
may include voting rights.

Ownership

The Company’s articles and the ISC Act limit ownership of 
Class A Limited Voting Shares, including joint ownership 
to	no more	than	15	per	cent	of	the	Class	A	Shares	issued	
and outstanding.   

As of March 14, 2014, the Government of Saskatchewan 
was	the	majority	shareholder	as	defined	by	Canadian	
Securities law, holding 31 per cent of the issued and 
outstanding common shares of the company. 

Dividends on Common Shares

On	August	12,	2013,	ISC’s	Board	established	a	policy	of	paying	an	annual	dividend	of	$0.80	per	Class	A	Limited	Voting	
Share to be payable on a quarterly basis. The payment of dividends is not guaranteed, and the amount and timing of 
any dividends payable by the Company will be at the discretion of the Board and will be established on the basis of cash 
available	for	distribution,	financial	requirements,	any	restrictions	imposed	by	our	Credit	Facilities,	the	requirements	of	
any	future	financing	and	other	factors	existing	at	the	time.

Year

Type

Ex-Dividend Date

Record Date

Payable Date

Amount

2013

Quarterly Cash

September 26, 2013

September 30, 2013

October 15, 2013

C$0.18*

2013

Quarterly Cash

December 27, 2013

December 31, 2013

January 15, 2014

C$0.20

*  This dividend represents a partial dividend for the period July 9, 2013 (the closing date of the Company’s Initial Public Offering) to September 30, 2013. 

Dividends are eligible dividends pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended. An eligible dividend paid to a 
Canadian resident is entitled to the enhanced dividend tax credit. For further information on tax implications, please 
consult a tax advisor.

8 4       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Auditors

Deloitte LLP 
Suite 900 
2103 11th Ave 
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 3Z8 
Canada

Transfer Agent

CST Trust Company

Toll Free Inside North America: 1 (800) 387-0825 
Outside North America: 1 (416) 682-3860 
Fax: 1 (888) 249-6189

Website

English: https://www.canstockta.com/en/
InvestorServices/index.html

French: https://www.canstockta.com/fr/Services_aux_
investisseurs/index.html

Regulatory Filings

The	Company’s	filings	are	available	through	the	System	
for Electronic Disclosure and Retrieval (SEDAR) at  
www.sedar.com.

Investor Contact Information

Jonathan Hackshaw 
Director, Investor Relations & Communications 
investor.relations@isc.ca 
Toll Free in North America:  1 (855) 341-8363 
Outside North America:  1 (306) 798-1137

For inquiries related to shares, dividends,  
changes of address:

CST Trust Company 
Toll Free Inside North America:  1 (800) 387-0825 
Outside North America:  1 (416) 682-3860

Annual and Special Meeting

The Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders will be 
held at 2:00 p.m. (Saskatchewan time) on May 13, 2014, 
at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza, 2125 Victoria 
Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 0S3, Canada.

85

2 0 1 3   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

I S C . c a

Info r m atio n Services Corporation
300 – 10 Research Drive

Regina, Saskatchewan  S4S 7J7

Canada

Toll free: 1 (866) 275-4721

8 6       2 0 1 3   I S C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T