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Information Services

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FY2014 Annual Report · Information Services
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Where

Comes

2014 Annual Report

Information

 to Life

2014 ISC Annual Report

ISC

Headquartered in Regina, 
Saskatchewan, Canada, ISC is the 
exclusive provider of land, personal 
property and corporate registry 
administration and management 
services to the Government of 
Saskatchewan under a 20-year 
Master Service Agreement that  
was implemented in May 2013.

In 2013, ISC made the transition 
from a provincial Crown corporation 
owned by the Government of 
Saskatchewan to a publicly traded 
company with shares that began 

trading on July 9, 2013 on the TSX 
under the symbol “ISV”.

Today, we provide unique expertise 
in the full-service management and 
administration of registry services. 
This includes complementary 
and customized information 
services and solutions, as well 
the development of policies and 
procedures to support the integrity 
and authentication of data. We 
serve our customers both online 
and through personal interactions. 

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

Our Values
•  
Integrity
•   Excellence
•   Customer Focus
•   Accountability
•   Commitment to People
•   Leadership

C O N T E N T S

Letter from our Chair 

Letter from our CEO 

2014 Performance Highlights 

Strategic Priorities 

Management’s Discussion & Analysis 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

Board of Directors 

Officers 

Corporate Information 

2

4

6

8

9

47

73

74

75

2014 ISC Annual Report

1

Where  
Information  
Comes to Life

At ISC, we bring reliability, security  
and authenticity to registry information. 

We believe the value of what we do goes deeper than the maintenance of registries. 
We see the value gained as we bring information to life – related to the ownership 
information of homes, prized possessions or businesses. 

Over the past 14 years, ISC has developed systems and processes to meet the needs  
of a broad range of end-use customers – individuals and businesses, including real 
estate agents, home builders, 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. 

Fuelled by our expertise in registry services and supported by a 20-year Master 
Service Agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan signed in 2013, we are 
drawing on our experience and our data to deliver more – by enhancing the way  
we gather information and exploring new ways to provide public data that matters.

At ISC, we are providing an alternative service delivery model for information 
management – meeting the needs of individuals, industries and governments  
who see information as opportunity.

2

2014 ISC Annual Report

Joel Teal
Chair, 
Board of Directors

3

Letter from Our Chair

The successful transformation of ISC 

from Crown corporation to publicly 

traded company was an exciting 

accomplishment – one that marked 

the beginning of an era filled with 

opportunities and potential. 

The objective of our transformation has been clear 
from the outset: we believe ISC has a reputation 
and capabilities that hold value in a broader 
marketplace. As a Board, we see a well-run, well-
managed business that can be successful not  
only in Saskatchewan, but in other jurisdictions  
as well. Quite simply, we view the transition as a 
springboard to a new and exciting path. 

Creating value for our stakeholders, including  
the investors who recognized the potential of ISC, 
is a primary goal of our Board of Directors. We 
support the Company’s plan for growth through 
the enhancement and expansion of services 
and possibly, when the right opportunities are 
presented, acquisitions.

Our Company has a track record of providing 
reliable service to its customers and, in doing so, 
generating the profitability to support a stable 
dividend. As a Board, we intend to maintain  
that course.

Building Capacity 
In striving to become a larger and more profitable 
business, we recognize the need to build capacity. 
That holds true at the board level as well. 

To that end and in keeping with best practices, we 
remain attentive to our skills matrix to identify the 
various skill sets required for our Board to provide 
oversight and direction to management.  

We continue to identify our strengths as well  
as areas that we can enhance in the years ahead.  
Even though our Board demonstrated its 
capabilities as we entered the publicly traded 
space, we will always push ourselves to get better.

Assessing the Future 
In the same way the Board took an objective 
approach to assessing our capabilities, we 
continually assess the strategies and performance 
of our senior management team. 

ISC has strong and talented leaders who share 
our desire to build capacity and to expand the 
company’s services, reach and profitability.  
We know it will take time for some longer-term 
initiatives to take hold, but we are confident in  
their ability to adapt to changing times and to  
the needs of prospective customers. 

As we work toward the Company’s long-term 
goals, we also set expectations and benchmarks 
that help shape our executive compensation and 
incentive programs. We measure progress and 
reward our people for their achievements, knowing 
this is important to attracting and retaining top 
talent. (Details are included in the Management 
Information Circular.)

At all levels of our Company – from the Board to 
our executive team to our front-line employees – we 
have people committed to leading ISC forward and 
to delivering the performance required to reward 
our investors. 

As a Board, we look forward to the ongoing success 
of ISC, confident in our ability to serve customers 
and create value for investors.

Sincerely,

Joel Teal 
Chair

2014 ISC Annual Report4

2014 ISC Annual Report

Jeff Stusek
President and  
Chief Executive 
Officer

Letter from Our CEO

In 2014, our first full year as a 

publicly traded company, ISC  

had something to prove.

It was our mission to demonstrate 

that we could be successful in our 

transition from Crown corporation to 

private entity; that our people could 

build on a long history of customer 

service and innovation; and that  

we could deliver stable financial 

performance while laying the 

foundation for future growth, just  

as we promised in our initial public 

offering in 2013. 

new structure; met the conditions outlined in our 
20-year Master Service Agreement (MSA) with the 
Government of Saskatchewan; and made progress 
toward our longer-term objective of creating value 
for our investors and other stakeholders. 

Now as we move forward, we will continue to be  
a leader in the administration and management of 
registry information. ISC is not only a place where 
information comes to life; we are a company that  
is vibrant and thriving.

Performing in Times of Change 
Significantly, our transition came in a year that  
saw a slowdown in economic growth across Canada 
– including Saskatchewan, where we have provided 
registry services since our inception. 

Without question, a softer economy can affect the 
number of houses sold, construction projects started, 
corporations formed and survey plans submitted, but 
the work of collecting and maintaining information 
does not stop. To some, authentic, reliable information 
becomes even more valuable.

Thanks to the insight and determination of our 
people – from our Board of Directors to our front-
line employees – we achieved those priorities. We 
adapted to the regulatory requirements of our 

ISC generated revenues of $80.5 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2014, an increase 
of $1.4 million or 1.7 per cent compared to 

5

$79.1 million for the year ended December 31, 
2013. While that represents a modest increase, it 
demonstrates that our existing business remains 
strong and stable, even in a challenging economic 
climate. Although we handled fewer transactions, 
the value of those transactions increased, 
contributing to improved financial performance.   

At the same time, we tackled operational changes 
and introduced new services designed to optimize 
our performance in the years ahead. In our survey 
business, we introduced technology that enables 
customers to submit land survey plans online, giving 
them quicker feedback and reducing our costs. 
Furthermore, we also introduced improvements 
to our map-search technology. Delivering cost 
effective technology is an important part of our 
evolution moving forward.

To that end, we began working on technology 
improvements for the Corporate Registry that we 
expect to implement in 2016. It is a measure of how 
we think and operate – ISC is not content to merely 
maintain the services we provide; we are committed 
to advancing our systems and delivering value to 
our customers and our shareholders. 

By continuing our own evolution, we are setting  
the stage for continuing strong, stable performance, 
even in a more challenging economic climate.

Meeting Our Commitments 
Fundamental to our business success is our ability to 
deliver on the requirements of the Master Service 
Agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan. 
As the long-time provider of registry services in 
the province of Saskatchewan, we have a primary 
responsibility to collect, authenticate and maintain 
registry information.

As our largest client, the Government of 
Saskatchewan established numerous criteria 
and performance measures to ensure ISC would 
continue to deliver reliable services and that the 
integrity of the registries would be maintained. 
It was a living test of our new relationship, as 
we addressed new requirements for transition, 
contingency plans and service levels.

Again, our people stepped up and proved their 
ability to meet the needs and expectations of our 
customers. We fulfilled all our service commitments 
to the Government of Saskatchewan in every area 
of our business and substantially completed all  
the required actions of our contract in 2014.

Meeting our commitments to our largest client 
provides a foundation for our business, but it is 
has another important context. One of our growth 
priorities is replicating the services we provide to 
the province of Saskatchewan in other jurisdictions. 
For this to be achieved, it is important that we 
continue to demonstrate we can reliably deliver 
services normally provided by governments.  
I am pleased to say that we continue to receive 
positive ratings from our customers in our annual 
satisfaction survey.   

We have travelled a long way in our first 18 months 
as a publicly traded company. Along the way, 
we have created a roadmap that will help other 
jurisdictions see it is possible to turn over the cost 
and responsibility for operating registry services 
without sacrificing quality of service or reliability.

By proving our capabilities in 2014, we moved 
along the path toward earning the trust of future 
clients and end-use customers. 

Our Next Steps 
In 2015, we intend to continue the pursuit of our 
growth objectives – through the expansion of 
services, assessing acquisition opportunities, and 
offering an alternative service delivery model to 
governments in other jurisdictions.  

In 2014, we saw initial success in our enhancement 
strategy having been awarded a contract by the 
Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety in 
Saskatchewan to develop and administer an 
asbestos registry for Saskatchewan. We intend  
to pursue opportunities such as this in 2015. 

Creating shareholder value is a priority and we will 
pursue this in a thoughtful and prudent manner. 
Knowing we need to walk before we run, we are 
ensuring we have the right processes in place to 
assess new opportunities, while protecting the 
value of our Company for shareholders. 

We move into 2015 ready for the next stage of our 
evolution – ready to consistently deliver efficient 
performance while we explore new opportunities 
to deliver shareholder value. 

Sincerely,

Jeff Stusek 
President and Chief Executive Officer

2014 ISC Annual Report6

2014 ISC Annual Report

2014 Performance 
Highlights: Bringing 
Our Strategy to Life

In 2014, ISC demonstrated its ability to execute on its strategic priorities. 

ISC adapted to its new structure as a publicly traded company, achieved 

modest growth and maintained the stability in service delivery and 

dividend return that stakeholders expect.

.

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Although we were challenged by a slower rate of 

Revenue generated by our Land Titles Registry 

growth in Saskatchewan’s economy, we increased  

increased even though volumes have been relatively 

our revenue by $1.4 million over 2013. Consistent 

flat, as the percentage of high-value transactions rose 

with our historical performance, the Land Registry 

from the previous year. As a large portion of our fees 

accounted for $62.0 million of revenue and remains 

are charged based on the value of the transaction, we 

the largest part of our business, while the Personal 

generated more revenue.

Property Registry added $9.9 million and Corporate 

Registry $8.2 million.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 ISC Annual Report

7

EBITDA* MARGIN

ANNUAL DIVIDEND

37.6%

$0.80

Per Share

PURSUING EFFICIENCY    

PAYING DIVIDENDS     

As we continue to seek opportunities to grow revenue, 

With a strong balance sheet, little debt and a long 

we are identifying areas to reduce our operating costs  

history of stable performance, ISC has made a priority 

and increase net income. 

of returning dividends to investors while using our 

significant free cash flow to responsibly explore new 

opportunities. ISC delivered approximately a 4 per cent 

dividend yield – $14.0 million – to shareholders in 2014. 

INNOVATING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY     

EXPANDING SERVICES      

MapSearch is one of the ways that ISC brings 

The same capabilities that make ISC a leader in land, 

information to life – using our historical archives  

corporate and personal property registries can be 

and survey information to provide detailed information 

applied in other areas and represent opportunities 

about property in Saskatchewan. In December 2014, 

for growth. As an example, in October 2014, ISC was 

we implemented an upgrade to our MapSearch  

selected by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Labour Relations 

system, that makes it easier for customer to access  

and Workplace Safety to develop an asbestos registry.

the information they need.

In addition, we completed the transition to mandatory 

online submission for survey plans, streamlining the 

process for users and reducing our internal time and cost.

* Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization

8

2014 ISC Annual Report

Our Strategic Priorities

While reliability and stability are ISC’s foundation, we continue 

to look for ways to expand our business, build our revenue and 

create value for shareholders.

1.  EARNINGS GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE   

3. GROWTH IDENTIFICATION AND EXECUTION

COST MANAGEMENT

With our core services and 20-year Master 
Service Agreement with the Government of 
Saskatchewan, we have a stable base and 
opportunities for organic growth by continuing 
to do what we do – and doing it well.

At the same time, we can generate greater 
returns through the ongoing improvement of 
internal systems. Our goal is to create long-
term sustainable cost savings that allow us to 
maximize revenue growth.

2.    ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS   

AND COMPLIANCE

In 2014, we placed a high priority on 
completing the successful transition from 
Crown corporation to publicly traded  
company – both as a business transition  
and a cultural shift.

We implemented systems and processes to 
ensure we met the requirements associated 
with being a publicly traded company as  
well as the commitments of our Master  
Service Agreement.

In 2014, ISC moved toward growth on three  
key fronts:

Expansion of Services 
Each day presents new and immediate 
opportunities for growth. We listen to 
government, industry and individual  
customers to identify ways to deliver 
information and information management  
to their lives.

As the keeper of large volumes of reliable 
information, ISC’s analytics can help shape 
decision-making for our customers.

Acquisitions
In 2014, we continued to develop a framework 
for future acquisitions – developing the 
strategy and processes needed to assess and 
evaluate opportunities that are aligned with 
our long-term strategic plan. 

Replication
ISC’s reputation and experience make 
it possible to deliver the same suite of 
services we provide to the Government of 
Saskatchewan to other jurisdictions. Although 
it requires time for governments to examine 
the benefits of alternative service delivery 
options, we are well positioned to provide  
a full-service solution as change happens.

2014 ISC Annual Report

9

Management’s
Discussion and Analysis

of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2014

TA B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S

Introduction 

Responsibility for Disclosure 

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

Highlights 

Selected Financial Information 

Business Overview 

Business Strategy 

Core Competencies and Strengths 

Results of Operations 

Summary of Quarterly Results 

Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Share-Based Compensation Plan 

Outlook 

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

Related Party Transactions 

Critical Accounting Estimates 

Changes in Accounting Policies 

Financial Instruments and Financial Risks 

Business Risks and Risk Management 

Non-IFRS Measures 

Evaluation of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

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10

Introduction

In the coming pages, Information Services Corporation 
(“ISC”) presents its Management’s Discussion and Analysis 
(“MD&A”), a report that discusses our financial and 
operating 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 audited Consolidated Financial 
Statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 
and 2013. Additional information, including our Annual 
Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014, 
is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Responsibility for Disclosure

This MD&A contains information from our audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements (the “Financial 
Statements”) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 
2013 and 2012, prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The 
financial information that appears throughout our MD&A  
is consistent with the Financial Statements.

Unless otherwise noted, or unless the context indicates 
otherwise, ‘‘ISC’’, the ‘‘Company’’, ‘‘we’’, ‘‘us’’ and ‘‘our’’ 
refer to Information Services Corporation, its subsidiaries 
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.

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 17, 2015. 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 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.

This MD&A contains forward-looking statements and 
should be read in conjunction with the “Caution Regarding 
Forward-Looking Statements” section below.

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’’, ‘‘expect’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘trend’’, 
‘‘indicate’’, ‘‘anticipate’’, ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘predict’’, 
‘‘project’’, ‘‘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” section 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, fluctuations in the Canadian 
dollar, 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, debt levels, free 
cash flow, 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.

Introduction  |  Responsibility for Disclosure  |  Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

2014 ISC Annual Report11

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

•  our insurance may not provide adequate coverage;

•  litigation and tax matters;

•  our liability to the Government of Saskatchewan 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 (“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 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.

Certain assumptions with respect to the Saskatchewan 
economy, the impact of commodity prices, such as 
agricultural commodities, oil and potash and the 
value of the Canadian dollar on 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, the compensation and 
benefits that will be paid or provided to employees and 
our level of customer service, as well as goodwill and 
intangibles are material factors in preparing forward-
looking statements and management’s expectations.

Many factors could cause 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:

•  potential disagreements with the Government of 

Saskatchewan;

•  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 
behaviour;

•  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;

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

2014 ISC Annual Report12

Highlights

Fourth Quarter Highlights

•  Revenue was $19.8 million for the three months ended 

December 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.2 million or 
1.4 per cent, compared to $20.0 million for the three 
months ended December 31, 2013. Revenue excludes 
the Vital Statistics Registry, which is treated as a 
discontinued operation in 2013.

•  EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation 
and amortization) for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 
$7.0 million compared to $8.3 million in the fourth 
quarter of 2013, a decrease of 15.5 per cent.

•  ISC’s EBITDA margin for the fourth quarter of 2014 

was 35.6 per cent compared to the 41.6 per cent in the 
fourth quarter of 2013.

•  Adjusted EBITDA was $7.0 million for the quarter 

compared to $8.4 million in the same quarter last year, 
with ISC generating an adjusted EBITDA margin of 
35.6 per cent for the quarter compared to 41.9 per cent 
in the fourth quarter of 2013. The adjusted EBITDA 
margin for the three months ended December 31, 2013 
was higher, reflecting adjustments for costs associated 
with the Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) on July 9, 2013. As 
no adjustments were made for the IPO and discontinued 
operations in the fourth quarter 2014, adjusted EBITDA 
mirrors EBITDA for the period.

•  Net income for the three months ended December 31, 
2014 was $4.0 million, or $0.23 per share. In the fourth 
quarter of 2013, net income was $4.7 million, or $0.27 
per share.

Year End Highlights

•  Revenue was $80.5 million for the year ended 

December 31, 2014, an increase of $1.4 million or 
1.7 per cent, compared to $79.1 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2013. Revenue excludes the Vital 
Statistics Registry, which is treated as a discontinued 
operation in 2013.

•  EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 
$30.2 million compared to $30.6 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 1.0 per cent.

•  ISC’s EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 

2014 was 37.6 per cent compared to 38.1 per cent in the 
year ended December 31, 2013. The Land Titles Registry 
saw a large number of high value property transactions 

Highlights

90.0

75.0

60.0

45.0

30.0

15.0

0.0

40.0

35.0

30.0

25.0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0

30.0

25.0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0

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

.

2
5
7

.

1
9
7

.

5
0
8

2012

2013

2014

EBITDA1 and Adjusted EBITDA1 
for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA

.

8
8
2

.

2
0
3

.

6
0
3

.

0
4
3

.

2
0
3

.

2
0
3

2012

2013

2014

1  For a reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA see section name “Financial Measures and Key Performance 

Indicators”. 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 section name “Non-IFRS Measures”.

Free cash flow 1 for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

.

6
1
2

.

9
7
2

.

9
3
2

2012

2013

2014

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

2014 ISC Annual Report 
13

in 2014, which generated a high fee per transaction. The 
number of high value transactions was higher than our 
long-term average. Typically, high value transactions 
are around 4.9 per cent of total revenue. In 2014, high 
value transactions were 6.7 per cent of the Company’s 
revenue which directly affects EBITDA margins. Not 
considering these high value transactions, ISC would 
have achieved an EBITDA of 36.7 per cent in 2014.

•  Adjusted EBITDA was $30.2 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2014 compared to $34.0 million in the 
same period last year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin 
of 37.6 per cent for the year ended December 31, 
2014 compared to 43.0 per cent in the same period of 
2013. The adjusted EBITDA margin for the year ended 
December 31, 2013 was unusually high; reflecting 
adjustments for costs associated with the IPO on July 9, 
2013 and discontinued operations. As no adjustments 
were made for the IPO and discontinued operations in 
2014, adjusted EBITDA mirrors EBITDA for the period.

•  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 
$18.4 million or $1.05 per share. For the year ended 
December 31, 2013, net income was $77.0 million, or 
$4.40 per share; however, for comparative purposes,  
it is important to note that ISC claimed an income tax 
recovery in the second quarter of 2013. Excluding tax 
implications and discontinued operations, ISC saw a 

decrease in income for the year ended 2014 compared 
to the same period of 2013 of $0.5 million, or 2.0 per cent. 
This translates to $1.45 per share for the year ended 
December 31, 2014 compared to $1.48 per share for the 
same period in 2013.

•  In 2014, ISC signed new five-year service agreements with 
the Company’s information technology service providers.

•  ISC delivered a new release of Map Search which supports 
improved performance, usability and new content that will 
meet the needs of customers more effectively.

•  ISC completed the mandatory plan submission online 
(“PSO”) project which will require all Plans of Survey 
to be submitted in a standardized digital format. The 
PSO tool allows surveyors to check their Plans of Survey 
for completeness and accuracy prior to submission to 
ISC. This is expected to reduce the amount of manual 
examination required and costs previously associated 
with the submission of survey plans.

•  ISC engaged in a non-solicited presentation for the 

development of an asbestos registry with the Ministry  
of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and was 
named the provider in an advanced contract award 
notice posted in October 2014.

Highlights

2014 ISC Annual Report14

Selected Financial Information

The selected annual financial information set out for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is derived 
from the Company’s Financial Statements and has been prepared on a consistent basis. In the opinion of the Company’s 
management, such financial data reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for those periods.

The Vital Statistics Registry was transferred to eHealth Saskatchewan in 2013. As a result, our presentation includes 
adjusted numbers to provide a more accurate comparison of results between periods. The results for the Vital Statistics 
Registry are reflected under section name “Discontinued Operations”.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenue 
Net income and total comprehensive income 
EBITDA1 
Adjusted EBITDA1 
EBITDA margin (% of revenue) 1 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 
Free cash flow 1 
Dividend declared 2 

Year Ended December 31,

 2014 

2013 

2012

$  80,459 
  18,360 
$  30,240 
  30,240 
  37.6% 
  37.6% 
$  23,914 
0.80 

$  79,131 
  76,981 
$  30,554 
  34,008 
  38.1% 
  43.0% 
$  27,862 
0.38 

$  75,216
  21,240
$  28,794
  30,167
  37.2%
  40.1%
$  21,612
–

Earnings per share ($ per share) 
From continuing and discontinued operations, basic and diluted 3 
From continuing operations excluding income tax expense and  

$ 

1.05 

$ 

4.40 

$ 

discontinued operations, basic and diluted 4 

1.45 

1.48 

–

–

Total assets 
Total non-current liabilities 

Year Ended December 31,

 2014 

2013 

2012

$ 109,720 
  10,417 

$ 108,101 
  10,814 

$  48,638
1,493

1  For a reconciliation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, see section name “Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators”. EBITDA, 

EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and free cash flow 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 section name “Non-IFRS Measures”.

2  Dividends declared per share for 2013 are since the Company’s listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) 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 section name “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 of Saskatchewan under a 20-
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.

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

ISC is distinguished from typical registry software 
providers by its unique expertise in the full-service 
management and administration of registries. In addition 
to the registry services, ISC offers complementary and 
customized information services and solutions. ISC works 

Selected Financial Information  |  Business Overview

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

The end-users of our products and services are individuals 
and businesses, including real estate agents, 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, in 2014, ISC presents its 
operational and financial performance based on its three 
major registry services:

•  The 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 registers land survey 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 notice-based 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

•  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.

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

15

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 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, the 
Land Registry includes the Land Titles Registry, the Land 
Surveys and Geomatics.

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.

Business Overview

2014 ISC Annual Report16

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

Revenue for the Land Titles Registry is earned through 
registration, search and maintenance fees. 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.

The following chart describes some of the main revenue 
components for the Land Titles Registry.

mapping system depicts the land survey system with 
surface and mineral ownership parcel boundaries.

Land Surveys services include registrations, searches and 
related survey services. Revenue related to all services is 
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.

The following chart describes some of the main revenue 
components for Land Surveys.

REGISTR ATION
•  Title transfers

•  Interest registrations, assignments and amendments

•  Revenue is earned through both value-based and  

REGISTR ATION
•  Plan registrations

•  Plan change orders

flat fees

•  Revenue is earned through flat fees

SEARCH
•  Web searches of Land Titles Registry information

SEARCH
•  Web searches of Land Surveys information

•  Bulk data requests for Land Titles Registry 

•  Revenue is earned through flat fees

information

•  Revenue is generated through flat fees for 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

The Company typically charges a flat fee per transaction 
for search and maintenance transactions; however, in 
certain instances, we may 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 

SERVICES
•  Parcel picture on demand service

•  Revenue is generated through flat fees for standard 
services or negotiated fees for customized services

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 provided vary considerably.

For example, the Company has developed the GeoSask 
portal (www.geosask.ca) to provide free online public 
access to Saskatchewan geospatial data in partnership 
with a group of Government of Saskatchewan 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 right under license to use the geospatial 

Business Overview

2014 ISC Annual Report17

data within the GeoSask portal to support ancillary 
product and services offerings.

The following chart describes some of the main revenue 
components for the PPR.

Unlike the other services offered within the Land Registry, 
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, 
ISC receives an annual fee from certain Government of 
Saskatchewan ministries and agencies for operating the 
GeoSask portal, but does not receive transaction-based 
fees related to use of the portal.

The Company has 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 early 2015, we signed a service 
agreement with the Ministry of Economy to host and 
support the MARS system in exchange for a service fee.

In a similar service, ISC led the development of the 
Saskatchewan Civic Address Registry (‘‘CAR Project”), 
under contract with the Ministry of Government Relations 
to create a province-wide civic address registry and an 
online maintenance system. We are finalizing the terms  
of a service agreement with the Saskatchewan Ministry 
of the Economy to host and support the CAR Project in 
exchange for a service fee.

Personal Property Registry

The PPR is a notice-based 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 revenue.

Under the PPR, customers are charged flat fees per 
transaction.

REGISTR ATION
•  Registration or setup events for Personal Property 

security agreements or judgments

•  Revenue is generated from flat fees

SEARCH
•  Web searches of PPR or Judgment Registry information

•  Revenue is generated from flat fees

MAINTENANCE
•  Amendments

•  Renewals

•  Discharges

•  Revenue is generated by flat fees

PPR’s automated web-based systems enable real-time 
completion of search and registration services and minimize 
operational effort to deliver services. Approximately 
99.0 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.

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, the Company earns the majority of its fees 
in relation to maintenance services provided to entities 
that file annual returns or wish to make changes to their 
structure or business profile.

Business Overview

2014 ISC Annual Report18

The following chart describes some of the main revenue 
components for the Corporate Registry.

REGISTR ATION
•  Registration or incorporations

SEARCH
•  Name search and reservation service

•  Searches of Corporate Registry information

MAINTENANCE
•  Annual returns

•  Amendments, amalgamations, discontinuances

•  Rush fees

During the course of the third quarter of 2014, the 
Company engaged the support of a third-party vendor 
to assist with ISC’s efforts to renew and enhance the 
operations which support the Corporate Registry. This 
includes the renewal and enhancement of the technology 
supporting the Corporate Registry which will help 
streamline processes and lead to an enhanced service 
for customers. The Company is currently targeting 
completion of this project for the spring of 2016.

Business Registration Saskatchewan

We have developed and launched Business Registrations 
Saskatchewan which was first offered in 2011 as part of a 
new initiative designed to deliver a suite of government 
and information services to Saskatchewan business 
owners within a single window. 

Business Registrations Saskatchewan enables new 
businesses to complete three initial steps to register in 
one online environment by permitting business owners 
to access the Corporate Registry, register as an employer 
with Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board and 
register for Provincial Sales Tax with the Saskatchewan 
Ministry of Finance. We do not currently charge any 
additional fees for business owners who register through 
Business Registrations Saskatchewan. Refer to our website 
for more information (www.isc.ca/business registrations).

Pursuant to the Master Service Agreement, we have 
agreed to continue to provide services, and have been 

Business Overview

appointed as the exclusive provider of services relating 
to the Business Registrations Saskatchewan (referred to 
in the Master Service Agreement as “Business Portal”), 
for a period (the ‘‘Initial Business Portal Term’’) ending 
on November 30, 2015. During the Initial Business Portal 
Term, we are entitled to develop and charge fees for 
additional services or add-ons. Should we wish to continue 
the provision of Business Registrations Saskatchewan after 
the Initial Business Portal Term, we will negotiate with the 
Province the terms, including any fees that we may charge, 
of such continuance.

Saskatchewan Asbestos Registry

On November 7, 2013, Saskatchewan proclaimed 
legislation requiring mandatory reporting of public 
buildings known to contain asbestos. The Saskatchewan 
Asbestos Registry of Public Buildings has been created 
to share information about public buildings containing 
asbestos. The current registry is not searchable.

During 2014, ISC was named as the provider in an advanced 
contract award notice and began the development of an 
asbestos registry with the Saskatchewan Ministry of 
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety (“LRWS”). ISC is 
working with LRWS to develop a user-friendly, searchable 
online Asbestos Registry of Public Buildings. ISC will 
subsequently host and maintain the online registry on 
behalf of the Ministry. 

econveyance™ Transaction

On December 22, 2014, ISC announced that the 
Company entered into an asset purchase agreement 
with OneMove Technologies Inc., OneMove Online 
Systems Inc. and related parties, (collectively, 
“OneMove”) to acquire econveyance™, a proprietary 
online conveyancing solution. On February 5, 2015, the 
Company announced that it had received a Request 
for Information from the Competition Bureau and that 
the closing of the transaction had not yet occurred. On 
March 16, 2015, the Company announced that, by mutual 
agreement, the sale by OneMove and purchase by ISC of 
the econveyance™ business, as previously announced, is 
not proceeding. OneMove and the Company have signed 
a mutual release and termination agreement.

2014 ISC Annual ReportExpenses

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

•  Depreciation and amortization includes the cost of the 
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
over their useful life.

•  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.

•  Professional services include legal, audit and business 

consulting services.

•  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, 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, 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 
from 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 ISC’s continuation as a wholly owned subsidiary of 
Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan (“CIC”). 
ISC’s tax-exempt status changed on June 27, 2013, when 

19

ISC and CIC entered into an Underwriting Agreement 
with a syndicate of underwriters. As a result, the impact of 
the change in tax status is reflected in the December 31, 
2013 comparative figures. ISC is subject to federal and 
provincial income taxes at an estimated combined rate of 
27.0 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 have been reacquired at the 
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 bases of 
certain of the Company’s assets upon the change in tax 
status created a deferred tax asset.

Business Strategy

Strategic Direction

In 2014, ISC demonstrated solidified operations as a 
publicly traded company, produced robust financial results, 
and advanced the exploration of growth opportunities. 
All of this was achieved while meeting current customer 
expectations and maintaining stable, effective operations, 
ensuring a strong foundation of continued stability to 
enable our growth.

ISC is committed to delivering on a strategy that focuses 
on the creation of shareholder value, provided through 
consistent financial excellence and an attractive, stable 
dividend, with an eye to prudently exploring growth 
opportunities in the evolving information services market.

We maintain our dedication to effectively delivering 
exclusive registry services to the Government of 
Saskatchewan through the 20-year Master Service 
Agreement. We continue to believe that the successful 
execution of these services to the Province and its citizens 
is key to enhancing our brand and exposing opportunities 
both inside and outside of Saskatchewan.

At the same time, we know that opportunities for growth, 
both through execution of new and enhanced offerings 
in Saskatchewan and beyond as well as earnings growth 
through increased margins, is an area worthy of pursuit. ISC 
will continue to seek opportunities to grow the Company 
in a meaningful, sustainable way, remaining attentive to 
alignment with the expectations of our shareholders.

Business Overview  |  Business Strategy

2014 ISC Annual Report20

Strategic Priorities

ISC continues to focus on three strategic priorities that we 
believe contribute to value creation, risk management and 
efficiency enhancements:

•  Exploring replication and alternative services delivery 

opportunities across Canada; and

•  Harnessing the potential of data and analytics.

1.  Earnings Growth and Sustainable Cost Management

Core Competencies and Strengths

•  Deliver consistent EBITDA growth with a focus 

on increased margins through the generation of 
permanent cost efficiencies; and

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

•  Focus on primary cost centres to manage 
expenditures and prioritize investments.

History

2.  Organizational Effectiveness and Compliance

•  Implement systems and process renewal to support 
earnings growth and the evolving needs of current 
and potential customers; and

•  Deliver on credible, efficient registry services in 

compliance with the Master Service Agreement with 
the Government of Saskatchewan.

3.  Growth Identification and Execution

•  Replication of ISC service offerings in other 

jurisdictions;

Extensive experience in developing and fostering 
relationships with governments

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

Innovation and Efficiency

•  Incremental growth through service enhancements 

Unique expertise in providing full-service registry services

and new products; and

•  Acquisition of companies, systems and assets 

to enhance ISC’s ability to compete in current or 
new business lines, markets or through expanded 
product offerings.

Strategic Principles

In alignment with these priorities, we have identified 
several related principles that support our strategic 
focus, including:

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

•  Delivering reliable returns to shareholders by sustaining 

and enhancing dividends over time;

•  Maximizing our balance sheet strength, both from a 

cash and debt perspective;

•  Leveraging our brand and experiences gained through 

our long-term relationship with the Government of 
Saskatchewan to realize increased opportunities in  
the province;

Business Strategy  |  Core Competencies and Strengths

ISC manages registry information and service delivery 
processes, providing a full-service offering for 
governments or private-sector organizations to fully 
outsource these processes. 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 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 of Saskatchewan

ISC is the provider of Land Registry, Land Surveys, 
Personal Property Registry, and Corporate Registry 
services for the Government of Saskatchewan. Under the 
terms of the MSA, we have the exclusive right to manage 
and operate the registries on behalf of the Government  
of Saskatchewan until 2033.

2014 ISC Annual Report21

Reliability

Solid financial position

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

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.

Transformation

Opportunity

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

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 of Saskatchewan to 
a publicly traded company with shares trading on the 
TSX was a significant milestone for our organization that 
positioned us to seek new opportunities and diversify 
our business into the future. With access to capital, 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.

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. 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.

Core Competencies and Strengths

2014 ISC Annual Report22

Results of Operations

Fourth Quarter Results 
From continuing and discontinued operations

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenue 

Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys and Geomatics 
Personal Property Registry 
Corporate Registry 
Other 

Expenses 
  Wages and salaries 

Information technology services 
Depreciation and amortization 
Occupancy costs 
Professional and consulting services  
Project initiatives 
Other 

Income from continuing operations before net finance expense (income) 
Finance expense (income) 
Interest income 
Interest expense 

Net finance expense (income) 
Income from continuing operations before tax 
Income tax expense   
Net income and total comprehensive income 
EBITDA1 
Adjusted EBITDA1 

Three Months Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  15,054 
  2,338 
  2,017 
350 
  19,759 

  6,422 
  2,703 
  1,392 
  1,068 
  1,263 
465 
803 
  14,116 
  5,643 

(87) 
30 
(57) 
  5,700 
  1,686 
$  4,014 
$  7,035 
  7,035 

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

5,469
2,862
1,206
1,100
943
475
860
  12,915
7,124

(67)
68
1
7,123
2,380
4,743
8,330
8,395

$ 
$ 

1  For a reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, see section name “Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators”. 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, are not comparable to similar measures by other corporations. See section name “Non-IFRS Measures”.

Revenue

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, revenue 
from these activities was $19.8 million, a decrease of 
$0.2 million, or 1.4 per cent, compared to $20.0 million for 
the three months ended December 31, 2013.

(i)  Land Registry

Revenue for the Land Registry was $15.1 million for the 
three months ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of 
$0.6 million, or 4.0 per cent, compared to the three months 
ended December 31, 2013. Results were weaker in the last 

quarter of 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, 
due to a slowing Saskatchewan economy.

The majority of the revenue generated from the Land 
Registry is from the Land Titles Registry where the fees the 
Company earns are value based. While the average price 
of existing housing continues to increase in Saskatchewan, 
overall, the pace has slowed. The most recent data 
from Statistics Canada New Housing Price Index 1 for 
Saskatchewan as at November 2014 indicates that there 
was a year-over-year increase of 1.2 per cent compared to 

1  Statistics Canada. Table 327-0046 – New housing price indexes, monthly (index, 2007=100), CANSIM (database), accessed January 16, 2015.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

23

November 2013. This increase has been declining month to month for all of 2014, as the monthly index results themselves 
were relatively flat in 2014. The balance of revenue in the Land Registry is generated on flat fees charged on search and 
registration transactions.

The composition of the Land Registry’s revenue by type of transaction as shown in the chart below demonstrates 
decreases in registration, search and maintenance revenue when comparing the three months ended December 31, 2014 
to the same period in 2013. The fourth quarter is typically weaker than the third quarter, which is consistent year-over-year. 
For more information on seasonality, please refer to the “Summary of Quarterly Results”.

Land Registry Revenue by Type
(CAD$ millions)

0.6

2.2
13.6

0.7

2.1
13.5

0.9

2.0
12.8

0.6

2.1
10.4

0.5

2.0
10.2

18.0

16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

Registrations

Searches

Maintenance

0.6

2.2
14.5

0.6

2.1
13.9

0.8

1.9
12.4

Q1 2013

Q2 2013

Q3 2013

Q4 2013

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Transaction volume, specific to the Land Titles Registry, decreased 4.6 per cent for the three months ended December 31, 
2014 compared to the same period last year, while revenue was down 2.3 per cent.

Land Titles Registry Transaction Volume
(Number of transactions)

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

0
9
3
1
4
2

,

7
0
5
8
6
2

,

5
8
3
5
5
2

,

,

4
9
6
5
4
2

2
3
6
7
5
2

,

9
4
5
7
7
2

,

,

1
3
0
0
6
2

1
0
4
4
3
2

,

Q1 2013

Q2 2013

Q3 2013

Q4 2013

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Revenue for the Land Surveys and Geomatics was also lower during this period, collectively down 22.5 per cent.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report24

(ii)  Personal Property Registry

Revenue for PPR for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $2.3 million, which represents a decrease of 
0.8 per cent from the same period in 2013.

The composition of PPR revenue by type of transaction, as shown below, remains fairly consistent when comparing the 
three months ended December 31, 2014 to the same period in 2013. Search and maintenance revenue was also similar 
when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014, while registration revenue was lower, which aligns to  
the typical pattern of seasonality.

Personal Property Registry Revenue by Type
(CAD$ millions)

Registrations

Searches

Maintenance

0.3
0.4
2.0

0.2
0.4
2.0

0.3
0.3
1.5

0.2
0.3
1.8

0.3
0.4
1.5

0.3
0.4
2.0

0.2
0.4
2.1

0.2
0.3
1.8

Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

Q1 2013

Q2 2013

Q3 2013

Q4 2013

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Overall transaction volume was down for the fourth quarter of 2014 by 3.5 per cent compared to the same period last 
year. The main driver of revenue for this registry, personal property security registration setups, has shown a decrease in 
volume of 10.8 per cent, but only a slight decrease in revenue of 1.1 per cent when compared to the same period last year. 
Since the price per registration varies based on the nature and term of the security agreement, this suggests that more 
long-term registrations were completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Personal Property Registry Transaction Volume
(Number of transactions)

125,000

100,000

75,000

50,000

25,000

0

9
0
2
0
0
1

,

,

5
6
1
0
2
1

1
2
4
5
1
1

,

5
0
5
7
0
1

,

,

1
1
2
4
0
1

0
8
8
1
2
1

,

3
5
4
7
1
1

,

0
9
6
3
0
1

,

Q1 2013

Q2 2013

Q3 2013

Q4 2013

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Provincial employment, net migration, retail sales and, most importantly, new motor vehicle sales in Saskatchewan are 
drivers of activity in the PPR. According to Statistics Canada, for the first ten months of 2014, total new motor vehicle sales 
(units) for Saskatchewan 2 decreased by 1.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2013, which may have contributed 
to the decrease in volume in the personal property security registration setups. However, search volume in 2014 has 
demonstrated growth when compared to 2013 (4.7 per cent).

2  Statistics Canada. Table 079-0003 – New motor vehicle sales, Canada, provinces and territories, CANSIM (database), accessed January 15, 2015.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual ReportMaintenance

Searches

Registrations

25

(iii)  Corporate Registry

Revenue for the Corporate Registry for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $2.0 million, an increase of 
1.8 per cent when compared to the three months ended December 31, 2013. Revenue from the incorporation of new 
businesses, included in registrations, declined by 3.1 per cent in the same period; however, this was offset by an increase 
in revenue of 4.1 per cent from the filing of annual returns, which is included in maintenance.

The composition of Corporate Registry revenue by type of transaction remains consistent when comparing the three 
months ended December 31, 2014 to the same period in 2013. Compared to the previous quarter (three months ended 
September 30, 2014), registration and search revenue were the same while maintenance revenue is slightly higher.

Corporate Registry Revenue by Type
(CAD$ millions)

Registrations

Searches

Maintenance

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

1.4
0.2
0.7

1.2
0.2
0.7

1.1
0.2
0.6

1.2
0.2
0.6

1.4
0.2
0.7

1.2
0.2
0.6

1.1
0.2
0.6

1.2
0.2
0.6

Q1 2013

Q2 2013

Q3 2013

Q4 2013

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Overall transaction volume as indicated below was up 12.0 per cent for the three months ended December 31, 2014 
compared to the same period last year, primarily due to increased search and annual return filing volume.

Corporate Registry Transaction Volume
(Number of transactions)

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

9
9
5
5
0
1

,

,

1
1
1
6
0
1

6
5
9
5
9

,

2
2
0
1
0
1

,

4
6
6
3
1
1

,

5
9
6
6
1
1

,

9
7
0
9
0
1

,

5
5
1
3
1
1

,

Q1 2013

Q2 2013

Q3 2013

Q4 2013

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Search and maintenance volume was higher for the quarter compared to the same period in 2013; however, volume for 
registration was lower. Search volume was the largest contributor to the increase in overall transaction volumes. As fee for 
search is relatively low, the impact to revenue was small.

As of December 31, 2014, there were 70,322 active Saskatchewan Business Corporations registered with the Corporate 
Registry. The number of active entities registered at the end of each quarter has shown a consistent increase quarter-over-
quarter since 2013, which is reflected in the increase in revenue from the filing of annual returns.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report26

During the course of the fourth quarter of 2014, the 
Company continued with its efforts to renew and enhance 
the operations which support the Corporate Registry. 
This includes the renewal and enhancement of the 
technology supporting the Corporate Registry, which 
will help streamline processes and lead to an enhanced 
service for customers. The Company is currently targeting 
completion of this project by the spring of 2016.

Expenses

Expenses were $14.1 million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2014, compared to $12.9 million for the 
three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase  
of 9.3 per cent. The increase was a combination of  
the following:

•  Wages and salaries were up $1.0 million, to $6.4 million 

for the three months ended December 31, 2014, 
compared to the same period in 2013. An increase 
in performance compensation, collective bargaining 
agreement increases and timing of payrolls in the fourth 
quarter of 2014, over the same period in 2013, led to  
the increase.

•  Occupancy costs remained consistent at $1.1 million for 
the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared 
to the same period in 2013.

•  Professional and consulting services, which include 

legal, audit and consulting services, were $1.3 million for 
the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared 
to $0.9 million for the same period in 2013. The increase 
was related to costs associated with activities related to 
corporate development.

•  Costs related to project initiatives for the fourth quarter 
of 2014 remained consistent at $0.5 million, compared 
to the three months ended December 31, 2013.

•  Other costs decreased $0.1 million for the three months 

ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same 
period in 2013. The decrease was the result of lower 
financial services costs, travel and business expenses, 
and insurance and assurance expenses incurred in the 
fourth quarter of 2014, as compared to the same period 
in 2013.

Net Finance Expense (Income)

•  Information technology service costs were $2.7 million, 
a decrease of $0.2 million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2014, compared to $2.9 million in the 
same period in 2013. The decrease reflects lower pricing 
from new contracts as compared to previous contract 
pricing in the same period of 2013.

Net finance expense (income) for the three months ended 
December 31, 2014 increased over the same periods in 
the previous year due to higher interest revenue being 
generated from higher cash on hand in 2014 than in 2013, 
offset by lower interest expense due to a lower annual 
interest rate on long-term debt in 2014.

•  Depreciation and amortization was $1.4 million for the 

Discontinued Operations

three months ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 
$0.2 million compared to the same period of 2013. The 
quarter reflects the work undertaken to renew certain 
technology within the organization.

Following the privatization of the Company, the Vital 
Statistics Registry was transferred to eHealth Saskatchewan 
effective June 16, 2013. Therefore, no revenue was 
recorded nor expenses incurred for the Vital Statistics 
Registry for the three months ended December 31, 2014, 
nor the same period of 2013.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report27

Net Income and Earnings per Share

Net income and total comprehensive income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $4.0 million, or $0.23 
per share, compared to $4.7 million or $0.27 per share for the same period in 2013.

By way of comparison, income from continuing operations, excluding income tax expense for the three months ended 
December 31, 2014 was $5.7 million, or $0.33 per share, compared to $7.1 million or $0.41 per share for the same period 
in 2013.

(thousands of CAD dollars, except earnings per share) 

Net income and total comprehensive income  
Earnings per share from continuing operations, basic and diluted 

Net income and total comprehensive income  
Income tax expense  
Income from continuing operations before tax   
Earnings per share from continuing operations before tax, basic and diluted 

Three Months Ended December 31,

2014 

$  4,014 
0.23 
$ 

$  4,014 
  1,686 
$  5,700 
0.33 
$ 

2013

4,743
0.27

4,743
2,380
7,123
0.41

$ 
$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

The weighted average number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014, was 17.5 million.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, excluding one-time costs associated with the IPO and, for the net loss on discontinued operations, 
totalled $7.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $8.4 million for the same period in 
2013. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was due to an increase in expenses while revenue remained relatively flat.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
28

Year End Results

From continuing and discontinued operations

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenue 

Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys and Geomatics 
Personal Property Registry 
Corporate Registry 
Other 

Expenses 
  Wages and salaries 

Information technology services 
Depreciation and amortization 
Occupancy costs 
Professional and consulting services   
Project initiatives 
Other 

Net income from continuing operations before net finance income 
Finance expense (income) 
Interest income 
Interest expense 

Net finance income 
Income from continuing operations before tax 
Income tax expense (recovery)   
Income from continuing operations  
Net loss from discontinued operations 
Net income and total comprehensive income 
EBITDA1 
Adjusted EBITDA1 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  61,999 
  9,870 
  8,235 
355 
  80,459 

  24,845 
  10,272 
  5,089 
  4,316 
  3,875 
  3,269 
  3,642 
  55,308 
  25,151 

(306) 
92 
(214) 
  25,365 
  7,005 
  18,360 
– 
$  18,360 
$  30,240 
  30,240 

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

  23,803
  10,001
5,505
4,202
1,864
4,919
3,033
  53,327
  25,804

(237)
157
(80)
  25,884
  (51,852)
  77,736
(755)
$  76,981
$  30,554
  34,008

1  For a reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, see section name “Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators”. 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, are not comparable to similar measures by other corporations. See section name “Non-IFRS Measures”.

Revenue

For the year ended December 31, 2014, total revenue was 
$80.5 million, an increase of $1.4 million or 1.7 per cent, 
compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. Revenue 
excludes the Vital Statistics Registry, which is reflected 
under section name “Discontinued Operations”. Over the 
past three years, ISC’s revenue has increased 7.0 per cent 
which is a reflection of the strong Saskatchewan economy. 
However, the growth rate of the Saskatchewan economy 
slowed in 2014 compared to prior years.

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

100.0

Land Titles Registry
Geomatics

Personal Property Registry
Land Surveys Directory

Corporate Registry
Other

80.0

60.0

40.0

20.0

0.0

.

2
5
7

.

1
9
7

.

5
0
8

2012

2013

2014

Results of Operations

Other

Land Surveys Directory

Geomatics

Corporate Registry

Personal Property Registry

Land Titles Registry

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29

The MSA and related Registry Operating Agreements with the Government of Saskatchewan allow fees to be adjusted 
on a yearly basis, based on a prescribed formula tied to inflation, as measured by the Saskatchewan Consumer Price 
Index published by Statistic Canada. ISC increased most of its fees by 1.45 per cent on July 1, 2014. This fee increase 
was applied to all core registry flat fees and ancillary service fees within the Land Titles Registry, PPR, Land Surveys and 
Geomatics. The 1.45 per cent fee increase was not applied to the Corporate Registry and did not apply to the value-based 
fees in the Land Titles Registry.

(i)   Land Registry

Revenue for the Land Registry was $62.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $0.9 million, or 
1.4 per cent, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, Land Titles Registry generated $58.2 million in revenue, 86.0 per cent of which was 
related to registrations. Overall, revenue generating transactions increased 1.8 per cent over 2013. Approximately 75.6 per 
cent of all Land Titles Registry transactions were received online in 2014, an increase of 2.0 per cent compared to 2013.

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

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

70.0

65.0

60.0

55.0

50.0

45.0

40.0

35.0

30.0

.

9
7
5

.

1
1
6

.

0
2
6

65.0

60.0

55.0

50.0

45.0

40.0

35.0

30.0

.

6
4
5

.

9
6
5

.

2
8
5

2012

2013

2014

2012

2013

2014

In 2014, the Land Titles Registry continued to see a large number of high value property transactions which generate a 
high fee per transaction. Although the amount of revenue was not as pronounced as 2013, the volume and corresponding 
value was above what has been typical of prior year periods and above our expectations for 2014.

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

Land Titles Registry Revenue by Type 
for the year ended December 31, 2014

1,050,000

1,020,000

990,000

960,000

930,000

900,000

,

3
7
3
7
2
0
1

,

,

6
7
9
0
1
0
1

,

MAINTENANCE

0.1%

SEARCHES

13.9%

REGISTRATIONS

86.0%

Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

,

3
1
6
9
2
0
1

,

2012

2013

2014

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual ReportServices

Searches

Registrations

30

For the year ended December 31, 2014, Land Surveys generated approximately $1.5 million in revenue, 81.3 per cent  
of which was from registrations.

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

Land Surveys Registry Revenue by Type 
for the year ended December 31, 2014

2.0

1.6

1.2

0.8

0.4

0.0

SERVICES

6.5%

SEARCHES

12.2%

REGISTRATIONS

81.3%

7
1

.

6
1

.

5
1

.

2012

2013

2014

Total revenue derived from Geomatics search and services 
was $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

(ii)  Personal Property Registry

Revenue for the PPR for the year ended December 31, 
2014 was $9.9 million, which represents an increase of 
0.8 per cent from the same period in 2013.

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

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

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

7
1

.

.

6
2

3
2

.

10.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

.

1
9

8
9

.

9
9

.

2012

2013

2014

2012

2013

2014

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report31

Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

Under the PPR, ISC charges customers flat fees per transaction. The chart below reflects year-over-year transaction 
volume for PPR.

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

Personal Property Registry Revenue by Type 
for the year ended December 31, 2014

475,000

400,000

325,000

250,000

8
1
1
9
1
4

,

0
0
3
3
4
4

,

4
3
2
7
4
4

,

2012

2013

2014

MAINTENANCE

10.6%

SEARCHES

15.2%

REGISTRATIONS

74.2%

(iii)  Corporate Registry

Revenue for the Corporate Registry for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $8.2 million, nearly identical when 
compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.

The chart below reflects year-over-year transaction volume for the Corporate Registry.

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

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

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

2
8

.

2
8

.

2
8

.

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

9
7
5
1
9
3

,

8
8
6
8
0
4

,

3
9
5
2
5
4

,

2012

2013

2014

2012

2013

2014

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report32

Maintenance service transactions accounted for 
58.9 per cent of all transactions in the Corporate Registry. 
Search volume was the largest contributor to the increase 
in overall transaction volumes year-over-year. As the fee 
for a search is relatively low, the impact to revenue was 
small. For the top twelve transaction types, approximately 
78.9 per cent were received online in 2014, an increase of 
4.0 per cent compared to 2013.

Corporate Registry Revenue by Type 
for the year ended December 31, 2014

MAINTENANCE

58.9%

SEARCHES

10.3%

REGISTRATIONS

30.8%

Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2014, expenses 
were $55.3 million, an increase of 3.7 per cent from 
$53.3 million for the same period in 2013. The increase 
was a combination of the following:

•  Wages and salaries were up by $1.0 million, to 

$24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. 
The increase reflects increases in performance 
compensation, collective bargaining agreement 
increases and timing in payrolls.

•  Information technology service costs were $10.3 million, 

an increase of $0.3 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2014. The increase reflects increases in 
the previous information technology base contracts 
offset by decreases in the new contracts and more 
support towards project costs incurred in 2014 
compared to 2013.

•  Depreciation and amortization was $5.1 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of 
$0.4 million compared to the same period in 2013.  
The decline was due to certain projects reaching a  

Results of Operations

fully amortized state in 2013 and only moderate  
capital expenditures in 2014.

•  Occupancy costs were $4.3 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2014, compared to $4.2 million for the 
same period in 2013.

•  Professional and consulting services, which include 
legal, audit and business consulting services, were 
$3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, 
compared to $1.9 million in the same period of 2013. 
In 2014, professional and consulting services included 
costs for the entire twelve month period related to 
being a publicly traded company, as compared to only 
six months as a publicly traded company in 2013.

Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

•  Costs related to project initiatives for the year ended 
December 31, 2014 were $3.3 million compared to 
$4.9 million for the same period in 2013. The higher 
amount in 2013 reflects the costs of the privatization  
of the Company and subsequent IPO.

•  Other costs were $3.6 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2014, an increase of $0.6 million 
compared to the same period in 2013. The increase 
was the result of new costs incurred to support the 
requirements of a publicly traded company.

Net Finance Expense (Income)

Net finance income for the year ended December 31, 
2014 increased $0.1 million over the same period in 
the previous year due to higher interest revenue being 
generated from higher cash on hand in 2014 than in 2013, 
offset by lower interest expense due to a lower annual 
interest rate on long-term debt in 2014.

Discontinued Operations

Following the privatization of the Company, the 
Vital Statistics Registry was transferred to eHealth 
Saskatchewan effective June 16, 2013. No revenue was 
recorded nor expenses incurred for the Vital Statistics 
Registry for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared 
to a net loss of $0.8 million in the same period of 2013.

Year Ended December 31,

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

2014 

2013

Revenue 
Expenses 
Net loss from  
   discontinued operations 

$ 

$ 

– 
– 

– 

$  1,074
  1,829

$ 

(755)

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
Tax Provision 

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:

33

(thousands of CAD dollars, except where noted) 

Income from continuing operations 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 expense (recovery) 
Effective income tax rate 

Net Income and Earnings per Share

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  25,365 

$  25,129 

27.0% 

  6,849 

27.0%

6,784

156 
– 
  7,005 
– 
$  7,005 

295
(2,367)
4,712
  (56,564)
$  (51,852)

27.6% 

(206.3)%

Net income and total comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $18.4 million, or $1.05 per share, 
compared to $77.0 million, or $4.40 per share, for the same period in 2013. The unusual results in 2013 were due to an income 
tax recovery being recorded in the second quarter of 2013, with ISC becoming a taxable entity effective June 27, 2013.

The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income after tax and the weighted average number of shares 
outstanding during the period. Details of the earnings per share are set out below:

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

Income from continuing operations 
Net loss from discontinued operations 

Weighted average number of shares, basic 
Potential dilutive shares resulting from stock option 
Weighted average number of shares, diluted 

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

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  18,360  
– 

$  77,736 
(755)

17,500,000 
  18,141 
17,518,141 

17,500,000
–
17,500,000

$ 

$ 

1.05 
– 
1.05 

$ 

$ 

4.44
(0.04)
4.40

The weighted average number of Class A Limited Voting Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 was 
17.5 million.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34

By way of comparison, after removing the income tax expense (recovery) and net loss from discontinued operations, 
income from continuing operations before tax for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $25.4 million, or $1.45 per 
share, compared to $25.9 million, or $1.48 per share, for the same period of 2013.

(thousands of CAD dollars, except earnings per share) 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

Net income and total comprehensive income  
Earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations, basic and diluted 

$  18,360 
1.05 
$ 

$  76,981
4.40
$ 

Net income and total comprehensive income  
Net loss from discontinued operations 
Income tax expense (recovery)  
Income from continuing operations before tax  
Earnings per share from continuing operations before tax, basic and diluted 

$  18,360 
– 
  7,005 
$  25,365 
1.45 
$ 

$  76,981
755
  (51,852)
$  25,884
1.48
$ 

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, excluding one-time costs associated with the IPO and, the net loss on discontinued operations, totalled 
$30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of $3.8 million or 11.1 per cent over the same period in 
2013. The difference relates to adjustments made in 2013, for one-time expenses associated with the IPO and for the net 
loss from discontinued operations.

Results of Operations

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35

Summary of Quarterly Results

The following table sets out selected quarterly results for the past eight quarters. The main factors affecting the results 
in the quarters presented below are the volumes of transactions in ISC’s registries (which are driven by seasonality 
and the prevailing health of the Saskatchewan economy), changes in expenses as well as adjustments made for 
discontinued operations.

Our business experiences moderate seasonality, primarily because land titles revenue in the Land Registry fluctuates 
in line with real estate transaction activity in the province. Typically, our second and third quarters generate higher 
revenue during the fiscal year when real estate activity is normally highest. As a result, the Company’s EBITDA margin also 
fluctuates in line with seasonality. Expenses, however, are generally consistent from quarter to quarter, but expenses can 
be expected to fluctuate due to the timing of project-related expenses.

It should also be noted that EBITDA margins and adjusted EBITDA margins for the second, third and fourth quarters of 
2013 were unusually high. Expenses in 2013, excluding one-time expenses associated with the IPO, 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.

Revenue in the fourth quarter, when compared to the third quarter, returned to a level which the Company would expect, 
resulting in lower revenue offset by higher expenses from increases in wages and salaries and costs for corporate 
development opportunities. The third quarter is generally one of our strongest quarters so strong results are typical.

(thousands of CAD dollars,  
except where noted) 

2014 

2013

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

Revenue 
Expenses 
Income before taxes 
Income tax expense (recovery) 
Net income 
EBITDA margin 1 
  35.6% 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 
  35.6% 
Earnings per share, basic and diluted  $  0.23  $  0.36  $  0.30  $  0.16  $ 

$ 19,759  $ 21,278  $ 22,016  $ 17,406  $ 20,039  $ 20,832  $ 21,182  $ 17,078
 14,045
  3,033
–
$  4,014  $  6,239  $  5,308  $  2,799  $  4,743  $  6,015  $ 63,190  $  3,033
  26.1%
  28.0%
–

 14,510 
  6,672 
 (56,518) 

 13,569 
  3,837 
  1,038 

 14,059 
  5,700 
  1,686 

  37.4% 
  50.3% 
3.61 

 12,531 
  8,301 
  2,286 

 12,808 
  8,470 
  2,231 

 14,658 
  7,358 
  2,050 

 12,916 
  7,123 
  2,380 

  28.6% 
  28.6% 

  45.4% 
  45.4% 

  41.6% 
  41.9% 

  38.9% 
  38.9% 

  45.6% 
  45.9% 

0.27  $ 

0.35  $ 

1  For a reconciliation of EBITDA margin and adjusted EBITDA margin, see section name “Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators”. 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, are not comparable to similar measures by other corporations. See section name “Non-IFRS Measures”.

 Summary of Quarterly Results

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
36

Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

Revenue, expenses, and net income are the key performance indicators the Company uses to manage its business and 
evaluate its financial results and operating performance.

In addition to the results, which are reported in accordance with IFRS, certain non-IFRS financial measures are supplemental 
indicators of operating performance and financial position as well as for internal planning purposes. The Company 
evaluates its 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 section name “Non-IFRS Measures” for additional information.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

(thousands of CAD dollars, except where noted) 

Net income and total comprehensive income 

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

EBITDA1 
Adjustments: 

One-time IPO expenses 2 
Net loss from discontinued operations 3 

Adjusted EBITDA1 
EBITDA margin (% of revenue) 1 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 

Three Months Ended December 31, 

Year Ended December 31, 

2014 

$  4,014 
  1,392 
(57) 
  1,686 
  7,035 

– 
– 
$  7,035 
  35.6% 
  35.6% 

$ 

2013 

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

$ 

65 
– 
8,395 
  41.6% 
  41.9% 

2014 

2013

$  18,360 
  5,089 
(214) 
  7,005 
  30,240 

– 
– 
$  30,240 
  37.6% 
  37.6% 

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

2,699
755
$  34,008
  38.1%
  43.0%

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 section name “Non-IFRS Measures”.

2  One-time costs associated with the Company’s IPO.

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

Saskatchewan effective June 16, 2013. See section name “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 20.

Three Months Ended December 31, 

Year Ended December 31, 

2014 

$  5,381 
(337) 
(247) 
  1,069 
$  5,866 

2013 

 7,641 
– 
 (737) 
748 
7,652 

$ 

$ 

2014 

2013

$  23,000 
(1,474) 
(1,798) 
  4,186 
$  23,914 

$  26,930
(461)
(2,445)
3,838
$  27,862

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 section name “Non-IFRS Measures”.

Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

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

Historically, ISC has financed its operations and met its 
capital and finance expenditure requirements through 
cash provided by operating activities. At this time, the 
Company does not expect any known trend or uncertainty 
to affect its ability to fund its expenditures from operating 
cash flow.

The Company believes that internally generated cash 
flow, supplemented by additional borrowing available 
under our Credit Facility (refer to Note 15 of the Financial 
Statements), would be sufficient to meet capital 
expenditures, anticipated dividend payments and other 
cash requirements. ISC also believes it can generate 
sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund any potential 
growth opportunities.

Free cash flow for the three months ended December 31, 
2014 was $5.9 million compared to $7.7 million for the 
same period in 2013. For the year ended December 31, 
2014, free cash flow was $23.9 million compared to 

$27.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. These 
decreases were due to income tax paid in 2014, compared 
to no income taxes paid in the same periods in 2013 or up 
until the point at which the Company became taxable.

Liquidity risk is managed based on financial forecasts and 
anticipated cash flow. Cash is held with the Royal Bank of 
Canada and the risk of loss is believed to be minimal. As 
of December 31, 2014, the Company held $33.6 million in 
cash, an increase of $6.0 million from December 31, 2013, 
which is an indication of the Company’s ability to generate 
strong cash flow. The Company expects to be able to meet 
its cash requirements, including being able to settle current 
liabilities of $14.0 million as well as meet any unanticipated 
cash requirements due to changes in working capital 
commitments. Such changes may arise from, among other 
factors, general economic conditions and the failure of 
one or more customers to pay their obligations.

As at December 31, 2014, the Company had long-term 
debt of approximately $9.9 million, financed through a 
bankers’ acceptance note, due January 5, 2015, bearing 
interest at 1.273 per cent, per annum. The bankers’ 
acceptance note has been classified as long-term as 
it is provided under a three-year committed revolving 
term loan facility. Subsequent to the end of the year, the 
Company rolled over the bankers’ acceptance note for 
another three months with a comparable interest rate.

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of funds for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 
and 2013:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

Three Months Ended December 31, 

Year Ended December 31, 

2014 

2013 

2014 

2013

$  5,381 
(498) 
(3,531) 
  1,352 
  32,229 
$  33,581 

$ 

7,640 
(669) 
(3,218) 
3,753 
  23,861 
$  27,614 

$  23,000 
(2,939) 
  (14,094) 
  5,967 
  27,614 
$  33,581 

$  26,930
(2,669)
  (17,785)
6,476
  21,138
$  27,614

Net Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash flow provided by operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $5.4 million, compared 
to $7.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013. Net cash flow provided by operating activities for the 
year ended December 31, 2014 was $23.0 million, compared to $26.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The 
decrease was mainly due to increased income tax paid in 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

Net Cash Flow Used in Investing Activities

Net cash flow used in investing activities for the three 
months ended December 31, 2014 was $0.5 million, 
compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2013. Net cash flow used in investing 
activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 
$2.9 million, compared to $2.7 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2013.

Financial Statements for the description of equity and 
capital management.

On November 12, 2014, the Board declared a quarterly 
cash dividend of $0.20 per Class A Share for shareholders 
of record as at December 31, 2014.

Share-Based Compensation Plan

Net Cash Flow Used in Financing Activities

Deferred Share Unit Plan

Net cash flow used in financing activities for the three 
months ended December 31, 2014 was $3.5 million, 
compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2013. Net cash flow used in financing 
activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 
$14.1 million, compared to $17.8 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2013. As a Crown corporation, 
the Company was required to pay 90.0 per cent of its 
net income to the Government of Saskatchewan, which 
accounts for the larger amounts for the year ended in 
2013, as compared to the same period in 2014.

Total assets increased to $109.7 million at December 31, 
2014, from $108.1 million at December 31, 2013. The 
increase was primarily due to an increase in cash on hand 
of $6.0 million as well as a higher Government Sales Tax/
Harmonized Sales Tax (“GST/HST”) receivable in 2014. 

As at December 31, 2014, working capital was $28.6 million 
compared to $17.2 million in the prior year period, an 
increase of $11.4 million. The overall increase in working 
capital was primarily due to an increase in cash and the 
GST/HST tax receivable offset by decreases in trade and 
other payables and income tax payable, thus having a 
positive impact on the Company’s working capital position.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Working capital 

Outstanding Share Data

Year Ended December 31,
2013

2014 

$  42,532 
  (13,951) 
$  28,581 

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

The number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares  
as at December 31, 2014 was 17.5 million. Pursuant to  
the Company’s Stock Option Plan, there were stock 
options issued and outstanding for 54,799 Class A 
Shares at December 31, 2014. Refer to the section below 
on share-based compensation plan and Note 15 of the 

Liquidity and Capital Resources  |  Share-Based Compensation Plan

The Company has established a Deferred Share Unit 
(“DSU”) plan to provide directors and senior officers of 
ISC with the opportunity to acquire DSUs in order to allow 
them to participate in the long-term success of ISC and 
to promote a greater alignment of interests between its 
directors, senior officers and shareholders.

The Board may award DSUs at its discretion from time to 
time, in accordance with the plan and upon such other 
terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe. DSU 
awards vest immediately, unless an alternate vesting 
schedule is specified by the Board at the time of the award.

DSUs earn dividend equivalents in the form of additional 
DSUs at the same rate as dividends on Class A Shares, 
rounded down to the nearest whole DSU. No fractional 
DSUs shall be issued for dividends. The participant is 
not allowed to convert the DSUs until termination of 
employment/directorship or death. The cash value of 
the DSUs is equivalent to the market value of the Class A 
Shares when redemption takes place.

On each applicable redemption date, the Company can, at 
its sole discretion, deliver to the participant:

•  a cash payment equal to the redemption value of such 
DSUs after deduction of applicable taxes and other 
source deductions required by applicable laws;

•  such number of Class A Shares that have been 

purchased by the Corporation on the TSX as have an 
aggregate market value equal to the redemption value 
of such DSUs; or

•  any combination of the foregoing, such that the 

cash payment, plus such number of Class A Shares 
purchased by the Company and delivered to the 
participant, has a fair market value equal to the 
redemption value of such DSUs.

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
On March 26, 2014, the Board issued an aggregate of 
1,636.13 DSUs, comprised of: (i) 273.69 DSUs to the 
Board Chair at an award price of $19.29 per DSU, which 
was the closing price of the Class A Shares on the TSX 
on the trading day immediately prior to the issuance of 
the DSUs; and (ii) 170.43 DSUs to each of the other eight 
directors at an award price of $19.29 per DSU. This initial 
issuance of DSUs to the directors was for the period from 
the date of issuance to the Annual and Special Meeting of 
Shareholders on May 13, 2014.

On May 13, 2014, the Board issued an aggregate of 
12,765.96 DSUs, comprised of: (i) 2,127.66 DSUs to the 
Board Chair at an award price of $18.80 per DSU, which 
was the closing price of the Class A Shares on the TSX 
on the trading day immediately prior to the issuance 
of the DSUs; and (ii) 1,329.79 DSUs to each of the other 
eight directors at an award price of $18.80 per DSU. This 
issuance of DSUs to the directors was for the approximate 
twelve-month period from the date of issuance.

A summary of the status of the DSU plan and the changes 
within the period ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:

Balance at December 31, 2013 
DSUs granted March 26, 2014 
DSUs granted May 13, 2014 
Total notional dividends  
   declared to date  
Balance at December 31, 2014 

Weighted  
Average  
Award Price

$ 

–
19.29
18.80

Units 

– 
1,636.13 
12,765.96 

454.00 
14,856.09 

18.48
18.84

$ 

At December 31, 2014, the DSUs had a redemption value 
of $18.20 per DSU and a weighted average contractual life 
of 0.36 years.

The Company has recognized an obligation at an estimated 
amount based on the fair value of the DSUs as of the grant 
date. Compensation expense is recognized in proportion 
to the amount of DSUs vested. At the end of each reporting 
period, the estimates are re-assessed based on the fair 
value of the DSUs as of the reporting period. Any change in 
estimate is recognized in the obligation and expense at the 
end of the reporting period. Share-based compensation for 
the year ended December 31, 2014 related to DSUs totalled 
$250 thousand (2013 – nil), which also represents the total 
carrying amount of the liability arising from the DSUs. The 
liability amount is included within Trade and Other Payables 
on the consolidated statement of financial position.

39

The fair value of the DSUs at December 31, 2014 has been 
calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model 
based on the following inputs:

Market Price 
Expected Volatility 
Risk Free Interest Rate 
Expected life (days) 
Fair Value at December 31, 2014 

Stock Option Plan

$ 

18.20
  22.5%
2.5%
133
18.20

$ 

ISC’s Stock Option Plan was approved by the Board on 
March 19, 2014, and approved by the shareholders on 
May 13, 2014. The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to 
provide employees of the Company with compensation 
opportunities that will encourage share ownership 
and enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain 
and motivate key personnel and reward significant 
performance achievements.

The maximum number of Class A Shares issuable pursuant 
to options granted under the Stock Option Plan, or 
pursuant to any other security-based compensation 
arrangement, may not exceed 10.0 per cent of the total 
number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares at the 
grant date of any options. Since the maximum number 
of Class A Shares issuable under the Stock Option Plan is 
not a fixed number, the Stock Option Plan will need to be 
approved by the shareholders every three years.

The exercise price of options issued under the Stock 
Option Plan is determined by the Board at the time of 
the grant, but shall not be less than the closing price 
for the Class A Shares on the TSX on the trading day 
immediately preceding the date of the grant. Unless the 
Board determines otherwise, options granted will vest and 
become exercisable in equal tranches over the four years 
following the date of the grant. Once vested, options may 
be exercised at any time within eight years of the date of 
the grant, after which they expire and terminate.

Pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, stock options were issued 
to the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) for 
54,799 Class A Shares on May 13, 2014, at an exercise price 
of $18.80 per share, which was the closing price of the Class 
A Shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately prior 
to the issuance of the stock options. These stock options 
were issued by the Board in accordance with the executive 
compensation framework established by the Board and 
under the terms of the employment agreement with the 
President and CEO as long-term incentive compensation 
based on 50.0 per cent of the President and CEO’s 2014 
base salary to be provided through stock options.

Share-Based Compensation Plan

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

Compensation expense is recognized in proportion to the amount of stock options vested. Share-based compensation 
for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to the stock option plan totalled $50 thousand (2013 – nil), which also 
represents the total carrying amount of the equity settled employee benefit reserve arising from these stock options.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures are classified as either sustaining or development. ISC makes sustaining capital expenditures to 
support and maintain the infrastructure, modernize our technology and facilities, and address mandatory requirements 
resulting from legislative or policy changes from the Government of Saskatchewan. Development capital (previously referred 
to as growth capital) relates to strategic initiatives which are expected to enhance the earning potential of the business.

The following table summarizes our capital expenditures for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Sustaining capital  
Development capital  
Total capital expenditures 

Three Months Ended December 31, 

Year Ended December 31, 

2014 

$  1,253 
100 
$  1,353 

2013 

1,428 
79 
1,507 

$ 

$ 

2014 

$  3,506 
214 
$  3,720 

2013

2,434
1,312
3,746

$ 

$ 

Capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $1.4 million, compared to $1.5 million for 
the same period in 2013 and, for the year ended December 31, 2014, were flat at $3.7 million compared to the same 
period in 2013. During the year, the Company assessed that an asset under development and not yet available for use 
was impaired because the work completed to date would not be transferable to the new solution. Capital expenditures 
in 2014 were focused on sustaining initiatives such as the renewal and enhancement of technology hardware and the 
renewal and enhancement of technology supporting the Corporate Registry.

Total capital expenditures for 2014, which were estimated to be between $5.0 million and $7.0 million, were less than 
anticipated due to a change in timing of certain enhancements.

Outlook

The following Outlook section includes forward-looking 
statements, including statements related to the prevailing 
and anticipated economics conditions, economic growth 
expectations for Saskatchewan, employment levels in 
Saskatchewan, the impact of extra housing inventory on 
average sale prices, forecast existing home sales and 
average home resale prices in Saskatchewan, decline in 
high value property registrations, changes in motor vehicle 
sales volume, uncertainty in consumer behaviour, expected 
impact of interest rate cuts, level of Saskatchewan exports, 
outlook on commodity prices, including potash and oil, 
drop in value of the Canadian dollar, the anticipated 
revenue outlook, increase in expenses, and EBITDA 
margin. Please see section entitled “Caution Regarding 
Forward-Looking Statements”.

In 2015, ISC expects to continue to focus on delivering 
stable and predictable returns.

The MSA and related Registry Operating Agreements 
specify the maximum fees allowed to be charged to the 
public for particular Core Registry Services as per the 
MSA. 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. These adjustment provisions do not 
apply to any value-based fees. There are no restrictions 
on the fees ISC may charge for non-core Ancillary Services 
that use registry data. ISC expects to generally adjust 
prices as outlined in the MSA.

Given that adjustments to our prices are fixed as outlined 
above, and that the majority of our revenue is linked to 
economic conditions in Saskatchewan, the Company 
expects that revenue for 2015 will be impacted. This is 
based on the Saskatchewan economy entering 2015 
during a period of some economic uncertainty, which 
is supported by a number of banks reforecasting their 
growth expectations downward for 2015 for the province.

Share-Based Compensation Plan  |  Outlook

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For example, according to Bank of Montreal Capital 
Markets 3 most recent economic forecast for Saskatchewan, 
the provincial economy is expected to post real gross 
domestic product (“GDP”) growth of 1.9 per cent in 
2015, revised downward from 2.3 per cent at the end of 
November 2014.

The Company expects the housing market, which is a 
key driver of our Land Registry, to be impacted. Canada 
Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Market 
Outlook currently forecasts a decrease of 1.9 per cent in 
existing home sales volume in Saskatchewan for 2015. 
Average home resale prices are expected to increase by 
1.4 per cent in 2015 4.

Saskatchewan housing starts for all of 2014 were down 
1.4 per cent over 2013, while the number of completions 
was up 10.4 per cent 5. This increase in completions has 
contributed to a buyers’ market in certain parts of the 
province. The extra inventory may impact average sales 
prices negatively in 2015.

As well, the Land Titles Registry saw a large number 
of high value property registrations in 2014, which 
generate a high fee per transaction. High value property 
registrations in 2013 and 2014 were higher than our long-
term average, however, we expect high value property 
registrations to drop to a more normalized level in 2015, 
which directly impacts revenue.

For the PPR, new vehicle sales are an indication of expected 
revenue. For all of 2014, the number of units of new vehicles 
sold decreased 1.2 per cent compared to the same period 
in 2013 6. Scotiabank revised earlier forecasts downward, 
expecting annual motor vehicle sales in Saskatchewan to be 
55,000 in 2015, an expected decrease over 2014 volumes 7.

There is risk that consumer behaviour will be affected 
depending on the duration of this climate of uncertainty. 
Inactivity could occur if consumers take a ‘wait and 
see’ approach to their larger purchases such as homes 
and vehicles. Businesses could scale back or ramp up 
their investments, depending on which sector they are 
in. Further changes to interest rates could also impact 
consumer behaviour. As provincial economic conditions 
change, the Company’s revenue may be impacted.

41

Recent cuts in interest rates by the Bank of Canada, 
followed by the major banks, are intended to stimulate 
the economy. In addition, the outlook on potash prices 
is generally positive and the strengthening of the United 
States economy and the drop in the value of the Canadian 
dollar could positively impact Saskatchewan exports. 
These factors could positively impact ISC’s registries.

ISC has also monitored the decline in the price of oil and 
the potential impact to the Company. While there is no 
clear link between the price of oil and the Company’s 
revenue, oil and gas is one segment of the Saskatchewan 
economy, and therefore could have an impact on our 
overall registry business.

ISC’s key drivers of expenses will continue to be wages and 
salaries and information technology costs as the Company 
continues to focus on efficiency and effectiveness, 
leveraging investment in systems and processes while 
maintaining a high level of customer service. However, 
inflationary impacts are expected to move these costs 
marginally higher in 2015.

Management expects capital expenditures in 2015 to be 
in the range of $4.0 million to $6.0 million funded from 
operating cash flow. These expenditures are primarily 
expected to be sustaining capital expenditures which 
include general office improvements, enhancement 
and upgrades to core technology components and 
enterprise systems, and the continuation of the renewal 
and enhancement of the technology supporting the 
Corporate Registry.

As stated earlier, revenue in 2014 was higher than 2013, 
partly due to high value transactions. Typically, high 
value transactions have been approximately 4.9 per cent 
of total revenue. In 2014, high value transactions were 
6.7 per cent of the Company’s revenue, which directly 
affects EBITDA margins. Not considering these high value 
transactions, ISC would have achieved an EBITDA margin 
of 36.7 per cent in 2014. In 2015, given the uncertain 
economic conditions described above, ISC expects its 
EBITDA margin to remain in the range of 36.0 per cent to 
37.0 per cent.

3  BMO Capital Markets Economics – Provincial Economic Outlook – February 6, 2015 and November 28, 2014.

4  CMHC Housing Market Outlook – Canadian Edition – First Quarter 2015.

5  Statistics Canada CANSIM Table 027-0001: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, housing starts, under construction, and completions in centres 

10,000 and over – February 23, 2015.

6  Statistics Canada CANSIM Table 079-0003: New motor vehicle sales, Canada, provinces and territories – January 26, 2014.

7  Scotiabank Global Economics – Global Forecast Update – February 3, 2015.

Outlook

2014 ISC Annual Report42

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

The following table summarizes our obligations under contractual arrangements as of December 31, 2014:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

  2015 

  2016 

  2017 

  2018 

  2019 

Thereafter

Operating lease obligations 1 
Long-term debt 2 
Master Service Agreement 3 
Information Technology Service Agreements 4,5 
Total 

$  2,314 
– 
500 
  9,277 
$ 12,091 

$  2,570 
  9,935 
500 
  8,628 
$ 21,633 

$  2,390 
– 
500 
  8,506 
$ 11,396 

$  2,317 
– 
500 
  8,338 
$ 11,155 

$   2,303 
– 
500 
  3,462 
$  6,265 

$  9,877
–
  7,000
–
$ 16,877

1  ISC leases 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. ISC does 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 of Saskatchewan and to manage and operate the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys, PPR and Corporate 

Registry on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan for a 20-year period.

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. An Amending Agreement for a new five-year term was 
signed and effective as of June 1, 2014.

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

hardware infrastructure pursuant to a services agreement. An Amending Agreement for a new five-year term was signed and effective as of May 1, 2014.

Master Service Agreement

Pursuant to a MSA with the Government of Saskatchewan 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 of 
Saskatchewan for a 20-year term expiring on May 30, 2033.

The MSA requires ISC to pay to the Government of Saskatchewan 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 paid on March 1, 2014.

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.

Changes in Accounting Policies

Refer to Note 3 to the Financial Statements for information 
pertaining to changes in accounting policies effective 
in 2014 and for information on issued accounting 
pronouncements that will be effective in future years.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

ISC had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of 
December 31, 2014.

Related Party Transactions

Refer to Note 17 to the Financial Statements for information 
pertaining to transactions with related parties.

Critical Accounting Estimates

ISC’s critical accounting estimates are contained in the 
Financial Statements (refer to Note 2 for the summary 
of use of estimates and judgments). 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.

Contractual Obligations  |  Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements  |  Related Party Transactions  |  Critical Accounting Estimates  |  Changes in Accounting Policies

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43

Financial Instruments 
and Financial Risks

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

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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 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. 
Our customers are primarily provincial, federal and 
municipal government ministries and agencies, and its 
private sector customers are diverse.

Cash is held with a major Canadian chartered bank and 
management believes the risk of loss to be minimal. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk at December 31, 2014 is 
$36.6 million (December 31, 2013 – $30.6 million) equal 
to the carrying value of ISC’s financial assets, those being 
cash at $33.6 million (December 31, 2013 – $27.6 million) 
and trade receivables at $3.0 million (December 31, 2013 – 
$3.0 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 flow.

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.

Interest Rate Risk

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 
that help 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 on an ongoing basis.

The Board oversees ISC’s Enterprise Risk Management 
(“ERM”) framework. This includes ensuring appropriate 
management systems are in place to ensure ISC’s risks  
are prudently managed.

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.

ISC continues to embed risk management into the 
corporate culture, so risk is not a process but, rather, a 
pervasive consideration in daily decision-making and 
activities. ISC is focused on continually improving our ERM 
framework to ensure a structured and disciplined approach.

Financial Instruments and Financial Risks  |  Business Risks and Risk Management

2014 ISC Annual Report44

Key Risks to Our Strategic Priorities

ISC is attentive to the complete set of risks facing the Company; however, there are ten that emerge as primary business 
risks given their potential direct impact to the achievement of our strategic priorities. Consideration of the management 
and/or mitigation of these risks is entrenched in the Company’s decisions, systems, processes and activities.

Earnings Growth and  
Sustainable Cost Management

Organizational Effectiveness  
and Compliance

Growth Identification  
and Execution

Cost/efficiency risk

Information technology 
infrastructure risk

Revenue diversification risk

Corporate priorities/ 
initiatives risk

Reputational risk

Identification, selection  
and implementation of  
growth strategies risk

Human and organizational  
capital risk

Competition risk

MSA compliance risk

Aligning investor  
expectations risk

The following are high level descriptions of these primary business risks:

Cost/efficiency

There is a risk that ISC’s business model and resourcing mix will not allow ISC to achieve 
cost efficiencies in new or existing product lines, or be sufficiently nimble to take 
advantage of growth opportunities or adapt to volume changes within its business.

Corporate priorities/ 
initiatives

There is a risk that ineffective mechanisms to evaluate, prioritize, approve and allocate 
resources to new or existing projects/initiatives may result in conflicting priorities, delays, 
misallocation of resources, or failed projects/initiatives and, ultimately, failure to execute 
on ISC’s corporate priorities.

Information 
Technology 
infrastructure

Reputational

There is a risk that ISC does not have the information technology infrastructure  
(i.e., age, integrity or architecture of hardware, networks, software and facilities) in place  
to effectively facilitate current and future requirements to support its business needs 
and the achievement of its strategic goals. Any information technology infrastructure 
shortcomings or outages could adversely impact ISC’s business, results of operations  
and financial condition.

There is a risk that ISC’s reputation or credibility will be damaged by one or more events, 
thereby negatively impacting ISC’s business, results of operations and financial condition. 
Events that could impact ISC’s reputation include the integrity and security of information, 
inability to successfully implement on growth strategies, and failure to comply with rules, 
regulation and disclosures.

Human and 
organizational capital

There is a risk that ISC does not have the required competencies, skills and knowledge to 
execute on the corporate strategy as a publicly traded company.

Business Risks and Risk Management

2014 ISC Annual Report45

Master Service 
Agreement compliance

Inability to comply with the requirements in the Master Service Agreement could result 
in the loss/termination of the agreement, negatively impacting ISC’s business, results of 
operations and financial condition.

Revenue diversification

Substantially all of ISC’s current revenues consist of fees received in connection with 
search and registration activity in the Land Registry, PPR, Corporate Registry and Land 
Surveys. There is a risk that ISC’s current product lines are not significantly diversified 
to sustain sufficient revenue to cover ISC’s fixed costs in the case of a downturn in the 
Saskatchewan economy.

Identification, selection 
and implementation of 
growth strategies

There is a risk that ISC could fail to successfully identify, select and implement growth 
strategies, which could reduce the growth of our revenue and net income and adversely 
affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Competition

As ISC works to expand and evolve our product and services offerings, we may face 
competition with new products and services in Saskatchewan and beyond. Management 
of ISC cannot be certain that we will be able to compete successfully against current or 
future competitors. If ISC is unable to successfully compete, our ability to expand our 
business and revenues will be limited. In addition, possible regulation or other oversight 
of ISC’s future business activities involving ancillary services may impact the Company’s 
growth strategy.

Aligning Investor 
expectations

There is a risk that a lack of alignment of ISC’s corporate strategy and vision with investor 
expectations may result in the inability of ISC to achieve corporate strategy and priorities.

You are cautioned that the foregoing discussion of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Additional information 
on these and other risks that could affect our business, operations or financial results are also discussed in our Annual 
Information Form filed on www.sedar.com or on www.isc.ca.

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, these non-IFRS measures 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.

“EBITDA” is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, 
depreciation and amortization. “Adjusted EBITDA” 
is defined as EBITDA before fees related to our IPO 
including costs associated with becoming a publicly 
traded company and normalization adjustments relating 
to the transfer of the Government of Saskatchewan’s Vital 
Statistics Registry. The above measures, alternatives to net 
income and income from operations, 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 revenue. “Adjusted EBITDA margin” is calculated 
as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of overall revenue.

Business Risks and Risk Management  |  Non-IFRS Measures

2014 ISC Annual Report46

“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 cash 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 Internal Controls
over Financial Reporting

The Company’s 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 Certification of Disclosure 
in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings as at December 31, 
2014 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, 2014.

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.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls
and Procedures

The Company’s 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 Certification of Disclosure 
in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings as at December 31, 
2014 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.

The annual filings have no misrepresentations and fairly 
present in all material respects the financial condition, 
financial performance and cash flow of the Company.

Non-IFRS Measures  |  Evaluation of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting  |  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

2014 ISC Annual Report2014 ISC Annual Report

47

2014 Consolidated
Financial Statements

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

I N D E X   T O   C O N S O L I D AT E D   
F I N A N C I A L   S TAT E M E N T S
Management’s Responsibility 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow 

N O T E S   T O   T H E   C O N S O L I D AT E D 
F I N A N C I A L   S TAT E M E N T S 
1  Status of the Company 

2  Basis of Presentation 

3  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

4  Cash 

5  Seasonality 

6  Tax Provision 

7  Grant Receivable and Provision for Early Retirement Plan 

8  Deferred Revenue 

9  Share-Based Compensation Plan 

10  Property, Plant and Equipment 

11 

Intangible Assets 

12  Long-Term Debt 

13  Discontinued Operations 

14  Earnings per Share 

15  Equity and Capital Management 

16  Financial Instruments and Related Risk Management 

17  Related Party Transactions 

18  Compensation of Key Management Personnel 

19  Revenue 

20  Net Change in Non-Cash Working Capital 

21  Commitments and Contingencies 

22  Pension Expense 

23  Borrowing Costs 

24  Subsequent Event 

25  Comparative Figures 

48

49

50

51

51

52

53

53

54

59

59

60

61

62

62

64

65

65

66

66

66

68

69

70

70

70

71

71

72

72

72

48

Management’s Responsibility

Management’s Report on Consolidated 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 (“IFRS”) 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 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.

Deloitte LLP was appointed by the shareholders of Information Services Corporation upon the recommendation of the 
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors’ approval and has 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 

March 17, 2015

Shawn B. Peters, CPA, CA 
Vice-President, Finance & Technology 
and Chief Financial Officer

Management’s Responsibility

2014 ISC Annual Report 
49

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Shareholders of Information Services Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Information Services Corporation which 
comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the 
consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years 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 audits. We conducted 
our audits 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 from 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 accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

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

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, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and its financial performance and its 
cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Chartered Professional Accountants

March 17, 2015 
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Independent Auditor’s Report

2014 ISC Annual Report50

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Assets
Current assets
Cash 
Trade receivables 
GST/HST receivable 
Prepaid expenses 

Non-current assets 

Deferred tax asset 
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 

Non-current liabilities 

Provision for early retirement plan 
Deferred revenue 
Long-term debt 

Shareholders’ equity 
Share capital 
Equity settled employee benefit reserve 
Retained earnings 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

See Note 21 for Commitments and Contingencies

See Accompanying Notes

Approved by the Board of Directors on March 17, 2015:

 Note 

2014 

2013

As at December 31,

4 

6 
10 
11 

8 
7 

7 
8 
12 

15 

$  33,581 
  3,030 
  4,999 
922 
  42,532 

  49,369 
  6,719 
  11,100 
$ 109,720  

$  5,082 
  4,234 
524 
  3,500 
565 
46 
  13,951 

– 
482 
  9,935 
  10,417 

  19,955 
50 
  65,347 
  85,352 
$ 109,720 

$  27,614
2,978
2,145
845
  33,582

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

$ 

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

46
833
9,935
  10,814

  19,955
–
  60,987
  80,942
$ 108,101 

Joel Teal 
Director 

Anthony Guglielmin 
Director 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenue 

Expenses 
  Wages and salaries 

Information technology services 
Depreciation and amortization 
Occupancy costs 
Professional and consulting services 
Project initiatives 
Other 

Net Income from continuing operations before net finance income 

Finance expense (income) 
Interest income 
Interest expense 
Net finance income 

Income from continuing operations before tax 
Income tax expense (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 and diluted 
From discontinued operations, basic 
Total, from continuing and discontinued operations, basic and diluted 

See Accompanying Notes

51

 Note 

19 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  80,459 

$  79,131

  24,845 
  10,272 
  5,089 
  4,316 
  3,875 
  3,269 
  3,642 
  55,308 
  25,151 

(306) 
92 
(214) 
  25,365 
  7,005 
  18,360 
– 
$  18,360 

  23,803
  10,001
5,505
4,202
1,864
4,919
3,033
  53,327
  25,804

(237)
157
(80)
  25,884
  (51,852)
  77,736
(755)
$  76,981

$ 

$ 

1.05 
– 
1.05 

$ 

$ 

4.44
(0.04)
4.40 

10, 11 

6 

14 
14 
14 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Note 

Balance at January 1, 2013 
Transfer to share capital 
Net income 
Dividend declared 
Balance at December 31, 2013 
Net income 
Equity settled employee benefit reserve 
Dividend declared 
Balance at December 31, 2014 

See Accompanying Notes

9 

Retained 
Earnings 

$  21,941 
  (19,955) 
  76,981 
  (17,980) 
  60,987  
  18,360 
– 
  (14,000) 
$  65,347  

Share 
Capital 

$ 

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

Equity 
Reserve  

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 
 – 
– 
50 
– 
50 

Total

$  21,941
–
  76,981
  (17,980)
  80,942
  18,360
50
  (14,000)
$  85,352

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income  |  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Operating 

Net income from continuing operations 
Add: Charges not affecting cash 

Depreciation 
Amortization 
Income tax expense (recovery) recognized in net income 
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Loss on disposal of intangible asset 
Recovery of MARS project expenses 
Net finance income 
Equity settled employee benefit reserve 
Net change in non-cash working capital 
Operating cash flow from discontinued operations 
Income tax paid 
Net cash flow provided by operating activities 

Investing 

Interest received 
Cash received on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Additions to intangible assets 
Net cash flow used in investing activities 

Financing 

Interest paid 
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 

2014 

2013

$  18,360 

$  77,736

10 
11 

11 

9 
20 

  1,545 
  3,544 
  7,005 
(13) 
674 
232 
(214) 
50 
(4,186) 
– 
(3,997) 
  23,000 

306 
27 
(1,474) 
(1,798) 
(2,939) 

(94) 
– 
– 
  (14,000) 
  (14,094) 

1,262
4,243
  (51,852)
2
–
212
(80)
–
(3,838)
(755)
–
  26,930

237
–
(461)
(2,445)
(2,669)

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

  5,967 
  27,614 
$  33,581 

6,476
  21,138
$  27,614

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

2014 ISC Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
53

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 public registries. 

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.  

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 
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 27.0 per cent on income earned in Saskatchewan (see 
Note 6).

2  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Statement of compliance

These 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 (the “Board”) authorized 
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 
December 31, 2014 for issue on March 17, 2015.

Basis of measurement

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

Functional and presentation currency

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

Basis of consolidation

These 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 preparation of the consolidated 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. 

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. Significant items subject to 
estimates and underlying assumptions include:

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 201454

•  the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment 

(“PPE”) (Note 10);

•  the carrying amounts of intangible assets (Note 11); and

Leasehold improvements 
Office furniture 
Office equipment 
Computer hardware 

10 Years
10 Years
 5 Years
 3 Years

•  deferred tax asset (Note 6).

The relevant accounting policies in Note 3 contain further 
details on the 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 8); and

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

•  the classification and valuation of the Master Service 

Intangible assets acquired separately

Agreement as an intangible asset (Note 21).

3   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT  

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment 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 overhead. 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 
of the asset less its residual value over the estimated 
productive life of each asset. The useful life of each asset  
is as follows:

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. Gains 
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, is 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 
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. 

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014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  
3-7 years
   – internally generated 
5 years
Geographic information system 
Other 
3-5 years
Assets under development  N/A (not ready for use)

15 years
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 

55

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, and 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.

Leases

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 
operating leases, as the risks and rewards of ownership 
have not been transferred 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-

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 201456

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 Vital Statistics Registry, the Corporate Registry, 
the Land Surveys Directory, Geomatic Services and 
Solutions 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 customer and 
are recorded as revenue when services are rendered. 

Employee benefits

The Company provides pension plans for all eligible 
employees, including a defined contribution pension 
plan and a defined benefit pension plan. Employees 
hired after October 1, 1977, make contributions to The 
Public Employees Pension Plan, a defined contribution 
plan. Funding requirements are established by The 
Superannuation (Supplementary Provisions) Act 
(Saskatchewan) and the Company matches employee 
contributions. 

The Company’s obligations are limited to making 
regular payments to the plans for current services. These 
contributions are expensed. The obligation under the 
defined benefit pension plan is the responsibility of the 
General Revenue Fund of the Province of Saskatchewan. 

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

Government grants

•  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:

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 
statement of financial position and transferred to profit  
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.

•  the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

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

•  it is probable that the economic benefits associated with 

the transaction will flow to the Company;

Financial instruments

•  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.

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 

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 201457

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.

Share-based compensation plan

A deferred share unit (“DSU”) plan has been approved by 
the Board, which is described in Note 9. The Company has 
recognized an obligation at an estimated amount based 
on the fair value of the DSUs as of the grant date using the 
Black-Scholes option-pricing model. At the end of each 
reporting period, the estimates are re-assessed based 
on the fair value of the DSUs as of the reporting period. 
Compensation expense is recognized in proportion to the 
amount of DSUs vested. The DSUs can be settled in cash 
or shares that are purchased from the open market by a 
broker. As a result, at the end of each reporting period, 
the estimates are re-assessed based on the fair value of 
the DSUs with any change in estimate recognized in the 
obligation and expense.

A stock option plan has been approved by the Board and 
shareholders, which is described in Note 9. The Company 
has recognized an obligation at an estimated amount 
based on the fair value of the stock options as of the grant 
date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The 
share-based compensation expense is recognized in 
proportion to the amount of stock options vested. This 
expense for the reporting period also represents the total 
carrying amount of the equity settled employee benefit 
reserve arising from these stock options.

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.

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.

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 201458

Changes in accounting policies

The Company has adopted the following new and revised standards, along with any consequential amendments, effective 
January 1, 2014, 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 or it was determined that they do 
not apply to the consolidated financial statements.

Standard

Description

Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 
and IAS 27 – Investment Entities

Amends IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, IFRS 12 Disclosure of 
Interests in Other Entities and IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements to provide 
‘investment entities’ (as defined) an exemption from the consolidation of 
particular subsidiaries and instead require that an investment entity measure 
the investment in each eligible subsidiary at fair value through profit or loss in 
accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments or IAS 39 Financial Instruments.

Amendments to IAS 19 – Defined 
Benefit Plans: Employee 
Contributions

Amends IAS 19 Employee Benefits to clarify the requirements that relate to 
how contributions from employees or third parties that are linked to service 
should be attributed to periods of service.

IAS 32 – Financial Instruments: 
Presentation

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

Amendments to IAS 32 – Offsetting 
Financial Assets and Financial 
Liabilities

Amends IAS 32 Financial Instruments to clarify certain aspects because 
of diversity in application of the requirements in offsetting the meaning 
of ‘currently has a legally enforceable right of set-off’, the application of 
simultaneous realization and settlement, the collateral amounts and the  
unit of account for applying these requirements.

Amendments to IAS 36 – 
Recoverable Amount Disclosures 
for Non-Financial Assets 

Amends IAS 36 Impairment of Assets to reduce the circumstances in which 
the recoverable amount of assets or cash-generating units is required to 
be disclosed, clarify the disclosures required, and to introduce an explicit 
requirement to disclose the discount rate used.

IFRIC 21 – Levies

Provides guidance on when to recognize a liability for a levy imposed by a 
government, both for levies that are accounted for in accordance with IAS 37 
Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets and those where the 
timing and amount of the levy is certain.

Amendments to IAS 39 – Novation 
of Derivatives and Continuation of 
Hedge Accounting

Amends IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement to make 
it clear that there is no need to discontinue hedge accounting if a hedging 
derivative is novated, provided certain criteria are met.

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 201459

Recent accounting pronouncements 

The IASB and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee issued the following new standards and 
amendments to standards and interpretations, which become effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2015, and which are currently being assessed by the Company to determine the impact. 

Proposed standard

Description

IFRS 7 – Financial 
Instrument Disclosures 
(transition)

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

Effective Date

January 1, 2015

IFRS 9 – Financial 
Instruments

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

January 1, 2018

IFRS 15 – Revenue from 
contracts with Customers

Provides a single, principles-based five-step model to be applied 
to all contracts with customers.

January 1, 2017

Amendments to IAS 27 
– Equity Method in 
Separate Financial 
Statements 

Amends IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements to permit 
investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates to be 
optionally accounted for using the equity method in separate 
financial statements.

Amendments to IFRS 
10 and IAS 28 – Sale or 
Contribution of Assets 
between an Investor and 
its Associates or Joint 
Venture 

Amends IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (2011) to clarify the 
treatment of the sale or contribution of assets from an investor to 
its associate or joint venture with a requirement of full recognition 
in the investor’s financial statements of gains and losses arising 
on the sale or contribution of assets that constitute a business (as 
defined in IFRS 3 Business Combinations) and the requirement 
of partial recognition of gains and losses where the assets do not 
constitute a business.

January 1, 2016

January 1, 2016

Amendments to IAS 16  
and IAS 38 – Clarification  
of Acceptable Methods  
of Depreciation and 
Amortization 

Amends IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS 38 
Intangible Assets to add guidance that expected future reductions 
in the selling price of an item that was produced using an asset 
could indicate the expectation of technological or commercial 
obsolescence of the asset, which, in turn, might reflect a reduction 
of the future economic benefits embodied in the asset.

January 1, 2016

4  CASH

Cash is held on deposit and earns interest at a rate of prime less 1.95 per cent. Interest revenue earned in 2014 is 
$306 thousand (2013 – $237 thousand).

5  SEASONALITY

The Company experiences moderate seasonality, primarily in relation to its Land Registry revenue which fluctuates in line 
with real estate transaction activity in the province. Typically, the Company’s second and third quarters generate slightly 
higher revenues during the fiscal year when real estate activity is highest. Fluctuations in revenue are seen from quarter to 
quarter with seasonality identified as a primary factor. 

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 201460

6  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-exempt status changed on June 27, 2013 when ISC and CIC 
entered into an Underwriting Agreement with a syndicate of underwriters. ISC is subject to federal and provincial income 
taxes at an estimated combined rate of 27.0 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, while the Company was still exempt from tax, and have been 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 tax bases of certain of the Company’s assets upon the change in tax status created a deferred tax asset.

(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 expense (recovery) 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

 $  2,340  

$ 

2,181

  4,665 
  7,005 
– 
$  7,005 

2,531
4,712
  (56,564)
$  (51,852)

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) 

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 expense (recovery) 
Effective income tax rate 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

 $  25,365 
  27.0% 
  6,849 

156 
– 
  7,005 
– 
$  7,005 
  27.6% 

$  25,129 
  27.0%
6,784 

295
(2,367)
4,712
  (56,564)
$  (51,852) 
 (206.3)%

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
61

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) 

January 1, 2014 

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

December 31, 2014

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

Deferred tax liability 
Other liabilities 

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

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

$ 

– 

$ 

  $ 

$ 

(9,468) 
– 
4,910 
(107) 
(4,665) 

$  38,748
20
  10,345
256
$  49,369

– 

$ 

–

$  54,034 
– 

$ 

(4,665) 
– 

$  49,369
–

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 review 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. 

7   GRANT RECEIVABLE AND PROVISION  

FOR EARLY RETIREMENT PLAN

An Order in Council (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.

No deferred tax has been recognized in respect of 
temporary differences associated with investments in the 
Company’s subsidiaries 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.  

At December 31, 2014, $46 thousand (December 31, 2013 
– $92 thousand) is recorded in the accounts to provide 
for the outstanding amounts that management estimates 
will become payable with respect to eligible employees, 
with $46 thousand (December 31, 2013 – $46 thousand) 
expected to become due within the next twelve months. 

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62

8  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, 2014, the Company was able to meet the 
conditions of the grants received. 

The MARS project has delivered two major deliverables: 
a storefront component and a database component. 
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) 

  2014 

  2013

As at December 31,

Current deferred revenue  
   – government-related 
Other deferred revenue 
Total current deferred revenue 
Non-current deferred revenue  
   – government-related 
Total deferred revenue 

$  351 
  214 
  565 

  482 
$ 1,047 

$  362
  208
 570

 833
$ 1,403

9  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

Deferred share unit plan

The Company has established a DSU plan to provide 
directors and senior officers of ISC with the opportunity 
to acquire DSUs in order to allow them to participate in 
the long-term success of ISC and to promote a greater 
alignment of interests between its directors, senior officers 
and shareholders.

The Board may award DSUs at its discretion from time to 
time, in accordance with the plan and upon such other 
terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe. DSU 
awards vest immediately, unless an alternate vesting 
schedule is specified by the Board at the time of the award.

DSUs earn dividend equivalents in the form of additional 
DSUs at the same rate as dividends on Class A Limited 
Voting Shares (“Class A Shares”), rounded down to the 
nearest whole DSU. No fractional DSUs shall be issued 
for dividends. The participant is not allowed to convert 
the DSUs until termination of employment/directorship 
or death. The cash value of the DSUs is equivalent to the 
market value of the Class A Shares when redemption  
takes place. 

On each applicable redemption date, the Company can,  
at its sole discretion, deliver to the participant:

•  a cash payment equal to the redemption value of such 
DSUs after deduction of applicable taxes and other 
source deductions required by applicable Laws;

•  such number of Class A Shares that have been purchased 
by the Corporation on the TSX which have an aggregate 
market value equal to the redemption value of such 
DSUs; or

•  any combination of the foregoing, such that the cash 

payment, plus such number of Class A Shares purchased 
by the Company and delivered to the participant, have  
a fair market value equal to the redemption value of  
such DSUs.

On March 26, 2014, the Board issued an aggregate of 
1,636.13 DSUs, comprised of: (i) 273.69 DSUs to the 
Board Chair at an award price of $19.29 per DSU, which 
was the closing price of the Class A Shares on the TSX 
on the trading day immediately prior to the issuance of 
the DSUs; and (ii) 170.43 DSUs to each of the other eight 
directors at an award price of $19.29 per DSU. This initial 
issuance of DSUs to the directors was for the period from 
the date of issuance to the Annual and Special Meeting of 
Shareholders on May 13, 2014.

On May 13, 2014, the Board issued an aggregate of 
12,765.96 DSUs, comprised of: (i) 2,127.66 DSUs to the 
Board Chair at an award price of $18.80 per DSU, which 
was the closing price of the Class A Shares on the TSX 
on the trading day immediately prior to the issuance 
of the DSUs; and (ii) 1,329.79 DSUs to each of the other 
eight directors at an award price of $18.80 per DSU. This 
issuance of DSUs to the directors was for the approximate 
twelve-month period from the date of issuance.

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
63

A summary of the status of the DSU Plan and the changes 
within the period ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:

Weighted 
Average  
Award Price

Units 

Balance at December 31, 2013 
DSUs granted March 26, 2014 
DSUs granted May 13, 2014 
Total notional dividends  
   declared to date  
454.00 
Balance at December 31, 2014  14,856.09 

– 
1,636.13 
12,765.96 

$ 

–
  19.29
  18.80

  18.48
$ 18.84

At December 31, 2014, the DSUs had a redemption value 
of $18.20 per DSU and a weighted average contractual life 
of 0.36 years. 

The Company has recognized an obligation at an estimated 
amount based on the fair value of the DSUs as of the grant 
date. Compensation expense is recognized in proportion 
to the amount of DSUs vested. At the end of each reporting 
period, the estimates are re-assessed based on the fair 
value of the DSUs as of the reporting period. Any change in 
estimate is recognized in the obligation and expense at the 
end of the reporting period. Share-based compensation for 
the year ended December 31, 2014, related to DSUs totalled 
$250 thousand (2013 – nil), which also represents the total 
carrying amount of the liability arising from the DSUs. The 
liability amount is included within Trade and Other Payables 
on the consolidated statement of financial position.

The fair value of the DSUs at December 31, 2014, has been 
calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model 
based on the following inputs:

Market Price 
Expected Volatility 
Risk Free Interest Rate 
Expected life (days) 
Fair Value at December 31, 2014 

Stock option plan

$  18.20
 22.5%
  2.5%
  133
$ 18.20

ISC’s Stock Option Plan was approved by the Board on 
March 19, 2014, and approved by the shareholders on 
May 13, 2014. The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to 
provide employees of the Company with compensation 
opportunities that will encourage share ownership 
and enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain 
and motivate key personnel and reward significant 
performance achievements.

The maximum number of Class A Shares issuable pursuant 
to options granted under the Stock Option Plan, or 
pursuant to any other security based compensation 
arrangement, may not exceed 10.0 per cent of the total 
number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares at the 
grant date of any options. Since the maximum number 
of Class A Shares issuable under the Stock Option Plan is 
not a fixed number, the Stock Option Plan will need to be 
approved by the shareholders every three years.

The exercise price of options issued under the Stock 
Option Plan is determined by the Board at the time of 
the grant, but shall not be less than the closing price 
for the Class A Shares on the TSX on the trading day 
immediately preceding the date of the grant. Unless the 
Board determines otherwise, options granted will vest and 
become exercisable in equal tranches over the four years 
following the date of the grant. Once vested, options may 
be exercised at any time within eight years of the date of 
the grant, after which they expire and terminate.

Pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, stock options were 
issued to the President and Chief Executive Officer 
(“CEO”) for 54,799 Class A Shares on May 13, 2014, at 
an exercise price of $18.80 per share, which was the 
closing price of the Class A Shares on the TSX on the 
trading day immediately prior to the issuance of the stock 
options. These stock options were issued by the Board in 
accordance with the executive compensation framework 
established by the Board and under the terms of the 
employment agreement with the President and CEO as 
long-term incentive compensation based on 50.0 per cent 
of the President and CEO’s 2014 base salary to be provided 
through stock options.

The Company has recognized an equity reserve at an 
estimated amount based on the fair value of the stock 
options as of the grant date.

Spot Price 
Expected Volatility 
Risk Free Interest Rate 
Expected life (days) 
Fair Value at May 13, 2014 

$ 

18.80
  22.5%
2.5%
2,920
$  2.7373

Compensation expense is recognized in proportion 
to the amount of stock options vested. Share-based 
compensation for the year ended December 31, 2014, 
related to the stock option plan totalled $50 thousand 
(2013 – nil), which also represents the total carrying 
amount of the equity settled employee benefit reserve 
arising from these stock options. 

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leasehold 
Improvements 

Office 
Furniture 

Office 
Equipment 

Hardware 

Asset under  
Development 

Total

64

10  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Additions 
Disposals 
Transfer 
Balance at December 31, 2014  

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

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Depreciation 
Disposals 
Balance at December 31, 2014  

$  8,125 
680 
– 
$  8,805 

$  8,805 
50 
(257) 
– 
$  8,598 

$  3,291 
841 
– 
$  4,132 

$  4,132 
863 
(257) 
$  4,738 

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

$  3,089 
23 
(12) 
– 
$  3,100 

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

$  1,736 
267 
(9) 
$  1,994 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

88 
15 
(6) 
97 

97 
– 
(7) 
– 
90 

46 
13 
(4) 
55 

55 
11 
(5) 
61 

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

$  1,680 
262 
(645) 
  1,083 
$  2,380 

$  1,574 
142 
(140) 
$  1,576 

$  1,576 
404 
(637) 
$  1,343 

42 
29 

$ 
104 
$  1,037 

$ 

$ 

302 
(302) 
– 
– 

$ 

– 
  1,770 
– 
  (1,083) 
687  

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

$ 13,366
458
(153)
$ 13,671

$ 13,671
  2,105
(921)
–
$ 14,855

$  6,387
  1,262
(150)
$  7,499

$  7,499
  1,545
(908)
$  8,136

Carrying Value 
At December 31, 2013 
At December 31, 2014 

$  4,673 
$  3,860 

$  1,353 
$  1,106 

– 
687  

$  6,172
$  6,719

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

GIS 

65

Asset under 

LAND 

SE 

SE 
Externally 
Acquired  Generated 

Internally  Develop- 

ment 

Other 

Develop-  LAND Data 
Conversion 

ment 

Total

Cost
Balance at December 31, 2012 
Additions 
Dividend-in-kind 
Transfer  
Balance at December 31, 2013 

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Additions  
Impairment 
Disposals 
Transfer 
Balance at December 31, 2014  

Accumulated Depreciation 
Balance at December 31, 2012 
Amortization 
Dividend-in-kind  
Recovery of MARS expenses 
Balance at December 31, 2013 

Balance at December 31, 2013 
Amortization 
Disposals 
Recovery of MARS expenses  
Balance at December  31, 2014 

Carrying Value 
At December 31, 2013  
At December 31, 2014 

$  6,705  $  1,577  $ 29,301  $  6,707  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 17,262  $ 93,651
  3,289
  (3,574)
–
$  6,705  $  1,805  $ 33,753  $  1,742  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 17,262  $ 93,366

– 
 (3,391) 
  7,843 

  3,289 
– 
 (8,254) 

– 
(183) 
411 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

$  6,705  $  1,805  $ 33,753  $  1,742  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 17,262  $ 93,366
  2,080
  (1,052)
(658)
–
$  6,705  $  1,993  $ 33,773  $  1,904  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 17,262  $ 93,736

  1,892 
 (1,052) 
(465) 
(213) 

– 
– 
(193) 
213 

188 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

$  6,705  $  1,249  $ 23,206  $ 
168 
(20) 
– 

  2,925 
(725) 
212 

– 
– 
– 

$  6,705  $  1,397  $ 25,618  $ 

$  6,705  $  1,397  $ 25,618  $ 
202 
– 
– 

  2,191 
(193) 
232 

– 
– 
– 

$  6,705  $  1,599  $ 27,848  $ 

–  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 12,083  $ 75,342
  4,244
– 
– 
(745)
– 
– 
212
– 
– 
–  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 13,234  $ 79,053

  1,151 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

–  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 13,234  $ 79,053
  3,544
– 
– 
(193)
– 
– 
– 
232
– 
–  $  1,414  $ 30,685  $ 14,385  $ 82,636

  1,151 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

$ 
$ 

–  $ 
408  $  8,135  $  1,742  $ 
–  $  394  $  5,925  $  1,904  $ 

–  $ 
–  $ 

–  $  4,028  $ 14,313
–  $  2,877  $ 11,100

During the year, the Company assessed that an asset under development and not yet available for use was impaired 
because the work completed to date would not be transferable to the new solution.

12  LONG-TERM DEBT

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. 
At December 31, 2014, $9.935 million was financed through a bankers’ acceptance note, due January 5, 2015, bearing 
interest at 1.273 per cent per annum. In comparison, at December 31, 2013, $9.935 million was financed through a 
bankers’ acceptance note, due April 7, 2014, bearing interest at 1.380 per cent per annum.

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66

13  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 Vital Statistics 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 

14  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$ 

$ 

 –  
– 
–  

$ 

$ 

1,074
1,829
(755) 

The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income after tax and the weighted average number of shares 
outstanding during the period. 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, basic 
Potential dilutive shares resulting from stock option 
Weighted average number of shares, diluted 

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

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  18,360 
– 

$  77,736 
 (755)

17,500,000 
  18,141 
17,518,141 

17,500,000
–
17,500,000

$ 

$ 

1.05 
– 
1.05 

$ 

$ 

4.44
(0.04)
4.40

15  EQUITY AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

In November 2012, the Government introduced legislation 
to privatize and enable the sale of shares of ISC. 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 Shares at $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 Shares. The Offering was a secondary offering by 
the selling shareholder, CIC. Following the closing of the 
secondary offering, CIC held 5,425,000 Class A Shares, 
representing approximately 31 per cent of the issued and 
outstanding Class A Shares. 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 Golden Share 
and an unlimited number of Preferred Shares, issuable 

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67

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 
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 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.  

(thousands of CAD dollars, except number of shares) 

Number of Shares 

Share Capital 

Number of Shares 

Share Capital

Class A 

Class B

Balance at January 1, 2013 
Issue of shares at continuation 
Class A Share split (1:17,500,000) 
Balance at December 31, 2013 
No movement 
Balance at December 31, 2014 

– 
1 
17,499,999 
17,500,000 
– 
17,500,000 

$ 

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

– 
1 
– 
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 Government, 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 (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”), (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 period.

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 of Saskatchewan under a debenture) in all 
personal property and floating charge over all property of 
ISC Sask.  

The Company’s capital at December 31, 2014, consisted 
of long-term debt, share capital and retained earnings 
(comprising total shareholders’ equity). 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Long-term debt 
Share capital 
Equity settled employee  
   benefit reserve 
Retained earnings 
Capitalization 

As at December 31,

2014 

2013

$  9,935 
  19,955 

$  9,935
  19,955

50 
  65,347 
$  95,287 

–
  60,987
$  90,877

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68

16   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 would be material. 
The Company 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 predominantly provincial, federal and municipal 
government ministries and agencies and its private sector customers are diverse. 

Cash is held with a major Canadian chartered bank and the Company believes the risk of loss to be minimal. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk at December 31, 2014, is $36.6 million (December 31, 2013 – $30.6 million) equal to the 
carrying value of the Company’s financial assets, those being cash at $33.6 million (December 31, 2013 – $27.6 million) 
and trade receivables at $3.0 million (December 31, 2013 – $3.0 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 

Interest rate risk

As at December 31,

2014 

2013

$  33,581 
  1,331 
274 
  1,425 
$  36,611 

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

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, 2014:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Carrying Amount 

Long-term debt 
Trade and other payables 
Total liabilities 

$ 

9,935 
5,082 
$  15,017 

Contractual 
Cash Flows 

$  10,087 
5,082 
$  15,169 

0-6 months 

7-12 months 

1-2 years

$ 

152 
5,082 
$  5,234 

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
– 

$ 

9,935
–
$  9,935

Contractual cash flows for long-term debt include principal and interest.  

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
69

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, 2014 

December 31, 2013

Financial Assets
Cash  
Trade receivables  

Financial Liabilities
Trade and other payables*  
Dividend payable  
Long-term debt  

* includes provision for early retirement plan 

FVTPL 
LAR 

$  33,581 
  3,030 

$  33,581 
  3,030 

$  27,614 
2,978 

$  27,614
2,978

OFL 
OFL 
OFL 

  5,128 
  3,500 
  9,935 

  5,128 
  3,500 
  9,935 

5,715 
3,500 
9,935 

5,715
3,500
9,935

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, they are 
considered to be Level 1.

17  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Included in these consolidated 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 Saskatchewan 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 consolidated financial 
statements and the notes thereto.

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
70

18   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 
Share-based compensation  
Defined contribution plan 
Total compensation 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  1,614 
300 
86 
$  2,000 

$ 

1,735
–
104
$  1,839

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 Board upon recommendation of the 
Compensation Committee having regard to the performance of individuals and market trends.

19  REVENUE

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys Directory and Geomatics* 
Personal Property Registry 
Corporate Registry 
Other 
Total revenue 

*  includes revenue from sale of goods 

20  NET CHANGE IN NON-CASH WORKING CAPITAL

The net change during the period comprised the following:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Trade receivables 
GST/HST receivable  
Grant receivable 
Prepaid expenses 
Trade and other payables 
Accrued interest 
Advances from customers 
Deferred revenue 
Provision for early retirement plan 
Net change in non-cash working capital 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  61,999  
  9,870 
  8,235 
355 
$  80,459   

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

$ 

331 

$ 

305

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

(52)  
(2,854) 
– 
(77) 
(612) 
2 
(191) 
(356) 
(46) 
(4,186) 

$ 

$ 

2013

(1,546)  
(2,145)
201
(266)
551
19
(369)
(174)
(109)
(3,838)

$ 

$ 

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
71

21  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leasing arrangements

The Company leases all of its office space through operating leases. Operating leases related to office spaces have lease 
terms of between two and 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 photocopiers 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. 

Master Service Agreement

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 Titles Registry, Land Surveys Directory, PPR and 
Corporate Registry on behalf of the Government for a 20-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 which was due on March 1, 2014.  

Commitments

Future minimum payments for leasing of office space, information technology service agreements with Hewlett-Packard 
Company and Information Systems Management Canada Corporation and to the Government under the MSA include the 
following amounts over the next five years as of December 31, 2014:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Office Leases 

2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
Thereafter 
Total commitments 

Contingencies

$ 

2,314 
2,570 
2,390 
2,317 
2,303 
9,877 
$  21,771 

IT Service 
Agreements 

$ 

9,277   
8,628 
8,506 
8,338 
3,462 
– 
$  38,211 

Master Service 
Agreement 

$ 

500   
500 
500 
500 
500 
7,000 
$  9,500   

Total

$  12,091
  11,698
  11,396
  11,155
6,265
  16,877
$  69,482  

The Land Titles Act, 2000 (Saskatchewan) contains an assurance provision that allows customers to recover losses due 
to the errors or omissions of the Registries. 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”) the Company may charge for the 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 September 30, 2014, the liability was nil 
(December 31, 2013 – nil).

22  PENSION EXPENSE

The total pension costs of the Company for the year were $1.4 million (2013 – $1.4 million).

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72

23  BORROWING COSTS

The amount of borrowing costs capitalized during 2014 and 2013 were nil. 

24  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On January 5, 2015, ISC rolled over its long-term debt of $9.935 million for another three months through a bankers’ 
acceptance note bearing an interest rate of 1.30 per cent.

On March 17, 2015, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per Class A Share, payable on or before 
April 15, 2015, to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2015.   

On December 22, 2014, ISC announced that the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with OneMove 
Technologies Inc., OneMove Online Systems Inc. and related parties, (collectively, “OneMove”) to acquire econveyance™, 
a proprietary online conveyancing solution. On February 5, 2015, the Company announced that it had received a 
Request for Information from the Competition Bureau and that the closing of the transaction had not yet occurred. On 
March 16, 2015, the Company announced that, by mutual agreement, the sale by OneMove and purchase by ISC of the 
econveyance™ business, as previously announced, is not proceeding. OneMove and the Company have signed a mutual 
release and termination agreement.

25  COMPARATIVE FIGURES

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

2014 ISC Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  |  For the year ended December 31, 20142014 ISC Annual Report

73
73

(left to right) Douglas Allen Emsley, Jess H. Chua, William Scott Musgrave, Thomas Richard Christiansen, Joel 
Douglas Teal, Anthony Robert Guglielmin, Dion E. Tchorzewski, Bradley S. Sylvester, Michelle Ouellette, Q.C.

Board of Directors

Douglas Allen Emsley
Regina, Saskatchewan
Director since: 2013
Chair of the Compensation 
Committee

Jess H. 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, Q.C.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Director since: 2013
Member of the Governance  
& Nominating Committee

Board of Directors

2014 ISC Annual Report74

Officers

(left to right) Kenneth W. Budzak, Jeff Stusek, Kathy Hillman-Weir, Shawn B. Peters.

Officers

Jeff Stusek
President and  
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 Information 
Circular, which are available 
on our website at www.isc.ca, 
or through the System for 
Electronic Document Analysis 
and Retrieval (SEDAR) at  
www.sedar.com.

2014 ISC Annual Report75

Corporate Information

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 Shares, 
one Class B Golden Share and an unlimited number of 
Preferred Shares.

Class A Limited Voting Shares 
Issued and outstanding – 17,500,000 Class A Shares as  
at December 31, 2014. 

The Company’s articles and the ISC Act limit ownership of 
Class A Shares, including joint ownership to no more than 
15.0 per cent of the Class A Shares issued and outstanding.   

Class B Golden Share
Issued and outstanding – 1 Class B Golden Share  
(“Golden Share”) as at December 31, 2014.  

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, 2014. 

Preferred Shares are issuable at any time and may include 
voting rights.

Ownership
As of March 13, 2015, the Government of Saskatchewan, 
through Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, 
held approximately 31.0 per cent of the issued and 
outstanding Class A Shares of the Company.  

Dividends on Class A Shares
On August 12, 2013, ISC’s Board established a policy of paying an annual dividend of $0.80 per Class A 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 our cash available 
for distribution, financial requirements, any restrictions imposed by our Credit Facilities, the requirements of any future 
financings 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

2014

Quarterly Cash

March 27, 2014

March 31, 2014

April 15, 2014

2014

Quarterly Cash

June 26, 2014

June 30, 2014

July 15, 2014

C$0.20

C$0.20

2014

Quarterly Cash

September 26, 2014

September 30, 2014

October 15, 2014

C$0.20

2014

Quarterly Cash

December 29, 2014

December 31, 2014

January 15, 2015

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 on July 9, 2013) 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.

Corporate Information

2014 ISC Annual Report76

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 Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at 
www.sedar.com.

Investor Contact Information
Jonathan Hackshaw 
Director, Investor Relations &  
Corporate 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 General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be  
held at 2:00 p.m. (Saskatchewan time) on May 12, 2015,  
at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference  
Centre, 1975 Broad Street, Regina, Saskatchewan,  
S4P 1Y2, Canada.

Corporate Information

2014 ISC Annual ReportISC.ca

Infor mation Services Corporation 

300 - 10 Research Drive

Regina, Saskatchewan  S4S 7J7  Canada

Toll Free: 1 (866) 275-4721