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Information Services

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FY2015 Annual Report · Information Services
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Annual Report

2015 ISC® Annual Report

About 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.

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

Contents

Letter from our Chair  .....................................................................  2

Consolidated Financial Statements  ......................................... 42

Letter from our CEO  ......................................................................  3

Board of Directors  |  Officers  .................................................... 73

Management’s Discussion & Analysis ........................................ 5

Corporate Information  ................................................................ 74

2015 ISC® Annual Report

2015 In Review

EBITDA Margin

36.2%

Revenue

Annual Dividend/Share

$78.3 million

$0.80

174,000

Approximate number of customer 
service transactions logged in 2015 
related to registry and information 
services – an average of almost 
500 every day of the year.

4 million

Number of searches of our Saskatchewan Land 
Registry made by customers in 2015, including 
about 900,000 fee-for-service transactions.

2.4 million

Number of electronic land records ISC  
maintains, including:

1.5 million 
surface titles

450,000 
mineral titles

More than 500,000 
abstracts for 
ungranted parcels

Transactions

Land Titles Registry
(Transactions)

Land Titles Registry
Land Titles Registry
(Transactions)
(Transactions)

Personal Property 
Registry
(Transactions)

Personal Property 
Registry
(Transactions)

Personal Property 
Registry
(Transactions)

Corporate Registry
Corporate Registry
Corporate Registry
(Transactions)
(Transactions)
(Transactions)

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

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2014

2015

2015

2015 ISC® Annual Report

Letter from Our Chair

Joel Teal
Chair, Board of 
Directors

that are vital to adding value to our 
current business by diversifying our 
geographic presence and expanding 
our customer base. 

With respect to Board renewal, we 
have two Board members whose 
tenure will come to an end at our 
upcoming annual general meeting. 
Brad Sylvester, a member of the 
Board since 2008, and Jess Chua, 
a member since 2013, have been 
valued colleagues and we thank 
them for their steadfast service.

Three new nominees, Karyn Brooks, 
John Dowd and Iraj Pourian, have 
agreed to stand for election to the 
Board at the annual general meeting 
in May. All are experienced business 
leaders who, with their respective 
financial, technological and business 
input, will be a huge asset to ISC 
as we go forward. More details 
are included in the Management 
Information Circular.  

In all, 2015 was a productive year 
for the Board and one of steady 
progress. In closing, I would 
like to thank ISC employees for 
their dedication in 2015. I would 
like to acknowledge our strong 
relationship with our major client, the 
Government of Saskatchewan, and 
for the support we receive from our 
customers. We look forward to the 
continuing journey at ISC with you.

Sincerely,

Joel Teal 
Chair

It’s no secret that 2015 was a tough 
year for businesses globally. Although 
ISC was not immune to the effects 
of this, it is notable that, despite a 
year-over-year decline in revenue, 
ISC generated $21.5 million in free 
cash flow in 2015 and has generated 
nearly $69 million since going public 
in July 2013.  

ISC’s ability to continue to generate 
free cash flow is a tribute to our 
management’s ability to prudently 
manage costs while looking for 
opportunities to expand our business. 
In 2015, ISC made $14 million in 
dividend payments to shareholders 
and has distributed in excess of 
$31 million in dividends over the last 
nine quarters. With a strong balance 
sheet and a steady core business in 
Saskatchewan, ISC has entered 2016 
well-positioned to withstand further 
economic challenges.

Last year, I noted that we will always 
push ourselves to get better. This 
continues to remain our driving 
force, and the Board is committed 
to the strategic oversight of ISC. 
This includes monitoring the 
company’s progress against its 
priorities, protecting and enhancing 
shareholder value and continually 
evaluating best practices in 
corporate governance. 

We also continue to support the 
management team’s efforts to build a 
larger and more profitable business. 
Some of the prospects in this area 
have longer cycles, but we saw some 
of the fruits of this work in 2015 with 
the acquisition of ESC Corporate 
Services Ltd. and the investment in 
OneMove Technologies Inc. It is the 
execution of opportunities like this 

2

2015 ISC® Annual Report

Letter from 
Our CEO

Jeff Stusek
President and  
Chief Executive 
Officer

2015 was a year of steady financial performance, 

meaningful accomplishments and the advancement  

of promising opportunities – all amid turbulent  

economic conditions.

As expected, the slowing of the 
Saskatchewan economy in 2015, 
especially in the real estate sector, 
had a direct impact on total 
revenue. Land Registry revenue was 
directly affected by fewer housing 
starts and completions compared 
to 2014, resulting in lower land 
transfer volumes, fewer mortgage 
registrations and title searches.

The change in the economic climate 
also affected revenue from our 
other registries. The number of new 
business incorporations declined 
but this was mostly offset by a small 
increase in annual return filings, 
which left Corporate Registry 
revenue stable year-over-year. 
Revenue for the Personal Property 
Registry is linked to employment, 

net migration, retail sales and new 
motor vehicle sales. With a moderate 
decline in these drivers, revenue in 
this registry declined only slightly.

Despite this, we achieved a healthy 
EBITDA margin and also delivered 
service levels that exceeded 
our Master Service Agreement 
requirements with the Government 
of Saskatchewan. 

We also continued to improve our 
current operations. The major 
upgrade to the technology 
supporting the Corporate Registry, 
which we expect will launch in July 
2016, continues to be on schedule 

3

Letter from Our CEO (continued)

As we look beyond 2016, the fundamentals of 

profitability, transparency, compliance and 

accountability will guide our decisions as we strive 

to deliver strong financial performance and deliver 

on our growth mandate.

and our initial testing with customer 
groups has garnered positive 
feedback. 

In September, we completed 
our investment of $3.3 million in 
OneMove Technologies Inc. and 
acquired 30 per cent of the issued 
and outstanding voting common 
shares. This milestone was followed 
by the 100 per cent acquisition of 
ESC Corporate Services Ltd. (ESC)  
in October.

The acquisition of ESC served a 
symbolic purpose for ISC – we 
are now not just talking about 
growing beyond the borders of 
Saskatchewan, we are operating 
there. The ceiling that capped our 
potential has lifted and we continue 
to monitor an active pipeline of 
other opportunities.

The challenge for us has been 
to simultaneously adapt to the 
new economic environment we 

face, while driving forward our 
goal of growing our business 
and maintaining our financial 
performance. So, if I was to 
summarize the last fiscal year for 
ISC, it was one of evolving while 
delivering stable performance in 
challenging times.  

Our outlook for 2016 reflects 
several challenging variables in the 
operating environment, including 
the continuous impact of lower 
oil prices on the economy and, 
thus, the local housing market. 
We also expect to invest in R&D to 
ensure our replication focus will be 
grounded in becoming the world’s 
best manager and operator of 
registries. 

An opportunity to deliver services  
in Nova Scotia is an exciting one  
and we intend to pursue it 
vigorously, while keeping our 
eye on other potential replication 

opportunities in other jurisdictions, 
as many governments are now 
looking to private sector operators, 
like us, to deliver government 
services on their behalf. With the 
growth of this trend, there is a clear 
path forward, which will be built 
upon our solid foundation of a strong 
balance sheet and an experienced 
and talented team.   

As we look beyond 2016, the 
fundamentals of profitability, 
transparency, compliance and 
accountability will guide our 
decisions as we strive to deliver 
strong financial performance and 
deliver on our growth strategy. We 
are committed to deliver long-term 
value to our shareholders, as well as 
make a lasting contribution to the 
communities in which we operate.  

Sincerely,

Jeff Stusek 
President and  
Chief Executive Officer

With the acquisition of ESC Corporate Services Ltd.  

in 2015, ISC began operating outside Saskatchewan’s 

borders – a symbolic and significant step toward 

building our business by extending our reach into 

new geographic markets.

4

Management’s
Discussion and Analysis

For the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2015

Table of Contents
  1  Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

  2  Responsibility for Disclosure ................................................................................................................................................ 6

  3  Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements ........................................................................................................ 6

  4  Consolidated Highlights ........................................................................................................................................................ 8

  5  Business Overview ................................................................................................................................................................ 11

  6  Business Strategy ................................................................................................................................................................... 16

  7  Results of Operations ........................................................................................................................................................... 16

  8  Summary of Consolidated Quarterly Results ...............................................................................................................30

  9  Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators ................................................................................................ 31

10  Outlook .....................................................................................................................................................................................32

 11  Liquidity and Capital Resources .......................................................................................................................................33

 12  Share-Based Compensation Plan .....................................................................................................................................36

 13  Commitments .........................................................................................................................................................................36

 14  Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements ....................................................................................................................................37

 15  Related Party Transactions ................................................................................................................................................. 37

 16  Critical Accounting Estimates ............................................................................................................................................37

 17  Changes in Accounting Policies ........................................................................................................................................37

 18  Financial Instruments and Financial Risks ...................................................................................................................... 37

 19  Risk Management  and Business Risks ............................................................................................................................38

 20  Evaluation of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting .........................................................................................40

 21  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures ....................................................................................................40

 22  Non-IFRS Financial Measures ............................................................................................................................................ 41

5

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

1  Introduction
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) 
for Information Services Corporation (“ISC”) 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 
Consolidated Financial Statements for the years 
ended December 31, 2015, and 2014. Additional 
information, including our Annual Information Form for 
the year ended December 31, 2015, is available on the 
Company’s website at www.isc.ca, and in the Company’s 
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

2  Responsibility for Disclosure
This MD&A contains information from our audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements (the “Financial 
Statements”) for the years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014, and 2013, prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. 
The financial information that appears throughout our 
MD&A is consistent with the 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 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 15, 2016. 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.

3  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, 
corporate services and information products industry, 
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, the long-term impact of certain payments 
of the Government of Saskatchewan, seasonality, 
business strategy, customer growth and diversification, 
investment in human capital, dividend expectations, 
creation of shareholder value, recent and proposed 
acquisitions, growth opportunities, capital and operating 
expectations, access to financing on satisfactory terms, 
debt levels, free cash flow, expectations for meeting 
future cash requirements, potential litigation, projected 
costs, expectations for collective bargaining and for 
reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with 
ISC’s unionized employees, 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 

6
6

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. 
There can be no assurance that such estimates and 
assumptions will prove to be correct.

•  ability to obtain future financing;

•  our insurance may not provide adequate coverage;

Certain assumptions with respect to the Canadian 
economy and, in particular, 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 connection with our 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 Canadian economy and, in particular, the 

Saskatchewan economy, 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 in Saskatchewan 
(collectively, the “Saskatchewan Registries”);

•  reliance on key personnel;

•  our ability to execute our growth strategy;

•  any compromise to the integrity or security of our 

information assets;

•  our reliance on information technology systems or a 

material disruption in our computer systems;

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

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

7
7

•  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 listing of important 
assumptions and factors is 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.

Market and Industry Data

We have obtained some of the market and industry data 
presented in the MD&A from market research, publicly 
available information, reports of governmental agencies 
and industry publications and surveys, including various 
forecasts. While the Company’s management generally 
believes such market and industry data to be reliable, 
the Company has not verified such market and industry 
data through other independent sources or other means.

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

4  Consolidated Highlights
4.1  Fourth Quarter  
Consolidated Highlights

•  Revenue was $22.6 million for the three months ended 

December 31, 2015, an increase of 14.3 per cent, 
compared to $19.8 million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2014.

•  EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation 
and amortization expense) for the fourth quarter of 
2015 was $8.2 million compared to $7.0 million in the 
same quarter of last year, an increase of $1.2 million.

•  Our EBITDA margin for the fourth quarter of 2015 was 
36.3 per cent compared to 35.6 per cent in the fourth 
quarter of 2014.

•  Adjusted EBITDA was $8.6 million for the fourth 

quarter 2015, compared to $7.1 million in the same 
quarter last year, with ISC generating an adjusted 
EBITDA margin of 38.2 per cent for the quarter 
compared to 35.7 per cent in the fourth quarter 
of 2014. EBITDA was adjusted for stock-based 
compensation expense or income, equity settled 
employee benefit reserve, transactional gains and 
losses, asset impairment charges, and acquisition  
and integration costs.

•  Net income and total comprehensive income for 
the three months ended December 31, 2015, was 
$4.6 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share. 
In the fourth quarter of 2014, net income was 
$4.0 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share.

•  On October 1, 2015, we completed the acquisition 
of all issued and outstanding common shares of 
ESC Corporate Services Ltd. (“ESC”). 

•  On November 4, 2015, our Board declared a quarterly 
cash dividend of $0.20 per Class A Share, payable on 
or before January 15, 2016, to shareholders of record 
as of December 31, 2015.

4.2  Year End Consolidated Highlights

•  Revenue was $78.3 million for the year ended 

December 31, 2015, a decrease of 2.7 per cent, 
compared to $80.5 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2014.

•  EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2015, was 
$28.4 million compared to $30.2 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of $1.8 million.

•  Our EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 
2015, was 36.2 per cent compared to 37.6 per cent in 
the year ended December 31, 2014.

•  Adjusted EBITDA was $30.4 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2015, compared to $31.6 million in the 
same period last year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin 
of 38.8 per cent for the year ended December 31, 
2015, compared to 39.2 per cent in the same period 
of 2014. EBITDA was adjusted for stock-based 
compensation expense or income, equity settled 
employee benefit reserve, transactional gains and 
losses, asset impairment charges, and acquisition  
and integration costs.

•  Net income and total comprehensive income for the 
year ended December 31, 2015, was $15.9 million or 
$0.91 per basic share, and $0.90 per diluted share. For 
the year ended December 31, 2014, net income was 
$18.4 million, or $1.05 per basic and diluted share.

•  On September 2, 2015, we completed our investment 

of $3.3 million in OneMove Technologies Inc. 
(“OneMove”) and acquired 30 per cent of the issued 
and outstanding voting common shares.

•  We entered into an amended and restated credit 
agreement in connection with the secured credit 
facilities provided by a Canadian chartered bank.

•  We completed the development and implementation 
of the Saskatchewan Asbestos Registry, which was 
launched on May 4, 2015, and we entered into an 
agreement with the Ministry of Labour Relations  
and Workplace Safety to host and support the 
Asbestos Registry.

8

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

•  We signed a service agreement with the 

Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy to host 
and support the Mineral Administration Registry 
Saskatchewan (“MARS”) system.

•  We continued implementing the renewal and 

enhancement of the technology, processes and policy 
supporting the Corporate Registry with expected 
completion in 2016.

•  We signed a service agreement with the 

Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy to host and 
support the Civic Address Registry (“CAR”) project  
in exchange for a service fee.

4.3  Subsequent Events

•  On February 19, 2016, the Company subscribed for 
1,620,454 Class B Common Shares in the capital of 
OneMove, for a total of $990 thousand, representing 
its pro rata share of an equity raise by OneMove. This 
investment maintains ISC’s 30 per cent ownership in 
OneMove and the funds will be used to finance certain 
growth activities of the company.

•  On March 7, 2016, we announced that, taking effect 
from December 1, 2015, the MSA was amended to 
appoint ISC to continue to manage and operate 
the Common Business Identifier Program and the 
Business Registration Saskatchewan Program for the 
same term as the MSA. The Province of Saskatchewan 
will pay ISC an annual operating fee of $825 thousand.

•  On March 15, 2016, our Board declared a quarterly 

cash dividend of $0.20 per Class A Share, payable on 
or before April 15, 2016, to shareholders of record as 
of March 31, 2016.

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

.

1
9
7

.

5
0
8

.

3
8
7

2013

2014

2015

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

EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA

43.0%

38.1%

37.6% 39.2%

38.8%

36.2%

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA

.

6
0
3

.

0
4
3

.

2
0
3

.

6
1
3

.

4
8
2

.

4
0
3

2013

2014

2015

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, are not 
  comparable to similar measures by other corporations. Refer to section “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

Consolidated Free Cash Flow 
for the year ended December 31,
(CAD$ millions)

.

9
7
2

.

9
3
2

.

5
1
2

2013

2014

2015

90.0

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

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

9

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

4.4  Select Consolidated Financial Information

The select annual financial information set out for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, 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. It should be noted that the fourth quarter and year end results for 2015 include the results of ESC, 
which was acquired on October 1, 2015.

(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 per share 
Earnings per share, basic 2 
Earnings per share, diluted 2 

Total assets 
Total non-current liabilities 

 2015 

$  78,318 
  15,917 
$  28,364 
  30,386 
  36.2% 
  38.8% 
$  21,489 
0.80 
0.91 
0.90 

$ 
$ 

 2015 

$ 136,109 
  27,345 

Year Ended December 31,

2014 

2013

$  80,459 
  18,360 
$  30,240 
  31,578 
  37.6% 
  39.2% 
$  23,914 
0.80 
1.05 
1.05 

$ 
$ 

$  79,131
  76,981
$  30,554
  34,008
  38.1%
  43.0%
$  27,862
0.38
4.40
4.40

$ 
$ 

As at December 31,

2014 

2013

$ 109,536 
  10,417 

$ 108,101
  10,814

1  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. Refer to section 
“Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

2  The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income after tax and the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

Over the past three years, overall revenue remained stable but, due to lower transaction volumes in the 
Saskatchewan Registries, declined as a result of the slowing of the Saskatchewan economy in 2015. However, 
consolidated revenue was supplemented from the acquisition of ESC in the last quarter of 2015.

Over the past three years, ISC has consistently achieved strong free cash flows and adjusted EBITDA margins over 
35.0 per cent.

Since its initial public offering, the Company has declared and paid quarterly dividends at an annual rate of $0.80 
per Class A Share (pro-rated in 2013) to its shareholders.

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

5  Business Overview
Headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, ISC 
is the full-service provider of registry and information 
services and solutions to governments and private 
sector organizations.

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 Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “ISV”.

ISC is distinguished from its competitors by its 
unique expertise in the full-service management and 
administration of registries. In addition to registry 
services, ISC offers complementary and customized 
information services and solutions. ISC works with 
governments and private sector organizations to 
develop policies and procedures to support the 
integrity of the data, then manages the information 
technology, data management and authentication 
processes. Finally, the Company delivers a strong 
customer service experience online and in person 
through its eight customer service centres.

The end-users of our products and services are 
individuals and businesses, including real estate agents, 
home builders, governments (including municipalities), 
financial institutions, insurance companies, car and 
equipment dealers, land developers, resource, 
utility and pipeline businesses as well as established 
intermediary customers such as legal, survey and 
engineering firms.

On September 2, 2015, ISC completed its investment of 
$3.3 million in OneMove Technologies Inc. (“OneMove”) 
and acquired 30 per cent of the issued and outstanding 
voting common shares. OneMove and its econveyance™ 
software is an industry-leading online, subscription-
based solution that offers a secure and efficient means 
of managing real property transactions. It simplifies 
and expedites the process of buying and selling real 
property by connecting legal professionals, lenders 

and insurers throughout the conveyancing process. The 
econveyance™ solution is available in British Columbia, 
Alberta and, most recently, Ontario.

On October 1, 2015, ISC completed the acquisition 
of all issued and outstanding common shares of ESC 
Corporate Services Ltd. (“ESC”). ISC completed the 
transaction through a wholly owned subsidiary using a 
combination of cash and debt with $21.0 million of the 
purchase price, subject to working capital adjustment, 
paid on closing of the transaction and up to $7.0 million 
payable in the form of a performance-based, 12-month 
earn out, of which we currently estimate $5.0 million 
will be payable. A Business Acquisition Report was 
filed on SEDAR in relation to the ESC acquisition on 
December 15, 2015. Refer to Note 19 to the Financial 
Statements for the ESC acquisition.

ESC provides law firms, corporations, financial service 
institutions and others with services to fulfill a wide 
variety of their clients’ public records due diligence, 
filings and corporate supply requirements in connection 
with public business registries in Canada and certain 
other countries. ESC’s team provides full-service, 
bilingual, online corporate services, including due 
diligence, filing and incorporation across Canada and 
around the world. ESC has offered these corporate 
services in Ontario since 2009, when it acquired the 
Corporate Search and Corporate Supplies division of 
Dye & Durham in Ontario and, subsequently, in Quebec 
since 2014 when it acquired what was formerly known as 
the Corporate Research and Analysis Centre (“CRAC”).

5.1  Segment Information

Operating segments are identified as components of a 
company where separate discrete financial information 
is available for evaluation by the chief operating 
decision maker regarding allocation of resources and 
assessment of performance. In previous reporting, ISC 
has presented its operational and financial performance 
based on one segment, encompassing all of the 
registries it operates on behalf of the Government of 
Saskatchewan. With the acquisition of ESC in the fourth 
quarter of 2015, the Company now operates in two 
reportable segments as described below, defined by 
their primary type of service offerings, namely Registries 
and Services. The balance of our corporate activities and 
shared services functions are reported as Corporate.

11

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

5.2  Our Registries Segment

Our Registries segment involves the provision of registry 
and information services and solutions to governments 
and private sector organizations. Currently, the 
Company provides registry and information services 
to the Province of Saskatchewan and is the exclusive 
provider of the Land Registry, the Personal Property 
Registry and the Corporate Registry in Saskatchewan.

•  The Land Registry, which includes the Land Titles 

Registry, the Land Surveys Directory (“Land Surveys”) 
and Geomatics;

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.

–  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, 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 Saskatchewan Registries, there are  
three common revenue components. Revenue is 
primarily generated by earning fees from our end-use 
customers for:

  1. Registrations; 
2. Searches; and 
3. Maintenance transactions.

Registrations in Saskatchewan are conducted primarily 
online or through staff-assisted services that facilitate 

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. Under the new amendment to the MSA 
announced on March 7, 2016 (see “Subsequent Events”), 
ISC earns an annual operating fee under the Programs 
Operating Agreement entered into under the MSA.

5.2.1  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 provides 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. Its primary users 
are legal firms, financial institutions, developers and 
resource-based companies.

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.

12

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

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 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.

5.2.2  Land Surveys

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

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

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.

5.2.3  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.

Unlike the other services offered within the Land 
Registry, Geomatics does not derive revenue from 
registration or maintenance services; rather, it generates 
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 also provides Geomatics services for 
land-related data and applications. For example, ISC 
developed 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 
the 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”), under 
contract with the Ministry of Government Relations, 
to create a province-wide civic address registry and 
an online maintenance system. In 2015, we signed a 
service agreement with the Saskatchewan Ministry of 
the Economy to host and support the CAR project in 
exchange for a service fee.

5.2.4  Personal Property Registry

The Personal Property Registry is a notice-based 
public registry in which interests in movable types of 
personal property may be registered. The Personal 
Property Registry 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 registry to 
ensure there are no outstanding notices of third-party 
interests in personal property.

General provincial economic drivers, including 
automotive sales, interest rates and the strength in 
commercial activity across the province influence the 
revenue in the Personal Property Registry.

Under the Personal Property Registry, customers are 
charged flat fees per transaction, and the automated 
web-based system enables real-time completion 
of search and registration services and minimizes 
operational effort to deliver services. Approximately 
99.6 per cent of searches in the registry are completed 
online. The high online usage is stable, with minimal 
numbers of end-use consumers needing staff assistance 
to complete their transactions.

13

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

5.2.5  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.

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.

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 
anticipating the launch of the new system in July 2016.

5.2.6  Common Business Identifier and 
Business Registrations Saskatchewan

The Common Business Identifier Act (Saskatchewan) 
provides the framework and authority for Saskatchewan 
to expand the use of the Canada Revenue Agency 
Business Number as the common business identifier  
for business entities that interact with participating 
public sector programs in Saskatchewan.

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.

Under the terms of the MSA with the Government of 
Saskatchewan, as amended, ISC was appointed to 
manage and operate the Common Business Identifier 
and the Business Portal services for an initial period of 
36 months.

On March 7, 2016, we announced that, taking effect 
from December 1, 2015, the MSA was amended to 
appoint ISC to continue to manage and operate the 
Common Business Identifier Program and the Business 
Registration Saskatchewan Program (formerly referred 
to as the Business Portal) for the same term as the MSA. 
The Province of Saskatchewan will pay ISC an annual 
operating fee of $825 thousand, for such programs, 
subject to an annual Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) 
adjustment calculated in accordance with the MSA.  
We do not currently charge any additional fees for 
business owners who register through Business 
Registrations Saskatchewan.

5.2.7  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.

In 2015, we completed the development and 
implementation of the Saskatchewan Asbestos 
Registry, which was launched on May 4, 2015, and we 
entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Labour 
Relations and Workplace Safety to host and support 
the Asbestos Registry.

5.3  Our Services Segment

Our Services segment involves the provision of services 
to law firms, corporations, financial service institutions 
and others with services to fulfill a wide variety of 
their clients’ public records due diligence, filings and 
corporate supply requirements in connection with 
public business registries in Canada and certain other 
countries. These services are primarily provided by the 
Company’s subsidiary, ESC.

ESC provides its Canadian financial institution clients 
with customized, automated and proven solutions 
to validate the status of business entities. For its law 
firm customers that range from large firms to sole 
practitioners, this segment also provides a complete 
suite of corporate services and supplies.

ESC’s services have two revenue components: 
transactional fees and per unit charges. ESC earns 
revenue through transaction fees charged for all search 

14

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

and registration products as well as Know-Your-Customer 
services. All government fees associated with the service 
are either embedded in the search fee or charged in 
addition to the service transaction fee. ESC does not 
earn any subscription-related fees relating to any of its 
products. Corporate supplies are charged a per unit fee 
in the same manner as a product in a retail transaction.

5.3.1  Search and Registration Services

ESC provides search services, including corporate, 
business name, personal property, real property, 
corporate name search reports (also known as NUANS 1 
reports), trademark, Bank Act and other search services, 
primarily to legal professionals. ESC provides corporate, 
business name, personal property, trademark, Bank Act 
and other registration and filing services (e.g., business 
incorporations, amendments, amalgamations, etc.), 
primarily to lawyers and law firms.

ESC’s search and registration services focus on legal 
professionals with a client base consisting of a mix of 
small and large law firms based primarily in Ontario and 
Quebec. ESC has built an online workflow platform to 
service legal customers through a team of experienced 
law clerks in both Ontario and Quebec able to provide 
full service public registry solutions to support business 
and complex legal transactions.

ESC also provides nationwide search and registration 
services for its customers directly or indirectly.

5.3.2  Know-Your-Customer Services

While all banks operating in Canada have to follow 
the same Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) laws and 
regulations, financial institutions each structure their 
AML efforts somewhat differently. Financial institutions 
and many non-financial institutions are required to 
identify and report transactions of a suspicious nature 
to the Financial Transactions Reports Analysis Centre 
of Canada (“FINTRAC”). FINTRAC is Canada’s financial 
intelligence unit and plays a central role in Canada’s fight 
against money laundering and terrorism. For example, a 
bank must verify a customer’s identity and, if necessary, 
monitor transactions for suspicious activity. This is often 
termed as Know-Your-Customer (“KYC”). The term KYC 
also refers to the bank regulation which governs these 

activities. The objective of KYC guidelines is to prevent 
banks from being used, intentionally or unintentionally, 
by criminal elements for money laundering activities. 
Related procedures also enable banks to better 
understand their customers and their financial dealings. 
This helps them manage their risks prudently.

ESC supports customers’ due diligence activities for 
compliance purposes and credit service solutions 
through the verification, storage and retrieval of 
corporate and business information compiled and 
obtained from public registry sources (e.g., corporate 
registry, personal property registry, land registry, 
litigation, and bankruptcy and Bank Act searches). These 
services are provided primarily to financial institutions.

ESC has developed a proprietary platform for financial 
institutions to on-board new commercial accounts 
while remaining compliant with Canadian KYC and 
AML regulations captured under the Proceeds of Crime 
(Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. The 
customer on-boarding verification report generated 
by ESC leverages its search service to provide financial 
institutions a process and system to verify, retrieve and 
store information about corporate clients to meet these 
regulatory requirements.

5.3.3  Corporate Supplies  
and Accessories

The corporate supplies provided by ESC help companies 
to effectively organize and maintain their corporate 
legal documents. A corporation is legally required to 
maintain records of important corporate documents 
(its certificate of incorporation or letters patent, articles 
of incorporation, by-laws, unanimous shareholders 
agreement, meetings minutes and resolutions of the 
shareholders, among other information). These records 
are typically kept in a minute book. Other items typically 
include a corporate seal and share certificates.

These products are sold and distributed primarily to 
legal professionals and include customized corporate 
minute books, corporate seals, share certificates, legal 
supplies and related ancillary accessories for businesses 
and corporations.

1  NUANS (Newly Updated Automated Name Search) is a registered Trademark of the Government of Canada and is a computerized search system 

that compares a proposed corporate name or Trademark with databases of existing corporate bodies and Trademarks.

15

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

6  Business Strategy
ISC is committed to delivering on a strategy that focuses 
on the creation of shareholder value, generated through 
consistent financial performance and the execution of 
growth opportunities.

We have identified three strategic priorities that we 
believe will contribute to value creation:

1.  Earnings Growth and Sustainable Cost Management

•  Deliver consistent EBITDA, with a focus on 

increased margins through the generation of 
permanent cost efficiencies; and

•  Focus on critical cost lines to manage expenditures 

and prioritize investments.

7  Results of Operations

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

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 MSA with the Government  
of Saskatchewan.

3.	 Growth	Identification	and	Execution

•  Replicate ISC’s tried and tested business model in 

new markets;

•  Provide additional registry and information 

management services within Saskatchewan and 
leverage enhancements for out-of-province 
growth; and

•  Acquire complementary companies that add value 

to ISC’s current business.

Three Months Ended December 31, 
2014 
2015 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  22,579 

$  19,759 

$  78,318  $  80,459

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revenue 

Expenses 
  Wages and salaries 

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

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

Interest income 
Interest expense 

Net finance expense (income) 
Share of profit in associate 1 
Income from operations before tax 
Income tax expense  
Net income and total comprehensive income 

  7,340 
  2,474 
  1,776 
  1,239 
  1,161 
426 
476 
  1,327 
  16,219 
  6,360 

6,422 
2,703 
1,392 
1,068 
1,263 
433 
465 
370 
  14,116 
5,643 

  24,867 
  9,688 
  5,713 
  4,563 
  3,569 
  2,362 
  2,521 
  2,447 
  55,730 
  22,588 

  24,845
  10,272
5,089
4,316
3,875
2,083
3,269
1,559
  55,308
  25,151

(70) 
129 
59 
52 
  6,353 
  1,786 
$  4,567 

$ 

(87) 
30 
(57) 
– 
5,700 
1,686 
4,014 

(331) 
236 
(95) 
62 
  22,745 
  6,828 

(306)
92
(214)
–
  25,365
7,005
$  15,917  $  18,360

1  Share of profit in associate is a result of the acquisition of 30 per cent of the issued and outstanding voting common shares of OneMove 

Technologies Inc. on September 2, 2015.

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

7.1  Fourth Quarter Results

7.1.1  Revenue

For the three months ended December 31, 2015, revenue was $22.6 million, a $2.8 million increase when compared 
to the three months ended December 31, 2014. The increase was due to the acquisition of ESC.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Registries 

Services 

Corporate 

Three Months Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

  Land Registry (Land Titles Registry,  
  Land Surveys, and Geomatics) 
  Personal Property Registry 
  Corporate Registry 
Registries 
Services  
Other 

$ 14,816 
  2,407 
  2,038 
 19,261 
– 
– 
$ 19,261 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 
  3,166 
– 
$  3,166 

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
152 
152 

$  14,816 
  2,407 
  2,038 
  19,261 
  3,166 
152 
$  22,579 

$  15,054
2,338
2,017
  19,409
–
350
$  19,759

Registries

Land Registry

Revenue for the Land Registry was $14.8 million for the 
three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease 
of $0.2 million or 1.6 per cent, compared to the fourth 
quarter 2014. Results were weaker in the last quarter 
of 2015 due to a decelerating real estate market in 
Saskatchewan.

(i) Land Titles Registry

The majority of the revenue generated from the Land 
Registry is from the Land Titles Registry where the bulk 
of fees the Company earns are value-based.

Land Titles Registry revenue for the three months ended 
December 30, 2015, was $13.8 million, a decrease of 
$0.2 million, or 1.7 per cent, compared to the fourth 
quarter 2014.

Transaction volume for the Land Titles Registry for the 
fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to 2014, grew by 
0.7 per cent compared to the same period last year, 
even with the aforementioned decrease in revenue of 
1.7 per cent.

•  The volume of regular land transfers, mortgage 

registrations and title searches declined by 4.7 per 
cent, 7.7 per cent and 2.6 per cent, respectively. The 

volume of real estate sector transfers was less than 
expected due to economic conditions, consistent with 
much of 2015.

•  However, the overall growth in volume for the 

quarter can be credited to an influx of resource 
and agricultural sector transactions. The resource 
transactions (minerals) are not part of the regular land 
transfers. Typically, these transactions generate low 
revenue amounts per transaction, which is why the 
total number of transactions grew from 234 thousand 
to 236 thousand, yet revenue declined in the quarter.

Revenue overall also declined as a result of lower value-
based fees:

•  Average land values for regular land transfers in the 
fourth quarter of 2015 were lower than those in the 
fourth quarter of 2014, contributing to less value-
based fees.

•  The growth of existing housing prices on average 

has slowed and, in certain areas, declined. The most 
recent data from Statistics Canada New Housing 
Price Index for Saskatchewan as at December 2015 
indicates there was a year-over-year decline of 2.1 per 
cent compared to December 2014. 2

2  Statistics Canada. Table 327-0046 – New housing price indexes, monthly (index, 2007=100), CANSIM (database), accessed February 11, 2016.

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

•  This was partially offset by record high value property 

registration revenue of $1.6 million for the three 
months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 
the $1.3 million for the same period in 2014. These  
are transactions that generate a high fee per 
transaction and result in revenue of $10,000 or  
more per transaction.

The charts below show the Land Title Registry’s 
revenue by type of transaction and the overall 
transaction volume, respectively. 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 
Consolidated Quarterly Results”.

Land Titles Registry Revenue by Type
(CAD$ millions)

16.4
2.1

14.2

15.7
2.1

13.6

14.0
1.9

12.1

12.1
2.0

10.1

10.8
1.7

9.0

Registration

Search

14.4
2.0

12.4

14.0
1.9

12.0

13.8
2.0

11.8

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

Note: Values may not total due to rounding from Maintenance transactions that are too small to display in chart.

Land Titles Registry Transaction Volume
(Number of transactions)

,

2
3
6
7
5
2

,

9
4
5
7
7
2

,

1
3
0
0
6
2

,

1
0
4
4
3
2

,

1
9
9
9
0
2

,

8
7
4
6
4
2

,

1
4
6
6
2
2

,

9
0
0
6
3
2

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

18.0

15.0

12.0

9.0

6.0

3.0

0.0

310,000

280,000

250,000

220,000

190,000

160,000

130,000

100,000

(ii) Land Surveys and Geomatics

Collectively, the revenue from the Land Surveys and 
Geomatics was $1.0 million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2015, a slight increase of 0.5 per cent, 
compared to the same period in 2014.

Personal Property Registry

Revenue for the Personal Property Registry for the three 
months ended December 31, 2015, was $2.4 million, 
which represents a rise of 3.0 per cent from the same 

period in 2014. This is mainly due to an increase in 
revenue from searches.

Transaction volumes for the fourth quarter of 2015, 
increased by 2.7 per cent compared to the same period 
last year, primarily due to a boost in search volumes.

Even though revenue and volumes increased, the main 
driver of revenue for this registry – personal property 
security registration setups – has shown a drop in 

18

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

volume of 4.5 per cent while revenue only declined by 
0.5 per cent when compared to the same period last 
year. The impact of the volume drop was partially offset 
due to higher average price per setup, which climbed 
as a result of registry fee increases and longer term 
registrations.

The graph below shows the revenue by type of 
transaction. Revenue across the three types remains 
similar when comparing the three months ended 
December 31, 2015, to the same period in 2014. 
Quarterly revenue continues to align to the typical 
pattern of seasonality.

Personal Property Registry Revenue by Type
(CAD$ millions)

2.7
0.3
0.4

2.0

2.7
0.2
0.4

2.1

2.3
0.1
0.4

1.8

2.1
0.2
0.4

1.5

2.1
0.2
0.4

1.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

Registration

Search

Maintenance

2.7
0.3
0.4

2.0

2.8
0.2
0.5

2.1

2.4
0.2
0.4

1.8

Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

The graph below shows the increase in transaction volumes for the fourth quarter of 2015 as compared to 2014 from 
the increased search volumes. 

Personal Property Registry Transaction Volume
(Number of transactions)

130,000

110,000

90,000

70,000

50,000

1
1
2
4
0
1

,

0
8
8
1
2
1

,

3
5
4
7
1
1

,

0
9
6
3
0
1

,

1
5
7
1
0
1

,

7
9
9
9
1
1

,

2
6
5
9
1
1

,

8
7
4
6
0
1

,

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

Corporate Registry

Revenue for the Corporate Registry for the three  
months ended December 31, 2015, was $2.0 million  
and was flat when compared to the three months  
ended December 31, 2014.

Revenue from the incorporation and registration of  
new business entities – Registration – declined by 
3.5 per cent in the same period; however, this was 
offset by an increase in revenue of 3.4 per cent from 

the filing of annual returns and renewals – Maintenance. 
These two minor shifts in revenue categories resulted in 
stable revenue for the quarter as compared to the same 
quarter in 2014.

As a result, the composition of Corporate Registry 
revenue by type of transaction remains steady when 
comparing the three months ended December 31, 
2015, to the same period in 2014. We continue to see 
expected quarterly revenue fluctuations mainly due to 
seasonal factors.

19

Maintenance

Searches

Registrations

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

Corporate Registry Revenue by Type
(CAD$ millions)

Registration

Search

Maintenance

2.3

1.4
0.2
0.7

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

2.0

1.2
0.2
0.6

1.9

1.1
0.2
0.6

2.0

1.2
0.2
0.6

2.2

2.1

1.4
0.2
0.6

1.3
0.2
0.6

1.8

1.0
0.2
0.6

2.0

1.2
0.2
0.6

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

Note: Registration and maintenance groupings have been reclassified to reflect a better alignment with revenue tracking. These amendments do not impact the overall 
revenue for this registry.

Overall transaction volume, as indicated in the chart below, dropped by 1.3 per cent for the three months ended 
December 31, 2015, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to decreased search volume. As discussed 
in the Revenue by Type above, this was partially offset by higher registration and maintenance volume for the quarter 
compared to the same period in 2014.

Corporate Registry Transaction Volume
(Number of transactions)

120,000

115,000

110,000

105,000

100,000

95,000

90,000

85,000

80,000

,

7
8
3
1
1
1

,

4
5
3
5
1
1

,

2
8
9
8
0
1

,

3
8
3
3
1
1

,

5
2
6
0
2
1

,

2
3
8
8
1
1

,

9
6
5
5
0
1

6
5
8
1
1
1

,

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

As of December 31, 2015, there were 71,974 active 
Saskatchewan Business Corporations registered 
with the Corporate Registry compared to 70,322 as 
of December 31, 2014. The number of active entities 
registered has shown consecutive quarter-over-quarter 
increases since 2013. While the growth rate has slowed 
in 2015, positive active entity growth supports revenue 
appreciation due to the filing of annual returns and 
business name renewals (included in maintenance 
transactions).

Services

The revenue in our Services segment for the fourth 
quarter consists of revenue earned by our subsidiary, 
ESC, and for the three months ended December 31, 
2015, was $3.2 million.

Revenue from search and registration services was 
$2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 
2015, representing 75.4 per cent of total revenue. Search 
and registration service revenue includes corporate, 
business name, personal property, real property, 
NUANS, trademark, Bank Act and other search and 
registration services. These services are provided 
primarily to lawyers and law firms.

Revenue from corporate supplies and KYC services 
for the three months ended December 31, 2015, was 
$0.8 million, representing 24.6 per cent of total revenue. 
This includes corporate supplies and accessories for 
the manufacturing, sale and distribution of customized 
corporate minute books, corporate seals, share 
certificates, legal supplies and related ancillary 

20

Other

Search & Registration

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

accessories for businesses and corporations. These 
services are provided primarily to lawyers and law firms.

ESC Corporate Services Revenue
for the year ended December 31, 2015

As well, this revenue includes KYC services that support 
customers’ due diligence activities for compliance 
purposes and credit service solutions through the 
verification, storage and retrieval of corporate and 
business information compiled and obtained from 
public registry sources (e.g., corporate registry, 
personal property registry, land registry, litigation, and 
bankruptcy and Bank Act searches). These services are 
provided primarily to financial institutions.

The top 20 ESC customers comprise 48.0 per cent of the 
revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2015, 
while the top 100 ESC customers make up 63.3 per cent 
of revenue. No single customer accounted for more than 
26.0 per cent of ESC revenue in the same period.

7.1.2  Expenses

OTHER

24.6%

SEARCH &
REGISTRATION

75.4%

For the three months ended December 31, 2015, consolidated expenses (including ESC) were $16.2 million, an 
increase of $2.1 million, when compared to $14.1 million for the same period of 2014.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Expenses 
  Wages and salaries 

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

Three Months Ended December 31,

2015 

2014

$  7,340 
  2,474 
  1,776 
  1,239 
  1,161 
426 
476 
  1,327 
$  16,219 

$ 

6,422
2,703
1,392
1,068
1,263
433
465
370
$  14,116

The increase was a combination of the following:

•  Wages and salaries were $7.3 million, up $0.9 million, 

for the three months ended December 31, 2015, 
compared to the same period of 2014. The increase 
was the result of the additional ESC salaries in the 
fourth quarter.

•  Information technology service costs were $2.5 million, 

down $0.2 million, for the three months ended 
December 31, 2015, compared to 2014. The decrease 
reflects efficiencies realized through our renegotiated 
information technology service contracts.

•  Depreciation and amortization was $1.8 million for the 
three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to 
$1.4 million in the same period of 2014. The increase 
was due to the additional depreciation from capital 
assets of ESC.

•  Other costs were $1.3 million for the three months 

ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $1.0 million 
when compared to the three months ended 
December 31, 2014. The increase was due to the 
acquisition of ESC, as cost of goods sold for the 
corporate supplies services totalled $0.9 million  
and are recorded as other costs.

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

7.1.3  Net Finance Expense (Income)

7.1.5  Net Income and Earnings per Share

Net finance expense (income) for the three months ended 
December 31, 2015, was an expense of $59 thousand 
compared to income of $57 thousand for the same 
period in 2014. The increase was due to the addition of  
a new, committed long-term debt facility at the end of 
the third quarter and the result of more interest paid in 
the fourth quarter of 2015 as compared to 2014.

Net income and total comprehensive income for the 
three months ended December 31, 2015, was $4.6 million, 
or $0.26 per basic and diluted share, compared to 
$4.0 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share, for  
the same period in 2014. The increase was due to the 
income from the acquisition of ESC and the share in 
profit in associate.

7.1.4  Share of Profit in Associate

7.1.6  Adjusted EBITDA

For the three months ended December 31, 2015,  
ISC recorded its share of profit in associate  
(OneMove) of $52 thousand (2014 — Nil, acquired  
on September 2, 2015).

Adjusted EBITDA was $8.6 million, a 38.2 per cent 
margin, for the three months ended December 31, 2015, 
compared to $7.1 million, a 35.7 per cent margin, for 
the same period in 2014. The increase resulted from 
additional income and depreciation and amortization 
from the acquisition of ESC and adjustments for 
expenses related to acquisition and integration costs.

7.2  Year End Results

7.2.1  Revenue

Revenue was $78.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $80.5 million in 2014, a decrease  
of 2.7 per cent.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Registries 

Services 

Corporate 

  Land Registry (Land Titles Registry,  
  Land Surveys, and Geomatics) 
  Personal Property Registry 
  Corporate Registry 
Registries 
Services  
Other 

$  56,871 
  9,981 
  8,133 
  74,985 
– 
– 
$  74,985 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 
  3,166 
– 
$  3,166 

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
167 
167 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  56,871 
  9,981 
  8,133 
  74,985 
  3,166 
167 
$  78,318 

$  61,999
9,870
8,235
  80,104
–
355
$  80,459

Registries

A weaker economy can affect key drivers of our business, 
such as houses sold, financing of personal property or the 
formation of businesses and corporations. ISC saw certain 
key drivers that contribute to the Company’s volumes 
decline. Overall, we handled fewer revenue generating 
transactions in 2015, compared to 2014, which impacted 
the Registries revenue.

As it relates to pricing, the MSA and related Registry 
Operating Agreements specify the maximum fees 
allowed to be charged to the public for particular Core 
Registry Services. Generally, fees are adjustable on a 
yearly basis and are based on a formula tied to inflation 

22

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

100.0

Land Titles Registry
Geomatics

Personal Property Registry
Land Surveys Directory

Corporate Registry

80.0

60.0

40.0

20.0

0.0

.

1
9
7

.

1
0
8

.

0
5
7

2013

2014

2015

Land Surveys Directory

Geomatics

Corporate Registry

Personal Property Registry

Land Titles Registry

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

based on the Saskatchewan CPI. ISC increased applicable 
flat fees within each registry by 2.39 per cent in July 2015, 
while Corporate Registry fees rose by 3.84 per cent to 
account for both 2014 and 2015 adjustments.

Land Registry

Revenue for the Land Registry was $56.9 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of 
$5.1 million, or 8.3 per cent, compared to the year 
ended December 31, 2014.

Land Titles Registry

For the year ended December 31, 2015, Land Titles 
Registry generated $53.0 million in revenue, compared 
to $58.2 million in 2014, a decrease of 9.0 per cent.

Saskatchewan housing starts declined substantially 
in 2015, down 39.4 per cent year-over-year, while the 
number of completions was down 22.4 per cent.3 
Housing completion volumes were higher than housing 
starts, contributing to buyers’ market conditions in parts 
of the province. These are indicators of the slowdown  
in the Saskatchewan real estate market and have 
impacted revenue.

As a result overall, revenue generating transactions in 
the Land Titles Registry fell 10.7 per cent over 2014, 
which can be attributed to a slower real estate market 
in Saskatchewan. The volume of regular land transfers, 
mortgage registrations and title searches declined by 
12.6 per cent, 7.0 per cent and 10.1 per cent, respectively.

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

$56.9
14.0%

$58.2
13.9%

Registration

Search

$53.0
14.5%

85.9%

86.0%

85.5%

2013

2014

2015

Note: Values may not total due to rounding from Maintenance transactions that are 
too small to display in charts.

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

1,100,000

1,000,000

900,000

800,000

700,000

600,000

500,000

,

6
7
9
0
1
0
1

,

,

3
1
6
9
2
0
1

,

9
1
1
9
1
9

,

Even though revenue and transaction volumes declined, 
the Land Titles Registry continued to see a large number 
of high value property transactions which generated a 
high fee per transaction. We received a record amount 
of revenue from these transactions in 2015 ($4.2 million), 
above 2014 levels ($3.9 million) and what we typically 
see on an annual basis ($2.8 million).

Registration

Search

Land Titles Registry primary customers are legal firms, 
financial institutions, developers and resource-based 
companies. For the year ended December 31, 2015, 
our top 20 Land Titles Registry customers represented 
40.1 per cent of our revenue and our top 100 Land 
Titles Registry customers represented 76.7 per cent of 
revenue. Nearly 77.3 per cent of all Land Titles Registry 
registration transactions were submitted online in 2015, 
an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to 2014.

Land Surveys

For the year ended December 31, 2015, Land Surveys 
generated revenue of $1.5 million and was flat when 
compared to the same period in 2014. In 2015, 
registrations accounted for 81.1 per cent of total 
revenue. Land Surveys transaction volume was lower  
by 6.8 per cent year-over-year.

2013

2014

2015

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

centres 10,000 and over, accessed January 22, 2016.

23

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

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

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

Registration

Search

Services

$1.6
5.9%
11.2%

$1.5
6.5%
12.2%

$1.5
7.7%
11.2%

82.9%

81.3%

81.1%

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

Services

Search

Registration

6
2

.

2013

3
2

.

2014

4
2

.

2015

2013

2014

2015

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

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

7
3
7
8
3

,

8
4
4
8
3

,

5
1
8
5
3

,

2013

2014

2015

Land Surveys customers include surveyors, developers, 
resource companies, government and other businesses 
that need access to our mapping systems and survey 
plans to support their development plans. For the year 
ended December 31, 2015, our top 20 Land Surveys 
customers make up 92.0 per cent of our revenue, 
whereas the top 100 customers are 95.8 per cent.

Geomatics

Total revenue resulting from Geomatics was $2.4 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2015, an annual 
improvement of 3.3 per cent when compared to the 
year ended December 31, 2014. The increase includes 
new revenue from the Asbestos Registry and services 
provided to the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy.

24

Geomatics customers encompass government 
departments (provincial and municipal), resource 
companies, land developers, other businesses and 
the general public. They also include utility, pipeline 
and transportation companies. For the year ended 
December 31, 2015, our top 20 Geomatics customers 
constitute 88.9 per cent of our revenue, while the top 
100 customers represent 98.1 per cent of revenue.

Personal Property Registry

Revenue for the Personal Property Registry for the year 
ended December 31, 2015, was $10.0 million, which 
represents a rise of 1.1 per cent from the same period  
in 2014.

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

$9.8
11.0%

14.6%

Registration

Search

Maintenance

$9.9
10.6%

15.2%

$10.0
10.7%

16.6%

Maintenance

Search

Registration

74.4%

74.2%

72.7%

2013

2014

2015

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

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

revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015, while 
the top 100 are 93.3 per cent of revenue.

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

0
0
3
3
4
4

,

4
3
2
7
4
4

,

8
8
7
7
4
4

,

2013

2014

2015

Under the Personal Property Registry, ISC charges 
customers a flat fee per transaction. The chart above 
reflects year-over-year transaction volumes. Search 
volume in 2015 grew 4.7 per cent when compared to 
2014, offsetting declines in personal property security 
registration setup volumes, keeping the overall  
volume and total revenue in the Personal Property 
Registry stable.

Provincial employment, population, retail sales and 
new motor vehicle sales in Saskatchewan are drivers of 
activity in the Personal Property Registry. While there 
were monthly variations, the employment rate as shown 
in the percentage of Saskatchewan people ages 15-64 
employed in 2015 was comparable to 2014, averaging 
77.0 per cent for 2015.4 

As well, Statistics Canada has reported that new motor 
vehicle sales (units) for Saskatchewan decreased by 
5.4 per cent in 2015, compared to 2014.5 While an 
important contributor to personal property security 
registration setups, new motor vehicles are only one 
type of collateral registered in the personal property 
security interests and, therefore, only one component  
of registration activity.

Customers of the Personal Property Registry 
predominantly come from the financial sector in 
addition to legal firms. The top 20 Personal Property 
Registry customers comprise 80.7 per cent of the 

Corporate Registry

Revenue for the Corporate Registry for the year ended 
December 31, 2015, was $8.1 million, a decline of 
$0.1 million, or 1.2 per cent when compared to the year 
ended December 31, 2014.

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

Maintenance

Registration

Search

$8.2
9.0%

31.3%

$8.2
10.2%

30.9%

$8.1
10.8%

28.9%

Search

Registration

Maintenance

59.7%

58.9%

60.3%

2013

2014

2015

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

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

,

1
1
1
7
0
4

,

6
0
1
9
4
4

,

2
8
8
6
5
4

2013

2014

2015

Maintenance transactions, which accounted for 
60.3 per cent of all Corporate Registry revenue, increased 
by 0.6 per cent over 2014. Search volume was the largest 
contributor to the increase in overall transaction volumes 
year-over-year, up 2.2 per cent. 

4  Statistics Canada Table 282-0087 – Labour force survey estimates (LFS), by sex and age group, monthly (persons unless otherwise noted), Canada, 

provinces and territories, CANSIM (database), accessed February 29, 2016.

5  Statistics Canada Table 079-0003 – New motor vehicle sales, Canada, provinces and territories, CANSIM (database), accessed January 18, 2016.

25

This includes corporate supplies and accessories 
for the manufacturing, sale and distribution of 
customized corporate minute books, corporate seals, 
share certificates, legal supplies and related ancillary 
accessories for businesses and corporations. These 
services are provided primarily to lawyers and law firms.

As well, this revenue includes KYC services that support 
customers’ due diligence activities for compliance 
purposes and credit service solutions through the 
verification, storage and retrieval of corporate and 
business information compiled and obtained from 
public registry sources (e.g., corporate registry, 
personal property registry, land registry, litigation, and 
bankruptcy and Bank Act searches). These services are 
provided primarily to financial institutions.

ESC Corporate Services Revenue
for the year ended December 31, 2015

OTHER

24.6%

SEARCH &
REGISTRATION

75.4%

Other

Search & Registration

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

As the fee for a search is relatively low compared to other 
services, the impact to revenue was small. For the top 
twelve transaction types, 80.7 per cent were received 
online in 2015, up 1.8 per cent compared to 2014.

Business confidence in Saskatchewan has declined 
in 2015 according to The Canadian Federation of 
Independent Business barometer index, resulting in 
the province ranking near the bottom nationally.6 The 
decline in business confidence can contribute to the 
reduction in the rate of new entity creation, including 
incorporation of new businesses. As mentioned 
previously, as of December 31, 2015, there were 71,974 
active Saskatchewan Business Corporations registered 
with the Corporate Registry compared to 70,322 as of 
December 31, 2014.

For the Corporate Registry, customers largely include 
legal firms, those in the financial sector, as well as the 
government. Moreover, they include businesses such 
as corporations, non-profit corporations, co-operatives 
and sole proprietorships that are or will be registered in 
the Corporate Registry. The top 20 Corporate Registry 
customers account for 29.5 per cent of revenue for the 
year ended December 31, 2015, whereas the top 100 
customers combine for 48.3 per cent of revenue.

Services

The revenue in our Services segment consists of revenue 
earned by our subsidiary, ESC, acquired on October 1, 
2015, and therefore consists only of results for the three 
months ended December 31, 2015. As stated previously, 
revenue for that period was $3.2 million.

Revenue from search and registration services was 
$2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 
2015, representing 75.4 per cent of total revenue. 
Search and registration service revenue includes 
corporate, business name, personal property, real 
property, NUANS, trademark, Bank Act and other 
search and registration services. These services are 
provided primarily to lawyers and law firms.

Revenue from corporate supplies and KYC services 
for the three months ended December 31, 2015, was 
$0.8 million, representing 24.6 per cent of total revenue. 

6  CFIB Economics Business Barometer – December 2015

26

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

7.2.2  Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2015, consolidated expenses were $55.7 million, an increase of $0.4 million from 
$55.3 million for the same period in 2014.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Expenses
  Wages and salaries 

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

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  24,867 
  9,688 
  5,713 
  4,563 
  3,569 
  2,362 
  2,521 
  2,447 
$  55,730 

$  24,845
  10,272
5,089
4,316
3,875
2,083
3,269
1,559
$  55,308

The increase was a combination of the following:

•  Wages and salaries were $24.9 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2015, a slight increase from 
$24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. 
The increase is a result of additional wages and 
salaries from the acquisition of ESC, which was almost 
entirely offset by the Company taking advantage 
of normal attrition and position management in its 
Registries segment.

•  Information technology service costs were $9.7 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease 
of 5.7 per cent when compared to the year ended 
December 31, 2014. The decline reflects efficiencies 
realized through our renegotiated information 
technology service contracts.

•  Depreciation and amortization was $5.7 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase 
of $0.6 million compared to the same period in 
2014. The increase was mainly due to the additional 
depreciation from capital assets of ESC.

•  Occupancy costs increased to $4.5 million for the  

year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 
$4.3 million for the same period in 2014 due to  
annual inflationary increases.

•  Professional and consulting services were $3.6 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 

$3.9 million in the same period of 2014. The decline 
reflects a reduction in the use of advisory services for 
our technology services in 2015 versus 2014.

•  Financial services were $2.4 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2015, compared to $2.1 million for the 
same period in 2014. The increase is due to higher 
finance charges and additional regulatory filing fees in 
relation to our recent acquisitions. Financial services 
costs include fees related to bank and service charges, 
merchant fees, the MSA fee and regulatory filing fees.

•  Costs related to project initiatives for the year ended 

December 31, 2015, were down $0.7 million to 
$2.5 million compared to $3.3 million for the same 
period in 2014, attributable to a focused effort on in-
flight projects. Initiatives for the year included normal 
technology and general office initiatives and the non-
capitalized portions of our capital projects.

•  Other costs were $2.4 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2015, an increase of $0.9 million 
compared to the same period in 2014. Other 
costs include travel and business, advertising and 
promotion, insurance and assurance, equipment and 
non-capital purchases, and in the fourth quarter of 
2015, the addition of $0.9 million related to the cost 
of goods sold for corporate supplies within our newly 
acquired subsidiary, ESC.

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

7.2.3  Net Finance Expense (Income)

Net finance expense (income) for the year ended December 31, 2015, was lower compared to the same period in 
2014 due to the addition of long-term debt and higher interest paid in 2015.

7.2.4  Share of Profit in Associate

The share of profit in associate (OneMove) for the year ended December 31, 2015, was $62 thousand with no 
comparison for the year ended December 31, 2014 as the investment in OneMove occurred on September 2, 2015.

7.2.5  Tax Provision

The Company is subject to federal and provincial income taxes at an estimated combined rate of 27.0 per cent. 
Income tax expense varies from the amounts that would be computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to 
earnings before taxes for the follow reasons:

(thousands of CAD dollars, except where noted) 

Income from 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 
  Other 
Income tax expense  
Effective income tax rate 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  22,745 
  27.0% 
  6,141 

621 
66 
$  6,828 
  30.0% 

$  25,365
  27.0%
6,849

156
–
7,005
  27.6%

$ 

The Company records future income tax assets and liabilities related to deductible temporary differences. The 
Company assesses the value of these assets and liabilities based on their probability of being realized given 
management assessments of future taxable income.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, a $4.0 million deferred tax liability arose from the ESC purchase price 
allocation, which is recorded separately from the deferred tax asset on the Company’s balance sheet that arose on 
its public offering.

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

7.2.6  Net Income and Earnings per Share

Net income and total comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015, was $15.9 million, $0.91 per 
basic share and $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $18.4 million, $1.05 per basic and diluted share, in the same 
period of 2014. The decrease was mainly due to lower revenue in our Registries segment, offset by additional 
revenue and income from our recent acquisition of ESC in our Services segment.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Registries  
Services  
Corporate  
Net income and comprehensive income  

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  17,587 
274 
(1,944) 
$  15,917 

$  20,359
–
(1,999)
$  18,360

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 and total comprehensive income 

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

Earnings per share ($ per share)
Total, basic 
Total, diluted 

7.2.7  Adjusted EBITDA

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  15,917  

$  18,360 

17,500,000 
120,230 
17,620,230 

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

$ 
$ 

0.91 
0.90 

$ 
$ 

1.05
1.05

Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $30.4 million, a 38.8 per cent margin, for the year ended December 31, 2015, 
compared to $31.6 million, a 39.2 per cent margin, for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease was 
due to lower revenue resulting in lower net income offset by adjustments for expenses related to acquisition and 
integration costs.

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

8  Summary of Consolidated Quarterly Results
The table below sets out select quarterly results for the past eight quarters. The main factors affecting the results 
in these quarters are the volume of transactions in Saskatchewan registries, which is driven by seasonality and the 
Saskatchewan economy, the acquisition of ESC in the fourth quarter of 2015 and changes in expenses.

Our Registries business experiences moderate seasonality, primarily because Land Titles revenue 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 traditionally highest. Our Services business is sufficiently diversified 
with little seasonality to its revenue performance. However, some smaller categories of products or services can 
have some seasonal variation slightly increasing during the second and fourth quarters. Expenses, however, are 
generally consistent from quarter to quarter, but can fluctuate due to the timing of project-related expenses.

As a result of the above, our EBITDA margin will fluctuate in line with some seasonality.

(thousands of CAD dollars,  
except where noted) 

2015 

2014

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

$ 22,579  $ 19,675  $ 20,053  $ 16,011  $ 19,759  $ 21,278  $ 22,016  $ 17,406
 13,637
  3,769
(68)
–
  3,837
  1,038

Revenue 
Expenses 
Income from operations 
Net finance expense (income) 
Share of profit in associate 1 
Income from operations before tax 
Income tax expense  
Net income and total  
$  4,567  $  4,657  $  4,973  $  1,720  $  4,014  $  6,239  $  5,308  $  2,799
   comprehensive income 
EBITDA margin 2 
  28.6%
Adjusted EBITDA margin 2,3 
  30.9%
Earnings per share, basic and diluted  $  0.26  $  0.27  $  0.28  $  0.10  $  0.23  $  0.36  $  0.30  $  0.16

 12,859 
  8,419 
(51) 
– 
  8,470 
  2,231 

 14,116 
  5,643 
(57) 
– 
  5,700 
  1,686 

 13,112 
  6,941 
(59) 
– 
  7,000 
  2,027 

 13,568 
  2,443 
(66) 
– 
  2,509 
789 

 14,696 
  7,320 
(38) 
– 
  7,358 
  2,050 

 12,831 
  6,844 
(29) 
10 
  6,883 
  2,226 

 16,219 
  6,360 
59 
52 
  6,353 
  1,786 

  36.3% 
  38.2% 

  45.4% 
  46.0% 

  23.5% 
  23.6% 

  35.6% 
  35.7% 

  38.9% 
  42.5% 

  41.5% 
  48.6% 

  41.1% 
  41.9% 

1  Share of profit in associate is a result of the acquisition of 30 per cent of the issued and outstanding voting common shares of OneMove 

Technologies Inc. on September 2, 2015.

2  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. Refer to section “Non-
IFRS Financial Measures”.

3  For comparison purposes, adjusted EBITDA margin for 2014, which previously mirrored the EBITDA margin, has been adjusted to conform to the 

new calculation of adjusted EBITDA margin outlined in section “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

9  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 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. Refer to section “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

Consolidated 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  

EBITDA1 
Adjustments 
  Stock-based compensation expense (income)  
  Equity settled employee benefit reserve 
  Acquisition and integration costs 

Impairment of assets 

  Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and  

   equipment assets 

  Loss on disposal of intangibles assets 
Adjusted EBITDA¹ 
EBITDA margin (% of revenue) ¹ 
Adjusted EBITDA margin (% of revenue) ¹ 

Three Months Ended December 31, 
2014 
2015 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$ 

$  4,567 
  1,776 
59 
  1,786 
  8,188 

56 
88 
293 
– 

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

37 
(19) 
– 
– 

– 
– 
$  8,625 
  36.3% 
  38.2% 

$ 

4 
– 
7,057 
  35.6% 
  35.7% 

$  15,917  $  18,360
5,089
(214)
7,005
  30,240

  5,713 
(95) 
  6,828 
  28,363 

192 
174 
  1,652 
– 

250
50
–
1,052

1 
4 

(13)
–
$  30,386  $  31,579
  37.6%
  39.2%

  36.2% 
  38.8% 

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. Refer to section 
“Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

Consolidated 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 

Three Months Ended December 31, 
2014 
2015 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$ 

 7,557 
(309) 
(845) 
286 
$  6,689 

$ 

$ 

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

$  30,690  $  23,000
(1,474)
(1,798)
4,186
$  21,489  $  23,914

(1,790) 
(2,656) 
(4,755) 

1  Refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements Note 20 for reconciliation.

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. Refer to section “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

10  Outlook
The following section includes forward-looking 
statements, including statements related to expected 
increases in prices charged for services, the anticipated 
revenue outlook, changes in the economic conditions 
in Canada and, in particular, Saskatchewan, real gross 
domestic product, impact of commodity prices such 
as oil and potash, transaction volumes, changes in 
high value property registrations, changes in motor 
vehicle sales volume, slowed growth of active business 
entities, expected level and composition of capital 
expenditures, consolidated EBITDA margin, impact of 
cost management efforts, key drivers of expense, growth 
of our business improvement of margins, customer 
growth and diversification and investment in human 
capital. Refer to the section “Caution Regarding Forward-
Looking Statements”.

Consolidated

Currently, the majority of the Company’s revenue is 
linked to registry transaction volumes and values which 
are driven by economic conditions in Saskatchewan. 
The remaining portion of our revenue is linked to the 
overall economic conditions in Ontario and Quebec. At 
present, the Company expects the 2016 Saskatchewan 
economy to be similar to 2015, while a slowing economy 
is anticipated for the central Canadian market. As a 
result, ISC expects its consolidated EBITDA margin for 
fiscal 2016 to be in the range of 32.0 to 34.0 per cent.

The key drivers of expenses will continue to be wages, 
salaries and information technology costs. The 
Company will continue to manage its costs prudently 
while balancing re-investment in the business in order  
to maintain or improve the customer experience.

Management expects capital expenditures in 2016 to 
be in the range of $5.0 million to $6.0 million, funded 
from operating cash flow. These expenditures are 
projected to include the completion of the renewal and 
enhancement of our Corporate Registry technology, 
enhancement and upgrades to core technology 
components and enterprise systems, and general  
office improvements.

Registries

In 2015, the Saskatchewan economy was challenged  
as the province’s energy sector coped with lower oil 
prices as well as general softness in other resource-
based sectors.

As indicated earlier, the Company currently presumes 
that the 2016 Saskatchewan economy will be similar 
to 2015. According to several external forecasts, 
Saskatchewan’s real GDP growth is expected to be 
near zero after a weak 2015. Concerns exist related to 
commodity prices such as oil and potash. There may be 
a negative impact on registry revenue if the economy 
continues to experience challenges in 2016.

Overall, we anticipate transaction volumes in the Land 
Titles Registry for 2016 to be comparable to 2015. The 
Land Titles Registry continued to see a large number 
of high value property registrations in 2015, and, while 
high value property registrations in 2013 through 2015 
were higher than our long-term average of 5.3 per cent 
(2007-2014), we expect them to return towards a 
normalized level in 2016.

For the Personal Property Registry, Saskatchewan new 
motor vehicle sales are anticipated to be lower in 2016 
compared to 2015 volumes, according to Scotiabank.7 
Similarly, we expect key transaction volumes in the 
Personal Property Registry for 2016 will be on par 
with 2015.

For the Corporate Registry, steady growth of active 
business entities contributes to stabilized revenue of 
the maintenance portion of the Corporate Registry. 
New entity growth slowed in 2015 and this trend may 
continue into 2016. However, we expect key transaction 
volumes to be consistent with those seen in 2015.

As it relates to pricing, the MSA and related Registry 
Operating Agreements specify the maximum fees 
allowed to be charged to the public for particular Core 
Registry Services. Generally, fees are adjustable on an 
annual basis using a formula tied to Saskatchewan CPI. 
ISC anticipates adjusting prices in 2016 as outlined in 
the MSA.

7  Scotiabank Global Economics – Global Forecast Update – January 5, 2016.

32

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

Services

In our Services segment, we expect the growth of ESC’s 
core business to continue in specific categories relating 
to the financial services and legal sectors in both its core 
markets of Ontario and Quebec.

The expectation is that the growing base of new 
customers, as well as new mandates from existing 
customers, will continue to support overall revenue 
growth. We expect a continued focus on cost 
efficiencies to improve margins.

We also anticipate continuing to diversify our customer 
base in both the legal and financial industry. Focusing 
on ESC’s strengths in data access, transposition and 
analysis will provide customers and partners with timely 
and useful business critical information. This supports 
effective practice management for law firms, as well 
as provides more effective use of data in meeting 
compliance challenges for financial institutions.

To address our growth agenda over the next few years, 
investment in human capital in our Services segment is 
expected to increase in 2016. This investment is expected 
to position us for future growth for 2017 and beyond.

11  Liquidity and Capital Resources
11.1  Cash Flow

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

Historically, ISC has financed its operations and met its capital and finance expenditure requirements through cash 
provided from operating activities. The Company believes that internally generated cash flow, supplemented by 
additional borrowing available under our credit facility (refer to Note 11 of the Financial Statements), will be sufficient 
to meet capital expenditures, anticipated dividend payments and other cash requirements. ISC also believes it can 
access sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund any potential growth opportunities.

Liquidity risk is managed based on financial forecasts and anticipated cash flow. Cash is held with Canadian chartered 
banks and the risk of loss is believed to be minimal. As at December 31, 2015, the Company held $36.6 million in cash 
compared to $33.6 million as at December 31, 2014, an increase of $3.0 million.

The Company expects to be able to meet its cash requirements, including being able to settle current liabilities of 
$21.3 million (December 31, 2014 — $13.8 million) and meet any unanticipated cash requirements due to changes 
in working capital commitments. Such changes that would affect our liquidity may arise from, among other factors, 
general economic conditions and the failure of one or more customers to pay their obligations. Deficiencies arising 
from short-term working capital requirements and capital expenditures may be financed on a short-term basis with 
bank indebtedness or on a permanent basis with offerings of securities.

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of funds for the three months and year ended December 31, 
2015, and 2014:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

Three Months Ended December 31, 
2014 
2015 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$ 

 7,557 
  (21,763) 
  10,996 
(3,210) 
  39,781 
$  36,571 

$ 

5,382 
(498) 
(3,532) 
1,352 
  32,229 
$  33,581 

$  30,690  $  23,000
(2,939)
  (14,094)
5,967
  27,614
$  36,571  $  33,581

  (28,091) 
391 
  2,990 
  33,581 

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

11.1.1  Net Cash Flow Provided  
by Operating Activities

Net cash flow provided by operating activities for 
the three months ended December 31, 2015, was 
$7.6 million, compared to $5.4 million for the three 
months ended December 31, 2014. Net cash flow 
provided by operating activities was $30.7 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 
$23.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. 
The increase was due to receiving payment for GST/HST 
receivable and trade receivables and the addition of 
ESC’s non-cash working capital.

11.1.2  Net Cash Flow Used  
in Investing Activities

Net cash flow used in investing activities for the three 
months ended December 31, 2015, was $21.7 million, 
compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2014. Net cash flow used in investing 
activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, was 

11.2  Capital Expenditures

$28.1 million, compared to $2.9 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2014. The increase was due to the 
investment in OneMove and acquisition of ESC, and 
higher additions in property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets in 2015.

11.1.3  Net Cash Flow From  
(Used in) Financing Activities

Net cash flow from (used in) financing activities for the 
three months ended December 31, 2015, which primarily 
consists of the payment of dividends, was $11.0 million, 
compared to $(3.5) million for the three months ended 
December 31, 2014. Net cash flow from (used in) 
financing activities for the year ended December 31, 
2015, was $0.4 million, compared to $(14.1) million for 
the year ended December 31, 2014. The change was 
due to proceeds of $15.0 million from long-term debt 
obtained in 2015, which offset the dividends, interest 
and principal repayment made during the year.

Capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2015, were $1.5 million, compared to $1.4 million 
for the same period in 2014 and, for the year ended December 31, 2015, were $4.0 million, compared to $3.7 million 
for the same period in 2014. Capital expenditures for 2015 were focused on the renewal and enhancement of 
technology supporting the Corporate Registry as well as various sustaining initiatives around general office and 
technology improvements.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Registries 
Services 
Corporate 

11.3  Long-Term Debt

Three Months Ended December 31, 
2014 
2015 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  1,315 
11 
199 
$  1,525 

$ 

$ 

1,222 
– 
131 
1,353 

$  3,009  $ 

11 
997 
$  4,017  $ 

3,002
–
718
3,720

On October 1, 2015, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement in connection with  
the secured credit facilities provided by a Canadian chartered bank. The aggregate amount available under the 
credit facilities is $34.9 million comprised of (i) a $9.9 million committed revolving term loan facility along with;  
(ii) a $10.0 million uncommitted revolving credit facility to be used for general corporate purposes and (iii) a 
$15.0 million non-revolving reducing credit facility that was used by ISC to fund, in part, the acquisition of ESC. 
Refer to Note 11 for further details of the long-term debt.

The revolving term facility of $9.935 million consists of a three-year, committed revolving term loan facility, which 
matures on September 28, 2018, unless renewed prior to that time. It is currently held in a six-month banker’s 
acceptance note bearing interest at 0.963 per cent that matures on June 28, 2016, (2014 bankers’ acceptance note, 
due January 5, 2015, bearing interest at 1.273 per cent per annum).

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

The operating facility, which consists of a $10.0 million uncommitted revolving credit facility, is currently undrawn. 
The Operating Facility is repayable by ISC upon demand by the Lender and the Lender may terminate such 
Operating Facility at any time.

The non-revolving term facility had $14.625 million outstanding as of December 31, 2015, and is repayable by ISC 
through quarterly payments of $375 thousand, maturing on September 28, 2018. This facility bears an interest rate 
of prime plus applicable margin, which, at December 31, 2015, equates to 2.7 per cent plus 0.7 per cent for a rate of 
3.4 per cent per annum (2014 — this facility was not in place).

11.4  Total Assets

Total assets increased to $136.1 million as at December 31, 2015, compared to $109.5 million as at December 31, 
2014, mainly due to the acquisition of ESC.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Registries 

Services 

Corporate 

Cash 
Goodwill 
Assets excluding cash and goodwill 

$  23,968 
– 
  45,377 
$  69,345 

$ 

895 
  13,141 
  18,332 
$  32,368 

$  11,708 
– 
  22,688 
$  34,396 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Registries 

Services 

Corporate 

Cash 
Goodwill 
Assets excluding cash and goodwill 

$  22,499 
– 
  61,347 
$  83,846 

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 

$  11,082 
– 
  14,608 
$  25,690 

As at December 31,
2015

$  36,571
  13,141
  86,397
$ 136,109

As at December 31,
2014

$  33,581
–
  75,955
$ 109,536

11.5  Working Capital

As at December 31, 2015, working capital was $21.7 million, a decrease of $6.9 million, compared to $28.6 million at 
December 31, 2014. The change in working capital resulted from a decrease in GST/HST receivable, a refund for past 
due tax credits, and an increase in trade and other payables which was partially offset by an increase in cash.

(thousands of CAD dollars)  

Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Working capital 

11.6  Outstanding Share Data

2015 

$  43,012 
  (21,322) 
$  21,690 

As at December 31,
2014

$  42,348
  (13,767)
$  28,581

The number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares as at December 31, 2015, was 17.5 million. On November 4, 
2015, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per Class A Share, and was paid on January 15, 2016,  
to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2015.

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

12  Share-Based 
Compensation Plan
12.1  Deferred Share Unit 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 our directors, senior officers and shareholders. 
Refer to Note 8 of the Financial Statements on the share-
based compensation plan.

Share-based compensation, related to DSUs, for the 
three months ended December 31, 2015, totalled 
$56 thousand (2014 — $40 thousand) and, for the year 
ended December 31, 2015, totalled $192 thousand 
(2014 — $250 thousand). The total carrying amount of the 
liability arising from the DSUs as of December 31, 2015, 
totalled $442 thousand (2014 — $250 thousand).

As at December 31, 2015, the DSU plan balance was 
31,726.50 (December 31, 2014 — 14,856.09) with a fair 
value of $14.44 per DSU. The weighted average fair 
value of the DSUs granted during the financial year was 
$16.62 (2014 — $18.84).

12.2  Stock Option Plan

The Company established a stock option plan that 
was approved by shareholders in 2014, to encourage 
share ownership and enhance the Company’s ability 
to attract, retain and motivate key personnel and 
reward significant performance achievements. Refer to 
Note 8 of the Financial Statements on the share-based 
compensation plan.

Compensation expense is recognized in proportion 
to the amount of stock options vested. Share-based 
compensation, related to the stock option plan, for the 
year ended December 31, 2015, totalled $173 thousand 
(2014 — $50 thousand). The total carrying amount of the 
equity settled employee benefit reserve arising from 
these stock options as of December 31, 2015, totalled 
$223 thousand (2014 — $50 thousand).

As at December 31, 2015, a total of 460,750 (December 31, 
2014 — 54,799) stock options had been granted. The 
outstanding share options at year end had a weighted 
average exercise price of $15.49 (2014 — $18.80).

13  Commitments
The Company is subject to contractual obligations such as leasing of office space, the MSA with the Government 
of Saskatchewan, and information technology service agreements with Hewlett-Packard Company and 
Information Systems Management Canada Corporation. The following table summarizes our commitments  
as of December 31, 2015:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

  2016 

  2017 

  2018 

  2019 

  2020  Thereafter 

Total

Office leases 1 
Master Service Agreement 2 
Information Technology  
   Service Agreements 3,4 
Total 

$  3,044  $  2,702  $  2,639  $  2,671  $  2,529  $  8,737 
  6,500 

500 

500 

500 

500 

500 

  8,861 

– 
$ 12,405  $ 11,847  $ 11,614  $  6,686  $  3,029  $ 15,237 

  8,645 

  8,475 

  3,515 

– 

$ 22,322
  9,000

 29,496
$ 60,818

1  The Company leases all of its office space through operating leases. Operating leases related to office space include lease terms of between one 
to ten years, with various options to extend. The Company does not have an option to purchase the leased assets at the expiry of the lease period.

2  The MSA requires ISC to pay the Government of Saskatchewan and to manage and operate the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys, Personal 

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

3  Hewlett Packard Company (“HP”) provides application development, maintenance and support services related to the operation of the Land Titles 
Registry, Personal Property Registry, and Geomatics pursuant to an agreement for information technology services. An Amending Agreement for 
a five-year term was signed and effective as of June 1, 2015.

4  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 five-year term was signed and effective as of May 1, 2015.

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis

13.1  Master Service Agreement

Pursuant to the 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, Geomatics, Personal 
Property Registry 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.

14  Off-Balance Sheet 
Arrangements
The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements 
as of December 31, 2015.

15  Related Party Transactions
Routine operating transactions with related parties 
are settled at agreed upon exchange amounts under 
normal trade terms. Refer to Note 16 to the Financial 
Statements for information pertaining to transactions 
with related parties.

16  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.

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.

17  Changes in  
Accounting Policies
Refer to Note 3 to the Financial Statements for information 
pertaining to changes in accounting policies effective 
in 2015 and for information on issued accounting 
pronouncements that will be effective in future years.

18  Financial Instruments  
and Financial Risks
Financial instruments held in the normal course of 
business included in our consolidated balance sheet as 
at December 31, 2015, consist of cash, trade receivables, 
grant receivable, trade and other payables, dividend 
payable, provision for early retirement plan, and short-
term and long-term debt.

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

18.1  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of cash, trade receivables, trade 
and other payables, and dividend payable approximate 
fair value due to their immediate or relatively short-term 
maturity. Within the long-term debt, the revolving term 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. In regard 
to the non-revolving term within the long-term debt, it 
bears an interest rate of prime plus applicable margin, 
which exposes the Company to some interest rate risk. 
However, the impact of a change in interest rate is low.

18.2  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.

37

19  Risk Management  
and Business Risks
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.

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

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

Cash is held with major Canadian chartered banks and 
the Company believes the risk of loss to be minimal. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk at December 31, 2015, 
is $40.2 million (December 31, 2014 — $36.6 million) 
equal to the carrying value of the Company’s financial 
assets, those being cash at $36.6 million (December 31, 
2014 — $33.6 million) and trade receivables at $3.7 million 
(December 31, 2014 — $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.

18.3  Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company 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.

18.4  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.

18.5  Interest Rate Risk

The Company is subject to interest rate risks as the Credit 
Facility bears interest at rates that are based on floating 
rates based on prime, which can vary in accordance with 
borrowing rates. The Company manages interest rate 
risk on certain of its debt by using short-term bankers’ 
acceptance notes with an option to lock in rates at any 
time and by monitoring the effects of market changes in 
interest rates. The Company considers the interest rate 
risk on its overall debt to be low.

38

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

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

Revenue  
diversification

There is a risk that ISC’s current revenue sources are not significantly diversified to 
withstand economic challenges in Saskatchewan or downturns connected to common 
revenue drivers.

Cost/Efficiency/  
Profitability

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 business development opportunities or adapt to volume changes within its business.

Acquisition

Reputational

There is a risk that acquisitions could occur with insufficient due diligence, leadership 
and cultural differences, over-valuation, imprudent financing, ineffective post-acquisition 
integration or could be misaligned with ISC’s overall strategy.

There is a risk that ISC’s reputation could be negatively impacted thereby damaging 
ISC’s credibility, future revenue and/or business opportunities. 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 strategic priorities as a growing publicly traded company.

Aligning Investor 
Expectations

There is a risk that a lack of alignment of ISC’s strategy with investor expectations may 
result in unfavourable outcomes and investor behaviours or actions.

IT Infrastructure

Competition

There is a risk that ISC does not have the IT 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.

There is a risk that ISC may be ineffective in its ability to compete against current or future 
competitors, in some cases given others’ potential advantage having greater longevity 
in the market, access to low cost capital, private ownership, etc., or as a result of ISC’s 
potential requirement to receive ancillary service approvals from the Government of 
Saskatchewan or other regulators.

MSA Compliance

Inability to comply with the requirements in the MSA could result in the loss/termination 
of the agreement as well as impacting ISC’s reputation and future growth strategies.

Labour Relations

Misalignment of  
Service Evolution and  
Pricing Approach

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

There is a risk that business model requirements for successful and profitable  
evolution of registry services are not supported by the Government of Saskatchewan.

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.

39

21  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, 2015, 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.

The design scope of disclosure controls and procedures 
has been limited to exclude controls, policies and 
procedures of ESC Corporate Services Ltd. having been 
acquired less than 365 days prior to December 31, 2015.

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

20  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, 2015, 
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, 2015.

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.

The design scope of internal controls over financial 
reporting has been limited to exclude controls, 
policies and procedures of ESC Corporate Services 
Ltd. having been acquired less than 365 days prior to 
December 31, 2015.

40

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

22  Non-IFRS Financial 
Measures
22.1  Non-IFRS Financial 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.

22.2  Non-IFRS Financial  
Measures Definition

“EBITDA” is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, 
depreciation and amortization expense. “Adjusted 
EBITDA” adjusts EBITDA for stock-based compensation 
expense or income, equity settled employee benefit 
reserve, transactional gains and losses, asset 
impairment charges, and acquisition and integration 
costs. These 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. 
Furthermore, we use adjusted EBITDA for business 
planning purposes and to evaluate and price potential 
acquisitions. In addition to its use by management, 
we also believe these measures are widely used by 
securities analysts, investors and others to evaluate 
the financial performance of our Company and for 
comparing our results with those of other companies. 
EBITDA margin and adjusted EBITDA margin are 
calculated as a percentage of overall revenue.

“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, 
free cash flow 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.

41

Consolidated  
Financial Statements

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Management’s Responsibility ................................................................................................................................................... 43
Independent Auditor’s Report .................................................................................................................................................. 44
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position ..................................................................................................................... 45
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income ........................................................................................................ 46
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity ................................................................................................................... 46
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows ..................................................................................................................................47
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
  1  Status of the Company ......................................................................................................................................................... 48
  2  Basis of Presentation ............................................................................................................................................................. 48 
  3  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ..................................................................................................................49
  4  Cash ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 56 
  5  Seasonality ............................................................................................................................................................................... 56 
  6  Tax Provision ............................................................................................................................................................................ 56 
  7  Deferred Revenue ................................................................................................................................................................. 58 
  8  Share-Based Compensation Plan ......................................................................................................................................59 
  9  Property, Plant and Equipment ..........................................................................................................................................61 
 10  Intangible Assets ................................................................................................................................................................... 62 
 11  Debt ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 62
 12  Investment in Associate ....................................................................................................................................................... 64
 13  Earnings per Share ................................................................................................................................................................ 64
 14  Equity and Capital Management ...................................................................................................................................... 64 
 15  Financial Instruments and Related Risk Management ............................................................................................... 65 
 16  Related Party Transactions ..................................................................................................................................................67
 17  Compensation of Key Management Personnel ............................................................................................................67 
 18  Segment Information ............................................................................................................................................................ 68
 19  Acquisition ................................................................................................................................................................................69 
 20  Net Change in Non-Cash Working Capital ....................................................................................................................71
 21  Commitments and Contingencies ....................................................................................................................................71 
 22  Pension Expense .....................................................................................................................................................................72
 23  Borrowing Costs .....................................................................................................................................................................72 
 24  Subsequent Events.................................................................................................................................................................72

42

Consolidated Financial Statements

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

Jeff Stusek 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

March 15, 2016

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

43

 
Consolidated Financial Statements

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and its financial performance 
and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Chartered Professional Accountants, Chartered Accountants
Licensed Professional Accountants

March 15, 2016
Regina, Saskatchewan

44

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Assets 
Current assets 
  Cash 
  Trade receivables 
  GST/HST receivable 

Income tax recoverable 

  Prepaid expenses 

Non-current assets 
  Deferred tax asset 
  Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets 

  Goodwill 

Investment in associate 

Total assets 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
  Trade and other payables 
  Advances from customers 
  Dividend payable 
  Long-term debt – current portion 
  Deferred revenue 

Income tax payable 

  Provision for early retirement plan 

Non-current liabilities 
  Deferred revenue 
  Deferred tax liability 
  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

Note 

4 

6 
9 
10 
19 

11 
7 

7 
6 
11 

14 

As at December 31,
2014

  2015 

$  36,571 
3,661 
385 
676 
1,719 
  43,012 

  44,310 
6,637 
  25,647 
  13,141 
3,362 
$ 136,109 

$  11,227 
4,325 
3,500 
1,500 
463 
286 
21 
  21,322 

251 
4,034 
  23,060 
  27,345 

  19,955 
223 
  67,264 
  87,442 
$ 136,109 

$  33,581
3,030
4,815
-
922
  42,348

  49,369
6,719
  11,100
–
–
$ 109,536

  $ 

4,898 
4,234
3,500
–
565
524
46
  13,767

482
–
9,935
  10,417

  19,955
50
  65,347
  85,352
$ 109,536 

APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON MARCH 15, 2016:

Joel Teal 
Director 

Anthony Guglielmin
Director 

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

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 
  Financial services 
  Project initiatives 
  Other 

Net Income from continuing operations before net finance income 

Finance expense (income) 

Interest income 
Interest expense 
  Net finance income 
Share of profit in associate 
Income from operations before tax 
Income tax expense  
Net income and total comprehensive income 

Earnings per share ($ per share) 
Total, basic  
Total, diluted 

See Accompanying Notes

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Note 

Balance at January 1, 2014 
Net Income and total comprehensive income 
Equity settled employee benefit reserve 
Dividend declared 
Balance at December 31, 2014 
Net income and total comprehensive income 
Equity	settled	employee	benefit	reserve	
Dividend declared 
Balance at December 31, 2015 

See Accompanying Notes

8 

8	

Note 

18 

9,10 

Year Ended December 31,
  2015 
2014

$  78,318 

$  80,459

  24,867 
  9,688 
  5,713 
  4,563 
  3,569 
  2,362 
  2,521 
  2,447 
  55,730 
  22,588 

  24,845
  10,272
5,089
4,316
3,875
2,083
3,269
1,559
  55,308
  25,151

(331) 
236 
(95) 
62 
  22,745 
  6,828 
$  15,917 

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

6 

13 
13 

$ 
$ 

0.91  
0.90 

$ 
$ 

1.05 
1.05

Retained 
Earnings 

$  60,987 
  18,360 
– 
  (14,000) 
  65,347  
  15,917 
–	
  (14,000) 
$  67,264 

Share 
Capital 

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

Equity 
Reserve 

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
50 
– 
50 
– 
173	
– 
223 

Total

$  80,942
  18,360
50
  (14,000)
  85,352
  15,917
173
  (14,000)
$  87,442 

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

  Depreciation 
  Amortization 

Income tax expense 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 
  Share of profit in associate 
  Net change in non-cash working capital 
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 outflow on acquisition of subsidiary 
  Net cash outflow on investment in associate 
  Net	cash	flow	used	in	investing	activities 

Financing 

Interest paid 

  Repayment of long-term debt 
  Proceeds of long-term debt 
  Dividends paid 
  Net	cash	flow	from	(used	in)	financing	activities 

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

See Accompanying Notes

47

Note 

Year Ended December 31,
  2015 
2014

$  15,917 

$  18,360

9 
10 

10 

8 

20 

19 

  1,828 
  3,885 
  6,828 
1 
4 
232 
(95) 
173 
(62) 
  4,755 
(2,776) 
  30,690 

331 
2 
(1,790) 
(2,656) 
  (20,678) 
(3,300) 
  (28,091) 

(234) 
(375) 
  15,000 
  (14,000) 
391 

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)

  2,990 
  33,581 
$  36,571 

5,967
  27,614
$  33,581

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

On May 30, 2013, The Information Services Corporation 
Act (the “ISC Act”) was proclaimed and resulted in The 
Crown Corporations Act, 1993 (Saskatchewan) ceasing 
to apply to the Company. The Company was continued 
under The Business Corporations Act (Saskatchewan) 
as Information Services Corporation, a corporation 
with share capital. 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. 

On July 9, 2013, the Company became publicly listed 
on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the 
symbol “ISV”. The Company is the provider of registry 
and information services and is the exclusive provider 
of the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys Directory, 
Geomatics, the Personal Property Registry, and the 
Corporate Registry (collectively, the “Registries”) in 
Saskatchewan. The registered office of the Company is 
300 - 10 Research Drive, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 7J7.

On December 15, 2014, ISC Enterprises Inc. (“ISC Ent”), a 
wholly owned subsidiary of ISC, was incorporated under 
The Canada Business Corporations Act. ISC Ent currently 
acts as a holding company for all of ISC’s business 
interests outside of Saskatchewan.

On September 2, 2015, the Company completed its 
acquisition of 30 per cent of the issued and outstanding 
voting common shares of OneMove Technologies Inc. 
(“OneMove”) for CAD$3.3 million. 

On October 1, 2015, the Company completed the 
acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common 
shares of ESC Corporate Services Ltd. (“ESC”), a leading 
technology-enabled corporate services provider. ESC 
is a Canadian company with offices in Toronto and 
Montreal and over 4,500 customers, including law firms, 
corporations and financial institutions. The Company 

completed the transaction through its wholly owned 
subsidiary, ISC Ent, with $21.0 million of the purchase 
price, subject to working capital adjustment, paid 
on closing of the transaction and up to $7.0 million 
of contingent consideration, payable in the form of a 
performance-based, 12-month earnout. 

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, 2015, for issue on 
March 15, 2016.

Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been 
prepared on a going concern basis under the historical 
cost except for financial instruments that are measured 
at fair values at the end of each reporting period, as 
explained in the accounting policies below.

Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the 
consideration given in exchange for goods and services.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell 
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly 
transaction between market participants at the 
measurement date, regardless of whether that price 
is directly observable or estimated using another 
valuation technique. In estimating the fair value of an 
asset or a liability, the Company takes into account 
the characteristics of the asset or liability if market 
participants would take those characteristics into 
account when pricing the asset or liability at the 
measurement date. Fair value for measurement and/
or disclosure purposes in these consolidated financial 
statements is determined on such a basis, except for 
share-based payment transactions that are within 
the scope of IFRS 2 — Share-based Payment and 
measurements that have some similarities to fair value 
but are not fair value, such as net realizable value 
in International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 2 — 
Inventories or value in use in IAS 36 — Impairment  
of Assets.

48

Consolidated Financial StatementsIn addition, for financial reporting purposes, fair value 
measurements are categorized into Level 1, 2 or 3 
based on the degree to which the inputs to the fair value 
measurements are observable and the significance of 
the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, 
which are described as follows:

•  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active 
markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity 
can access at the measurement date;

•  Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices 
included within Level 1, that are observable for the 
asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

•  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset  

or liability.  

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 subsidiaries, ISC Sask., ISC Ent and ESC. 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:

•  deferred tax asset (Note 6);

•  the contingent consideration (Note 19);

•  the carrying amounts of property, plant and 

equipment (“PPE”) (Note 9);

•  the carrying amounts of intangible assets (Note 10); and 

•  goodwill (Note 19).

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

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:

  Leasehold improvements 
  Office furniture 
  Office equipment 
  Computer hardware 

10 Years
10 Years
5 Years
3 Years

49

Consolidated Financial Statements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.

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;

Intangible assets

•  the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

Intangible assets acquired separately

•  how the intangible asset will generate probable future 

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. 

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 

Internally generated  
   – system enhancement 

15 years

7 years

3-7 years

  Geographic information system 

5 years

  Other 

  Assets under development 

3-5 years

N/A (not ready  
for use)

Upon acquisition of ESC, the Company also acquired the 
following internally generated intangible assets that are 
not included in the above categories. These assets also 
record amortization on the straight-line basis over the 
estimated productive life.

50

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
  Customer relations 
  Brand 
  Non-compete clause 

15 years
15 years
3 years

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets

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

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

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

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

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

Goodwill

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a business 
represents the excess of the purchase price over 
the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities 
and contingent liabilities of the acquired business 
recognized at the date of acquisition. Goodwill 
is initially recognized as an asset at cost and is 
subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated 
impairment losses.  

Impairment of goodwill

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is 
allocated to the cash-generating units expected to 
benefit from the synergies of the combination. Cash-
generating units are tested for impairment annually or 
more frequently if events indicate that the units may 
be impaired. The Company’s reporting segments that 
correspond to the cash-generating units for impairment 
testing are disclosed in Note 18. 

When the recoverable amount of the cash-generating 
unit is less than the carrying amount of the cash-
generating unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to 
reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated 
to the unit and then to the other assets of the cash-
generating unit on a pro rata basis. An impairment loss 
recognized for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent 
year. The Company performs its annual review of 
goodwill on December 31 each year.

Business acquisition

Business acquisitions are accounted for using the 
acquisition method. The consideration transferred in a 
business combination is measured at fair value, which 
is calculated at the date of acquisition as the sum of the 
fair values of the assets transferred by the Company and 
the liabilities incurred by the Company to the former 
owners of the acquiree in exchange for the control of the 
acquiree. Acquisition costs are recognized in profit or 
loss as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired 
and the liabilities assumed are recognized at their fair 
value, except the deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
recognized and measured in accordance with IAS 12 — 
Income Taxes.

51

Consolidated Financial StatementsGoodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the 
consideration transferred, the amount of any non-
controlling interests in the acquiree, and the fair value 
of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the 
acquiree, if applicable, over the net of the identifiable 
assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at date  
of acquisition. 

Goodwill arose in the acquisition of ESC because the 
cost of the combination included a control premium. 
In addition, the consideration paid for the combination 
effectively included amounts in relation to the benefit 
of expected synergies, revenue growth, future market 
development and the assembled workforce of ESC. 
These benefits are not recognized separately from 
goodwill because they do not meet the recognition 
criteria for identifiable intangible assets. None of the 
goodwill arising on these acquisitions is expected to  
be deductible for tax purposes.

When the consideration transferred by the Company 
in a business combination includes assets or liabilities 
resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, 
the contingent consideration is measured at its 
acquisition date fair value and included as part of the 
consideration transferred in a business combination. 
Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration 
that qualify as measurement period adjustments 
are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding 
adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period 
adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional 
information obtained during the measurement period 
(which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition 
date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the 
acquisition date.

The subsequent accounting for changes in fair value 
of the contingent consideration that do not qualify 
as a measurement period adjustment depends 
on how the contingent consideration is classified. 
Contingent consideration that is classified as equity 
is not measured at subsequent reporting dates and 
its subsequent settlement is accounted for within 
equity. Contingent consideration that is classified as 
an asset or a liability is remeasured at subsequent 
reporting dates in accordance with IAS 39 — Financial 
Instruments, Recognition and Measurement, or IAS 37 — 
Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, 
as appropriate, with the corresponding gain or loss 
recognized in net earnings or loss.

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-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 

Revenue from the Registries and other services are 
recognized in the accounts when services are rendered. 
Amounts received in advance of Geomatics services 
being performed are reflected as deferred revenue and 
are recorded as revenue when services are rendered. 
Amounts received from customers in advance are 
reflected as advances from customers and are recorded 
as revenue when services are rendered. 

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

•  the Company has transferred to the buyer the 

significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods;

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

•  the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

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

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

transaction can be measured reliably.

52

Consolidated Financial StatementsRevenue from fixed-price contracts 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 whose primary condition is that 
the Company 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. 

•  the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

•  it is probable that the economic benefits associated 

with the transaction will flow to the Company;

•  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.

Revenue from time and material contracts is recognized 
at the contractual rates as labour hours are delivered 
and direct expenses are incurred.

Employee benefits

The Company provides pension plans for all eligible 
employees.

Certain Saskatchewan employees hired prior to 
October 1, 1977, participate in the Public Service 
Superannuation Plan, a defined benefit plan. Pension 
obligations for this plan are the responsibility of the 
General Revenue Fund of the Province of Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan employees hired after October 1, 1977, 
make contributions to the Public Employees Pension 
Plan, a defined contribution plan. The Company’s 
obligations are limited to making regular payments  
to the plans for current services. These contributions  
are expensed. 

ESC employees make contributions to a defined 
contribution plan. The Company’s obligations are 
limited to making regular payments to the plans for 
current services. These contributions are expensed.

Government grants

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

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 the Company with no future related costs are 
recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they 
become receivable.

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

Financial instruments

Non-derivative	financial	instruments

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

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

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through  
profit	or	loss

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through 
profit or loss (“FVTPL”) are financial assets and liabilities 
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 and liabilities are initially 
recognized, and subsequently carried, at fair value, 
with changes recognized in the consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income. Transaction costs are 
expensed. Assets and liabilities in this category  

53

Consolidated Financial Statementsinclude cash, deferred share units liability and the 
contingent consideration.

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 receivables.

Other	financial	liabilities

Other financial liabilities (“OFL”) are initially measured 
at fair value, 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 long-term debt.

Borrowing costs

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

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

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

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a 
present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of 
a past event, it is probable that the Company will be 
required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate 
can be made of the amount of the obligation. The 
amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate 
of the consideration required to settle the present 
obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking 
into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the 
obligation. Where a provision is measured using the 
cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its 
carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.

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

Share-based compensation plan

A deferred share unit (“DSU”) plan has been approved by 
the Board, which is described in Note 8. 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 8. 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.

Investment in associate

The Company has recorded its investment in associate 
using the equity method. The carrying amount of 
the investment in the associate is calculated at cost 
plus the entity’s subsequent share of the associate’s 
comprehensive income. If, at the end of a reporting 
period, there is an indication that an investment 
may be impaired, the entire carrying amount of the 
investment is tested for impairment. If the carrying 
amount of the investment is found to be less than its 
recoverable amount, the carrying amount is reduced 
to its recoverable amount and an impairment loss is 
immediately recognized in profit or loss.

54

Consolidated Financial StatementsChanges in accounting policies

The Company has adopted the following new and revised standards, along with any consequential amendments, 
effective January 1, 2015, or on such date as they became applicable. These changes were made in accordance 
with the applicable transitional provisions. The adoption of these changes did not require any adjustments to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Standard

Description

Amendments to IFRS 2 —  
Share-based Payment

The definitions of a vesting condition and a market condition in IFRS 2 —  
Share-based Payment have both been amended. Definitions for performance 
condition and service condition have also been added.

Amendments to IFRS 13 —  
Fair Value Measurement

Clarifies that short-term receivables and payables may be measured on an 
undiscounted basis where impact of discounting is not material.

Amendments to IAS 19 —  
Employee Benefits

Clarifies that contributions that are independent of number of years or service 
may be recognized as a reduction in service cost in the period in which the service 
cost is rendered.

Amendments to IAS 38 —  
Intangible Assets 

Sets out requirements on how an entity should adjust accumulated amortization 
following the revaluation of an asset.

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 future periods. The following standards 
and amendments 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, 2016

IFRS 9 — Financial Instruments

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

January 1, 2018

IFRS 12 — Disclosure of Interests 
in Other Entities

A consolidated disclosure standard requiring a wide range 
of disclosures about an entity’s interest in subsidiaries, joint 
arrangements and associates. 

January 1, 2016

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, 2018

IFRS 16 — Leases 

IFRS 16 — Leases replaces IAS 17 — Leases and sets out the 
principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation 
and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract. (i.e. the 
customer (lessee) and the supplier (lessor)). 

January 1, 2019

55

Consolidated Financial StatementsProposed standard

Description

Amendments to IAS 1 —
Disclosure Initiative

Amends IAS 1 — Presentation of Financial Statements to address 
some of the concerns expressed about existing presentation 
and disclosure requirements and to ensure entities are able to 
use judgment when applying the Standard.

Effective Date

January 1, 2016

Amendments to IAS 27 —  
Equity Method in Separate 
Financial Statements 

Amends IAS 27 — Consolidated and 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.

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 2015 
is $331 thousand (2014 — $306 thousand).  

5  SEASONALITY

Our Registries business experiences moderate 
seasonality, primarily because Land Titles revenue 
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 traditionally highest. Our Services 
business is sufficiently diversified with little seasonality 
to its revenue performance. However, some smaller 
categories of products or services can have some 
seasonal variation slightly increasing during the second 
and fourth quarters. Expenses, however, are generally 
consistent from quarter to quarter, but can fluctuate due 
to the timing of project-related expenses.

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 Crown Investments Corporation. ISC’s tax-exempt 

status changed on June 27, 2013, when ISC and Crown 
Investments Corporation entered into an Underwriting 
Agreement with a syndicate of underwriters. The 
Company 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) 

Year Ended December 31,
  2014

  2015 

Current tax expense 
Current tax on earnings for the year 

 $ 1,862   $  2,340

Deferred tax expense 
Current period expense 
Income tax expense 

 4,966 
$ 6,828 

  4,665
$ 7,005

56

Consolidated Financial Statements 
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 
  Other 
Income tax expense  
Effective income tax rate 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$ 22,745 
  27.0% 
$  6,141 

621 
66 
$  6,828 
  30.0% 

$  25,365 
  27.0%
6,849 

$ 

156
–
$  7,005 
  27.6%

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

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

Deferred tax liability
Other liabilities 

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

January 1, 
2015 

ESC purchase 
price allocation 

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

December 31, 
2015

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

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

$ 

– 

$  4,127 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(1,588) 
109 
(3,621) 
41 
(5,059) 

$  37,160
129
  6,724
297
$  44,310

(93) 

$  4,034

$  49,369 
– 

$ 

– 
  4,127 

$ 

(5,059) 
(93) 

$  44,310
  4,034

57

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

Deferred tax liability
Other liabilities 

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

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. 

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.  

January 1, 
2014  

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

December 31, 
2014

 $  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

7  DEFERRED REVENUE 

The Company has received government grants for two 
of its projects. They are the Mineral Administration 
Registry Saskatchewan (“MARS”) project and the 
Enhanced Mineral Cadastral project. The condition for 
the government grants issued to the projects was that 
the Company must complete the projects within the 
scope agreed between the Company and responsible 
government agencies. As of December 31, 2015, 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.

The Enhanced Mineral Cadastral project used 
automated tools and manual processes to significantly 
increase the availability of mineral parcel picture in 
rural areas in Saskatchewan, enabling mineral owners 
and mineral disposition holders to better manage 

58

Consolidated Financial Statements	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
their mineral properties. In addition, a more complete 
mineral cadastral provides a foundation for future 
products and services of benefit to the resource sector.

Other deferred revenue consists of service and 
maintenance agreements with the Ministry of 
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing for the Company 
to provide website hosting maintenance for the Sask911 
mapping application. This ensures that the website 
used by Sask911 is available for use and the mapping 
application contained within is readily available.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

Year Ended December 31,
  2014

  2015 

$  232 
  231 
  463 

$  351
  214
   565

  251 

  482
$  714  $ 1,047

8  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

Deferred share unit (“DSU”) 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”). 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 
delivers to each participant a cash payment equal to the 
redemption value of the DSUs, or an equivalent number 
of Class A Shares purchased on the TSX.

59

On August 12, 2015, the Board granted 15,957.41 DSUs 
that vest quarterly. A summary of the status of the 
DSU Plan and the changes within the period ended 
December 31, 2015, are as follows:

  Weighted  
Average  
Units  Award Price

$ 

– 
Balance at January 1, 2014 
1,636.13 
DSUs granted March 26, 2014 
DSUs granted May 13, 2014 
12,765.96 
DSUs granted August 12, 2015  15,957.41 
Total notional dividends  
   declared to date  
16.12
Balance at December 31, 2015  31,726.50  $  16.82

–
19.29
18.80
15.04

1,367.00 

The weighted average fair value of the DSUs granted 
during the financial year is $16.82 (2014 — $18.84). 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 three months ended December 31, 2015, totalled 
$56 thousand (2014 — $40 thousand) and for the twelve 
months ended December 31, 2015, related to DSUs 
totalled $192 thousand (2014 — $250 thousand). The 
total carrying amount of the liability arising from the 
DSUs as of December 31, 2015, totalled $442 thousand 
(2014 — $250 thousand). 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, 2015, 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, 2015 

$ 

14.44
  18.97%
2.0%
133
$  14.44

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Given the Company’s limited trading history, using the 
prior three-year daily closing price to get a measure 
of the stock volatility was not possible. Instead, the 
Company used an average of:

On August 12, 2015, the Board granted 405,951 stock 
options. A summary of the status of the Stock Option 
Plan and the changes within the twelve months ended 
December 31, 2015, are as follows:

•  its historical volatility for its two-year trading period  

Units	 Exercise	Price

– 

Balance at January 1, 2014 
Stock options granted 
   May 13, 2014 
Stock options granted  
   August 12, 2015 
405,951 
Balance at December 31, 2015  460,750 

54,799 

$ 

–

18.80

15.04
$  15.49

The outstanding share options at the end of the year 
had a weighted average exercise price of $15.49  
(2014 — $18.80).

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

Spot Price 
Expected Volatility 
Risk Free Interest Rate 
Dividend yield 
Expected life (days) 
Fair Value 

August 12, 2015  May 13, 2014

$  15.04 
  18.97% 
2.0% 
  4.54% 
  2,920 
$  1.4529 

$ 

18.80
  22.5%
2.5%
4.2%
2,920
$  2.7373

Compensation expense is recognized in proportion  
to the amount of stock options vested. Share-based 
compensation for the twelve months ended 
December 31, 2015, related to the stock option plan 
totalled $173 thousand (2014 — $50 thousand). The  
total carrying amount of the equity settled employee 
benefit reserve arising from these stock options as of 
December 31, 2015, totalled $223 thousand (2014 — 
$50 thousand). 

of 17.20 per cent; and 

•  22.5 per cent for the portion of the three-year 

period it was not traded, which represents a mid-
range volatility for companies in other industries 
pursuing a high-dividend practice, as well as potential 
comparable companies, but reflecting that it did not 
have the size, strength, or diversification of many of 
the companies with low volatility, but also was not 
high growth or high risk, which represented the  
higher volatility.

Stock option plan

ISC’s Stock Option Plan was approved by the Board on 
March 19, 2014, and approved by the shareholders on 
May 13, 2014. 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.

60

Consolidated Financial Statements	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leasehold	
Improvements 

Office	
Furniture 

Office	
Equipment 

Hardware 

Asset	under
Development 

Total

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

97 
– 
(7) 
– 
90 

21 
– 
(5) 
42 
148 

55 
11 
(5) 
61 

22 
(4) 
79  

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

37 
4 
(443) 
19 
$  1,997 

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

595 
(442) 
$  1,496 

$ 

– 
  1,770 
– 
  (1,083) 
687 

$ 

– 
  1,592 
– 
  (1,138) 
$  1,141 

$ 

$ 

$ 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

$ 13,671
  2,105
(921)
–
$ 14,855

143
  1,607
(457)
–
$ 16,148

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

  1,828
(453)
$  9,511

29 
69 

$  1,037 
501 
$ 

$ 
687 
$  1,141 

$  6,719
$  6,637

9  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

Acquired assets 
Additions 
Disposals 
Transfer 
Balance at December 31, 2015  

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

$  8,805 
50 
(257) 
– 
$  8,598 

45 
10 
– 
  1,055 
$  9,708 

$  3,089 
23 
(12) 
– 
$  3,100 

40 
1 
(9) 
22 
$  3,154 

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

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

Depreciation 
Disposals 
Balance at December 31, 2015  

940 
– 
$  5,678 

271 
(7) 
$  2,258 

Carrying Value
At December 31, 2014 
At December 31, 2015 

$  3,860 
$  4,030 

$  1,106 
896 
$ 

61

Consolidated Financial Statements	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

Acquired assets 
Additions  
Disposals 
Transfer 
Balance at December 31, 2015  

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

System 
Enhancements 

Asset 
under 

Externally		 Internally	 Develop-	
Acquired  Generated  ment 

GIS* 

Other 

LAND** 
Develop-	 LAND	Data 
ment  Conversion 

Total

$  6,705  $ 1,805  $  33,753  $  1,742  $ 1,414  $  30,685  $ 17,262  $  93,366
  1,615
(1,052)
(193)
–
$  6,705  $ 1,993  $  33,773  $  1,904  $ 1,414  $  30,685  $ 17,262  $  93,736

  1,427 
 (1,052) 
– 
(213) 

  188 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
(193) 
213 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

  16,257
  2,410
(353)
–
$  6,705  $ 1,822  $ 50,605  $  3,557  $ 1,414  $ 30,685  $ 17,262  $ 112,050

 16,114 
– 
– 
718 

– 
  2,410 
– 
(757) 

  143 
– 
  (353) 
39 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

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

– 
– 
– 

  202 
– 
– 

  2,191 
(193) 
232 

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

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

  1,151 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Amortization 
Disposals 
Recovery of MARS expenses  
Balance at December 31, 2015 

– 
– 
– 

  284 
  (350) 
– 

  2,450 
– 
232 

$  6,705  $ 1,533  $ 30,530  $ 

  3,885
– 
– 
(350)
– 
– 
– 
232
– 
–  $ 1,414  $ 30,685  $ 15,536  $  86,403

  1,151 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Carrying Value
At December 31, 2014  
At December 31, 2015 

* geographic information system

** land titles automated network delivery

$ 
$ 

–  $  394  $  5,925  $  1,904  $ 
–   $  289  $ 20,075  $ 3,557  $ 

–  $ 
–   $ 

–  $  2,877  $  11,100
–  $  1,726  $  25,647

The acquired assets in 2015 that are within the internally generated intangible assets consist of customer relations 
of $10.8 million, technology of $3.9 million, brand of $1.0 million and a non-compete clause of $0.4 million. The 
carrying value of these acquired assets at December 31, 2015 are as follows:  customer relations $10.7 million, 
technology $3.7 million, brand $1.0 million and non-compete clause $0.3 million. 

11  DEBT

On October 1, 2015, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement in connection with the 
secured credit facilities (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”) provided by a Canadian chartered bank (the “Lender”). 
The aggregate amount available under the Credit Facilities is $34.935 million comprised of (i) a $9.935 million 
committed revolving term loan facility (the “Revolving Term Facility”) along with; (ii) a $10.0 million uncommitted 

62

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
revolving credit facility (the “Operating Facility”) to be used for general corporate purposes and (iii) a $15.0 million 
committed non-revolving reducing credit facility (the “Non-Revolving Term Facility”), that was used by ISC to fund, in 
part, the acquisition of ESC.  

Borrowings under the Credit Facilities will bear interest at a base rate of prime, bankers’ acceptance, letter of credit 
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. 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Revolving Term Facility, which consists of a three-year committed revolving term  
loan facility, which matures on September 28, 2018, unless renewed prior to that  
time. Currently held in a 6-month banker’s acceptance note bearing interest at  
0.963 per cent that matures on June 28, 2016 (2014 — a bankers’ acceptance note,  
due January 5, 2015, bearing interest at 1.273 per cent per annum). 

Operating Facility, which consists of a $10.0 million uncommitted revolving credit  
facility that is currently undrawn. The Operating Facility is repayable by ISC upon  
demand by the Lender and the Lender may terminate such Operating Facility  
at any time. 

Non-Revolving Term Facility, repayable by ISC through quarterly payments of  
$375 thousand and matures on September 28, 2018. This facility bears an interest  
rate of prime plus applicable margin, which at December 31, 2015 equates to  
2.7 per cent plus 0.7 per cent for a rate of 3.4 per cent per annum (2014 — this  
facility was not in place). 
Current portion 
Long-term portion 

Total long-term debt 

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  9,935 

$ 

9,935 

– 

–

1,500 
  13,125 
$  24,560 

–
–
$  9,935

The Revolving Term Facility and the Operating Facility 
under 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 Non-Revolving Term Facility under the Credit 
Facilities contain financial covenants which require the 
Company to maintain a ratio of Funded Debt less up 
to $5.0 million cash on hand to ESC Adjusted EBITDA 
being less than 3:1 and an Interest Coverage ratio (as 
defined in the Credit Facilities) of greater than 3:1.  

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.

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 ISC Sask and 
ESC, an unlimited guarantee and postponement of 
claim from ISC Sask and ESC guaranteeing all of ISC’s 
indebtedness and obligations to the lender, 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 and a first ranking security interest in all 
the personal property and floating charge on all real 
property of ESC. 

63

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12  INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE

On September 2, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of 30 per cent of the issued and outstanding voting 
common shares of OneMove for CAD$3.3 million. ISC used existing cash to finance the investment through its 
wholly owned subsidiary, ISC Ent. ISC recognizes OneMove and its econveyance™ software as an industry-leading 
online, subscription-based solution that offers a secure and efficient means of managing real property transactions. 
The econveyance™ solution is available in British Columbia, Alberta and, most recently, Ontario. The registered 
office of OneMove is 4th floor – 445 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1K4.

The 30 per cent ownership level and related rights give the Company significant influence over OneMove, but does 
not represent control and, as a result, the Company has accounted for this investment using the equity method. 

13  EARNINGS PER SHARE

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 

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

Earnings per share ($ per share)
From continuing operations, basic 
From continuing operations, diluted 

14  EQUITY AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

Year Ended December 31,
2014
2015 

$  15,917 

$  18,360 

17,500,000 
120,230 
17,620,230 

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

$ 
$ 

0.91 
0.90 

$ 
$ 

1.05
1.05

The Company’s authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of Class A Shares, one Class B Golden 
Share (the “Golden Share”) and an unlimited number of Preferred Shares, issuable in series. The Company currently 
has 17,500,000 Class A Shares issued and outstanding, one Golden Share issued and outstanding and no Preferred 
Shares issued or outstanding. Class A Shares are entitled to one vote per share. The 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. The Preferred Shares can be 
issuable at any time and may include voting rights.

(thousands of CAD dollars, except number of shares) 

Balance at January 1, 2014 
No movement 
Balance at December 31, 2014 
Balance at January 1, 2015 
No movement 
Balance at December 31, 2015 

Class A 

Class B

Number of 
Shares 

17,500,000 
– 
17,500,000 
17,500,000 
– 
17,500,000 

Share 
Capital 

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

Number of 
Shares 

Share 
Capital

1 
– 
1 
1 
– 
1 

$ 

$ 

$ 

–
–
–
–
–
–

64

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit facility

The Company’s capital at December 31, 2015, consisted of long-term debt, share capital, equity settled employee benefit 
reserve, accumulated other comprehensive income and retained earnings (comprising total shareholders’ equity).  

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

December 31, 
2015 

December 31,
2014

$  24,560 
  19,955 
223 
  67,264 
$ 112,002 

$ 

9,935
  19,955
50
  65,347
$  95,287

15  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 Canadian chartered banks and the Company believes the risk of loss to be minimal. The maximum 
exposure to credit risk at December 31, 2015, is $40.2 million (December 31, 2014 — $36.6 million) equal to the carrying 
value of the Company’s financial assets, those being cash at $36.6 million (December 31, 2014 — $33.6 million) and 
trade receivables at $3.6 million (December 31, 2014 — $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 considered to be 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

December 31, 
2015 

December 31,
2014

$  36,571 
3,452 
192 
17 
$  40,232 

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

The Company is subject to interest rate risks as the Credit Facility (Note 11) bears interest at rates that are based on 
floating rates based on prime, which can vary in accordance with borrowing rates. The Company manages interest 
rate risk by using short-term bankers’ acceptance notes with an option to lock in rates at any time and by monitoring 
the effects of market changes in interest rates.  

65

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents a sensitivity analysis to changes in market interest rates and their potential impact on the 
Company for the year ended December 31, 2015. As the sensitivity is hypothetical, it should be used with caution.

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

December 31, 2015 

December 31, 2014

+ 100 bps* 

– 100 bps 

+ 100 bps 

– 100 bps

Increase (decrease) in interest expense 
Decrease (increase) in income from operations before tax  
Decrease (increase) in total comprehensive income 

$ 
$ 
$ 

38 
38 
28 

$ 
$ 
$ 

(38) 
(38) 
(28) 

$ 
$ 
$ 

– 
– 
– 

$ 
$ 
$ 

–
–
–

* bps = basis point spread

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, 2015:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Long-term debt 
Trade and other payables 
Dividend payable 
Total liabilities 

Carrying 
Amount 

$  24,560 
  11,227 
  3,500 
$  39,287 

Contractual 
Cash Flows 

$  25,845 
  11,227 
  3,500 
$  40,572 

0-6 
months 

$ 

995 
  11,227 
  3,500 
$  15,722 

7-12 
months 

$ 

$ 

985 
– 
– 
985 

12+ 
months

$  23,865
–
–
$  23,865

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

Market risk

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

Classification	

Level	

December 31, 2015 

December 31, 2014

Carrying 
Amount 

Fair Value 

Carrying 
Amount 

Fair Value

Financial Assets
Cash 
Trade receivables  

Financial Liabilities
Trade and other payables*  
Dividend payable  
Long-term debt – current portion 
Long-term debt  
Deferred share unit liability 
Contingent consideration 

*includes provision for early retirement plan 

FVTPL 
LAR 

OFL 
OFL 
OFL 
OFL 
FVTPL 
FVTPL 

L2 
L2 

L2 
L2 
L2 
L2 
L2 
L3 

$  36,571 
  3,661 

$  36,571 
  3,661 

$  33,581 
3,030 

$  33,581
3,030

  5,872 
  3,500 
  1,500 
  23,060 
442 
  4,934 

  5,872 
  3,500 
  1,500 
  23,060 
442 
  4,934 

4,694 
3,500 
– 
9,935 
250 
– 

4,694
3,500
–
9,935
250
–

66

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  

Estimates of the fair value of contingent consideration 
is performed by the Company on a quarterly basis. Key 
unobservable inputs include the discount rate applied at 
1.77 per cent. The estimated fair value increases as the 
discount rate decreases or vice versa.

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, trade and 
other payables, provision for early retirement plan, and 
dividend payable approximate fair value due to their 
immediate or relatively short-term maturity. Within the 
long-term debt, the revolving term 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. The non-revolving 
term within the long-term debt bears an interest rate 
of prime plus applicable margin, which exposes the 
Company to some interest rate risk. However, as noted 
in the sensitivity analysis of interest rate risk above, the 
impact of a change in interest rates is considered low.

The deferred share unit liability’s fair value is calculated 
using the Black-Scholes model that takes into 
consideration the market price, expected volatility and 
the risk free interest rate. Due to the limited trading 
history of the Company, this liability is classified as 
Level 2, but the risk remains low due to the materiality.

The following table shows a reconciliation from the 
beginning balances to the ending balances for the fair 
value measurements in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Balance at January 1, 2015 
Increase from business acquisition 
Charges through profit or loss  
Balance at December 31, 2015 

$ 

–
  4,913
21
$ 4,934 

16  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 of Saskatchewan 
and non-Crown corporations and enterprises subject 
to joint control and significant influence by the 
Government of Saskatchewan (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.

17  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

  2015 

$  2,129 
  666 
  110 

$  1,718
  300
86
$ 2,905  $ 2,104

67

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
Members of the key management team include the 
President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial 
Officer, the Vice-Presidents and the Associate  
Vice-President. 

and is the exclusive provider of the Land Titles 
Registry, Land Surveys Directory, Geomatics, the 
Personal Property Registry and the Corporate Registry 
in Saskatchewan.

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.

18  SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are identified as components of a 
company where separate discrete financial information 
is available for evaluation by the chief operating 
decision maker regarding allocation of resources and 
assessment of performance. The Company operates in 
two reportable segments described below, defined by 
their primary type of service offering, namely Registries 
and Services.

•  The Registries segment involves the provision of 
registry and information services and solutions 
to governments and private sector organizations. 
Currently, the Company provides registry and 
information services to the Province of Saskatchewan 

•  The Services segment provides law firms, 

corporations, financial service institutions and others 
with services to fulfill a wide variety of their clients’ 
public records due diligence, filings and corporate 
supply requirements in connection with public 
business registries in Canada and certain other 
countries. It provides its Canadian financial institution 
clients with customized, automated and proven 
solutions to validate the status of business entities. For 
its law firm customers that range from large firms to 
sole practitioners, the Services segment also provides 
a complete suite of corporate services and supplies. 

The Company evaluates performance and allocated 
resources based on earnings before interest and income 
tax. The accounting policies of the segments are the 
same as described in Note 3. Revenue reported in the 
following tables represent revenue generated from 
external customers. There was no significant inter-
segment revenue in the year.

For the year ended December 31, 2015

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Total Revenue 

Registries 

Services 

Corporate 

Total

$  74,985 

$  3,166 

$ 

167 

$  78,318

*includes revenue from sale of goods 

275 

1,038 

– 

1,313

Net income from continuing operations  
   before net finance income 
Net finance (income) expense 
Income tax expense 
Investment in associate 
Net income 

Total assets, excluding goodwill and cash 
Goodwill 
Cash 
Total assets 

  24,292 
(23) 
  6,728 
– 
$  17,587 

$  45,377 
– 
  23,968 
$  69,345 

512 
138 
100 
– 
274 

$ 

$  18,332 
  13,141 
895 
$  32,368 

(2,216) 
(210) 
– 
62 
(1,944) 

$ 

$  22,688 
– 
  11,708 
$  34,396 

  22,588
(95)
6,828
62
$  15,917

$  86,397
  13,141
  36,571
$ 136,109

Capital expenditures 

$  3,009 

$ 

11 

$ 

997 

$ 

4,017

68

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2014

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Registries 

Services 

Corporate 

Total

Total Revenue 

*includes revenue from sale of goods 

$  80,104 

$ 

331 

Net income from continuing operations  
   before net finance income 
Net finance (income) expense 
Income tax expense 
Net income 

Total assets, excluding goodwill and cash 
Goodwill 
Cash 
Total assets 

Capital expenditures 

  27,364 
– 
7,005 
$  20,359 

$  61,347 
– 
  22,499 
$  83,846 

$  3,002 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

$ 

355 

$  80,459

– 

331

(2,213) 
(214) 
– 
(1,999) 

$ 

$  14,608 
– 
  11,082 
$  25,690 

  25,151
(214)
7,005
$  18,360

$  75,955
–
  33,581
$ 109,536

$ 

718 

$  3,720

The Registries revenue, which is the Company’s largest segment, can be further detailed as follows:

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

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

*includes revenue from sale of goods 

Year ended December 31,
2014

2015 

$  56,871  
  9,981 
  8,133 
$  74,985 

$  61,999 
9,870
8,235
$  80,104 

275 

331

Revenues are attributed to customers within Canada. No assets are held outside of Canada. The Company’s top  
five customers for the Registries segment represent 20.2 per cent of total registries revenue (2014 — 19.5 per cent). 
Of those customers, no single customer represented more than 10.0 per cent of the total registries revenue, the 
same as in 2014.

19  ACQUISITION

ESC Corporate Services Ltd. (“ESC”) 

On October 1, 2015, ISC completed the acquisition of all issued and outstanding common shares of ESC. ISC 
completed the transaction through a wholly owned subsidiary using a combination of cash and debt with 
$21.0 million of the purchase price, subject to working capital adjustment, paid on closing of the transaction  
(“ESC Transaction”) and up to $7.0 million payable in the form of a performance-based, 12-month earnout. The 
current estimate by management for the contingent consideration is $5.0 million.

Through ESC, the Company provides law firms, corporations, financial service institutions and others with services 
to fulfill a wide variety of their clients’ public records due diligence, filings and corporate supply requirements in 
connection with public business registries in Canada and certain other countries. ESC has offered these services 
since 2009, in Ontario and Quebec, when it acquired two well-established businesses that provided these types 
of services. For its law firm customers that range from large firms to sole practitioners, ESC provides a complete 

69

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
suite of corporate services and supplies. It provides its 
Canadian financial institution clients with customized, 
automated and proven solutions to validate the status of 
business entities.

The receivables acquired (which principally comprised 
of trade receivables) in these transactions with a fair 
value of $1.6 million had gross contractual amounts of 
$1.7 million. The best estimate at acquisition date of the 
contractual cash flows not expected to be collected are 
$29 thousand.

This acquisition is a business combination to which 
IFRS 3 — Business Combinations applies.

Consideration
(thousands of CAD dollars) 

Cash 
Contingent consideration 
Total purchase price 
Less: deemed compensation 
Consideration to allocate 

2015

$  21,498
  5,000
  26,498
–
$  26,498

The costs of the acquisition relating to professional fees 
were $0.9 million and have been recorded in expense.

The preliminary allocation of the net purchase price for 
accounting purposes is as follows:

The revenue and net earnings of the acquiree since 
the acquisition date included in the consolidated 
statement of earnings for 2015 were $3.2 million and 
$274 thousand, respectively.

The revenue and net earnings for the Company and the 
acquiree combined for 2015 as though the acquisition 
date for the business combination that occurred 
during the year had been as of January 1, 2015 would 
have been $87.5 million, unaudited and $17.6 million, 
unaudited, respectively.

Net cash outflow related to the acquisition

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

2015

(thousands of CAD dollars)

Assets
  Cash 
  Trade receivables 
  Prepaid expenses 
  Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Liabilities
  Trade and other payables 

Income tax payable 
  Deferred tax liability 

Consideration paid in cash 
Consideration from long-term debt  
   paid in cash 
Less: cash balance acquired 

$  6,498

Net assets acquired 

  15,000
(820)
$  20,678

Goodwill arising on acquisition
Total consideration allocated 
Net assets acquired 
Discount on contingent consideration 
Total goodwill 

$ 

820
  1,655
349
286
  16,114
  19,224

  1,602
225
  4,127
  5,954
$  13,270

  26,498
  13,270
87
$  13,141

The intangible assets above consist of customer relations 
of $10.8 million, technology of $3.9 million, brand of 
$1.0 million and a non-compete clause of $0.4 million. 

70

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 
Prepaid expenses 
Trade and other payables 
Advances from customers 
Deferred revenue 
Provision for early retirement plan 
Net change in non-cash working capital 

Year Ended December 31, 
2014

2015 

$  1,023 
  4,429 
(448) 
18 
91 
(334) 
(24) 
$  4,755 

$ 

$ 

(52)
(4,397)
(77)
933
(191)
(356)
(46)
(4,186)

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 of Saskatchewan dated May 30, 2013, 
the Company was appointed on an exclusive basis to manage and operate the Land Titles Registry, Land Surveys 
Directory, Personal Property Registry and Corporate Registry on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan for a 
20-year term expiring on May 30, 2033. The MSA requires the Company 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 which was due on March 1, 2014. 

Commitments

Future minimum payments for leasing of office space, information technology (“IT”) 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, 2015: 

(thousands of CAD dollars) 

2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
2020 
Thereafter 
Total commitments 

IT	Service 
Agreements 

Master Service
Agreement 

$ 

8,861 
8,645 
8,475 
3,515 
– 
– 
$  29,496 

$ 

500 
500 
500 
500 
500 
6,500 
$  9,000 

Total

$  12,405
  11,847
  11,614
6,686
3,029
  15,237
$  60,818

Office	
Leases 

$ 

3,044 
2,702 
2,639 
2,671 
2,529 
8,737 
$  22,322 

71

Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingencies

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 of Saskatchewan 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 December 31, 2015, the liability was nil 
(December 31, 2014 — nil).

22  PENSION EXPENSE

The total pension costs of the Company for the year 
were $1.4 million (2014 — $1.4 million).

23  BORROWING COSTS

The amount of borrowing costs capitalized during 2015 
and 2014 were nil. 

24  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 19, 2016, the Company subscribed for 
1,620,454 Class B Common Shares in the capital of 
OneMove Technologies Inc., for a total of $990 thousand, 
representing its pro rata share of an equity raise by 
OneMove. This investment maintains ISC’s 30 per cent 
ownership in OneMove and the funds will be used to 
finance certain growth activities of the company.   

On March 7, 2016, the Company announced that, taking 
effect from December 1, 2015, the Master Service 
Agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan 
was amended to appoint the Company to continue to 
manage and operate the Common Business Identifier 
Program and the Business Registration Saskatchewan 
Program (formerly referred to as the Business Portal) 
for the same term as the Master Service Agreement. 
The Government of Saskatchewan will pay ISC an 
annual operating fee of $825 thousand, subject to an 
annual Consumer Price Index adjustment calculated in 
accordance with the Master Service Agreement.

On March 15, 2016, the Board declared a quarterly cash 
dividend of $0.20 per Class A Share, payable on April 15, 
2016, to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2016.   

72

Consolidated Financial Statements2015 ISC® Annual Report

Board of Directors

Joel Douglas Teal 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
Director since: 2013 
Chair of the Board of Directors 

William Scott Musgrave 
Lloydminster, Alberta 
Director since: 2010 
Member of the Audit Committee

Thomas Christiansen 
Swift Current, Saskatchewan 
Director since: 2009 
Member of the Governance & Nominating Committee 
and a member of the Compensation Committee 

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

Jess H. Chua 
Calgary, Alberta 
Director since: 2013 
Member of the Audit Committee 

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

Anthony Robert Guglielmin 
Vancouver, British Columbia 
Director since: 2013 
Chair of the Audit Committee 

Officers

Jeff Stusek
President and  
Chief Executive Officer 

Kenneth W. Budzak
Vice President, Operations  
& Customer Experience

Bradley S. Sylvester 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
Director since: 2008 
Member of the Compensation Committee 

Dion E. Tchorzewski 
Regina, Saskatchewan 
Director since: 2013 
Chair of the Governance & Nominating Committee

Kathy Hillman-Weir, Q.C.
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.

73

2015 ISC® Annual Report

Corporate Information

Head Office

Class B Golden Share

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, 2015.

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.

Issued and outstanding — 1 Class B Golden Share 
(“Golden Share”) as at December 31, 2015.

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, 2015.

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

Ownership

As of March 17, 2016, the Government of Saskatchewan, 
through Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, 
was our largest shareholder and held 31.0 per cent of the 
issued and outstanding Class A Shares of the Company.

74

2015 ISC® Annual Report

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

2015

2015

2015

2015

2014

2014

2014

2014

2013

2013

Quarterly

Dec 29, 2015

Dec 31, 2015

Jan 15, 2016

Quarterly

Sep 28, 2015

Sep 30, 2015

Oct 15, 2015

Quarterly

Jun 26, 2015

Jun 30, 2015

Jul 15, 2015

Quarterly

Mar 27, 2015

Mar 31, 2015

Apr 15, 2015

Quarterly

Dec 29, 2014

Dec 31, 2014

Jan 15, 2015

Quarterly

Sep 26, 2014

Sep 30, 2014

Oct 15, 2014

Quarterly

Jun 26, 2014

Jun 30, 2014

Jul 15, 2014

Quarterly

Mar 27, 2014

Mar 31, 2014

Apr 15, 2014

Quarterly

Dec 27, 2013

Dec 31, 2013

Jan 15, 2014

$0.20

$0.20

$0.20

$0.20

$0.20

$0.20

$0.20

$0.20

$0.20

Quarterly

Sep 26, 2013

Sep 30, 2013

Oct 15, 2013

  $0.18*

*   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.

75

2015 ISC® Annual Report

Auditors

Regulatory Filings

Deloitte LLP 
Suite 900 
2103 11th Ave 
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3Z8 Canada

Transfer Agent

CST Trust Company

For inquiries related to shares, dividends, changes  
of address:

Toll-Free Inside North America:  1 (800) 387-0825 
Outside North America:  1 (416) 682-3860 
Fax:  1 (888) 249-6189

English:  https://www.canstockta.com/en/ 
InvestorServices/index.html

French:  https://www.canstockta.com/fr/Services_aux_
investisseurs/index.html

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

Annual General Meeting

The annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 
1:00 p.m. (Saskatchewan time/MDT) on Monday,  
May 16, 2016 at Innovation Place, 6 Research Drive, 
Regina, Saskatchewan.

76

I SC.ca

Infor mation Services Corporation 

300 - 10 Research Drive

Regina, Saskatchewan  S4S 7J7  Canada

Toll Free: 1 (866) 275-4721