3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
i.
Financial and derivative instruments (continued)
iv. Derivative instruments The Corporation utilizes a variety of derivative instruments to manage its exposure to natural gas price risk. Derivative instruments are classified as at fair value through profit or loss and are recorded at fair value within current assets or current liabilities, as applicable, commencing on the trade date. The change in the fair value is recorded in net income and classified within the revenue or expense category to which it relates. Derivatives may be embedded in other host instruments. Embedded derivatives are treated as separate derivatives when the economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host instrument, the embedded derivative has the same terms as those of a stand-alone derivative and the combined contract is not measured at fair value through profit or loss. Embedded derivatives are measured at fair value with subsequent changes recognized in net income and classified within the revenue or expense category to which it relates. The Corporation utilizes natural gas sales contracts with embedded derivatives for non-regulated contract sales to large end-use customers. Fair value measurements For recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, the Corporation estimates the price at which an orderly transaction to sell the asset or to transfer the liability would take place between market participants at the reporting date under current market conditions. This requires the Corporation to make certain assumptions, including the principal (or most advantageous) market, the most appropriate valuation technique and the most appropriate valuation premise. The Corporation’s own credit risk and the credit risk of the counterparty have been taken into account in determining the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, including derivative instruments. In measuring fair value, the Corporation classifies items according to the following fair value hierarchy based on the amount of observable inputs:
j.
i.
Level 1 Quoted prices (unadjusted) are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as at the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information. The Corporation did not classify any of its fair value measurements within Level 1.
ii. Level 2 Inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability as at the reporting date. Level 2 valuations are based on inputs, including quoted market prices, time value, volatility factors and broker quotations which can be substantially observed or corroborated in the marketplace. The fair value of debt retirement funds is determined by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Finance using a market approach with information provided by investment dealers. To the extent possible, valuations reflect indicative secondary pricing for these securities. In all other circumstances, valuations are determined with reference to similar actively traded instruments. The fair value of natural gas derivative instruments is determined using a market approach. The Corporation obtains quoted market prices from sources such as the New York Mercantile Exchange and the Natural Gas Exchange, independent price publications and over-the-counter broker quotes. The fair value of long-term debt is determined for disclosure purposes only using an income approach. Fair values are estimated using the present value of future cash flows discounted at the market rate of interest for the equivalent Province of Saskatchewan debt instruments. iii. Level 3 Inputs are unobservable for the particular assets and liabilities as at the reporting date. The Corporation did not classify any of its fair value measurements within Level 3.
46
Consolidated Financial Statements
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