2. Basis of preparation (continued)
Information about critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have a significant effect on the amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements include:
Revenue recognition related to unbilled revenue Existence of decommissioning liabilities
Information about significant management estimates and assumptions that have a risk of resulting in a significant adjustment within the next financial period include:
Estimated unbilled revenue Net realizable value of natural gas in storage held for resale Fair value of financial and derivative instruments Useful lives and amortization rates for intangible assets Useful lives and depreciation rates for property, plant, and equipment
Estimated unearned customer capital contributions Estimated future cost of decommissioning liabilities
3. Summary of significant accounting policies
The accounting policies, as detailed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for the 15-month period ended March 31, 2016, have been applied consistently, by the Corporation and its subsidiaries, to all periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Certain comparative amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current quarter’s presentation (Note 12).
a. 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:
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 instrument. 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.
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2016-17 FIRST QUARTER REPORT
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