2023 Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
AIR CANADA
2023 Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
Risks
Through its defined benefit pension plans, the Corporation is exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which
are detailed below:
Asset risk
Asset risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes
in market price. Asset risk comprises currency risk, credit risk, and other price risk. Currency risk is the risk that the fair
value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. This
risk is mitigated through implementation of hedging strategies. Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial
instrument will cause a financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. This risk is mitigated by
receiving collateral from counterparties based on collateralization agreements and by monitoring the issuers' credit risk.
Other price risk is the risk the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes
in market prices (other than those arising from currency risk), whether those changes are caused by factors specific to
the individual financial instrument or its issuer, or factors affecting all similar financial instruments traded in the market.
This risk is mitigated through proper diversification of plan assets.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of
changes in market interest rates. A decrease in corporate and/or government bond yields will increase plan liabilities,
which will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the plans' bond holdings. As at December 31, 2023,
approximately 85% of Air Canada's Domestic Registered Defined Benefit Plans' assets were invested in fixed income
instruments to mitigate a significant portion of the interest rate risk (discount rate risk).
Funding risk
Adverse changes in the value of plan assets or in interest rates, and therefore in the discount rate used to value
liabilities, could have a significant impact on pension plan solvency valuations and future cash funding requirements.
Life expectancy
The majority of the plans' obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member, so increases in life expectancy
will result in an increase in the plans' liabilities.
Assumptions
Management is required to make estimates about actuarial and financial assumptions to determine the cost and related
liabilities of the Corporation's employee future benefits.
Discount Rate
The discount rate used to determine the pension obligation was determined by reference to market interest rates on
corporate bonds rated "AA" or better with cash flows that approximate the timing and amount of expected benefit
payments.
Future Increases in Compensation
Estimates surrounding assumptions of future increases in compensation are based upon the current compensation
policies, the Corporation's long-range plans, labour and employment agreements and economic forecasts.
Mortality Assumptions
Mortality tables and improvement scales issued by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (revised in 2014) were taken
into account in selecting management's best estimate mortality assumption used to calculate the accrued benefit
obligation as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
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