CANADIAN GAAP VS. U.S. GAAP

Shaw Communications included Note 21 ‘‘United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles’’ in its 2008 annual report.

SHAW COMMUNICATIONS INC.*
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENS (In Part)
August 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
(All amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars except share and per share amounts)
Consolidated Balance sheet items using U.S. GAAP

 

2008

 

2007

 
 

Canadian GAAP$

US GAAP$

Canadian GAAP$

US GAAP$

Property, plant, and equipment(11)

2,616,500

2,622,877

2,422,900

2,425,144

Deferred charges(2)(9)

274,666

175,818

278,525

170,881

Broadcast rights(1)(5)(6)

4,776,078

4,750,844

4,776,078

4,750,844

Long term debt(2)

2,706,534

2,731,404

2,771,316

2,771,316

Other long term liability(10)

78,912

183,347

56,844

157,043

Derivative instruments(8)

518,856

518,856

526,679

Deferred credits(2)(3)(9)

687,836

685,349

1,151,724

687,913

Future income taxes

1,281,826

1,215,566

1,327,914

1,271,791

Shareholders’ equity:

       

Share capital

2,063,431

2,063,431

2,053,160

2,053,160

Contributed surplus

23,027

23,027

8,700

8,700

Retained earnings (deficit)

226,408

121,169

68,132

178,652

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

57,674

130,698

312

126,746

Total shareholders’ equity

2,255,192

2,076,929

1,994,040

1,756,462

The cumulative effect of these adjustments on consolidated shareholders’ equity is as follows:

 

2008 $

2007 $

Shareholders’ equity using Canadian GAAP

2,255,192

1,994,040

Amortization of intangible assets(1)

130,208

130,208

Deferred charges and credits(2)

19,989

4,215

Equity in loss of investees(4)

35,710

35,710

Gain on sale of subsidiary(5)

16,052

16,052

Gain on sale of cable systems(6)

50,063

50,063

Foreign exchange gains on hedged long term debt(3)

386,075

Reclassification of hedge losses from other comprehensive income(8)

386,075

Capitalized interest(11)

4,623

1,566

Income taxes(12)(13)

9,930

8,068

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

73,024

127,058

Shareholders’ equity using US GAAP

2,076,929

1,756,462

Required

a. In your opinion, is there a material difference between shareholders’ equity at the end of 2008 using Canadian GAAP vs. U.S. GAAP? Comment.

b. The disclosure indicates ‘‘all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars except share and per share amounts.’’ In your opinion, does this present a challenge to U.S. investors?

Note: Canada is scheduled to adopt IFRS for their 2011 financial statements.