Westjet 2015 Annual Report Download - page 72

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentage, ratio, share and per share amounts)
WestJet Annual Report 2015 | 70
1. Statement of significant accounting policies (continued)
(e) Financial instruments (continued)
The Corporation may, from time to time, use various financial derivatives to reduce market risk exposure from changes in
foreign exchange rates, interest rates and jet fuel prices. Derivatives are recorded at fair value on the consolidated statement of
financial position with changes in fair value recorded in net earnings unless designated as effective hedging instruments.
Similarly, embedded derivatives are recorded at fair value on the consolidated statement of financial position with the changes in
fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings unless exempted from derivative treatment as a normal purchase
and sale or the host contract and derivative are deemed to be clearly and closely related. When financial assets and liabilities are
designated as part of a hedging relationship and qualify for hedge accounting, they are classified and accounted for as either
cash flow hedges, fair value hedges or a hedge of a net investment. The Corporation’s policy is not to utilize derivative financial
instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
At each reporting period, the Corporation will assess whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset, other than
those classified at fair value through profit or loss, is impaired.
The Corporation offsets qualifying transaction costs incurred in relation to the acquisition of financial assets and liabilities not
measured at fair value through profit or loss against those same financial assets and liabilities.
(f) Cash flow hedges
The Corporation uses various financial derivative instruments such as forwards and swaps to manage fluctuations in foreign
exchange rates and interest rates.
The Corporation’s derivatives that have been designated and qualify for hedge accounting are classified as cash flow hedges.
The Corporation formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items as well as the risk-
management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. This process includes linking all derivatives that are
designated in a cash flow hedging relationship to a recognized asset or liability, an unrecognized firm commitment or a highly
probable forecasted transaction. The Corporation also formally assesses, both at inception and at each reporting date, whether
derivatives used in hedging transactions have been highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items and
whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods.
Under cash flow hedge accounting, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is recognized
in other comprehensive income (OCI) and presented within shareholders’ equity as hedge reserves. The ineffective portion of
the change in fair value is recognized in non-operating income (expense). Upon maturity of the derivative financial instrument,
the effective gains and losses previously accumulated in hedge reserves are recorded in net earnings under the same caption as
the hedged item.
The Corporation excludes time value from the measurement of effectiveness; accordingly, changes in time value are recognized
in non-operating income (expense) during the period the change occurs.
If the hedging relationship ceases to qualify for cash flow hedge accounting, any change in fair value of the instrument from the
point it ceases to qualify is recorded in non-operating income (expense). Amounts previously accumulated in hedge reserves will
remain in shareholders’ equity until settlement, at which time, the amount is recorded in net earnings under the same caption as
the hedged item. If the transaction is no longer expected to occur, amounts previously accumulated in hedge reserves will be
reclassified to non-operating income (expense).
(g) Foreign currency
Monetary assets and liabilities, denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into Canadian dollars at the rate of exchange in
effect at the consolidated statement of financial position date, with any resulting gain or loss recognized in net earnings. Non-
monetary assets, non-monetary liabilities, revenue and expenses arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are
translated into Canadian dollars at the rates prevailing at the time of the transaction.
(h) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term investments that are highly liquid in nature and have maturity dates of
up to 31 days.
(i) Inventory
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis and a
specific item basis depending on the nature of the inventory. The Corporation’s inventory balance consists of aircraft fuel, de-
icing fluid, retail merchandise and aircraft expendables.