UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

For the month of November 2023
Commission File Number 001-15144

 

TELUS CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

 

 

 

23rd Floor, 510 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 0M3
Canada

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 

Form 20-F ☐                          Form 40-F ☑

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporation by Reference

 

This report on Form 6-K and the exhibits hereto are specifically incorporated by reference into the registration statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-266633), the registration statement on Form F-3D (File No. 333-258770) and the registration statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-268186, 333-181463 and 333-125486), of TELUS Corporation.

 

 2 

 

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  TELUS CORPORATION
   
  By: /s/ Andrea Wood
    Name: Andrea Wood
    Title: Chief Legal and Governance Officer

 

Date: November 3, 2023

 

 3 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number   Description of Document
     
99.1   Consolidated Financial Statements
99.2   Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

 4 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

TELUS CORPORATION

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

condensed interim consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income (unaudited)

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions except per share amounts)  Note  2023   2022   2023   2022 
OPERATING REVENUES                       
Service     $4,388   $4,048   $13,091   $11,670 
Equipment      602    592    1,758    1,599 
Operating revenues (arising from contracts with customers)  6   4,990    4,640    14,849    13,269 
Other income  7   18    31    69    85 
Operating revenues and other income      5,008    4,671    14,918    13,354 
OPERATING EXPENSES                       
Goods and services purchased  16   1,858    1,794    5,451    5,025 
Employee benefits expense  8, 16   1,633    1,231    4,741    3,521 
Depreciation  17   611    550    1,849    1,637 
Amortization of intangible assets  18   389    300    1,179    886 
       4,491    3,875    13,220    11,069 
OPERATING INCOME      517    796    1,698    2,285 
Financing costs  9   352    34    995    310 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES      165    762    703    1,975 
Income taxes  10   28    211    146    522 
NET INCOME      137    551    557    1,453 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)  11                    
Items that may subsequently be reclassified to income                       
Change in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges      30    (156)   (5)   (54)
Foreign currency translation adjustment arising from translating financial statements of foreign operations      7    35    (28)   (53)
       37    (121)   (33)   (107)
Items never subsequently reclassified to income                       
Change in measurement of investment financial assets      (4)       (12)   1 
Employee defined benefit plan re-measurements      60    (13)   59    284 
       56    (13)   47    285 
       93    (134)   14    178 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME     $230   $417   $571   $1,631 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO:                       
Common Shares     $136   $514   $553   $1,367 
Non-controlling interests      1    37    4    86 
      $137   $551   $557   $1,453 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO:                       
Common Shares     $218   $349   $573   $1,531 
Non-controlling interests      12    68    (2)   100 
      $230   $417   $571   $1,631 
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE  12                    
Basic     $0.09   $0.37   $0.38   $0.99 
Diluted     $0.09   $0.37   $0.38   $0.99 
                        
TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING                    
Basic      1,454    1,398    1,447    1,385 
Diluted      1,459    1,405    1,451    1,392 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

2 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

 

condensed interim consolidated statements of financial position (unaudited)

 

         
As at (millions)  Note  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
ASSETS             
Current assets             
Cash and temporary investments, net     $1,204   $974 
Accounts receivable  6(b)   3,363    3,316 
Income and other taxes receivable      163    124 
Inventories  1(b)   550    537 
Contract assets  6(c)   423    441 
Prepaid expenses  20   775    617 
Current derivative assets  4(d)   65    83 
       6,543    6,092 
Non-current assets             
Property, plant and equipment, net  17   17,372    17,084 
Intangible assets, net  18   19,813    19,239 
Goodwill, net  18   10,053    9,131 
Contract assets  6(c)   280    320 
Other long-term assets  20   2,399    2,203 
       49,917    47,977 
      $56,460   $54,069 
              
LIABILITIES AND OWNERS’ EQUITY             
Current liabilities             
Short-term borrowings  22  $104   $104 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  23   3,401    3,952 
Income and other taxes payable      145    112 
Dividends payable  13   529    502 
Advance billings and customer deposits  24   937    891 
Provisions  25   345    166 
Current maturities of long-term debt  26   4,376    2,541 
Current derivative liabilities  4(d)   4    18 
       9,841    8,286 
Non-current liabilities             
Provisions  25   682    538 
Long-term debt  26   23,457    22,496 
Other long-term liabilities  27   623    636 
Deferred income taxes  10   4,351    4,455 
       29,113    28,125 
Liabilities      38,954    36,411 
Owners’ equity             
Common equity  28   16,317    16,569 
Non-controlling interests      1,189    1,089 
       17,506    17,658 
      $56,460   $54,069 
Contingent liabilities  29          

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 3
 

 

 

condensed interim consolidated statements of changes in owners’ equity (unaudited)

 

      Common equity           
      Equity contributed                       
      Common Shares (Note 28)                           
                    Accumulated               
                    other        Non-      
(millions)  Note  Number of
shares
    Share
capital
   Contributed
surplus
   Retained
earnings
   comprehensive
income
   Total   controlling
interests
   Total 
Balance as at January 1, 2022      1,370   $9,644   $1,013   $4,256   $203   $15,116   $943   $16,059 
Net income                  1,367        1,367    86    1,453 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  11               284    (120)   164    14    178 
Dividends  13               (1,397)       (1,397)       (1,397)
Dividends reinvested and optional cash payments  13(b), 14(c)   16    487                487        487 
Equity accounted share-based compensation              106            106    8    114 
Issue of Common Shares in business combination      34    992                992        992 
Change in ownership interests of subsidiaries  28(c)          (55)           (55)   (11)   (66)
Balance as at September 30, 2022      1,420   $11,123   $1,064   $4,510   $83   $16,780   $1,040   $17,820 
Balance as at January 1, 2023      1,431   $11,399   $956   $4,104   $110   $16,569   $1,089   $17,658 
Net income                  553        553    4    557 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  11               59    (39)   20    (6)   14 
Dividends  13               (1,561)       (1,561)       (1,561)
Dividends reinvested and optional cash payments  13(b), 14(c)   22    559                559        559 
Equity accounted share-based compensation  14(b)      1    87            88    3    91 
Change in ownership interests of subsidiaries  25, 28(c)   2    54    35            89    99    188 
Balance as at September 30, 2023      1,455   $12,013   $1,078   $3,155   $71   $16,317   $1,189   $17,506 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

4 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

 

condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note  2023   2022   2023   2022 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                       
Net income     $137   $551   $557   $1,453 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:                       
Depreciation and amortization      1,000    850    3,028    2,523 
Deferred income taxes  10   (98)   52    (227)   46 
Share-based compensation expense, net  14(a)   27    30    100    98 
Net employee defined benefit plans expense  15(a)   15    24    46    76 
Employer contributions to employee defined benefit plans  15(a)   (7)   (9)   (23)   (34)
Non-current contract assets      10    (10)   40    27 
Non-current unbilled customer finance receivables  20   (2)   (9)   (24)   22 
Unrealized change in forward element of virtual power purchase agreements  9   33    (151)   59    (231)
Loss from equity accounted investments  7, 21   2    3    10    10 
Other      6    (23)   (52)   (95)
Net change in non-cash operating working capital  31(a)   184    (8)   (329)   (210)
Cash provided by operating activities      1,307    1,300    3,185    3,685 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                       
Cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences  31(a)   (745)   (832)   (2,498)   (2,861)
Cash payments for spectrum licences      (24)       (29)    
Cash payments for acquisitions, net  18(b)   (11)   (1,022)   (1,273)   (1,502)
Advances to, and investment in, real estate joint ventures and associates  21   (19)   (1)   (136)   (3)
Real estate joint venture receipts  21   1    1    5    3 
Proceeds on disposition          3    7    15 
Investment in portfolio investments and other      7    (66)   (108)   (206)
Cash used by investing activities      (791)   (1,917)   (4,032)   (4,554)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES  31(b)                    
Dividends paid to holders of Common Shares  13(a)   (338)   (297)   (976)   (880)
Issue (repayment) of short-term borrowings, net      (490)   (182)       (17)
Long-term debt issued  26   2,808    4,936    8,325    8,993 
Redemptions and repayment of long-term debt  26   (1,925)   (2,759)   (6,195)   (6,388)
Shares of subsidiary purchased from non-controlling interests, net  28(c)           (57)   (85)
Other      (16)   (23)   (20)   (37)
Cash provided by financing activities      39    1,675    1,077    1,586 
CASH POSITION                       
Increase in cash and temporary investments, net      555    1,058    230    717 
Cash and temporary investments, net, beginning of period      649    382    974    723 
Cash and temporary investments, net, end of period     $1,204   $1,440   $1,204   $1,440 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF OPERATING CASH FLOWS                       
Interest paid     $(307)  $(203)  $(888)  $(578)
Interest received     $4   $10   $11   $11 
Income taxes paid, net     $(63)  $(91)  $(342)  $(329)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 5
 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

 

TELUS Corporation is one of Canada’s largest telecommunications companies, providing a wide range of technology solutions, which include mobile and fixed voice and data telecommunications services and products, healthcare services, software and technology solutions (including employee and family assistance programs and benefits administration), agriculture and consumer goods services (software, data management and data analytics-driven smart-food chain and consumer goods technologies), and digitally-led customer experiences. Data services include: internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology and cloud-based services; and home and business security.

 

TELUS Corporation was incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia) on October 26, 1998, under the name BCT.TELUS Communications Inc. (BCT). On January 31, 1999, pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act among BCT, BC TELECOM Inc. and the former Alberta-based TELUS Corporation (TC), BCT acquired all of the shares of BC TELECOM Inc. and TC in exchange for Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares of BCT, and BC TELECOM Inc. was dissolved. On May 3, 2000, BCT changed its name to TELUS Corporation and in February 2005, TELUS Corporation transitioned under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), successor to the Company Act (British Columbia). TELUS Corporation maintains its registered office at Floor 7, 510 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 0M3.

 

The terms “TELUS”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “ourselves” refer to TELUS Corporation and, where the context of the narrative permits or requires, its subsidiaries. Our principal subsidiaries are: TELUS Communications Inc., in which, as at September 30, 2023, we have a 100% equity interest; and TELUS International (Cda) Inc., in which, as at September 30, 2023, we have a 56.0% equity interest, as discussed further in Note 28(c), and which completed its initial public offering in February 2021. Although it has not had any effect on our current determination of which are our principal subsidiaries, we also made a material business acquisition during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, as set out in Note 18(b).

  

Notes to consolidated financial statements   Page
General application    
1. Condensed interim consolidated financial statements   6
2. Accounting policy developments   7
3. Capital structure financial policies   8
4. Financial instruments   10
Consolidated results of operations focused    
5. Segment information   17
6. Revenue from contracts with customers   20
7. Other income   21
8. Employee benefits expense   21
9. Financing costs   21
10. Income taxes   22
11. Other comprehensive income   23
12. Per share amounts   25
13. Dividends per share   25
14. Share-based compensation   26
15. Employee future benefits   29
16. Restructuring and other costs   31
Consolidated financial position focused    
17. Property, plant and equipment   32
18. Intangible assets and goodwill   33
19. Leases   36
20. Other long-term assets   37
21. Real estate joint ventures and investments in associates   37
22. Short-term borrowings   40
23. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   40
24. Advance billings and customer deposits   40
25. Provisions   41
26. Long-term debt   42
27. Other long-term liabilities   46
28. Owners’ equity   46
29. Contingent liabilities   47
Other    
30. Related party transactions   49
31. Additional statement of cash flow information   50

 

1condensed interim consolidated financial statements

 

(a)Basis of presentation

 

The notes presented in our condensed interim consolidated financial statements include only significant events and transactions and are not fully inclusive of all matters normally disclosed in our annual audited financial statements; thus, our interim consolidated financial statements are referred to as condensed. Our condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

6 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Our condensed interim consolidated financial statements are expressed in Canadian dollars and follow the same accounting policies and methods of their application as set out in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. The generally accepted accounting principles that we use are International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS-IASB) and Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Our condensed interim consolidated financial statements comply with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting and reflect all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) that are, in our opinion, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

 

These consolidated financial statements for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, were authorized by our Board of Directors for issue on November 3, 2023.

 

(b)Inventories

 

Our inventories primarily consist of mobile handsets, parts and accessories totalling $404 million as at September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – $414 million), and communications equipment held for resale. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined on an average cost basis. Costs of goods sold for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, totalled $0.6 billion (2022 – $0.5 billion) and $1.7 billion (2022 – $1.5 billion), respectively.

 

2accounting policy developments

 

(a)Initial application of standards, interpretations and amendments to standards and interpretations in the reporting period

 

·In February 2021, the International Accounting Standards Board issued narrow-scope amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, IFRS Practice Statement 2, Making Materiality Judgements, and IAS 8, Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, although earlier application was permitted. The amendments require the disclosure of material accounting policy information rather than disclosing significant accounting policies, and clarify how to distinguish changes in accounting policies from changes in accounting estimates. Our financial disclosure is currently not materially affected by the application of the amendments.

 

·In May 2021, the International Accounting Standards Board issued targeted amendments to IAS 12, Income Taxes. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, although earlier application was permitted. With a view to reducing diversity in reporting, the amendments clarify that companies are required to recognize deferred taxes on transactions where both assets and liabilities are recognized, such as with leases and asset retirement (decommissioning) obligations. Our financial performance and disclosure is currently not materially affected by the application of the amendments.

 

·In May 2023, the International Accounting Standards Board issued International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules (Amendments to IAS 12), which amended IAS 12, Income Taxes. The amendments provide, and we use the, temporary relief from accounting for deferred income taxes arising from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Pillar Two model rules (such rules ensuring that large multinational corporations would be subject to a minimum 15% income tax rate in every jurisdiction in which they operate). As different jurisdictions are expected to implement the OECD rules at different speeds and at different points in time, the amendments are intended to help ensure consistency within, and comparability across, financial statements. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023. We are currently assessing the impacts of the amended standard, but do not expect that our financial disclosure will be materially affected by the application of the amendments.

 

(b)Standards, interpretations and amendments to standards and interpretations in the reporting period not yet effective and not yet applied

 

·In May 2023, the International Accounting Standards Board issued Supplier Finance Arrangements, which amended IAS 7, Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, and requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosure about supplier finance arrangements. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024, although earlier application is permitted; comparative prior period information is not required in the year of initial application. We are currently assessing the impacts of the amended standards, but do not expect that our financial disclosure, set out in Note 23, will be materially affected by the application of the amendments.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 7
 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

3capital structure financial policies

 

General

 

Our objective when managing financial capital is to maintain a flexible capital structure that optimizes the cost and availability of capital at acceptable risk.

 

In our definition of financial capital, we include common equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income), non-controlling interests, long-term debt (including long-term credit facilities, commercial paper backstopped by long-term credit facilities and any hedging assets or liabilities associated with long-term debt items, net of amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income), cash and temporary investments, short-term borrowings (including those arising from securitized receivables) and other long-term debts (including those arising from securitized receivables).

 

We manage our financial capital structure and make adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of our business. In order to maintain or adjust our financial capital structure, we may adjust the amount of dividends paid to holders of Common Shares, purchase Common Shares for cancellation pursuant to normal course issuer bids, issue new shares (including Common Shares and TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subordinate voting shares), issue new debt, issue new debt to replace existing debt with different characteristics, increase or decrease the amount of receivables sold to an arm’s-length securitization trust, and/or enter into a new arm’s-length securitization trust to replace an existing arm’s-length securitization trust with different characteristics.

 

During 2023, our financial objectives, which are reviewed annually, were unchanged from 2022. We believe that our financial objectives are supportive of our long-term strategy.

 

We monitor financial capital utilizing a number of measures, including: net debt to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA*) – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio; coverage ratios; and dividend payout ratios.

 

Debt and coverage ratios

 

Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs is calculated as net debt at the end of the period, divided by 12-month trailing EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs. This measure, historically, is substantially similar to the leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, except that the covenant includes in EBITDA the unrealized effects of non-currency risk-related derivative financial instruments that are held for trading (see Note 4(d)). Net debt and EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs are measures that do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS-IASB and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The calculation of these measures is set out in the following table. Net debt is one component of a ratio used to determine compliance with debt covenants.

 

As at, or for the 12-month periods ended, September 30 ($ in millions)  Objective    2023   2022 
Components of debt and coverage ratios               
Net debt 1        $26,719   $23,689 
EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs 2        $6,995   $6,880 
Net interest cost 3 (Note 9)       $1,218   $752 
Debt ratio               
Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs  2.20 – 2.70 4      3.82    3.44 
Coverage ratios               
Earnings coverage 5         1.9    4.4 
EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage 6         5.7    9.1 

 

 

* EBITDA is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS-IASB and might not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers; we define EBITDA as operating revenues and other income less goods and services purchased and employee benefits expense. We report EBITDA because it is a key measure that management uses to evaluate the performance of our business, and it is also utilized in measuring compliance with certain debt covenants.

 

8 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

1Net debt and total managed capitalization are calculated as follows:

 

As at September 30  Note   2023   2022 
Long-term debt  26   $27,833   $25,139 
Debt issuance costs netted against long-term debt       122    111 
Derivative (assets) liabilities used to manage interest rate and currency risks associated with U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt, net       (90)   (256)
Accumulated other comprehensive income amounts arising from financial instruments used to manage interest rate and currency risks associated with U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt – excluding tax effects       (46)   31 
Cash and temporary investments, net       (1,204)   (1,440)
Short-term borrowings  22    104    104 
Net debt       26,719    23,689 
Common equity       16,317    16,780 
Non-controlling interests       1,189    1,040 
Less: accumulated other comprehensive income amounts included above in common equity and non-controlling interests       (88)   (80)
Total managed capitalization      $44,137   $41,429 

 

2EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs is calculated as follows:

 

   EBITDA
(Note 5)
   Restructuring
and other costs
(Note 16)
   EBITDA –
excluding
restructuring
and other costs
 
Add               
Nine-month period ended September 30, 2023  $4,726   $577   $5,303 
Year ended December 31, 2022   6,406    240    6,646 
Deduct               
Nine-month period ended September 30, 2022   (4,808)   (146)   (4,954)
EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs  $6,324   $671   $6,995 

 

3Net interest cost is defined as financing costs, excluding employee defined benefit plans net interest, virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element, recoveries on long-term debt prepayment premium and repayment of debt, calculated on a 12-month trailing basis (expenses recorded for long-term debt prepayment premium, if any, are included in net interest cost) (see Note 9).

 

4Our long-term objective range for this ratio is 2.20 – 2.70 times. The ratio as at September 30, 2023, is outside the long-term objective range. We may permit, and have permitted, this ratio to go outside the objective range (for long-term investment opportunities), but we will endeavour to return this ratio to within the objective range in the medium term (following the spectrum auction in 2021, the spectrum auction that commenced in October 2023 (see Note 18(a)) and the spectrum auction upcoming in 2024), as we believe that this range is supportive of our long-term strategy. We are in compliance with the leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, which states that we may not permit our net debt to operating cash flow ratio to exceed 4.25:1.00 (see Note 26(d)); the calculation of the debt ratio is substantially similar to the calculation of the leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities.

 

5Earnings coverage is defined by Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 41-101 as net income before borrowing costs and income tax expense, divided by borrowing costs (interest on long-term debt; interest on short-term borrowings and other; long-term debt prepayment premium), and adding back capitalized interest, all such amounts excluding those attributable to non-controlling interests.

 

6EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage is defined as EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs, divided by net interest cost. This measure is substantially similar to the coverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities.

 

Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs was 3.82 times as at September 30, 2023, as compared to 3.44 times one year earlier. The effect of the increase, primarily due to business acquisitions, on net debt levels (which were already elevated in the current and comparative periods due to spectrum acquisition), exceeded the effect of growth in EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs.

 

The earnings coverage ratio for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2023, was 1.9 times, down from 4.4 times one year earlier. A decrease in income before borrowing costs and income taxes decreased the ratio by 1.7 and an increase in borrowing costs decreased the ratio by 0.8. The EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2023, was 5.7 times, down from 9.1 times one year earlier. Growth in EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs increased the ratio by 0.2 and an increase in net interest costs of $466 million decreased the ratio by 3.6.

 

 

* Free cash flow is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS-IASB and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers; we define free cash flow as EBITDA (operating revenues and other income less goods and services purchased and employee benefits expense) excluding items that we consider to be of limited predictive value, including certain working capital changes (such as trade receivables and trade payables), proceeds from divested assets, and other sources and uses of cash, as found in the consolidated statements of cash flows. We have issued guidance on, and report, free cash flow because it is a key performance measure that management and investors use to evaluate the performance of our business.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 9
 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

TELUS Corporation Common Share dividend payout ratio

 

So as to be consistent with the way we manage our business, our TELUS Corporation Common Share dividend payout ratio is presented as a historical measure calculated as the sum of the dividends declared in the most recent four quarters for TELUS Corporation Common Shares, as recorded in the financial statements net of dividend reinvestment plan effects (see Note 13), divided by the sum of free cash flow* amounts for the most recent four quarters for interim reporting periods (divided by annual free cash flow if the reported amount is in respect of a fiscal year). The historical measure for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2023, is presented for illustrative purposes in evaluating our target guideline.

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30  Objective   2023   2022 
Determined using most comparable IFRS-IASB measures              
Ratio of TELUS Corporation Common Share dividends declared to cash provided by operating activities – less capital expenditures       151%   215%
Determined using management measures              
TELUS Corporation Common Share dividend payout ratio – net of dividend reinvestment plan effects  60%–75% 1     88%   120%

 

1Our objective range for the TELUS Corporation Common Share dividend payout ratio is 60%-75% of free cash flow on a prospective basis.

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022 
TELUS Corporation Common Share dividends declared  $2,063   $1,846 
Amount of TELUS Corporation Common Share dividends declared reinvested in TELUS Corporation Common Shares   (748)   (658)
TELUS Corporation Common Share dividends declared – net of dividend reinvestment plan effects  $1,315   $1,188 

 

Our calculation of free cash flow, and its reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities, is as follows:

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note   2023   2022 
EBITDA  5   $6,324   $6,690 
Deduct gain on disposition of financial solutions business           (410)
Restructuring and other costs, net of disbursements       272    (10)
Effects of contract asset, acquisition and fulfilment and TELUS Easy Payment device financing       (153)   (27)
Effect of lease principal  31(b)    (523)   (497)
Items from the Consolidated statements of cash flows:              
Share-based compensation, net  14    124    114 
Net employee defined benefit plans expense  15    71    103 
Employer contributions to employee defined benefit plans       (33)   (49)
Interest paid       (1,126)   (758)
Interest received       17    13 
Capital expenditures  5    (2,949)   (3,721)
Free cash flow before income taxes       2,024    1,448 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds       (532)   (515)
Effect of disposition of financial solutions business on income taxes paid           61 
Free cash flow       1,492    994 
Add (deduct):              
Capital expenditures  5    2,949    3,721 
Effects of lease principal       523    497 
Gain on disposition of financial solutions business, net of effect on income taxes paid           (349)
Net change in non-cash operating working capital not included in preceding line items and other individually immaterial items included in net income neither providing nor using cash       (653)   (282)
Cash provided by operating activities      $4,311   $4,581 

 

4financial instruments

 

(a)Credit risk

 

Excluding credit risk, if any, arising from currency swaps settled on a gross basis, the best representation of our maximum exposure (excluding income tax effects) to credit risk, which is a worst-case scenario and does not reflect results we expect, is set out in the following table.

 

As at (millions)   September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 
Cash and temporary investments, net   $ 1,204     $ 974  
Accounts receivable     3,958       3,887  
Contract assets     703       761  
Derivative assets     261       333  
    $ 6,126     $ 5,955  

 

Cash and temporary investments, net

 

Credit risk associated with cash and temporary investments is managed by ensuring that these financial assets are placed with: governments; major financial institutions that have been accorded strong investment grade ratings by a primary rating agency; and/or other creditworthy counterparties. An ongoing review evaluates changes in the status of counterparties.

 

10 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Accounts receivable

 

Credit risk associated with accounts receivable is inherently managed by the size and diversity of our large customer base, which includes substantially all consumer and business sectors in Canada. We follow a program of credit evaluations of customers and limit the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary. Accounts are considered to be past due (in default) when customers have failed to make the contractually required payments when due, which is generally within 30 days of the billing date. Any late payment charges are levied at an industry-based market rate or a negotiated rate on outstanding non-current customer account balances.

 

As at (millions)        September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022 
   Note    Gross   Allowance   Net 1    Gross   Allowance   Net 1  
Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts                                   
Less than 30 days past billing date       $1,144   $(12)  $1,132   $936   $(11)  $925 
30-60 days past billing date        371    (12)   359    400    (11)   389 
61-90 days past billing date        126    (14)   112    185    (15)   170 
More than 90 days past billing date        200    (31)   169    192    (33)   159 
Unbilled customer finance receivables        1,504    (39)   1,465    1,509    (39)   1,470 
        $3,345   $(108)  $3,237   $3,222   $(109)  $3,113 
Current  6(b)    $2,735   $(93)  $2,642   $2,636   $(94)  $2,542 
Non-current  20     610    (15)   595    586    (15)   571 
        $3,345   $(108)  $3,237   $3,222   $(109)  $3,113 

 

1Net amounts represent customer accounts receivable for which an allowance had not been made as at the dates of the Consolidated statements of financial position (see Note 6(b)).

 

We maintain allowances for lifetime expected credit losses related to doubtful accounts. Current economic conditions (including forward-looking macroeconomic data), historical information (including credit agency reports, if available), reasons for the accounts being past due and the line of business from which the customer accounts receivable arose are all considered when determining whether to make allowances for past-due accounts. The same factors are considered when determining whether to write off amounts charged to the allowance for doubtful accounts against the customer accounts receivable. The doubtful accounts expense is calculated on a specific-identification basis for customer accounts receivable balances above a specific threshold and on a statistically derived allowance basis for the remainder. No customer accounts receivable are written off directly to the doubtful accounts expense.

 

The following table presents a summary of the activity related to our allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Balance, beginning of period  $107   $114   $109   $110 
Additions (doubtful accounts expense)   30    17    78    57 
Accounts written off 1 less than recoveries   (28)   (26)   (83)   (67)
Other   (1)   2    4    7 
Balance, end of period  $108   $107   $108   $107 

 

1For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, accounts that were written off but were still subject to enforcement activity totalled $45 (2022 – $39) and $134 (2022 – $108), respectively.

 

Contract assets

 

Credit risk associated with contract assets is inherently managed by the size and diversity of our large customer base, which includes substantially all consumer and business sectors in Canada. We follow a program of credit evaluations of customers and limit the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary.

 

As at (millions)  September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022 
   Gross   Allowance   Net (Note 6(c))   Gross   Allowance   Net (Note 6(c)) 
Contract assets, net of impairment allowance                        
To be billed and thus reclassified to accounts receivable during:                              
The 12-month period ending one year hence  $592   $(22)  $570   $611   $(23)  $588 
The 12-month period ending two years hence   236    (9)   227    277    (11)   266 
Thereafter   54    (1)   53    55    (1)   54 
   $882   $(32)  $850   $943   $(35)  $908 

 

We maintain allowances for lifetime expected credit losses related to contract assets. Current economic conditions, historical information (including credit agency reports, if available), and the line of business from which the contract asset arose are all considered when determining impairment allowances. The same factors are considered when determining whether to write off amounts charged to the impairment allowance for contract assets against contract assets.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 11

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Derivative assets (and derivative liabilities)

 

Counterparties to our material foreign exchange derivatives are major financial institutions that have been accorded investment grade ratings by a primary credit rating agency. The total dollar amount of credit exposure under contracts with any one financial institution is limited and counterparties’ credit ratings are monitored. We do not give or receive collateral on swap agreements and hedging items due to our credit rating and those of our counterparties. While we are exposed to the risk of potential credit losses due to the possible non-performance of our counterparties, we consider this risk remote. Our derivative liabilities do not have credit risk-related contingent features.

 

(b)Liquidity risk

 

As a component of our capital structure financial policies, discussed further in Note 3, we manage liquidity risk by:

 

·maintaining a daily cash pooling process that enables us to manage our available liquidity and our liquidity requirements according to our actual needs;

 

·maintaining an agreement to sell trade receivables to an arm’s-length securitization trust (Note 22), bilateral bank facilities (Note 22), a supply chain financing program (Note 23), a commercial paper program (Note 26(c)) and syndicated credit facilities (Note 26(d),(e));

 

·maintaining in-effect shelf prospectuses;

 

·continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows; and

 

·managing maturity profiles of financial assets and financial liabilities.

 

Our debt maturities in future years are disclosed in Note 26(h). As at September 30, 2023, unchanged from December 31, 2022, TELUS Corporation could offer an unlimited amount of securities in Canada, and US$3.5 billion of securities in the U.S., qualified pursuant to a Canadian shelf prospectus that is in effect until September 2024. We believe that our investment grade credit ratings contribute to reasonable access to capital markets. TELUS International (Cda) Inc. has a Canadian shelf prospectus that is in effect until May 2024 under which an unlimited amount of debt or equity securities could be offered.

 

We closely match the contractual maturities of our derivative financial liabilities with those of the risk exposures they are being used to manage.

 

The expected maturities of our undiscounted financial liabilities do not differ significantly from the contractual maturities, other than as noted below. The contractual maturities of our undiscounted financial liabilities, including interest thereon (where applicable), are set out in the following tables.

 

   Non-derivative   Derivative     
             
           Composite long-term debt          
  Non-interest
bearing
financial
   Short-term   Long-term
debt,
excluding
leases 1 
   Leases   Currency swap agreement
amounts to be exchanged 2 
   Currency swap agreement
amounts to be exchanged
     
As at September 30, 2023 (millions)  liabilities   borrowings 1    (Note 26)   (Note 26)   (Receive)   Pay    (Receive)   Pay   Total 
2023 (remainder of year)  $2,760   $5   $1,459   $177   $(1,273)  $1,255    $(183)  $183   $4,383 
2024   577    106    3,627    659    (488)   457     (449)   445    4,934 
2025   44        2,040    525    (224)   206             2,591 
2026   91        2,391    390    (220)   205             2,857 
2027   143        2,428    305    (1,694)   1,652             2,834 
2028-2032   51        11,849    584    (2,244)   2,156             12,396 
Thereafter           13,856    386    (2,916)   2,805             14,131 
Total  $3,666   $111   $37,650   $3,026   $(9,059)  $8,736    $(632)  $628   $44,126 
                                               
              Total    $40,353                 

 

1Cash outflows in respect of interest payments on our short-term borrowings, commercial paper and amounts drawn under our credit facilities (if any) have been calculated based upon the interest rates in effect as at September 30, 2023.
2The amounts included in undiscounted non-derivative long-term debt in respect of U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt, and the corresponding amounts in the long-term debt currency swap receive column, have been determined based upon the currency exchange rates in effect as at September 30, 2023. The hedged U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt contractual amounts at maturity, in effect, are reflected in the long-term debt currency swap pay column as gross cash flows are exchanged pursuant to the currency swap agreements.

 

12 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

   Non-derivative   Derivative     
             
           Composite long-term debt             
As at December 31, 2022 (millions)  Non-interest
bearing
financial
   Short-term   Long-term
debt,
excluding
leases 1 
   Leases   Currency swap agreement
amounts to be exchanged 2 
   Currency swap agreement
amounts to be exchanged
     
  liabilities   borrowings 1    (Note 26)   (Note 26)   (Receive)   Pay   (Receive)   Pay   Total 
2023  $3,613   $9   $2,907   $596   $(1,679)  $1,674   $(669)  $648   $7,099 
2024   254    105    3,126    537    (201)   193            4,014 
2025   16        1,800    379    (599)   586            2,182 
2026   12        2,154    273    (165)   162            2,436 
2027   1        2,197    218    (1,644)   1,610            2,382 
2028-2032           9,929    446    (1,785)   1,707            10,297 
Thereafter           11,551    364    (2,921)   2,805            11,799 
Total  $3,896   $114   $33,664   $2,813   $(8,994)  $8,737   $(669)  $648   $40,209 
                                              
              Total    $36,220                

 

1Cash outflows in respect of interest payments on our short-term borrowings, commercial paper and amounts drawn under our credit facilities (if any) have been calculated based upon the interest rates in effect as at December 31, 2022.
2The amounts included in undiscounted non-derivative long-term debt in respect of U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt, and the corresponding amounts in the long-term debt currency swap receive column, have been determined based upon the currency exchange rates in effect as at December 31, 2022. The hedged U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt contractual amounts at maturity, in effect, are reflected in the long-term debt currency swap pay column as gross cash flows are exchanged pursuant to the currency swap agreements.

 

(c)Market risks

 

Net income and other comprehensive income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, could have varied if the Canadian dollar: U.S. dollar exchange rate, the U.S. dollar: European euro exchange rate, market interest rates and virtual power purchase agreement forward element valuation varied by reasonably possible amounts from their actual statement of financial position date amounts.

 

The sensitivity analysis of our exposure to currency risk at the reporting date has been determined based upon a hypothetical change taking place at the relevant statement of financial position date. The U.S. dollar-denominated and European euro-denominated balances and the notional amounts of our derivative financial instruments as at the relevant statement of financial position dates have been used in the calculations.

 

The sensitivity analysis of our exposure to interest rate risk at the reporting date has been determined based upon a hypothetical change taking place at the beginning of the relevant fiscal year and being held constant through to the statement of financial position date. The principal and notional amounts as at the relevant statement of financial position date have been used in the calculations.

 

The sensitivity analysis of our exposure to wind discount risk and solar premium risk at the reporting date has been determined based upon a hypothetical change taking place at the relevant statement of financial position date. The notional amounts of the virtual power purchase agreements as at the relevant statement of financial position dates have been used in the calculations.

 

Income tax expense, which is reflected net in the sensitivity analysis, reflects the applicable statutory income tax rates for the reporting periods.

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30  Net income   Other comprehensive income   Comprehensive income 
(increase (decrease) in millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Reasonably possible changes in market risks 1                               
10% change in C$: US$ exchange rate                              
Canadian dollar appreciates  $(7)  $(7)  $123   $11   $116   $4 
Canadian dollar depreciates  $7   $7   $(123)  $(11)  $(116)  $(4)
10% change in US$: € exchange rate                              
U.S. dollar appreciates  $11   $17   $(65)  $(60)  $(54)  $(43)
U.S. dollar depreciates  $(11)  $(17)  $65   $60   $54   $43 
25 basis point change in interest rates                              
Interest rates increase                              
Canadian interest rate   $(8)  $(2)  $70   $81   $62   $79 
U.S. interest rate  $   $   $(67)  $(81)  $(67)  $(81)
Combined  $(8)  $(2)  $3   $   $(5)  $(2)
Interest rates decrease                              
Canadian interest rate   $8   $2   $(72)  $(84)  $(64)  $(82)
U.S. interest rate  $   $   $70   $85   $70   $85 
Combined  $8   $2   $(2)  $1   $6   $3 
20 basis point change in wind discount                              
Wind discount increases  $(35)  $(43)  $   $   $(35)  $(43)
Wind discount decreases  $35   $43   $   $   $35   $43 
20 basis point change in solar premium                              
Solar premium increases  $20   $25   $   $   $20   $25 
Solar premium decreases  $(20)  $(25)  $   $   $(20)  $(25)

 

1These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be used with caution. Changes in net income and/or other comprehensive income generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in net income and/or other comprehensive income may not be linear. In this table, the effect of a variation in a particular assumption on the amount of net income and/or other comprehensive income is calculated without changing any other factors; in reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 13

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

The sensitivity analysis assumes that we would realize the changes in exchange rates and market interest rates; in reality, the competitive marketplace in which we operate would have an effect on this assumption.

 

(d)Fair values

 

Non-derivative

 

Our long-term debt, which is measured at amortized cost, and the fair value thereof, are set out in the following table.

 

As at (millions)  September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022 
   Carrying
value
   Fair value   Carrying
value
   Fair value 
Long-term debt, excluding leases (Note 26)  $25,354   $22,951   $22,967   $21,000 

 

Derivative

 

The derivative financial instruments that we measure at fair value on a recurring basis subsequent to initial recognition are set out in the following table.

 

As at (millions)     September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
   Designation  Maximum
maturity date
  Notional
amount
   Fair value 1 and
carrying value
  Price or
rate
  Maximum
maturity date
   Notional
amount
   Fair value 1 and
carrying value
  Price or
rate
 
Current Assets 2                                       
Derivatives used to manage                                      
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar revenues  HFT 4   2024  $52   $   US$1.00: ₱57   2023   $72   $1   US$1.00: ₱55 
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated purchases  HFH 3   2024  $328    4   US$1.00: C$1.33   2023   $397    21   US$1.00: C$1.28 
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt (Note 26(b)-(c))  HFH 3   2024  $950    16   US$1.00: C$1.33   2023   $526    9   US$1.00: C$1.33 
Currency risk arising from European euro functional currency operations purchased with U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt 7 (Note 26(e))  HFH 5   2027  $44    23   €1.00: US$1.09   2025   $31    26   €1.00: US$1.09 
Interest rate risk associated with non-fixed rate credit facility amounts drawn (Note 26(e))  HFH 3   2024  $11    4   3.5%     $        
Price risk associated with purchase of electrical power  HFT 4   2047  $25    18   $29.86/ MWh   2047   $36    26   $29.66/ MWh 
              $65                $83     

 

14 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

As at (millions)     September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
   Designation  Maximum
maturity date
  Notional
amount
   Fair value 1 and
carrying value
  Price or
rate
  Maximum
maturity date
   Notional
amount
   Fair value 1 and
carrying value
  Price or
rate
 
Other Long-Term Assets 2                                       
Derivatives used to manage                                      
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt 6 (Note 26(b)-(c))  HFH 3   2048  $5,251   $52   US$1.00: C$1.30   2048   $4,443   $66   US$1.00: C$1.30 
Currency risk arising from European euro functional currency operations purchased with U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt 7 (Note 26(e))  HFH 5   2027  $589    25   €1.00: US$1.09   2025   $454    17   €1.00: US$1.09 
Interest rate risk associated with non-fixed rate credit facility amounts drawn (Note 26(e))  HFH 3   2028  $213    3   3.4%     $        
Price risk associated with purchase of electrical power  HFT 4   2047  $209    116   $39.38/ MWh   2047   $264    167   $39.15/ MWh 
              $196                $250     
Current Liabilities 2                                       
Derivatives used to manage                                      
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar revenues  HFT 4   2024  $100   $1   US$1.00: ₱56   2023   $68   $3   US$1.00: ₱55 
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated purchases  HFH 3   2024  $148    1   US$1.00: C$1.36   2023   $111    1   US$1.00: C$1.36 
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt (Note 26(b)-(c))  HFH 3   2024  $488    2   US$1.00: C$1.35   2023   $957    14   US$1.00: C$1.37 
              $4                $18     
Other Long-Term Liabilities 2                                       
Derivatives used to manage                                      
Currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt 6 (Note 26(b)-(c))  HFH 3   2049  $1,417   $25   US$1.00: C$1.34   2049   $2,329   $24   US$1.00: C$1.33 

 

1Fair value measured at the reporting date using significant other observable inputs (Level 2), except the fair value of virtual power purchase agreements (which we use to manage the price risk associated with the purchase of electrical power), which is measured at the reporting date using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy were as follows:

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element                    
Included in net income, excluding income taxes  $(33)  $151   $(59)  $231 
Balance, beginning of period   167    80    193     
Balance, end of period  $134   $231   $134   $231 

 

2Derivative financial assets and liabilities are not set off.
3Designated as held for hedging (HFH) upon initial recognition (cash flow hedging item); hedge accounting is applied. Unless otherwise noted, hedge ratio is 1:1 and is established by assessing the degree of matching between the notional amounts of hedging items and the notional amounts of the associated hedged items.
4Designated as held for trading (HFT) and classified as fair value through net income upon initial recognition; hedge accounting is not applied.
5Designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation; hedge accounting is applied. Hedge ratio is 1:1 and is established by assessing the degree of matching between the notional amounts of hedging items and the notional amounts of the associated hedged items.
6We designate only the spot element as the hedging item. As at September 30, 2023, the foreign currency basis spread included in the fair value of the derivative instruments, which is used for purposes of assessing hedge ineffectiveness, was $163 (December 31, 2022 – $123).
7We designate only the spot element as the hedging item. As at September 30, 2023, the foreign currency basis spread included in the fair value of the derivative instruments, which is used for purposes of assessing hedge ineffectiveness, was $3 (December 31, 2022 – $1).

 

(e)Recognition of derivative gains and losses

 

The following table sets out the gains and losses, excluding income tax effects, arising from derivative instruments that are classified as cash flow hedging items and their location within the Consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 15

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Credit risk associated with such derivative instruments, as discussed further in (a), would be the primary source of hedge ineffectiveness. There was no ineffective portion of the derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedging items for the periods presented.

  

       Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in other
comprehensive income
   Gain (loss) reclassified from other comprehensive
income to income (effective portion) (Note 11)
       (effective portion) (Note 11)      Amount 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note   2023   2022   Location  2023   2022 
THREE-MONTH                         
Derivatives used to manage currency risk                            
Arising from U.S. dollar-denominated purchases       $10   $28   Goods and services purchased  $   $4 
Arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt 1   26(b)-(c)     142    82   Financing costs   135    365 
Arising from net investment in a foreign operation 2         26    36   Financing costs   12    (4)
         178    146       147    365 
Derivatives used to manage other market risk                            
Other        2       Financing costs   (5)    
        $180   $146      $142   $365 
NINE-MONTH                            
Derivatives used to manage currency risk                            
Arising from U.S. dollar-denominated purchases       $1   $36   Goods and services purchased  $15   $9 
Arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt 1   26(b)-(c)     (9)   208   Financing costs   (3)   428 
Arising from net investment in a foreign operation 2         5    90   Financing costs   1    (5)
         (3)   334       13    432 
Derivatives used to manage other market risks                            
Other        2    1   Financing costs   (5)   (1)
        $(1)  $335      $8   $431 

 

1Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are net of the change in the foreign currency basis spread (which is used for purposes of assessing hedge ineffectiveness) included in the fair value of the derivative instruments; such amounts for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, were $48 (2022 – $125) and $40 (2022 – $139), respectively.
2Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are net of the change in the foreign currency basis spread (which is used for purposes of assessing hedge ineffectiveness) included in the fair value of the derivative instruments; such amounts for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, were $NIL (2022 – $(2)) and $2 (2022 – $NIL), respectively.

 

The following table sets out the gains and losses arising from derivative instruments that are classified as held for trading and that are not designated as being in a hedging relationship, as well as their location within the Consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income.

 

      Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income 
      Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Location  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Derivatives used to manage currency risk  Financing costs  $(1)  $(12)  $4   $(23)
Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element  Financing costs  $(33)  $151   $(59)  $231 

 

16 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

5segment information

  

General

  

Operating segments are components of an entity that engage in business activities from which they earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses related to transactions with the other component(s)), the operations of which can be clearly distinguished and for which the operating results are regularly reviewed by a chief operating decision-maker to make resource allocation decisions and to assess performance. Effective September 1, 2022, we embarked upon the modification of our internal and external reporting processes, systems and internal controls concurrent with the acquisition and integration of LifeWorks Inc. and correspondingly we are assessing our segmented reporting structure.

 

The TELUS technology solutions segment includes: network revenues and equipment sales arising from mobile technologies; data revenues (which include internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology and cloud-based services; and home and business security); healthcare services, software and technology solutions (including employee and family assistance programs and benefits administration); agriculture and consumer goods services (software, data management and data analytics-driven smart-food chain and consumer goods technologies); voice and other telecommunications services revenues; and equipment sales.

 

The digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International (DLCX) segment, which has the U.S. dollar as its primary functional currency, is comprised of digital customer experience and digital-enablement transformation solutions, including artificial intelligence and content management, provided by our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary.

 

Intersegment sales are recorded at the exchange value, which is the amount agreed to by the parties.

 

The segment information regularly reported to our Chief Executive Officer (our chief operating decision-maker), and the reconciliations thereof to our products and services view of revenues, other revenues and income before income taxes, are set out in the following table.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 17

 

 

  

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

   TELUS technology solutions   Digitally-led customer
experiences – TELUS
                 
Three-month periods ended September 30 (millions)  Mobile   Fixed  Segment total   International 1    Eliminations   Total 
  2023   2022   2023  2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Operating revenues                                                            
External revenues                                                            
Service  $1,792   $1,725   $ 1,890  $1,656   $3,682   $3,381   $706   $667   $   $   $4,388   $4,048 
Equipment   518    516     84   76    602    592                    602    592 
Revenues arising from contracts with customers  $2,310   $2,241   $ 1,974  $1,732    4,284    3,973    706    667            4,990    4,640 
                                                             
               Other income (Note 7)    18    31                    18    31 
                        4,302    4,004    706    667            5,008    4,671 
               Intersegment revenues    4    5    183    136    (187)   (141)        
                       $4,306   $4,009   $889   $803   $(187)  $(141)  $5,008   $4,671 
               EBITDA 2       $1,346   $1,457   $171   $189   $   $   $1,517   $1,646 
               Restructuring and other costs included in EBITDA (Note 16)    287    67    16    11            303    78 
               Adjusted EBITDA 2   $1,633   $1,524   $187   $200   $   $   $1,820   $1,724 
               Capital expenditures 3    $734   $892   $35   $33   $   $   $769   $925 
               Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures 2   $899   $632   $152   $167   $   $   $1,051   $799 
                                                         
                                            Operating revenues – external and other income (above)   $5,008   $4,671 
                                            Goods and services purchased    1,858    1,794 
                                            Employee benefits expense    1,633    1,231 
                                            EBITDA (above)    1,517    1,646 
                                            Depreciation    611    550 
                                            Amortization of intangible assets    389    300 
                                            Operating income    517    796 
                                            Financing costs    352    34 
                                            Income before income taxes   $165   $762 

 

18 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

   TELUS technology solutions   Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS                 
Nine-month periods ended September 30 (millions)  Mobile   Fixed  Segment total   International 1    Eliminations   Total 
  2023   2022   2023  2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Operating revenues                                                            
External revenues                                                            
Service  $5,265   $4,972   $ 5,641  $4,715   $10,906   $9,687   $2,185   $1,983   $   $   $13,091   $11,670 
Equipment   1,496    1,368     262   231    1,758    1,599                    1,758    1,599 
Revenues arising from contracts with customers  $6,761   $6,340   $ 5,903  $4,946    12,664    11,286    2,185    1,983            14,849    13,269 
                                                             
               Other income (Note 7)    69    85                    69    85 
                        12,733    11,371    2,185    1,983            14,918    13,354 
               Intersegment revenues    12    13    528    376    (540)   (389)        
                       $12,745   $11,384   $2,713   $2,359   $(540)  $(389)  $14,918   $13,354 
               EBITDA 2   $4,256   $4,274   $470   $534   $   $   $4,726   $4,808 
               Restructuring and other costs included in EBITDA (Note 16)    522    121    55    25            577    146 
               Equity (income) loss related to real estate joint venture    (1)                       (1)    
               Adjusted EBITDA 2   $4,777   $4,395   $525   $559   $   $   $5,302   $4,954 
               Capital expenditures 3    $2,200   $2,710   $89   $102   $   $   $2,289   $2,812 
               Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures 2   $2,577   $1,685   $436   $457   $   $   $3,013   $2,142 
                                                         
                                            Operating revenues – external and other income (above)   $14,918   $13,354 
                                            Goods and services purchased    5,451    5,025 
                                            Employee benefits expense    4,741    3,521 
                                            EBITDA (above)    4,726    4,808 
                                            Depreciation    1,849    1,637 
                                            Amortization of intangible assets    1,179    886 
                                            Operating income    1,698    2,285 
                                            Financing costs    995    310 
                                            Income before income taxes   $703   $1,975 

 

1The digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International segment is comprised of our consolidated TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary. All of our other international operations are included in the TELUS technology solutions segment.
2Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), both unadjusted and adjusted, are not standardized financial measures under IFRS-IASB and may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers (including those disclosed by TELUS International (Cda) Inc.); we define EBITDA as operating revenues and other income less goods and services purchased and employee benefits expense. We calculate adjusted EBITDA to exclude items that do not reflect our ongoing operations and, in our opinion, should not be considered in a long-term valuation metric or included in an assessment of our ability to service or incur debt. We report EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, because they are key measures that management uses to evaluate the performance of our business, and EBITDA is also utilized in measuring compliance with certain debt covenants.
3See Note 31(a) for a reconciliation of capital asset additions, excluding spectrum licences, to cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences, reported in the Consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 19

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

6revenue from contracts with customers

 

(a)Revenues

 

In the determination of the minimum transaction prices in contracts with customers, amounts are allocated to fulfilling, or completion of fulfilling, future contracted performance obligations. These unfulfilled, or partially unfulfilled, future contracted performance obligations are largely in respect of services to be provided over the duration of the contract. The following table sets out our aggregate estimated minimum transaction prices allocated to remaining unfulfilled, or partially unfulfilled, future contracted performance obligations and the timing of when we might expect to recognize the associated revenues; actual amounts could differ from these estimates due to a variety of factors, including the unpredictable nature of: customer behaviour; industry regulation; the economic environments in which we operate; and competitor behaviour.

 

As at (millions)  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Estimated minimum transaction price allocated to remaining unfulfilled, or partially unfulfilled, performance obligations to be recognized as revenue in a future period 1, 2           
During the 12-month period ending one year hence  $2,507   $2,539 
During the 12-month period ending two years hence   971    1,034 
Thereafter   103    81 
   $3,581   $3,654 

 

1Excludes constrained variable consideration amounts, amounts arising from contracts originally expected to have a duration of one year or less and, as a permitted practical expedient, amounts arising from contracts that are not affected by revenue recognition timing differences arising from transaction price allocation or from contracts under which we may recognize and bill revenue in an amount that corresponds directly with our completed performance obligations.
2IFRS-IASB requires the explanation of when we expect to recognize as revenue the amounts disclosed as the estimated minimum transaction price allocated to remaining unfulfilled, or partially unfulfilled, performance obligations. The estimated amounts disclosed are based upon contractual terms and maturities. Actual minimum transaction price revenues recognized, and the timing thereof, will differ from these estimates primarily due to the frequency with which the actual durations of contracts with customers do not match their contractual maturities.

 

(b)Accounts receivable

 

As at (millions)  Note    September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Customer accounts receivable       $2,735   $2,636 
Accrued receivables – customer        486    468 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  4(a)     (93)   (94)
         3,128    3,010 
Accrued receivables – other        235    306 
Accounts receivable – current       $3,363   $3,316 

 

(c)Contract assets

 

     Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note    2023   2022   2023   2022 
Balance, beginning of period       $857   $804   $908   $877 
Net additions arising from operations        378    378    1,096    1,011 
Amounts billed in the period and thus reclassified to accounts receivable        (387)   (369)   (1,162)   (1,077)
Change in impairment allowance, net  4(a)     1    (1)   3    1 
Other        1    1    5    1 
Balance, end of period       $850   $813   $850   $813 
To be billed and thus reclassified to accounts receivable during:                         
The 12-month period ending one year hence                 $570   $541 
The 12-month period ending two years hence                  227    217 
Thereafter                  53    55 
Balance, end of period                 $850   $813 
Reconciliation of contract assets presented in the Consolidated statements of financial position – current                         
Gross contract assets                 $570   $541 
Reclassification to contract liabilities of contracts with contract assets less than contract liabilities  24               (16)   (14)
Reclassification from contract liabilities of contracts with contract liabilities less than contract assets  24               (131)   (120)
                  $423   $407 

 

20 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

7other income

 

     Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note    2023   2022   2023   2022 
Government assistance       $2   $1   $12   $3 
Other sublet revenue  19     1    1    4    4 
Investment income (loss), gain (loss) on disposal of assets and other        13    13    6    12 
Interest income  21(a)     1    1    5    2 
Changes in business combination-related provisions  25     1    15    42    64 
        $18   $31   $69   $85 

 

8employee benefits expense

 

     Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note    2023   2022   2023   2022 
Employee benefits expense – gross                         
Wages and salaries       $1,410   $1,204   $4,396   $3,463 
Share-based compensation 1   14     40    53    138    156 
Pensions – defined benefit  15(a)     15    24    46    76 
Pensions – defined contribution  15(b)     32    28    95    84 
Restructuring costs 1   16(a)     221    21    364    44 
Employee health and other benefits        71    67    208    187 
         1,789    1,397    5,247    4,010 
Capitalized internal labour costs, net                         
Contract acquisition costs  20                      
Capitalized        (22)   (24)   (61)   (64)
Amortized        24    21    70    60 
Contract fulfilment costs  20                      
Capitalized        (7)       (18)   (1)
Amortized        2        3    1 
Property, plant and equipment        (91)   (97)   (289)   (289)
Intangible assets subject to amortization        (62)   (66)   (211)   (196)
         (156)   (166)   (506)   (489)
        $1,633   $1,231   $4,741   $3,521 

 

1For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, $1 (2022 – $1) and $1 (2022 – $3), respectively, of share-based compensation in the digitally-led customer experiences segment was included in restructuring costs.

 

9financing costs

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Interest expense                          
Interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities – gross      $276   $197   $809   $545 
Interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities – capitalized 1        (1)   (2)   (4)   (29)
Interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities       275    195    805    516 
Interest on lease liabilities   19    36    19    95    52 
Interest on short-term borrowings and other       16    6    28    13 
Interest accretion on provisions  25    7    5    22    13 
        334    225    950    594 
Employee defined benefit plans net interest  15    1    2    5    6 
Foreign exchange       (12)   (32)   (8)   (48)
Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element       33    (151)   59    (231)
        356    44    1,006    321 
Interest income       (4)   (10)   (11)   (11)
       $352   $34   $995   $310 
Net interest cost  3             $935   $564 
Interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities – capitalized 1                  (4)   (29)
Employee defined benefit plans net interest                 5    6 
Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element                 59    (231)
                 $995   $310 

 

1Interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities, at a composite rate of 3.10% was capitalized to intangible assets with indefinite lives during the period.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 21
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

10income taxes

 

Expense composition and rate reconciliation

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Current income tax expense                    
For the current reporting period  $136   $158   $401   $479 
Adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods   (10)   1    (28)   (3)
    126    159    373    476 
Deferred income tax expense                    
Arising from the origination and reversal of temporary differences   (85)   34    (220)   30 
Adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods   (13)   18    (7)   16 
    (98)   52    (227)   46 
   $28   $211   $146   $522 

 

Our income tax expense and effective income tax rate differ from those computed by applying the applicable statutory rates for the following reasons:

 

Three-month periods ended September 30 ($ in millions)  2023   2022 
Income taxes computed at applicable statutory rates  $40    23.8%  $195    25.7%
Adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods   (23)   (13.9)   19    2.5 
(Non-taxable) non-deductible amounts, net   (2)   (1.2)   (6)   (0.9)
Withholding and other taxes   6    3.7    9    1.2 
Losses not recognized   9    5.5    1    0.1 
Foreign tax differential   (4)   (2.4)   (7)   (0.9)
Other   2    1.7         
Income tax expense per Consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income  $28    17.2%  $211    27.7%

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30 ($ in millions)  2023   2022 
Income taxes computed at applicable statutory rates  $165    23.5%  $506    25.6%
Adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods   (35)   (5.0)   13    0.7 
(Non-taxable) non-deductible amounts, net   (9)   (1.3)   (7)   (0.4)
Withholding and other taxes   15    2.1    24    1.7 
Losses not recognized   17    2.4    4    0.2 
Foreign tax differential   (11)   (1.6)   (18)   (1.4)
Other   4    0.7         
Income tax expense per Consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income  $146    20.8%  $522    26.4%

 

22 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

11other comprehensive income

 

   Items that may subsequently be reclassified to income   Item never
reclassified
to income
       Item never
reclassified
to income
     
   Change in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in current period
(Note 4(e))
                     
   Derivatives used to manage currency risk   Derivatives used to manage other market
risks
      Cumulative    Change in        Employee      
      Prior period           Prior period           foreign   measurement      defined benefit     
   Gains  (gains) losses       Gains   (gains) losses           currency   of investment   Accumulated   plan     
   (losses)   transferred to       (losses)   transferred to           translation   financial   other   re-measure-   Other 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  arising  net income   Total   arising   net income   Total   Total   adjustment   assets   comp. income   ments   comp. income 
THREE-MONTH                                               
Accumulated balance as at July 1, 2022           $181             $(1)  $180   $(63)  $84   $201           
Other comprehensive income (loss)                                                           
Amount arising  $146  $(365)   (219)  $   $        (219)   35        (184)  $(17)  $(201)
Income taxes  $1  $(64)   (63)  $   $        (63)           (63)   (4)   (67)
Net            (156)                 (156)   35        (121)  $(13)  $(134)
Accumulated balance as at September 30, 2022           $25             $(1)  $24   $(28)  $84   $80           
Accumulated balance as at July 1, 2023           $(55)            $(3)  $(58)  $31   $82   $55           
Other comprehensive income (loss)                                                           
Amount arising  $178  $(147)   31   $2   $5    7    38    7    (3)   42   $80   $122 
Income taxes  $26  $(20)   6   $1   $1    2    8        1    9    20    29 
Net            25              5    30    7    (4)   33   $60   $93 
Accumulated balance as at September 30, 2023           $(30)            $2   $(28)  $38   $78   $88           

 

  September 30, 2023 | 23
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

   Items that may subsequently be reclassified to income   Item never
reclassified
to income
       Item never
reclassified
to income
     
   Change in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges in current period
(Note 4(e))
                     
   Derivatives used to manage currency risk   Derivatives used to manage other market
risks
       Cumulative    Change in        Employee      
      Prior period           Prior period           foreign   measurement      defined benefit     
   Gains  (gains) losses       Gains   (gains) losses           currency   of investment   Accumulated   plan     
   (losses)   transferred to       (losses)   transferred to           translation   financial   other   re-measure-   Other 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  arising  net income   Total   arising   net income   Total   Total   adjustment   assets   comp. income   ments   comp. income 
NINE-MONTH                                                           
Accumulated balance as at January 1, 2022           $81             $(3)  $78   $25   $83   $186           
Other comprehensive income (loss)                                                           
Amount arising  $334  $(432)   (98)  $1   $1    2    (96)   (53)   1    (148)  $383   $235 
Income taxes  $31  $(73)   (42)  $   $        (42)           (42)   99    57 
Net            (56)             2    (54)   (53)   1    (106)  $284   $178 
Accumulated balance as at September 30, 2022           $25             $(1)  $24   $(28)  $84   $80           
Accumulated balance as at January 1, 2023           $(20)            $(3)  $(23)  $66   $90   $133           
Other comprehensive income (loss)                                                           
Amount arising  $(3) $(13)   (16)  $2   $5    7    (9)   (28)   (13)   (50)  $79   $29 
Income taxes  $(6) $    (6)  $1   $1    2    (4)       (1)   (5)   20    15 
Net            (10)             5    (5)   (28)   (12)   (45)  $59   $14 
Accumulated balance as at September 30, 2023           $(30)            $2   $(28)  $38   $78   $88           
Attributable to:                                                           
Common Shares                                              $71           
Non-controlling interests                                               17           
                                               $88           

 

24 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

12per share amounts

 

Basic net income per Common Share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Common Shares by the total weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per Common Share is calculated to give effect to share option awards and restricted share unit awards.

 

The following table presents reconciliations of the denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations. Net income was equal to diluted net income for all periods presented.

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Basic total weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding   1,454    1,398    1,447    1,385 
Effect of dilutive securities – Restricted share units   5    7    4    7 
Diluted total weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding   1,459    1,405    1,451    1,392 

 

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, no outstanding equity-settled restricted share unit awards and less than one million TELUS Corporation share option awards were excluded in the calculation of diluted income per Common Share.

 

13dividends per share

 

(a)TELUS Corporation Common Share dividends declared

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30 (millions
except per share amounts)
  2023   2022 
TELUS Corporation  Declared   Paid to      Declared   Paid to    
Common Share dividends  Effective   Per share   shareholders  Total   Effective   Per share   shareholders  Total 
Quarter 1 dividend   Mar. 10, 2023   $0.3511   Apr. 3, 2023  $506    Mar. 11, 2022   $0.3274   Apr. 1, 2022  $450 
Quarter 2 dividend   June 8, 2023    0.3636   July 4, 2023   526    June 10, 2022    0.3386   July 4, 2022   467 
Quarter 3 dividend   Sept. 8, 2023    0.3636   Oct. 3, 2023   529    Sept. 9, 2022    0.3386   Oct. 3, 2022   480 
        $1.0783      $1,561        $1.0046      $1,397 

 

On November 2, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3761 per share on our issued and outstanding TELUS Corporation Common Shares payable on January 2, 2024, to holders of record at the close of business on December 11, 2023. The final amount of the dividend payment depends upon the number of TELUS Corporation Common Shares issued and outstanding at the close of business on December 11, 2023.

 

(b)Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan

 

We have a Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan under which eligible holders of TELUS Corporation Common Shares may acquire additional TELUS Corporation Common Shares by reinvesting dividends and by making additional optional cash payments to the trustee. Under this plan, we have the option of offering TELUS Corporation Common Shares from Treasury or having the trustee acquire TELUS Corporation Common Shares in the stock market. We may, at our discretion, offer TELUS Corporation Common Shares at a discount of up to 5% from the market price under the plan. Effective with our dividends paid October 1, 2019, we offered TELUS Corporation Common Shares from Treasury at a discount of 2%. In respect of TELUS Corporation Common Shares held by eligible shareholders who have elected to participate in the plan, dividends declared during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, of $177 million (2022 – $161 million) and $525 million (2022 – $468 million), respectively, were to be reinvested in TELUS Corporation Common Shares.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 25
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

14share-based compensation

 

(a)Details of share-based compensation expense

 

Reflected in the Consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income as Employee benefits expense and in the Consolidated statements of cash flows are the following share-based compensation amounts:

 

Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022 
   Note  Employee
benefits
expense 1 
   Associated
operating
cash
outflows
   Statement
of cash
flows
adjustment
   Employee
benefits
expense
   Associated
operating
cash
outflows
   Statement
of cash
flows
adjustment
 
THREE-MONTH                        
Restricted share units  (b)  $31   $(4)  $27   $42   $(10)  $32 
Employee share purchase plan  (c)   10    (10)       12    (12)    
Share option awards  (d)                   (2)   (2)
      $41   $(14)  $27   $54   $(24)  $30 
TELUS technology solutions     $36   $(11)  $25   $46   $(12)  $34 
Digitally-led customer experiences      5    (3)   2    8    (12)   (4)
      $41   $(14)  $27   $54   $(24)  $30 
NINE-MONTH                                 
Restricted share units  (b)  $105   $(6)  $99   $127   $(18)  $109 
Employee share purchase plan   (c)   33    (33)       34    (34)    
Share option awards  (d)   1        1    (2)   (9)   (11)
      $139   $(39)  $100   $159   $(61)  $98 
TELUS technology solutions     $112   $(35)  $77   $133   $(41)  $92 
Digitally-led customer experiences      27    (4)   23    26    (20)   6 
      $139   $(39)  $100   $159   $(61)  $98 

 

1Within employee benefits expense (see Note 8), for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, restricted share units expense of $30 (2022 – $41) and $104 (2022 – $124), respectively, are presented as share-based compensation expense and the balance is included in restructuring costs (see Note 16) of the digitally-led customer experiences segment.

 

(b)Restricted share units

 

TELUS Corporation restricted share units

 

We also award restricted share units that largely have the same features as our general restricted share units, but have a variable payout (0% – 200%) that depends upon the achievement of our total customer connections performance condition (with a weighting of 25%) and the total shareholder return on TELUS Corporation Common Shares relative to an international peer group of telecommunications companies (with a weighting of 75%). The grant-date fair value of the notional subset of our restricted share units affected by the total customer connections performance condition equals the fair market value of the corresponding TELUS Corporation Common Shares at the grant date, and thus the notional subset has been included in the presentation of our restricted share units with only service conditions. Reflecting a variable payout, our estimate of the fair value of the notional subset of our restricted share units affected by the relative total shareholder return performance condition is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Grants of restricted share units in 2023 and 2022 are accounted for as equity-settled, as that was the expected manner of their settlement when granted.

 

The following table presents a summary of outstanding TELUS Corporation non-vested restricted share units.

 

Number of non-vested restricted share units as at  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Restricted share units without market performance conditions          
Restricted share units with only service conditions   8,480,954    5,224,220 
Notional subset affected by total customer connections performance condition   567,136    357,263 
    9,048,090    5,581,483 
Restricted share units with market performance conditions          
Notional subset affected by relative total shareholder return performance condition   1,763,220    1,071,789 
    10,811,310    6,653,272 

 

26 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following table presents a summary of the activity related to TELUS Corporation restricted share units without market performance conditions.

 

Periods ended September 30, 2023  Three months   Nine months 
       Weighted       Weighted 
   Number of restricted   average   Number of restricted   average 
   share units 1    grant-date   share units 1    grant-date 
   Non-vested   Vested   fair value   Non-vested   Vested   fair value 
Outstanding, beginning of period                              
Non-vested   9,032,858       $28.23    5,581,483       $30.62 
Vested       36,362   $26.98        35,819   $27.00 
Granted                              
Initial award   50,932       $23.17    3,570,442       $27.32 
In lieu of dividends   128,734    517   $25.40    312,451    1,459   $26.23 
Vested   (56,876)   56,876   $28.00    (125,799)   125,799   $27.96 
Settled – in cash       (57,524)  $27.98        (126,846)  $27.96 
Forfeited   (107,558)      $28.44    (290,487)      $28.00 
Outstanding, end of period                              
Non-vested   9,048,090       $28.17    9,048,090       $28.17 
Vested       36,231   $26.95        36,231   $26.95 

 

1Excluding the notional subset of restricted share units affected by the relative total shareholder return performance condition.

 

TELUS International (Cda) Inc. restricted share units

 

We also award restricted share units that largely have the same features as the TELUS Corporation restricted share units, but have a variable payout (0% – 150%) that depends upon the achievement of TELUS International (Cda) Inc. financial performance and non-market quality-of-service performance conditions. Grants of restricted share units in 2023 and 2022 are accounted for as equity-settled, as that was the expected manner of their settlement when granted.

 

The following table presents a summary of the activity related to TELUS International (Cda) Inc. restricted share units.

 

Periods ended September 30, 2023  Three months   Nine months 
       Weighted       Weighted 
   Number of restricted   average   Number of restricted   average 
   share units     grant-date   share units     grant-date 
   Non-vested   Vested   fair value   Non-vested   Vested   fair value 
Outstanding, beginning of period   2,295,918       US$ 24.31    1,605,821       US$27.10 
Granted – initial award          US$    1,111,894    342,986   US$20.30  
Vested   (4,546)   4,546   US$25.68     (400,990)   400,990   US$26.66  
Settled – in equity       (4,546)  US$25.68         (743,976)  US$22.47  
Forfeited   (35,993)      US$24.23     (61,346)      US$24.52  
Outstanding, end of period   2,255,379       US$24.31     2,255,379       US$24.31  

 

(c)TELUS Corporation employee share purchase plan

 

We have an employee share purchase plan under which eligible employees can purchase TELUS Corporation Common Shares through regular payroll deductions. In respect of TELUS Corporation Common Shares held within the employee share purchase plan, TELUS Corporation Common Share dividends declared during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, of $13 million (2022 – $11 million) and $39 million (2022 – $34 million), respectively were to be reinvested in TELUS Corporation Common Shares acquired by the trustee from Treasury, with a discount applicable, as set out in Note 13(b).

 

(d)Share option awards

 

TELUS Corporation share options

 

Employees may be granted share option awards to purchase TELUS Corporation Common Shares at an exercise price equal to the fair market value at the time of grant. Share option awards granted under the plan may be exercised over specific periods not to exceed seven years from the date of grant.

 

These share option awards have a net-equity settlement feature. The optionee does not have the choice of exercising the net-equity settlement feature; it is at our option whether the exercise of a share option award is settled as a share option or settled using the net-equity settlement feature.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 27
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following table presents a summary of the activity related to the TELUS Corporation share option plan.

 

Periods ended September 30, 2023  Three months   Nine months 
   Number of
share
options
   Weighted
average share
option price 1 
   Number of
share
options
   Weighted
average share
option price 1 
 
Outstanding, beginning of period   2,199,850   $22.21    2,755,300   $22.05 
Exercised 2    (205,149)  $21.41    (697,899)  $21.33 
Forfeited   (79,800)  $22.02    (142,500)  $22.17 
Outstanding, end of period   1,914,901   $22.30    1,914,901   $22.30 
Exercisable, end of period             1,647,801   $21.71 

 

1The weighted average remaining contractual life is 3.7 years.
2For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, the weighted average prices at the dates of exercise were $24.50 and $26.45, respectively.

 

TELUS International (Cda) Inc. share options

 

Employees may be granted equity share options (equity-settled) to purchase TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subordinate voting shares at a price equal to, or a multiple of, the fair market value at the time of grant and/or phantom share options (cash-settled) that provide them with exposure to TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subordinate voting share price appreciation. Share option awards granted under the plan may be exercised over specific periods not to exceed ten years from the time of grant. All equity share option awards and most phantom share option awards have a variable payout (0% – 100%) that depends upon the achievement of TELUS International (Cda) Inc. financial performance and non-market quality-of-service performance conditions.

 

The following table presents a summary of the activity related to the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. share option plan.

 

Periods ended September 30, 2023  Three months   Nine months 
   Number of
share
options
   Weighted
average share
option price 1 
   Number of
share
options
   Weighted
average share
option price 1 
 
Outstanding, beginning of period   2,661,120   US$11.35     2,677,297   US$11.31  
Exercised 2    (124,337)  US$8.46     (124,337)  US$8.46  
Forfeited      US$-    (16,177)  US$5.77  
Outstanding, end of period   2,536,783   US$11.49     2,536,783   US$11.49  
Exercisable, end of period             2,192,345   US$9.56  

 

1For 2,096,582 share options, the range of share option prices is US$4.87 – US$8.95 per TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subordinated voting share and the weighted average remaining contractual life is 3.2 years; for the balance of share options, the price is US$25.00 and the weighted average remaining contractual life is 7.4 years.
2For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, the weighted average prices at the date of exercise was US$14.81.

 

28 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

15employee future benefits

 

(a)Defined benefit pension plans – summary

 

Amounts in the primary financial statements relating to defined benefit pension plans

 

Three-month periods ended September 30      2023   2022 
(millions)  Note  Plan assets   Defined benefit
obligations
accrued 1 
   Net   Plan assets   Defined benefit
obligations
accrued 1 
   Net 
Employee benefits expense  8                              
Benefits earned for current service     $   $(18)       $   $(28)     
Benefits earned for past service                             
Employees’ contributions      4             4          
Administrative fees      (1)                      
       3    (18)  $(15)   4    (28)  $(24)
Financing costs  9                              
Notional income on plan assets 2 and interest on defined benefit obligations accrued      111    (100)        74    (75)     
Interest effect on asset ceiling limit       (12)            (1)         
       99    (100)   (1)   73    (75)   (2)
DEFINED BENEFIT (COST) INCLUDED IN NET INCOME 3                 (16)             (26)
Other comprehensive income  11                              
Difference between actual results and estimated plan assumptions 4       (447)            (68)         
Changes in plan financial assumptions           771             (102)     
Changes in the effect of limiting net defined benefit assets to the asset ceilings 5       (244)            153          
       (691)   771    80    85    (102)   (17)
DEFINED BENEFIT (COST) INCLUDED IN COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 3                $64             $(43)

 

  September 30, 2023 | 29
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30  2023   2022 
(millions)  Note  Plan assets   Defined benefit
obligations
accrued 1 
   Net   Plan assets   Defined benefit
obligations
accrued 1 
   Net 
Employee benefits expense  8                              
Benefits earned for current service     $   $(56)       $   $(83)     
Benefits earned for past service                       (3)     
Employees’ contributions      13             13          
Administrative fees      (3)            (3)         
       10    (56)  $(46)   10    (86)  $(76)
Financing costs  9                              
Notional income on plan assets 2 and interest on defined benefit obligations accrued      330    (300)        222    (224)     
Interest effect on asset ceiling limit      (35)            (4)         
       295    (300)   (5)   218    (224)   (6)
DEFINED BENEFIT (COST) INCLUDED IN NET INCOME 3                 (51)             (82)
Other comprehensive income  11                              
Difference between actual results and estimated plan assumptions 4       (213)            (1,486)         
Changes in plan financial assumptions          571             2,925      
Changes in the effect of limiting net defined benefit assets to the asset ceilings      (279)            (1,056)         
       (492)   571    79    (2,542)   2,925    383 
DEFINED BENEFIT (COST) INCLUDED IN COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 3                 28              301 
AMOUNTS INCLUDED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES CASH FLOWS                                 
Employer contributions      23        23    34        34 
BENEFITS PAID BY PLANS      (351)   351        (351)   351     
EFFECTS OF BUSINESS ACQUISITION                  4    (4)    
PLAN ACCOUNT BALANCES 5                                  
Change in period      (515)   566    51    (2,627)   2,962    335 
Balance, beginning of period      7,990    (8,075)   (85)   10,043    (10,233)   (190)
Balance, end of period     $7,475   $(7,509)  $(34)  $7,416   $(7,271)  $145 
FUNDED STATUS – PLAN SURPLUS (DEFICIT)                                 
Pension plans that have plan assets in excess of defined benefit obligations accrued  20  $6,976   $(6,640)  $336   $7,411   $(6,917)  $494 
Pension plans that have defined benefit obligations accrued in excess of plan assets                                 
Funded      499    (680)   (181)   5    (166)   (161)
Unfunded          (189)   (189)       (188)   (188)
   27   499    (869)   (370)   5    (354)   (349)
      $7,475   $(7,509)  $(34)  $7,416   $(7,271)  $145 

 

1Defined benefit obligations accrued are the actuarial present values of benefits attributed to employee services rendered to a particular date.
2The interest income on the plan assets portion of the employee defined benefit plans net interest amount included in Financing costs reflects a rate of return on plan assets equal to the discount rate used in determining the defined benefit obligations accrued at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year.
3Excluding income taxes.
4Financial assumptions in respect of plan assets (interest income on plan assets included in Financing costs reflects a rate of return on plan assets equal to the discount rate used in determining the defined benefit obligations accrued) and demographic assumptions in respect of the actuarial present values of the defined benefit obligations accrued, as at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year for both.
5Effect of asset ceiling limit at September 30, 2023, was $1,232 (December 31, 2022 – $918).

 

(b)Defined contribution plans – expense

 

Our total defined contribution pension plan costs recognized were as follows:

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Union pension plan and public service pension plan contributions  $5   $4   $13   $13 
Other defined contribution pension plans   27    24    82    71 
   $32   $28   $95   $84 

 

30 | September 30, 2023  
 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

16restructuring and other costs

 

(a)Details of restructuring and other costs

 

With the objective of reducing ongoing costs, we incur associated incremental non-recurring restructuring costs, as discussed further in (b) following. We may also incur atypical charges when undertaking major or transformational changes to our business or operating models or post-acquisition business integration. In other costs, we include incremental atypical external costs incurred in connection with business acquisition or disposition activity; significant litigation costs in respect of losses or settlements; and adverse retrospective regulatory decisions.

 

Restructuring and other costs are presented in the Consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income, as set out in the following table:

 

   Restructuring 1 (b)   Other (c)   Total 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
THREE-MONTH                              
Goods and services purchased  $80   $29   $2   $28   $82   $57 
Employee benefits expense   221    21            221    21 
   $301   $50   $2   $28   $303   $78 
NINE-MONTH                              
Goods and services purchased  $131   $66   $8   $36   $139   $102 
Employee benefits expense   364    44    74        438    44 
   $495   $110   $82   $36   $577   $146 

 

1For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, excludes real estate rationalization-related restructuring impairments of property, plant and equipment of $13 (2022 – $NIL) and $65 (2022 – $1), respectively, which are included in depreciation.

 

(b)Restructuring provisions

 

Employee-related provisions and other provisions, as presented in Note 25, include amounts in respect of restructuring activities. In 2023, restructuring activities included ongoing and incremental efficiency initiatives, some of which involved personnel-related costs and rationalization of real estate. These initiatives were intended to improve our long-term operating productivity and competitiveness.

 

(c)Other

 

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, incremental external costs were incurred in connection with business acquisition and collective bargaining activities. In connection with business acquisitions, non-recurring atypical business integration expenditures that would be considered neither restructuring costs nor part of the fair value of the net assets acquired have been included in other costs. Employee benefits expense is in respect of lump sum payments to substantially all of our existing unionized members of Telecommunications Workers Union, United Steelworkers Local 1944 (TWU), for the ratification of the new collective agreement between the TWU and ourselves, as discussed in Note 29(b).

 

  September 30, 2023 | 31
 

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

17property, plant and equipment

 

   Owned assets   Right-of-use lease assets (Note 19)     
(millions)  Note  Network
assets
   Buildings and
leasehold
improvements
   Computer
hardware
and other
   Land   Assets under
construction
   Total   Network
assets
   Real
estate
   Other   Total   Total 
AT COST                                                          
As at January 1, 2023     $36,036   $3,746   $1,772   $83   $815   $42,452   $835   $2,095   $122   $3,052   $45,504 
Additions      744    22    44        759    1,569    289    203    13    505    2,074 
Additions arising from business acquisitions  18(b)   36    13    3            52        28        28    80 
Assets under construction put into service      382    102    67    1    (552)                        
Dispositions, retirements and other      (442)   (83)   (63)           (588)       (2)   (10)   (12)   (600)
Net foreign exchange differences      (1)   (1)   (3)           (5)       (7)       (7)   (12)
As at September 30, 2023     $36,755   $3,799   $1,820   $84   $1,022   $43,480   $1,124   $2,317   $125   $3,566   $47,046 
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION                                                          
As at January 1, 2023     $24,112   $2,322   $1,094   $   $   $27,528   $50   $795   $47   $892   $28,420 
Depreciation 1       1,213    152    162            1,527    83    224    15    322    1,849 
Dispositions, retirements and other      (447)   (69)   (52)           (568)       (15)   (6)   (21)   (589)
Net foreign exchange differences                                  (6)       (6)   (6)
As at September 30, 2023     $24,878   $2,405   $1,204   $   $   $28,487   $133   $998   $56   $1,187   $29,674 
NET BOOK VALUE                                                          
As at December 31, 2022     $11,924   $1,424   $678   $83   $815   $14,924   $785   $1,300   $75   $2,160   $17,084 
As at September 30, 2023     $11,877   $1,394   $616   $84   $1,022   $14,993   $991   $1,319   $69   $2,379   $17,372 

 

1For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, depreciation includes $35 in respect of impairment of real estate right-of-use lease assets.

 

As at September 30, 2023, our contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment totalled $377 million over a period ending December 31, 2027 (December 31, 2022 – $275 million over a period ending December 31, 2027).

 

32 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

18intangible assets and goodwill

 

(a)Intangible assets and goodwill, net

 

   Intangible assets subject to amortization   Intangible
assets with
indefinite
lives
              
(millions)  Note  Customer
contracts,
related customer
relationships and
subscriber base 1 
   Software 1    Access to
rights-of-way,
crowdsource
assets
and other
   Assets
under
construction
   Total   Spectrum
licences
   Total
intangible
assets
    Goodwill 1, 2    Total
intangible
assets and
goodwill
 
AT COST                                                 
As at January 1, 2023     $4,489   $7,522   $498   $535   $13,044   $12,215   $25,259    $9,495   $34,754 
Additions          109    3    608    720    29    749         749 
Additions arising from business acquisitions  (b)   840        130        970        970     940    1,910 
Assets under construction put into service          635    18    (653)                     
Dispositions, retirements and other (including capitalized interest)  9   40    (376)   (61)       (397)   4    (393)        (393)
Net foreign exchange differences      (21)       1        (20)       (20)    (18)   (38)
As at September 30, 2023     $5,348   $7,890   $589   $490   $14,317   $12,248   $26,565    $10,417   $36,982 
ACCUMULATED AMORTIZATION                                                 
As at January 1, 2023     $1,082   $4,713   $225   $   $6,020   $   $6,020    $364   $6,384 
Amortization      354    758    67        1,179        1,179         1,179 
Dispositions, retirements and other      (16)   (387)   (40)       (443)       (443)        (443)
Net foreign exchange differences      (4)               (4)       (4)        (4)
As at September 30, 2023     $1,416   $5,084   $252   $   $6,752   $   $6,752    $364   $7,116 
NET BOOK VALUE                                                 
As at December 31, 2022     $3,407   $2,809   $273   $535   $7,024   $12,215   $19,239    $9,131   $28,370 
As at September 30, 2023     $3,932   $2,806   $337   $490   $7,565   $12,248   $19,813    $10,053   $29,866 

 

1The amounts for customer relationships, software and goodwill arising from business acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2022, have been adjusted as set out in (c).
2Accumulated amortization of goodwill is amortization recorded prior to 2002; there are no accumulated impairment losses in the accumulated amortization of goodwill.

 

As at September 30, 2023, our contractual commitments for the acquisition of intangible assets totalled $17 million over a period ending December 31, 2025 (December 31, 2022 – $14 million over a period ending December 31, 2023).

 

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, we acquired AWS-1 and BRS spectrum licences from the previous licensee for $23 million; such transfer of licences has been approved by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

 

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s 3800 MHz band spectrum auction commenced October 24, 2023, and had not been concluded as of November 3, 2023, the date which these condensed interim financial statements were authorized for issue.

 

(b)Business acquisitions

 

WillowTree

 

On October 27, 2022, we announced a definitive agreement to acquire WillowTree, a full-service digital product provider focused on end-user experiences, such as native mobile applications and unified web interfaces. On January 3, 2023, subsequent to the satisfaction of the closing conditions, WillowTree was acquired through our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary and is consolidated in our digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International segment.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 33

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

The acquisition brings key talent and diversity to our segment’s portfolio of next-generation solutions, and further augments its digital consulting and client-centric software development capabilities. The primary factor that gave rise to the recognition of goodwill was the earnings capacity of the acquired business in excess of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired (such excess arising from the low level of tangible assets relative to the earnings capacity of the business). A portion of the amounts assigned to goodwill may be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

In respect of the acquired business, we concurrently provided written put options to the remaining selling shareholders for their approximate 14% economic interest, which will be settled subject to certain performance-based criteria and will become exercisable in tranches over a three-year period starting in 2026. The acquisition-date fair value of the puttable shares held by the non-controlling shareholders was recorded as a provision in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. The provision may be settled in cash or, at our option, in a combination of cash and up to 70% in TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subordinate voting shares. Concurrent with this acquisition, the non-controlling shareholders provided us with purchased call options, which substantially mirror the written put options.

 

As is customary in a business acquisition transaction, until the time of acquisition of control, we did not have full access to the books and records of WillowTree. Upon having sufficient time to review the books and records of WillowTree, as well as obtaining new and additional information about the related facts and circumstances as of the acquisition date, we will adjust provisional amounts for identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and thus finalize our purchase price allocation.

 

Individually immaterial transactions

 

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, we acquired 100% ownership of businesses that were complementary to our existing lines of business. The primary factor that gave rise to the recognition of goodwill was the earnings capacity of the acquired businesses in excess of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired (such excess arising from the low level of tangible assets relative to the earnings capacity of the businesses). A portion of the amount assigned to goodwill may be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

34 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Acquisition-date fair values

 

Acquisition-date fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out in the following table:

 

(millions)  WillowTree 1    Individually
immaterial
transactions 1 
   Total 
Assets               
Current assets               
Cash  $7   $6   $13 
Accounts receivable 2    84    3    87 
Other   3    2    5 
    94    11    105 
Non-current assets               
Property, plant and equipment               
Owned assets   20    32    52 
Right-of-use lease assets   27    1    28 
Intangible assets subject to amortization 3    947    23    970 
    994    56    1,050 
Total identifiable assets acquired   1,088    67    1,155 
Liabilities               
Current liabilities               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   50    9    59 
Income and other taxes payable   16        16 
Advance billings and customer deposits   5    2    7 
Current maturities of long-term debt   126        126 
    197    11    208 
Non-current liabilities               
Long-term debt   22    28    50 
Deferred income taxes   94    2    96 
    116    30    146 
Total liabilities assumed   313    41    354 
Net identifiable assets acquired   775    26    801 
Goodwill   831    109    940 
Net assets acquired  $1,606   $135   $1,741 
Acquisition effected by way of:               
Cash consideration  $1,169   $117   $1,286 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities       18    18 
Provisions   266        266 
Issue of shares by a subsidiary to a non-controlling interest 4    171        171 
   $1,606   $135   $1,741 

 

1The purchase price allocation, primarily in respect of customer contracts, related customer relationships and deferred income taxes, had not been finalized as of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. As is customary in a business acquisition transaction, until the time of acquisition of control, we did not have full access to the books and records of the acquired businesses. Upon having sufficient time to review the books and records of the acquired businesses, we expect to finalize our purchase price allocations.
2The fair value of accounts receivable is equal to the gross contractual amounts receivable and reflects the best estimate at the acquisition date of the contractual cash flows expected to be collected.
3Customer contracts and customer relationships (including those related to customer contracts) are generally expected to be amortized over a period of 15 years; and other intangible assets are expected to be amortized over a period of 4-10 years.
4The fair value of the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subordinate voting shares was measured based upon market prices observed at the date of acquisition of control.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 35

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Pro forma disclosures

 

The following pro forma supplemental information represents certain results of operations as if the business acquisitions noted above had been completed at the beginning of the fiscal 2023 year.

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30, 2023 (millions except per share amounts)  As reported 1    Pro forma 2    As reported 1    Pro forma 2  
Operating revenues and other income  $5,008   $5,009   $14,918   $14,931 
Net income  $137   $136   $557   $556 
Net income per Common Share                    
Basic  $0.09   $0.09   $0.38   $0.38 
Diluted  $0.09   $0.09   $0.38   $0.38 

 

1Operating revenues and other income and net income (loss) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, include: $52 and $(39), respectively, in respect of WillowTree. Operating revenues and other income and net income (loss) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, include: $185 and $(108), respectively, in respect of WillowTree. Inclusive of intersegment revenues, operating revenues and other income for the three-month and nine-month periods were $57 and $195, respectively.
2Pro forma amounts for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, reflect the acquired businesses. The results of the acquired businesses have been included in our Consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income effective the dates of acquisition.

 

The pro forma supplemental information is based on estimates and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. The pro forma supplemental information is not necessarily indicative of our consolidated financial results in future periods or the actual results that would have been realized had the business acquisitions been completed at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma supplemental information includes incremental property, plant and equipment depreciation, intangible asset amortization, financing and other charges as a result of the acquisitions, net of the related tax effects.

 

(c)Business acquisitions – prior period

 

In 2022, we acquired businesses that were complementary to our existing lines of business. As at December 31, 2022, purchase price allocations had not been finalized. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, the preliminary acquisition-date fair values for accounts receivable, income and other taxes receivable, customer relationships, software, goodwill, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred income tax liabilities were increased by $19 million, decreased by $19 million, decreased by $118 million, increased by $179 million, decreased by $38 million, increased by $5 million, and increased by $18 million, respectively; as required by IFRS-IASB, comparative amounts have been adjusted so as to reflect those increases (decreases) effective the dates of acquisition.

 

19leases

 

Maturity analyses of lease liabilities are set out in Note 4(b) and Note 26(h); the period interest expense in respect thereof is set out in Note 9. The additions to, the depreciation charges for, and the carrying amounts of, right-of-use lease assets are set out in Note 17. We have not currently elected to exclude low-value and short-term leases from lease accounting.

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Income from subleasing right-of-use lease assets                       
Co-location sublet revenue included in operating service revenues     $4   $4   $13   $13 
Other sublet revenue included in other income  7  $1   $1   $4   $4 
Lease payments     $170   $136   $489   $418 

 

36 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

20other long-term assets

 

As at (millions)  Note    September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Pension assets  15    $336   $307 
Unbilled customer finance receivables  4(a)     595    571 
Derivative assets  4(d)     196    250 
Deferred income taxes        34    19 
Costs incurred to obtain or fulfill contracts with customers        197    154 
Real estate joint venture advances  21(a)     94    114 
Investment in real estate joint ventures  21(a)     23    1 
Investment in associates  21(b)     234    120 
Portfolio investments 1                
At fair value through net income        35    21 
At fair value through other comprehensive income        475    467 
Prepaid maintenance        49    61 
Refundable security deposits and other        131    118 
        $2,399   $2,203 

 

1Fair value measured at reporting date using significant other observable inputs (Level 2).

 

The costs incurred to obtain and fulfill contracts with customers are set out in the following table:

 

Periods ended September 30, 2023 (millions)  Three months   Nine months 
   Costs incurred to       Costs incurred to     
   Obtain
contracts with
customers
   Fulfill contracts
with customers
   Total   Obtain
contracts with
customers
   Fulfill contracts
with customers
   Total 
Balance, beginning of period  $412   $27   $439   $404   $15   $419 
Additions   103    9    112    259    23    282 
Amortization   (78)   (2)   (80)   (226)   (4)   (230)
Balance, end of period  $437   $34   $471   $437   $34   $471 
Current 1                  $265   $9   $274 
Non-current                  172    25    197 
                  $437   $34   $471 

 

1Presented in the Consolidated statements of financial position in prepaid expenses.

 

21real estate joint ventures and investments in associates

 

(a)Real estate joint ventures

 

In 2013, we partnered, as equals, with two arm’s-length parties in a residential, retail and commercial real estate redevelopment project, TELUS Sky, in Calgary, Alberta. The new-build tower, completed in 2020, was to be built to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum standard for the commercial portion and the Gold standard for the residential portion.

 

Summarized financial information

 

As at (millions)  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
   As at (millions)  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
ASSETS            LIABILITIES AND OWNERS’ EQUITY          
Current assets            Current liabilities          
Cash and temporary investments, net  $8   $8   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $      8   $18 
Other   29    27   Construction credit facilities   282    342 
    37    35       290    360 
Non-current assets            Owners’ equity          
Investment property   326    330   TELUS 1    49    5 
Investment property under development   21       Other partners   76    10 
Other   31    10              
    378    340       125    15 
   $415   $375      $415   $375 

 

1The equity amounts recorded by the real estate joint venture differ from those recorded by us by the amount of the deferred gains on our real estate contributed and the valuation provision we have recorded in excess of that recorded by the real estate joint venture.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 37

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Revenue  $7   $5   $20   $15 
Depreciation and amortization  $2   $2   $6   $6 
Interest expense  $2   $2   $7   $6 
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) 1   $(5)  $(5)  $(16)  $(11)

 

1As the real estate joint ventures are partnerships, no provision for income taxes of the partners is made in determining the real estate joint ventures’ net income and comprehensive income.

 

Our real estate joint ventures activity

 

Our real estate joint ventures investment activity is set out in the following table.

 

Three-month periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022 
   Loans and
receivables 1 
   Equity 2    Total   Loans and
receivables 1 
   Equity 2    Total 
Related to real estate joint ventures’ statements of income and other comprehensive income                              
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to us 3   $   $(2)  $(2)  $   $(3)  $(3)
Related to real estate joint ventures’ statements of financial position                              
Items not affecting currently reported cash flows                              
Construction credit facilities financing costs charged by us (Note 7)   1        1    1        1 
Reduction in construction credit facility and increase in capital contributed   (20)   20                 
Our real estate contributed       20    20             
Deferred gain on our remaining interest in our real estate contributed       (9)   (9)            
Cash flows in the current reporting period                              
Construction credit facilities                              
Financing costs paid to us   (1)       (1)   (1)       (1)
Funds we advanced or contributed, excluding construction credit facilities       2    2        1    1 
Net increase (decrease)   (20)   31    11        (2)   (2)
Real estate joint ventures carrying amounts                              
Balance, beginning of period   114    (8)   106    114    (8)   106 
Balance, end of period  $94   $23   $117   $114   $(10)  $104 

 

38 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022 
   Loans and
receivables 1 
   Equity 2    Total   Loans and
receivables 1 
   Equity 2    Total 
Related to real estate joint ventures’ statements of income and other comprehensive income                              
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to us 3   $   $(4)  $(4)  $   $(4)  $(4)
Related to real estate joint ventures’ statements of financial position                              
Items not affecting currently reported cash flows                              
Construction credit facilities financing costs charged by us (Note 7)   5        5    2        2 
Reduction in construction credit facility and increase in capital contributed   (20)   20                 
Our real estate contributed       20    20             
Deferred gain on our remaining interest in our real estate contributed       (9)   (9)            
Cash flows in the current reporting period                              
Construction credit facilities                              
Financing costs paid to us   (5)       (5)   (2)       (2)
Funds we advanced or contributed, excluding construction credit facilities       4    4        3    3 
Funds repaid to us and earnings distributed                   (1)   (1)
Net increase (decrease)   (20)   31    11        (2)   (2)
Real estate joint ventures carrying amounts                              
Balance, beginning of period   114    (8)   106    114    (8)   106 
Balance, end of period  $94   $23   $117   $114   $(10)  $104 

 

1Loans and receivables are included in our Consolidated statements of financial position as Real estate joint venture advances and are comprised of advances under construction credit facilities.
2We account for our interests in the real estate joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. As at June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, we had recorded equity losses in excess of our recorded equity investment in respect of one of the real estate joint ventures; such resulting balance has been included in other long-term liabilities (Note 27).
3As the real estate joint ventures are partnerships, no provision for income taxes of the partners is made in determining the real estate joint ventures’ net income and comprehensive income.

 

We have entered into lease agreements with the TELUS Sky real estate joint venture. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, the TELUS Sky real estate joint venture recognized $3 million (2022 – $2 million) and $7 million (2022 – $6 million), respectively, of revenue from our office tenancy; of this amount, one-third was due to our economic interest and two-thirds was due to our partners’ economic interests.

 

Construction credit facilities

 

The TELUS Sky real estate joint venture has a credit agreement, maturing July 12, 2024 (December 31, 2022 – July 15, 2023), with Canadian financial institutions (as 66-2/3% lender) and TELUS Corporation (as 33-1/3% lender), providing $282 million (December 31, 2022 – $342 million) of construction financing for the project. The construction credit facilities contain customary real estate construction financing representations, warranties and covenants and are secured by demand debentures constituting first fixed and floating charge mortgages over the underlying real estate assets. The construction credit facilities are available by way of bankers’ acceptance or prime loan and bear interest at rates in line with similar construction financing facilities.

 

(b)Investments in associates

 

We had, as at September 30, 2023, a 43% (December 31, 2022 – 32%) equity interest in Miovision Technologies Incorporated, an associate that is incorporated in Canada and is complementary to, and is viewed to grow, our existing Internet of Things business; our judgment is that we obtained significant influence over the associate concurrent with acquiring our initial equity interest. Miovision Technologies Incorporated develops a suite of hardware and cloud-based solutions that provide cities with the data and tools they need to reduce traffic congestion, make better urban planning decisions and improve safety on their roads. Our aggregate interests in Miovision Technologies Incorporated and in individually immaterial associates as at September 30, 2023, totalled $197 million (December 31, 2022 – $75 million) and totalled $37 million (December 31, 2022 – $45 million), respectively.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 39

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

22short-term borrowings

  

On July 26, 2002, one of our subsidiaries, TELUS Communications Inc., entered into an agreement with an arm’s-length securitization trust associated with a major Schedule I bank under which it is currently able to sell an interest in certain trade receivables up to a maximum of $600 million (unchanged from December 31, 2022). The term of this revolving-period securitization agreement ends December 31, 2024 (unchanged from December 31, 2022), and it requires minimum cash proceeds of $100 million from monthly sales of interests in certain trade receivables. TELUS Communications Inc. is required to maintain a credit rating of at least BB (unchanged from December 31, 2022) from DBRS Limited or the securitization trust may require that the sale program be wound down prior to the end of the term.

 

Sales of trade receivables in securitization transactions are recognized as collateralized short-term borrowings and thus do not result in our de-recognition of the trade receivables sold. When we sell our trade receivables, we retain reserve accounts, which are retained interests in the securitized trade receivables, and servicing rights. As at September 30, 2023, we had sold to the trust (but continued to recognize) trade receivables of $121 million (December 31, 2022 – $118 million). Short-term borrowings of $100 million (December 31, 2022 – $100 million) are comprised of amounts advanced to us by the arm’s-length securitization trust pursuant to the sale of trade receivables.

 

The balance of short-term borrowings (if any) is comprised of amounts drawn on bilateral bank facilities and/or other.

 

23accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

As at (millions)  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Accrued liabilities  $1,437   $1,593 
Payroll and other employee-related liabilities   651    656 
Restricted share units liability       1 
    2,088    2,250 
Trade accounts payable 1    965    1,382 
Interest payable   229    206 
Indirect taxes payable and other   119    114 
   $3,401   $3,952 

 

1The composition of trade accounts payable varies due to factors including suppliers’ invoice timing, data processing cycle timing, the seasonal nature of some of business activities and whether the statement of financial position date is a business day. Trade accounts payable represent future payments for invoices received in respect of both operating and capital activities, and may include amounts for assessed and self-assessed government remittances.

 

Initiated in 2023, we have a supply chain financing program which allows suppliers of qualifying trade accounts payable to choose to be paid in advance of industry-standard payment terms by an arm’s-length third party; in turn, we reimburse the arm’s-length third party, for the amounts they funded, when the trade accounts payable were otherwise due.

 

24advance billings and customer deposits

 

As at (millions)  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Advance billings  $705   $662 
Deferred customer activation and connection fees   4    5 
Customer deposits   17    12 
Contract liabilities   726    679 
Other   211    212 
   $937   $891 

 

40 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Contract liabilities represent our future performance obligations to customers in respect of services and/or equipment for which we have received consideration from the customer or for which an amount is due from the customer. Our contract liability balances, and the changes in those balances, are set out in the following table:

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Balance, beginning of period     $974   $883   $914   $870 
Revenue deferred in previous period and recognized in current period      (669)   (658)   (625)   (630)
Net additions arising from operations      671    647    680    619 
Additions arising from business acquisitions          33    7    46 
Balance, end of period     $976   $905   $976   $905 
Current               $873   $808 
Non-current  27                    
Deferred revenues                97    90 
Deferred customer activation and connection fees                6    7 
                $976   $905 
Reconciliation of contract liabilities presented in the Consolidated statements of financial position – current                       
Gross contract liabilities               $873   $808 
Reclassification to contract assets of contracts with contract liabilities less than contract assets  6(c)             (131)   (120)
Reclassification from contract assets of contracts with contract assets less than contract liabilities  6(c)             (16)   (14)
                $726   $674 

 

25provisions

 

(millions)  Asset
retirement
obligation
   Employee-
related
   Written put
options and
contingent
consideration
   Other   Total 
As at July 1, 2023  $318   $145   $275   $166   $904 
Additions       255        88    343 
Reversals               (2)   (2)
Uses   (2)   (160)   (2)   (67)   (231)
Interest effects   3        4        7 
Effects of foreign exchange, net           6        6 
As at September 30, 2023  $319   $240   $283   $185   $1,027 
As at January 1, 2023  $316   $84   $157   $147   $704 
Additions       457    268    173    898 
Reversals           (41)   (2)   (43)
Uses 1    (7)   (301)   (110)   (133)   (551)
Interest effects   10        12        22 
Effects of foreign exchange, net           (3)       (3)
As at September 30, 2023  $319   $240   $283   $185   $1,027 
Current  $9   $228   $   $108   $345 
Non-current   310    12    283    77    682 
As at September 30, 2023  $319   $240   $283   $185   $1,027 

 

1Written put options and contingent consideration uses include $54 satisfied by way of Common Shares issued.

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

We establish provisions for liabilities associated with the retirement of property, plant and equipment when those obligations result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal operation of the assets. We expect that the associated cash outflows in respect of the balance accrued as at the financial statement date will occur proximate to the dates these assets are retired.

 

Employee-related

 

The employee-related provisions are largely in respect of restructuring activities (as discussed further in Note 16(b)). The timing of the associated cash outflows in respect of the balance accrued as at the financial statement date is substantially short-term in nature.

 

Written put options and contingent consideration

 

In connection with certain business acquisitions, we have established provisions for written put options in respect of non-controlling interests. Provisions for some written put options are determined based on the net present value of estimated future earnings, and such provisions require us to make key economic assumptions about the future. Similarly, we have established provisions for contingent consideration. No cash outflows in respect of the written put options are expected prior to their initial exercisability, and no cash outflows in respect of contingent consideration are expected prior to completion of the periods during which the contingent consideration can be earned.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 41

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

Other

 

The provisions for other include: legal claims; non-employee-related restructuring activities; and contract termination costs and onerous contracts related to business acquisitions. Other than as set out following, we expect that the associated cash outflows in respect of the balance accrued as at the financial statement date will occur over an indeterminate multi-year period.

 

As discussed further in Note 29, we are involved in a number of legal claims and we are aware of certain other possible legal claims. In respect of legal claims, we establish provisions, when warranted, after taking into account legal assessments, information presently available, and the expected availability of recourse. The timing of cash outflows associated with legal claims cannot be reasonably determined.

 

In connection with business acquisitions, we have established provisions for contract termination costs and onerous contracts acquired.

 

26long-term debt

 

(a)Details of long-term debt

 

As at (millions)  Note    September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Senior unsecured               
TELUS Corporation senior notes    (b)    $20,393   $18,660 
TELUS Corporation commercial paper  (c)     1,417    1,458 
TELUS Corporation credit facilities  (d)     1,144    1,145 
TELUS Communications Inc. debentures          199    199 
Secured               
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility  (e)     1,909    914 
Other  (f)     292    321 
         25,354    22,697 
Lease liabilities  (g)     2,479    2,340 
Long-term debt       $27,833   $25,037 
Current       $4,376   $2,541 
Non-current        23,457    22,496 
Long-term debt       $27,833   $25,037 

 

(b)TELUS Corporation senior notes

 

The notes are senior unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured unsubordinated obligations, are senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness, and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future obligations of, or guaranteed by, our subsidiaries. The indentures governing the notes contain covenants that, among other things, place limitations on our ability, and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries, to: grant security in respect of indebtedness; enter into sale-leaseback transactions; and incur new indebtedness.

 

Interest is payable semi-annually. The notes require us to make an offer to repurchase them at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase upon the occurrence of a change in control triggering event, as defined in the supplemental trust indenture.

 

At any time prior to the respective maturity dates set out in the table below, the notes issued prior to September 2023 are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, on not fewer than 30 days’ and not more than 60 days’ prior notice; for notes issued subsequent to August 2023, the notice period is not fewer than 10 days’ and not more than 60 days’ prior notice. On or after the respective redemption present value spread cessation dates set out in the table below, the notes issued prior to September 2023 are redeemable at our option, in whole but not in part, on not fewer than 30 days’ and not more than 60 days’ prior notice, at redemption prices equal to 100% of the principal amounts thereof; for notes issued subsequent to August 2023, the notice period is not fewer than 10 days’ and not more than 60 days’ prior notice. In addition, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the date fixed for redemption.

 

42 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

          Principal face amount   Redemption present
value spread
Series  Issued  Maturity  Issue
price
   Effective
interest
rate 1 
   Originally
issued
   Outstanding at
financial
statement date
   Basis
points 2 
  Cessation
date
3.35% Notes, Series CJ  December 2012  March 2023    $998.83   3.36%   $ 500 million   $ NIL   40  Dec. 15, 2022
3.35% Notes, Series CK  April 2013  April 2024    $994.35   3.41%   $ 1.1 billion   $ 1.1 billion   36  Jan. 2, 2024
3.75% Notes, Series CQ  September 2014  January 2025    $997.75   3.78%   $ 800 million   $ 800 million   38.5  Oct. 17, 2024
3.75% Notes, Series CV  December 2015  March 2026    $992.14   3.84%   $ 600 million   $ 600 million   53.5  Dec. 10, 2025
2.75% Notes, Series CZ  July 2019  July 2026    $998.73   2.77%   $ 800 million   $ 800 million   33  May 8, 2026
2.80% U.S. Dollar Notes 3   September 2016  February 2027    US$991.89   2.89%   US$ 600 million   US$ 600 million   20  Nov. 16, 2026
3.70% U.S. Dollar Notes 3   March 2017  September 2027    US$998.95   3.71%   US$ 500 million   US$ 500 million   20  June 15, 2027
2.35% Notes, Series CAC  May 2020  January 2028    $997.25   2.39%   $ 600 million   $ 600 million   48  Nov. 27, 2027
3.625% Notes, Series CX  March 2018  March 2028    $989.49   3.75%   $ 600 million   $ 600 million   37  Dec. 1, 2027
3.30% Notes, Series CY  April 2019  May 2029    $991.75   3.40%   $ 1.0 billion   $ 1.0 billion   43.5  Feb. 2, 2029
5.00% Notes, Series CAI  September 2022  September 2029    $995.69   5.07%   $ 350 million   $ 350 million   46.5  July 13, 2029
3.15% Notes, Series CAA  December 2019  February 2030    $996.49   3.19%   $ 600 million   $ 600 million   39.5  Nov. 19, 2029
5.60% Notes, Series CAM  September 2023  September 2030    $998.85   5.62%   $ 500 million   $ 500 million   46  July 9, 2030
2.05% Notes, Series CAD  October 2020  October 2030    $997.93   2.07%   $ 500 million   $ 500 million   38  July 7, 2030
2.85% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAF  June 2021  November 2031    $997.52   2.88%   $ 750 million   $ 750 million   34  Aug. 13, 2031
3.40% U.S. Dollar Sustainability-Linked Notes 3   February 2022  May 2032    US$997.13   3.43%   US$ 900 million   US$ 900 million   25  Feb. 13, 2032
5.25% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAG  September 2022  November 2032    $996.73   5.29%   $ 1.1 billion   $ 1.1 billion   51.5  Aug. 15, 2032
4.95% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAJ  March 2023  March 2033    $998.28   4.97%   $ 500 million   $ 500 million   54.5  Dec. 28, 2032
5.75% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAK  September 2023  September 2033    $997.82   5.78%   $ 850 million   $ 850 million   52  June 8, 2033
4.40% Notes, Series CL  April 2013  April 2043    $997.68   4.41%   $ 600 million   $ 600 million   47  Oct. 1, 2042
5.15% Notes, Series CN  November 2013  November 2043    $995.00   5.18%   $ 400 million   $ 400 million   50  May 26, 2043
4.85% Notes, Series CP  Multiple 5   April 2044    $987.915   4.93% 5  $ 500 million 5  $ 900 million 5  46  Oct. 5, 2043
4.75% Notes, Series CR  September 2014  January 2045    $992.91   4.80%   $ 400 million   $ 400 million   51.5  July 17, 2044
4.40% Notes, Series CU  March 2015  January 2046    $999.72   4.40%   $ 500 million   $ 500 million   60.5  July 29, 2045
4.70% Notes, Series CW  Multiple 6   March 2048    $998.06 6  4.71% 6  $ 325 million6  $ 475 million 6  58.5  Sept. 6, 2047
4.60% U.S. Dollar Notes 3   June 2018  November 2048    US$987.60   4.68%   US$ 750 million   US$ 750 million   25  May 16, 2048
4.30% U.S. Dollar Notes 3   May 2019  June 2049    US$990.48   4.36%   US$ 500 million   US$ 500 million   25  Dec. 15, 2048
3.95% Notes, Series CAB  Multiple 7   February 2050    $997.547   3.97%7  $ 400 million7  $ 800 million7  57.5  Aug. 16, 2049
4.10% Notes, Series CAE  April 2021  April 2051    $994.70   4.13%   $ 500 million   $ 500 million   53  Oct. 5, 2050
5.65% Notes, Series CAH  September 2022  September 2052    $996.13   5.68%   $ 550 million   $ 550 million   61.5  Mar. 13, 2052
5.95% Notes, Series CAL  September 2023  September 2053    $992.67   6.00%   $ 400 million   $ 400 million   61.5  Mar. 8, 2053

 

1The effective interest rate is that which the notes would yield to an initial debt holder if held to maturity.
2For Canadian dollar-denominated notes, the redemption price is equal to the greater of (i) the present value of the notes discounted at the Government of Canada yield plus the redemption present value spread calculated over the period to the redemption present value spread cessation date, or (ii) 100% of the principal amount thereof.

For U.S. dollar-denominated notes, the redemption price is equal to the greater of (i) the present value of the notes discounted at the U.S. Adjusted Treasury Rate (at the U.S. Treasury Rate for the 3.40% U.S. Dollar Sustainability-Linked Notes) plus the redemption present value spread calculated over the period to the redemption present value spread cessation date, or (ii) 100% of the principal amount thereof.

3We have entered into foreign exchange derivatives (cross currency interest rate exchange agreements) that effectively converted the principal payments and interest obligations to Canadian dollar obligations as follows:

 

Series  Interest rate
fixed at
   Canadian dollar
equivalent
principal
  Exchange
rate
 
2.80% U.S. Dollar Notes  2.95%  $ 792 million  $1.3205 
3.70% U.S. Dollar Notes  3.41%  $ 667 million  $1.3348 
3.40% U.S. Dollar Sustainability-Linked Notes  3.89%  $ 1,148 million  $1.2753 
4.60% U.S. Dollar Notes  4.41%  $ 974 million  $1.2985 
4.30% U.S. Dollar Notes  4.27%  $ 672 million  $1.3435 

 

4If we have not obtained a sustainability performance target verification assurance certificate for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2030, the sustainability-linked notes will bear interest at an increased rate from the trigger date through to their individual maturities. The interest rate on certain of the sustainability-linked notes may also increase (MFN step-up) in certain circumstances if we fail to meet additional sustainability and/or environmental, social or governance targets as may be provided for in a sustainability-linked bond; the interest rate on the sustainability-linked notes, however, in no event can exceed the initial rate by more than the aggregate MFN step-up and trigger event limit, whether as a result of not obtaining a sustainability performance target verification assurance certificate and/or any targets provided for in one or more future sustainability-linked bonds. Similarly, if we redeem any of the sustainability-linked notes and we have not obtained a sustainability performance target verification assurance certificate at the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption, the interest accrued (if any) will be determined using the rates set out in the following table.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 43

 

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

   Sustainability performance target
verification assurance certificate
   Aggregate   Redemption 
Series  Fiscal year   Trigger date   Post-trigger
event
interest rate
   MFN step-up
and trigger
event limit
   interest accrual
rate if certificate
not obtained
 
2.85% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAF   2030    Nov. 14, 2030    3.85%   N/A    3.85%
3.40% U.S. Dollar Sustainability-Linked Notes   2030    Nov. 14, 2030    4.40%   1.50%   4.40%
5.25% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAG   2030    Nov. 15, 2030    6.00%   1.50%   6.00%
4.95% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAJ   2030    Mar. 28, 2031    5.70%   1.50%   5.70%
5.75% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAJ   2030    Apr. 30, 2031    6.95%   1.20%   6.95%

 

5$500 million of 4.85% Notes, Series CP were issued in April 2014 at an issue price of $998.74 and an effective interest rate of 4.86%. This series of notes was reopened in December 2015 and a further $400 million of notes were issued at an issue price of $974.38 and an effective interest rate of 5.02%.
6$325 million of 4.70% Notes, Series CW were issued in March 2017 at an issue price of $990.65 and an effective interest rate of 4.76%. This series of notes was reopened in February 2018 and a further $150 million of notes were issued in March 2018 at an issue price of $1,014.11 and an effective interest rate of 4.61%.
7$400 million of 3.95% Notes, Series CAB were issued in December 2019 at an issue price of $991.54 and an effective interest rate of 4.00%. This series of notes was reopened in May 2020 and a further $400 million of notes were issued at an issue price of $1,003.53 and an effective interest rate of 3.93%.

 

(c)TELUS Corporation commercial paper

 

TELUS Corporation has an unsecured commercial paper program, which is backstopped by our revolving $2.75 billion syndicated credit facility (see (d)) and is to be used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and investments. This program enables us to issue commercial paper, subject to conditions related to debt ratings, up to a maximum aggregate equivalent amount at any one time of $2.0 billion (US$1.5 billion maximum). Foreign currency forward contracts are used to manage currency risk arising from issuing commercial paper denominated in U.S. dollars. Commercial paper debt is due within one year and is classified as a current portion of long-term debt, as the amounts are fully supported, and we expect that they will continue to be supported, by the revolving credit facility, which has no repayment requirements within the next year. As at September 30, 2023, we had $1.4 billion (December 31, 2022 – $1.5 billion) of commercial paper outstanding, all of which was denominated in U.S. dollars (US$1.0 billion; December 31, 2022 – US$1.1 billion), with an effective average interest rate of 5.8%, maturing through February 2024.

 

(d)TELUS Corporation credit facilities

 

As at September 30, 2023, TELUS Corporation had an unsecured revolving $2.75 billion bank credit facility, expiring on July 14, 2028 (December 31, 2022 – April 6, 2026), with a syndicate of financial institutions, which is to be used for general corporate purposes, including the backstopping of commercial paper.

 

As at September 30, 2023, TELUS Corporation had an unsecured non-revolving $1.1 billion bank credit facility, maturing July 9, 2024, with a syndicate of financial institutions, which is to be used for general corporate purposes. As at September 30, 2023, we had drawn $1.1 billion on the non-revolving bank credit facility, with an effective average interest rate of 6.0% through October 2023.

 

The TELUS Corporation credit facilities bear interest at prime rate, U.S. Dollar Base Rate, a bankers’ acceptance rate or term secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) (as such terms are used or defined in the credit facilities), plus applicable margins. The credit facilities contain customary representations, warranties and covenants, including two financial quarter-end ratio tests. These tests are that our leverage ratio must not exceed 4.25:1.00 and our operating cash flow to interest expense ratio must not be less than 2.00:1.00, all as defined in the credit facilities.

 

Continued access to the TELUS Corporation credit facilities is not contingent upon TELUS Corporation maintaining a specific credit rating.

 

As at (millions)  September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Net available  $1,333   $1,292 
Backstop of commercial paper   1,417    1,458 
Gross available revolving $2.75 billion bank credit facility  $2,750   $2,750 

 

We had $62 million of letters of credit outstanding as at September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – $119 million), issued under various uncommitted facilities; such letter of credit facilities are in addition to the ability to provide letters of credit pursuant to our committed revolving bank credit facility. We have arranged incremental letters of credit to allow us to participate in Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s 3800 MHz wireless spectrum auction that commenced in October 2023 (see Note 18(a)). Under the terms of the auction, communications between bidders that would provide insights into bidding strategies, including reference to preferred blocks, technologies or valuations, are precluded until the deadline for the final payment in the auction. Disclosure of the precise amount of our letters of credit could be interpreted as a signal of bidding intentions. The maximum amount of letters of credit that any national incumbent could be required to deliver is approximately $350 million.

 

44 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

(e)TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility

 

As at September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, TELUS International (Cda) Inc. had a credit facility, secured by its assets, expiring on January 3, 2028, with a syndicate of financial institutions, including TELUS Corporation. The credit facility is comprised of revolving components totalling US$800 million, with TELUS Corporation as approximately 7.2% lender and amortizing term loan components totalling US$1.2 billion, with TELUS Corporation as approximately 7.2% lender. The credit facility is non-recourse to TELUS Corporation. The outstanding revolving components and term loan components had a weighted average interest rate of 7.4% as at September 30, 2023.

 

As at (millions)  September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022 
   Revolving
components
   Term loan
components 1 
   Total   Revolving
components
   Term loan
components 1 
   Total 
Available 2   US$436   US$   US$436   US$658   US$600   US$1,258 
Outstanding                              
Due to other   338    1,086    1,424    132    557    689 
Due to TELUS Corporation   26    84    110    10    43    53 
   US$800   US$1,170   US$1,970   US$800   US$1,200   US$2,000 

 

1Relative to amounts owed to the syndicate of financial institutions, excluding TELUS Corporation, we have entered into foreign exchange derivatives (cross currency interest rate exchange agreements) that effectively convert an amortizing amount of US$437 of the principal payments, and associated interest obligations, to European euro obligations with an effective fixed interest rate of 2.6% and an effective fixed economic exchange rate of US$1.088:€1.00. These have been accounted for as a net investment hedge in a foreign operation (see Note 4).
2Of the amounts available at December 31, 2022, US$525 of the revolving components and US$600 of the term loan components had a condition precedent of consummating the WillowTree acquisition, which occurred on January 3, 2023 (see Note 18(b)).

 

The TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility bears interest at prime rate, U.S. Dollar Base Rate, a bankers’ acceptance rate or term secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) (all such terms as used or defined in the credit facility), plus applicable margins. The credit facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including two financial quarter-end ratio tests: the TELUS International (Cda) Inc. quarter-end net debt to operating cash flow ratio must not exceed 4.25:1.00 through fiscal 2023, 3.75:1.00 through fiscal 2024, and 3.25:1.00 subsequently; and the quarter-end operating cash flow to debt service (interest and scheduled principal repayment) ratio must not be less than 1.50:1.00; all as defined in the credit facility.

 

The term loan components are subject to amortization schedules which requires that 5% of the principal advanced be repaid each year of the term of the agreement, with the balance due at maturity.

 

(f)Other

 

Other liabilities bear interest at 3.3%, are secured by the AWS-4 spectrum licences associated with these other liabilities, and are subject to amortization schedules, so that the principal is repaid over the periods to maturity, the last period ending March 31, 2035.

 

(g)Lease liabilities

 

Lease liabilities are subject to amortization schedules, so that the principal is repaid over various periods, including reasonably expected renewals. The weighted average interest rate on lease liabilities was approximately 5.2% as at September 30, 2023.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 45

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

(h)Long-term debt maturities

 

Anticipated requirements to meet long-term debt repayments, calculated for long-term debt owing as at September 30, 2023, are as follows:

 

Composite long-term debt
denominated in
  Canadian dollars   U.S. dollars   Other
currencies
     
   Long-term
debt,
           Long-term
debt,
       Currency swap agreement
amounts to be exchanged
             
Years ending December 31
(millions)
  excluding
leases
  

Leases

(Note 19)

   Total   excluding
leases
  

Leases

(Note 19)

   (Receive) 1    Pay   Total  

Leases

(Note 19)

   Total 
2023 (remainder of year)  $4   $123   $127   $1,186   $7   $(1,204)  $1,195   $1,184   $15   $1,326 
2024   2,266    458    2,724    325    26    (288)   278    341    57    3,122 
2025   1,023    358    1,381    75    27    (32)   28    98    46    1,525 
2026   1,462    256    1,718    38    28    (32)   28    62    37    1,817 
2027   63    211    274    1,525    23    (1,519)   1,489    1,518    21    1,813 
2028-2032   6,128    377    6,505    2,823    39    (1,679)   1,597    2,780    49    9,334 
Thereafter   6,862    294    7,156    1,765        (1,690)   1,646    1,721    15    8,892 
Future cash outflows in respect of composite long-term debt principal repayments   17,808    2,077    19,885    7,737    150    (6,444)   6,261    7,704    240    27,829 
Future cash outflows in respect of associated interest and like carrying costs 2    9,025    438    9,463    3,080    67    (2,615)   2,475    3,007    54    12,524 
Undiscounted contractual maturities (Note 4(b))  $26,833   $2,515   $29,348   $10,817   $217   $(9,059)  $8,736   $10,711   $294   $40,353 

  

1Where applicable, cash flows reflect foreign exchange rates as at September 30, 2023.
2Future cash outflows in respect of associated interest and like carrying costs for commercial paper and amounts drawn under our credit facilities (if any) have been calculated based upon the rates in effect as at September 30, 2023.

 

27other long-term liabilities

 

As at (millions)  Note   September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Contract liabilities   24   $97   $82 
Other        2    2 
Deferred revenues        99    84 
Pension benefit liabilities   15    370    392 
Other post-employment benefit liabilities        76    68 
Derivative liabilities   4(d)    25    24 
Investment in real estate joint ventures   21(a)        9 
Other        47    53 
         617    630 
Deferred customer activation and connection fees   24    6    6 
        $623   $636 

 

28owners’ equity

 

(a)TELUS Corporation Common Share capital – general

 

Our authorized share capital is as follows:

 

As at   September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 
First Preferred Shares    1 billion     1 billion 
Second Preferred Shares    1 billion     1 billion 
Common Shares    4 billion     4 billion 

 

Only holders of Common Shares may vote at our general meetings, with each holder of Common Shares entitled to one vote per Common Share held at all such meetings so long as not less than 66-2/3% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares are owned by Canadians. With respect to priority in the payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the purpose of winding up our affairs, preferences are as follows: First Preferred Shares; Second Preferred Shares; and finally Common Shares.

 

46 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

As at September 30, 2023, approximately 18 million Common Shares were reserved for issuance from Treasury under a dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan (see Note 13(b)); approximately 49 million Common Shares were reserved for issuance from Treasury under a restricted share unit plan (see Note 14(b)); and approximately 12 million Common Shares were reserved for issuance from Treasury under a share option plan (see Note 14(d)).

 

(b)Purchase of TELUS Corporation Common Shares for cancellation pursuant to normal course issuer bid

 

As referred to in Note 3, we may purchase a portion of our Common Shares for cancellation pursuant to normal course issuer bids in order to maintain or adjust our capital structure. In June 2022, we received approval for a normal course issuer bid to purchase and cancel up to 10 million of our Common Shares (up to a maximum amount of $250 million) from June 6, 2022, to June 5, 2023. During the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2023 and 2022, we did not purchase or cancel any shares pursuant to normal course issuer bids.

 

(c)Subsidiary with significant non-controlling interest

 

Our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary is incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and has geographically dispersed operations with principal places of business in Asia, Central America, Europe and North America.

 

Changes in interests during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and which are reflected in the Consolidated statement of changes in owners’ equity, are set out in the following table.

 

   Economic interest 1    Voting interest 1  
Nine-month periods ended September 30  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Interest in TELUS International (Cda) Inc., beginning of period   56.6%   55.1%   72.4%   70.9%
Effect of                    
Issue of subordinate voting shares as consideration in business acquisition (Note 18(b))   (1.4)       (0.2)    
TELUS Corporation acquisition of shares from non-controlling interests 2    0.9    1.0    1.2    1.5 
Share-based compensation and other   (0.1)            
Interest in TELUS International (Cda) Inc., end of period   56.0%   56.1%   73.4%   72.4%

 

1Due to the voting rights associated with the multiple voting shares held by TELUS Corporation, our economic and voting interests subsequent to the initial public offering differ.
2Acquisition of shares from non-controlling interests for $57 million (2022 – $85 million), of which $32 million (2022 – $61 million) was charged to amounts recorded in owners’ equity for contributed surplus and the balance was charged to non-controlling interests.

 

Summarized financial information

 

Summarized financial information of our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. subsidiary is set out in the following table.

 

   Three months   Nine months     
As at, or for the periods ended, (millions) 1   September 30,
2023
   September 30,
2022
   September 30,
2023
   September 30,
2022
   December 31,
2022
 
Statement of financial position                         
Current assets            $1,120        $926 
Non-current assets            $5,524        $3,875 
Current liabilities            $990        $733 
Non-current liabilities            $2,961        $1,581 
Statement of income and other comprehensive income                         
Revenue and other income  $889   $803   $2,713   $2,359      
Net income (loss)  $11   $78   $21   $193      
Comprehensive income (loss)  $38   $148   $7   $225      
Statement of cash flows                         
Cash provided by operating activities  $201   $158   $344   $419      
Cash used by investing activities  $(28)  $(25)  $(1,231)  $(115)     
Cash provided (used) by financing activities  $(186)  $(98)  $896   $(251)     

 

1As required by IFRS-IASB, this summarized financial information excludes inter-company eliminations.

 

29contingent liabilities

 

(a)Claims and lawsuits

 

General

 

A number of claims and lawsuits (including class actions and intellectual property infringement claims) seeking damages and other relief are pending against us and, in some cases, other mobile carriers and telecommunications service providers. As well, we have received notice of, or are aware of, certain possible claims (including intellectual property infringement claims) against us and, in some cases, other mobile carriers and telecommunications service providers.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 47

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

It is not currently possible for us to predict the outcome of such claims, possible claims and lawsuits due to various factors, including: the preliminary nature of some claims; uncertain damage theories and demands; an incomplete factual record; uncertainty concerning legal theories and procedures and their resolution by the courts, at both the trial and the appeal levels; and the unpredictable nature of opposing parties and their demands.

 

However, subject to the foregoing limitations, management is of the opinion, based upon legal assessments and information presently available, that it is unlikely that any liability, to the extent not provided for through insurance or otherwise, would have a material effect on our financial position and the results of our operations, including cash flows, with the exception of the items enumerated following.

 

Certified class actions

 

Certified class actions against us include the following:

 

Per minute billing class action

 

In 2008, a class action was brought in Ontario against us alleging breach of contract, breach of the Ontario Consumer Protection Act, breach of the Competition Act and unjust enrichment, in connection with our practice of “rounding up” mobile airtime to the nearest minute and charging for the full minute. The action sought certification of a national class. In November 2014, an Ontario class only was certified by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in relation to the breach of contract, breach of Consumer Protection Act, and unjust enrichment claims; all appeals of the certification decision have now been exhausted. At the same time, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declined to stay the claims of our business customers, notwithstanding an arbitration clause in our customer service agreements with those customers. This latter decision was appealed and on May 31, 2017, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed our appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada granted us leave to appeal this decision and on April 4, 2019, granted our appeal and stayed the claims of business customers. Notice of this certified class action was provided to potential class members in 2022.

 

Call set-up time class actions

 

In 2005, a class action was brought against us in British Columbia alleging that we have engaged in deceptive trade practices in charging for incoming calls from the moment the caller connects to the network, and not from the moment the incoming call is connected to the recipient. In 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld a stay of all of the causes of action advanced by the plaintiff in this class action, with one exception, based on the arbitration clause that was included in our customer service agreements. The sole exception was the cause of action based on deceptive or unconscionable practices under the British Columbia Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, which the Supreme Court of Canada declined to stay. In January 2016, the British Columbia Supreme Court certified this class action in relation to the claim under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act. The class is limited to residents of British Columbia who contracted mobile services with us in the period from January 21, 1999, to April 2010. We have appealed the certification decision. A companion class action was brought against us in Alberta at the same time as the British Columbia class action. The Alberta class action duplicates the allegations in the British Columbia action, but has not proceeded to date and is not certified. Subject to a number of conditions, including court approval, we have now settled both the British Columbia and the Alberta class actions.

 

Uncertified class actions

 

Uncertified class actions against us include:

 

9-1-1 class actions

 

In 2008, a class action was brought in Saskatchewan against us and other Canadian telecommunications carriers alleging that, among other matters, we failed to provide proper notice of 9-1-1 charges to the public, have been deceitfully passing them off as government charges, and have charged 9-1-1 fees to customers who reside in areas where 9-1-1 service is not available. The plaintiffs advance causes of action in breach of contract, misrepresentation and false advertising and seek certification of a national class. A virtually identical class action was filed in Alberta at the same time, but the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench declared that class action expired against us as of 2009. No steps have been taken in this proceeding since 2016.

 

Public Mobile class actions

 

In 2014, class actions were brought against us in Quebec and Ontario on behalf of Public Mobile’s customers, alleging that changes to the technology, services and rate plans made by us contravene our statutory and common law obligations. In particular, the Quebec action alleges that our actions constitute a breach of the Quebec Consumer Protection Act, the Quebec Civil Code, and the Ontario Consumer Protection Act. On June 28, 2021, the Quebec Superior Court approved the discontinuance of this claim against TELUS. The Ontario class action alleges negligence, breach of express and implied warranty, breach of the Competition Act, unjust enrichment, and waiver of tort. No steps have been taken in this proceeding since it was filed and served.

 

48 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

Summary

 

We believe that we have good defences to the above matters. Should the ultimate resolution of these matters differ from management’s assessments and assumptions, a material adjustment to our financial position and the results of our operations, including cash flows, could result. Management’s assessments and assumptions include that reliable estimates of any such exposure cannot be made considering the continued uncertainty about: the nature of the damages that may be sought by the plaintiffs; the causes of action that are being, or may ultimately be, pursued; and, in the case of the uncertified class actions, the causes of action that may ultimately be certified.

 

(b)Concentration of labour

 

In October 2021, we commenced collective bargaining with the Telecommunications Workers Union, United Steelworkers Local 1944 (TWU), to renew the collective agreement that expired on December 31, 2021. In early March 2023, the TWU and ourselves reached a tentative four-year collective agreement which would be subject to ratification by members of the TWU. On March 17, 2023, the TWU and ourselves announced that the ratification process was completed with a majority of the TWU members who cast their ballots voting to accept the tentative agreement. The new collective agreement with the TWU is effective from April 16, 2023, to March 31, 2027, and currently covers less than 4,500 team members nationally.

 

30related party transactions

 

(a)Transactions with key management personnel

 

Our key management personnel have authority and responsibility for overseeing, planning, directing and controlling our activities and consist of our Board of Directors and our Executive Team.

 

Total compensation expense for key management personnel, and the composition thereof, is as follows:

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Short-term benefits  $5   $4   $16   $12 
Post-employment pension 1 and other benefits   5    2    9    9 
Share-based compensation 2    8    17    35    57 
   $18   $23   $60   $78 

 

1Our Executive Team members are members of our Pension Plan for Management and Professional Employees of TELUS Corporation and certain other non-registered, non-contributory supplementary defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans.
2We accrue an expense for the notional subset of our restricted share units with market performance conditions using a fair value determined by a Monte Carlo simulation. Restricted share units with an equity settlement feature are accounted for as equity instruments. The expense for restricted share units that do not ultimately vest is reversed against the expense that was previously recorded in their respect.

 

As disclosed in Note 14, we made initial awards of share-based compensation in 2023 and 2022, including, as set out in the following table, to our key management personnel. As most of these awards are cliff-vesting or graded-vesting and have multi-year requisite service periods, the related expense is being recognized rateably over a period of years and thus only a portion of the 2023 and 2022 initial awards are included in the amounts in the table above.

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30  2023   2022 
($ in millions)  Number of
units
   Notional
value 1 
   Grant-date
fair value 1 
   Number of units   Notional
value 1 
   Grant-date
fair value 1 
 
TELUS Corporation                              
Restricted share units   1,220,549   $33   $35    1,007,431   $32   $39 
TELUS International (Cda) Inc.                              
Restricted share units   353,789    10    10    265,617    9    9 
        $43   $45        $41   $48 

 

1The notional value of restricted share units is determined by multiplying the equity share price at the time of award by the number of units awarded; the grant-date fair value differs from the notional value because the fair values of some awards have been determined using a Monte Carlo simulation (see Note 14(b)). The notional value of share options has been determined using an option pricing model.

 

The amount recorded for liability-accounted restricted share units and share options outstanding as at September 30, 2023, was $NIL (December 31, 2022 – $1 million).

 

Our Directors’ Deferred Share Unit Plan provides that, in addition to his or her annual equity grant of deferred share units, a director may elect to receive his or her annual retainer and meeting fees in deferred share units, TELUS Corporation Common Shares or cash. Deferred share units entitle directors to a specified number of TELUS Corporation Common Shares. Deferred share units accounted for as liabilities have been paid out when a director ceased to be a director, for any reason, at a time elected by the director in accordance with the Directors’ Deferred Share Unit Plan; during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, no amounts were paid out. As at September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, no liability-accounted share-based compensation awards were outstanding.

 

  September 30, 2023 | 49

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

Employment agreements with members of the Executive Team typically provide for severance payments if an executive’s employment is terminated without cause: generally, 18–24 months of base salary, benefits and accrual of pension service in lieu of notice, and 50% of base salary in lieu of an annual cash bonus. In the event of a change in control, Executive Team members are not entitled to treatment any different than that given to our other employees with respect to non-vested share-based compensation.

 

(b)Transactions with defined benefit pension plans

 

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, we provided our defined benefit pension plans with management and administrative services on a cost recovery basis and actuarial services on an arm’s-length basis; the charges for these services amounted to $2 million (2022 – $2 million) and $7 million (2022 – $6 million), respectively.

 

(c)Transactions with real estate joint ventures and associate

 

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we had transactions with the real estate joint ventures, which are related parties, as set out in Note 21. As at September 30, 2023, we had recorded lease liabilities of $85 million (December 31, 2022 – $87 million) in respect of our TELUS Sky leases, and monthly cash payments are made in accordance with the lease agreements; one-third of those amounts is due to our economic interest in the real estate joint venture.

 

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, we increased our investment in Miovision Technologies Incorporated, as set out in Note 21(b).

 

31additional statement of cash flow information

 

(a)Statements of cash flows – operating activities and investing activities

 

   Three months   Nine months 
Periods ended September 30 (millions)  Note   2023   2022   2023   2022 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                         
Net change in non-cash operating working capital                         
Accounts receivable       $(124)  $(192)  $40   $(163)
Inventories        30    (62)   (13)   (51)
Contract assets        4    5    18    43 
Prepaid expenses        33    (42)   (153)   (214)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities        108    210    (417)   53 
Income and other taxes receivable and payable, net        33    67    (22)   137 
Advance billings and customer deposits        (5)   (17)   39    (24)
Provisions        105    23    179    9 
        $184   $(8)  $(329)  $(210)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                         
Cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences                         
Capital asset additions                         
Gross capital expenditures                         
Property, plant and equipment    17   $(703)  $(928)  $(2,074)  $(2,518)
Intangible assets subject to amortization   18    (246)   (297)   (720)   (745)
         (949)   (1,225)   (2,794)   (3,263)
Additions arising from leases    17    180    300    505    451 
Capital expenditures   5    (769)   (925)   (2,289)   (2,812)
Effect of asset retirement obligations                    222 
         (769)   (925)   (2,289)   (2,590)
Other non-cash items included above                         
Change in associated non-cash investing working capital        24    93    (209)   (49)
Non-cash change in asset retirement obligation                    (222)
         24    93    (209)   (271)
        $(745)  $(832)  $(2,498)  $(2,861)

 

50 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

(b)Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

 

   Three-month period ended September 30, 2022   Three-month period ended September 30, 2023 
       Statement of cash flows   Non-cash changes           Statement of cash flows   Non-cash changes     
(millions)  Beginning of
period
   Issued or
received
   Redemptions,
repayments or
payments
   Foreign
exchange
movement
(Note 4(e))
   Other   End of period   Beginning of
period
   Issued or
received
   Redemptions,
repayments or
payments
   Foreign
exchange
movement
(Note 4(e))
   Other   End of period 
Dividends payable to holders of Common Shares  $467   $   $(467)  $   $480   $480   $526   $   $(526)  $   $529   $529 
Dividends reinvested in shares from Treasury           170        (170)               188        (188)    
   $467   $   $(297)  $   $310   $480   $526   $   $(338)  $   $341   $529 
Short-term borrowings  $279   $305   $(487)  $   $7   $104   $594   $17   $(507)  $   $   $104 
Long-term debt                                                            
TELUS Corporation senior notes  $16,459   $2,000   $   $267   $(17)  $18,709   $18,564   $1,750   $   $91   $(12)  $20,393 
TELUS Corporation commercial paper   1,922    1,342    (2,064)   101        1,301    1,944    1,008    (1,576)   41        1,417 
TELUS Corporation credit facilities       1,594                1,594    1,144                    1,144 
TELUS Communications Inc. debentures   199                    199    199                    199 
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility   984        (74)   63    1    974    2,023    50    (208)   43    1    1,909 
Other   300        (547)       542    295    298        (6)           292 
Lease liabilities   1,764        (118)   3    418    2,067    2,416        (135)   5    193    2,479 
Derivatives used to manage currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt – liability (asset)   (172)   2,071    (2,027)   (399)   271    (256)   72    1,595    (1,595)   (161)   (1)   (90)
    21,456    7,007    (4,830)   35    1,215    24,883    26,660    4,403    (3,520)   19    181    27,743 
To eliminate effect of gross settlement of derivatives used to manage currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt       (2,071)   2,071                    (1,595)   1,595             
   $21,456   $4,936   $(2,759)  $35   $1,215   $24,883   $26,660   $2,808   $(1,925)  $19   $181   $27,743 

 

  September 30, 2023 | 51

 

 

 

notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements   (unaudited)

 

   Nine-month period ended September 30, 2022   Nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 
       Statement of cash flows   Non-cash changes           Statement of cash flows   Non-cash changes     
(millions)  Beginning of
period
   Issued or
received
   Redemptions,
repayments or
payments
   Foreign
exchange
movement
(Note 4(e))
   Other   End of period   Beginning of
period
   Issued or
received
   Redemptions,
repayments or
payments
   Foreign
exchange
movement
(Note 4(e))
   Other   End of period 
Dividends payable to holders of Common Shares  $449   $   $(1,366)  $   $1,397   $480   $502   $   $(1,534)  $   $1,561   $529 
Dividends reinvested in shares from Treasury           486        (486)               558        (558)    
   $449   $   $(880)  $   $911   $480   $502   $   $(976)  $   $1,003   $529 
Short-term borrowings  $114   $480   $(497)  $   $7   $104   $104   $607   $(607)  $   $   $104 
Long-term debt                                                            
TELUS Corporation senior notes  $15,258   $3,143   $   $333   $(25)  $18,709   $18,660   $2,250   $(500)  $(8)  $(9)  $20,393 
TELUS Corporation commercial paper   1,900    4,245    (4,976)   132        1,301    1,458    4,712    (4,752)   (1)       1,417 
TELUS Corporation credit facilities       1,594                1,594    1,145                (1)   1,144 
TELUS Communications Inc. debentures   448        (249)           199    199                    199 
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility   1,062    11    (181)   80    2    974    914    1,363    (356)   (14)   2    1,909 
Other   308        (661)       648    295    321        (179)       150    292 
Lease liabilities   1,876        (366)   (2)   559    2,067    2,340        (394)   11    522    2,479 
Derivatives used to manage currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt – liability (asset)   4    4,997    (4,952)   (534)   229    (256)   (80)   4,789    (4,803)   (1)   5    (90)
    20,856    13,990    (11,385)   9    1,413    24,883    24,957    13,114    (10,984)   (13)   669    27,743 
To eliminate effect of gross settlement of derivatives used to manage currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt       (4,997)   4,997                    (4,789)   4,789             
   $20,856   $8,993   $(6,388)  $9   $1,413   $24,883   $24,957   $8,325   $(6,195)  $(13)  $669   $27,743 

 

52 | September 30, 2023  

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

 

 

 

TELUS CORPORATION

 

Management’s discussion and analysis

 

2023 Q3

 

  

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

 

 

The terms TELUS, the Company, we, us and our refer to TELUS Corporation and, where the context of the narrative permits or requires, its subsidiaries.

 

This document contains forward-looking statements about expected events and our financial and operating performance. Forward-looking statements include any statements that do not refer to historical facts. They include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our objectives and our strategies to achieve those objectives, our expectations regarding trends in the telecommunications industry (including demand for data and ongoing subscriber base growth), and our financing plans (including our multi-year dividend growth program). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the words assumption, goal, guidance, objective, outlook, strategy, target and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as aim, anticipate, believe, could, expect, intend, may, plan, predict, seek, should, strive and will. These statements are made pursuant to the “safe harbour” provisions of applicable securities laws in Canada and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions, including assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. These assumptions may ultimately prove to have been inaccurate and, as a result, our actual results or other events may differ materially from expectations expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Updates to the assumptions on which our 2023 outlook is based are presented in Section 9 Update to general trends, outlook and assumptions, and regulatory developments and proceedings in this Management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A).

 

Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or other events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in other TELUS filings include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Regulatory matters including: changes to our regulatory regime (the timing of announcement or implementation of which are uncertain) or the outcomes of proceedings, cases or inquiries relating to its application, including but not limited to those set out in Section 9.1 Communications industry regulatory developments and proceedings in this MD&A, such as the potential for government to allow consolidation of competitors in our industry or conversely for government to intervene with the intent of further increasing competition, for example, through mandated wholesale access; the potential for additional government intervention on pricing, including internet overage charges and roaming fees; federal and provincial consumer protection legislation; the introduction of new privacy legislation by the federal, provincial or territorial governments or in non-Canadian jurisdictions where we do business that could materially expand or alter the scope of consumer privacy rights, include significant administrative monetary penalties and a private right of action, and implement a new regulatory regime for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the private sector, with significant enforcement powers; amendments to existing federal legislation; potential threats to unitary federal regulatory authority over communications in Canada; potential threats to the CRTC’s ability to enforce competitive safeguards such as the Standstill Rule and the Wholesale Code, which aim to ensure the fair treatment by vertically integrated firms of rival competitors operating as both broadcasting distributors and programming services; regulatory action by the Competition Bureau or other regulatory agencies; spectrum allocation and compliance with licences, including our compliance with licence conditions, changes to spectrum licence fees, spectrum policy determinations such as restrictions on the purchase, sale, subordination, use and transfer of spectrum licences, the cost and availability of spectrum and timing of spectrum allocation, and ongoing and future consultations and decisions on spectrum licensing and policy frameworks, auctions and allocation; draft legislation permitting the government to restrict the use in telecommunications networks of equipment made by specified companies, including Huawei and ZTE; draft legislation imposing new cybersecurity reporting requirements; the request by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry to telecommunications service providers, including TELUS, to improve network resiliency, along with CRTC proceedings to investigate network reliability and resiliency; potential limitations on international roaming fees and ancillary service fees; restrictions on non-Canadian ownership and control of the common shares of TELUS Corporation (Common Shares) and the ongoing monitoring of, and compliance with, such restrictions; unanticipated changes to the current copyright regime, which could impact obligations for internet service providers or broadcasting undertakings; our ability to comply with complex and changing regulation of the healthcare, virtual care, and medical devices industries in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including as an operator of health clinics; and risks related to the quality of care and provision of insured/uninsured services. The jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as the contracts that we enter into (particularly contracts entered into by TELUS International (Cda) Inc. (TELUS International or TI)), require us to comply with, or facilitate our clients’ compliance with, numerous, complex and sometimes conflicting legal regimes, both domestically and internationally. See TELUS International’s financial performance which impacts our financial performance below.

 

Competitive environment including: our ability to continue to retain customers through an enhanced customer service experience that is differentiated from our competitors, including through the deployment and operation of evolving network infrastructure; intense competition, including the ability of industry competitors to successfully combine a mix of new service offerings, in some cases under one bundled and/or discounted monthly rate, along with their existing services; the success of new products, services and supporting systems, such as home automation, security and Internet of Things (IoT) services for internet-connected devices; continued intense competition across all services among telecommunications companies, cable companies, other communications companies and over-the-top (OTT) services, which, among other things, places pressures on current and future average revenue per subscriber per month (ARPU), cost of acquisition, cost of retention and churn rates for all services, as do market conditions, government actions, customer usage patterns, increased data bucket sizes or flat-rate pricing trends for voice and data, inclusive rate plans for voice and data, and availability of Wi-Fi networks for data; consolidation, mergers and acquisitions of industry competitors (including the acquisition of Shaw by Rogers and associated assets divested to Videotron) as well as any related regulatory actions; subscriber additions, losses and retention volumes; our ability to obtain and offer content on a timely basis across multiple devices on mobile and TV platforms at a reasonable cost as content costs per unit continue to grow; vertical integration in the broadcasting industry resulting in competitors owning broadcast content services, and timely and effective enforcement of related regulatory safeguards; TI’s ability to compete with professional services companies that offer consulting services, information technology companies with digital capabilities, and traditional contact centre and business process outsourcing companies that are expanding their capabilities to offer higher-margin and higher-growth digital services; in our TELUS Health business, our ability to compete with other providers of employee and family assistance programs, benefits administration, electronic medical records and pharmacy management products, claims adjudicators, systems integrators and health service providers, including competitors with a vertically integrated mix of health services delivery, IT solutions and related services, global providers that could achieve expanded Canadian footprints, and providers of virtual healthcare services, preventative health services and personal emergency response services; and in our TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods business, our ability to compete with focused software and IoT competitors.

 

 Page 2 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

 

Technology including: reduced utilization and increased commoditization of traditional fixed voice services (local and long distance) resulting from impacts of OTT applications and mobile substitution; a declining overall market for TV services, resulting in part from content piracy and signal theft, a rise in OTT direct-to-consumer video offerings and virtual multichannel video programming distribution platforms; the increasing number of households with only mobile and/or internet-based telephone services; potential decline in ARPU as a result of, among other factors, substitution by messaging and OTT applications; substitution by increasingly available Wi-Fi services; disruptive technologies, such as OTT IP services, including software-defined networks in the business market that may displace or cause us to reprice our existing data services, and self-installed technology solutions; and any failure to innovate, maintain technological advantages or respond effectively and in a timely manner to changes in technology.

 

Challenges to our ability to deploy technology including: high subscriber demand for data that challenges wireless networks and spectrum capacity levels and may be accompanied by increases in delivery cost; our reliance on information technology and our ability to continually streamline our legacy systems; the roll-out, anticipated benefits and efficiencies, and ongoing evolution of wireless broadband technologies and systems, including video distribution platforms and telecommunications network technologies, broadband initiatives (such as fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP), wireless small-cell deployment and 5G wireless); availability of resources and our ability to build out adequate broadband capacity; our reliance on wireless network access agreements, which have facilitated our deployment of mobile technologies; our choice of suppliers and those suppliers’ ability to maintain and service their product lines, which could affect the success of upgrades to, and evolution of, technology that we offer; supplier limitations and concentration and market power for products such as network equipment, TELUS TV® and mobile handsets; our expected long-term need to acquire additional spectrum capacity through future spectrum auctions and from third parties to address increasing demand for data, and our ability to utilize spectrum we acquire; deployment and operation of new fixed broadband network technologies at a reasonable cost and the availability and success of new products and services to be rolled out using such network technologies; network reliability and change management; and our deployment of self-learning tools and automation, which may change the way we interact with customers.

 

Capital expenditure levels and potential outlays for spectrum licences in auctions or purchases from third parties affect and are affected by: our broadband initiatives, including connecting more homes and businesses directly to fibre; our ongoing deployment of newer mobile technologies, including wireless small cells that can improve coverage and capacity; investments in network technology required to comply with laws and regulations relating to the security of cyber systems, including bans on the products and services of certain vendors; investments in network resiliency and reliability; the allocation of resources to acquisitions and future spectrum auctions held by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), including the auction of 3800 MHz spectrum that commenced in October 2023, and the millimetre wave spectrum auction, which is expected to commence in 2024. Our capital expenditure levels could be impacted if we do not achieve our targeted operational and financial results or if there are changes to our regulatory environment.

 

Operational performance and business combination risks including: our reliance on legacy systems and our ability to implement and support new products and services and business operations in a timely manner; our ability to manage the requirements of large enterprise deals; our ability to implement effective change management for system replacements and upgrades, process redesigns, cost efficiency programs and business integrations (such as our ability in a timely manner to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions into our operations and culture, complete divestitures or establish partnerships and realize expected strategic benefits, including those following compliance with any regulatory orders); our ability to identify and manage new risks inherent in new service offerings that we may provide, including as a result of acquisitions, which could result in damage to our brand, our business in the relevant area or as a whole, and additional exposure to litigation or regulatory proceedings; our ability to effectively manage the growth of our infrastructure and integrate new team members; and our reliance on third-party cloud-based computing services to deliver our IT services.

 

Security and data protection including: risks that malfunctions or unlawful acts could result in unauthorized access or change to, or loss or distribution of, data that may compromise the privacy of individuals and could result in financial loss and harm to our reputation and brand.

 

Security threats including: intentional damage, unauthorized access or attempted access to our physical assets or our IT systems and network, or those of our customers or vendors, which could prevent us from providing reliable service or result in unauthorized access to our information or that of our customers.

 

Business continuity events including: our ability to maintain customer service and operate our network in the event of human error or human-caused threats, such as cyberattacks and equipment failures that could cause various degrees of network outages; technical disruptions and infrastructure breakdowns; supply chain disruptions, delays and rising costs, including as a result of government restrictions or trade actions; natural disaster threats; extreme weather events; epidemics; pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic); political instability in certain international locations, including war and other geopolitical developments; information security and privacy breaches, including loss or theft of data; and the completeness and effectiveness of business continuity and disaster recovery plans and responses.

 

 Page 3 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

 

Our team including: recruitment, retention and appropriate training in a highly competitive industry (including retention of team members leading recent acquired businesses in emerging areas of our business), the level of our employee engagement and impact on engagement or other aspects of our business or any unresolved collective agreements, our ability to maintain our unique culture and team member engagement as we grow and implement organizational changes and cost reduction initiatives, the risk that certain independent contractors in our business could be classified as employees, and the physical and mental health of our team, which are critical to engagement and productivity.

 

Environment, health and safety including: loss of employee work time as a result of illness or injury; public concerns related to radio frequency emissions; environmental issues including climate-related risks (such as extreme weather events and other natural hazards), waste and waste recycling, risks relating to fuel systems on our properties and the environmental impact of our network including legacy network equipment, changing government and public expectations regarding environmental matters and our responses; and challenges associated with epidemics or pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and our response to it, which may add to or accentuate these factors.

 

Energy use including: our ability to identify, procure and implement solutions to reduce energy consumption and adopt cleaner sources of energy; our ability to identify and make suitable investments in renewable energy, including in the form of virtual power purchase agreements; our ability to continue to realize significant absolute reductions in energy use and the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our operations (in part as a result of programs and initiatives focused on our buildings and network); and other risks associated with achieving our goals to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce our GHG emissions by 2030.

 

Real estate matters including: risks associated with our real estate investments, such as financing risks and uncertain future demand, occupancy and rental rates, especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Financing, debt and dividend requirements including: our ability to carry out financing activities, refinance our maturing debt, lower our net debt to EBITDA ratio to our objective range given the cash demands of spectrum auctions, and/or our ability to maintain investment-grade credit ratings. Our business plans and growth could be negatively affected if existing financing is not sufficient to cover our funding requirements.

 

Lower than planned free cash flow could constrain our ability to invest in operations, reduce leverage or return capital to shareholders. This program may be affected by factors such as the competitive environment, fluctuations in the Canadian economy or the global economy, our earnings and free cash flow (which may be affected by restructuring and other costs resulting from initiatives such as post-acquisition integration and cost efficiency programs), our levels of capital expenditures and spectrum licence purchases, acquisitions, the management of our capital structure, regulatory decisions and developments, and business continuity events. Quarterly dividend decisions are subject to assessment and determination by our Board of Directors based on our financial position and outlook. There can be no assurance that our dividend growth program will be maintained through 2025 or renewed.

 

Tax matters including: interpretation of complex domestic and foreign tax laws by the relevant tax authorities that may differ from our interpretations; the timing and character of income and deductions, such as depreciation and operating expenses; tax credits or other attributes; changes in tax laws, including tax rates; tax expenses that are materially different than anticipated, including the taxability of income and deductibility of tax attributes or retroactive application of new legislation; elimination of income tax deferrals through the use of different tax year-ends for operating partnerships and corporate partners; and changes to the interpretation of tax laws, including those resulting from changes to applicable accounting standards or the adoption of more aggressive auditing practices by tax authorities, tax reassessments or adverse court decisions impacting the tax payable by us.

 

The economy including: the state of the economy in Canada, which may be influenced by economic and other developments outside of Canada, including potential outcomes of future policies and actions of foreign governments, as well as public and private sector, responses to pandemics; expectations regarding future interest rates; inflation; unemployment levels; immigration levels; effects of volatility in oil prices; effects of low business spending (such as reducing investments and cost structure); pension investment returns and factors affecting pension benefit obligations, funding and solvency discount rates; fluctuations in exchange rates of the currencies of various countries in which we operate; sovereign credit ratings and effects on the cost of borrowing; the impact of tariffs on trade between Canada and the United States; and global implications of the dynamics of trade relationships among major world economies.

 

Ability to successfully implement cost reduction initiatives and realize planned savings, net of restructuring and other costs, without losing customer service focus or negatively affecting business operations. Examples of these initiatives are: our operating efficiency and effectiveness program to drive improvements in financial results; business integrations; business product simplification; business process automation and outsourcing; offshoring and reorganizations; procurement initiatives; and real estate rationalization.

 

Litigation and legal matters including: our ability to successfully respond to investigations and regulatory proceedings; our ability to defend against existing and potential claims and lawsuits (including intellectual property infringement claims and class actions based on consumer claims, data, privacy or security breaches and secondary market liability), or to negotiate and exercise indemnity rights or other protections in respect of such claims and lawsuits; and the complexity of legal compliance in domestic and foreign jurisdictions, including compliance with competition, anti-bribery and foreign corrupt practices laws.

 

 Page 4 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

 

Foreign operations and our ability to successfully manage operations in foreign jurisdictions, including managing risks such as currency fluctuations and exposure to various economic, international trade, political and other risks of doing business globally. See also Section 10.3 Regulatory matters in our 2022 annual MD&A and TELUS International’s financial performance which impacts our financial performance.

 

TELUS International’s financial performance which impacts our financial performance. Factors that may affect TI’s financial performance are described in TI’s public filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR and may include: intense competition from companies offering similar services; our ability to expand and retain existing client relationships and attract new clients; attracting and retaining qualified team members to support its operations; the inelasticity of TI’s labour costs relative to short-term movements in client demand could have adverse impacts on the business; TI’s ability to grow and maintain profitability if changes in technology or client expectations outpace service offerings and internal tools and processes; the timing and success of TI’s cost efficiency programs; TI maintaining its culture as it grows; the effects of global economic and geopolitical conditions on TI and its clients’ businesses and demand for its services; TI’s ability to respond to reductions in client demand in a timely and cost-effective manner whether due to labour and employment laws or otherwise; the significant portion of TI’s revenue that is dependent on a limited number of large clients, two of which (excluding TELUS) each accounted for more than 10% of our digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International (DLCX) revenue; continued consolidation in many of the verticals in which TI offers services resulting in potential client loss; the adverse impact on TI’s business if certain independent contractors were classified as employees, and the costs associated with defending, settling or resolving any future lawsuits (including demands for arbitration) relating to the independent contractor classification; TI’s ability to successfully identify, complete, integrate and realize the benefits of acquisitions and manage associated risks; cyberattacks or unauthorized disclosure resulting in access to sensitive or confidential information and data of its clients or their end customers, which could have a negative impact on its reputation and client confidence; TI’s business not developing in ways it currently anticipates due to negative public reaction to offshore outsourcing, proposed legislation or otherwise; ability to meet client expectations regarding its content moderation services being adversely impacted due to factors beyond its control and its content moderation team members suffering adverse emotional or cognitive effects in the course of performing their work; and TI’s short history operating as a separate, publicly traded company. TELUS International’s primary functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and the contribution to our consolidated results of positive results in our DLCX segment may be offset by any strengthening of the Canadian dollar (our reporting currency) compared to the U.S. dollar, the European euro, the Philippine peso and the currencies of other countries in which TI operates. The trading price of the subordinate voting shares of TI (TI Subordinate Voting Shares) may be volatile and is likely to fluctuate due to a number of factors beyond its control, including actual or anticipated changes in profitability; general economic, social or political developments; changes in industry conditions; changes in governance regulation; inflation; low trading volume; the general state of the securities markets; and other material events. TI may choose to publicize targets or provide other guidance regarding its business and it may not achieve such targets. Failure to do so could also result in a decline in the trading price of the TI Subordinate Voting Shares. A decline in the trading price of the TI Subordinate Voting Shares due to these or other factors could result in a decrease in the fair value of TI multiple voting shares held by TELUS.

 

These risks are described in additional detail in Section 9 General trends, outlook and assumptions, and regulatory developments and proceedings and Section 10 Risks and risk management in our 2022 annual MD&A. Those descriptions are incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement but are not intended to be a complete list of the risks that could affect the Company.

 

Many of these factors are beyond our control or outside of our current expectations or knowledge. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation. Except as otherwise indicated in this document, the forward-looking statements made herein do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or special items or any mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or other business combinations or transactions that may be announced or that may occur after the date of this document.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this document describe our expectations, and are based on our assumptions, as at the date of this document and are subject to change after this date. Except as required by law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

This cautionary statement qualifies all of the forward-looking statements in this MD&A.

 

 Page 5 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

Management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) 

November 3, 2023 

 

Contents

Section Description
1. Introduction

1.1 Preparation of the MD&A 

1.2 The environment in which we operate 

1.3 Consolidated highlights 

2. Core business and strategy  
3. Corporate priorities for 2023  
4. Capabilities

4.1 Principal markets addressed and competition 

4.2 Operational resources 

4.3 Liquidity and capital resources 

4.4 Changes in internal control over financial reporting and limitations on scope of design 

5. Discussion of operations

5.1 General 

5.2 Summary of consolidated quarterly results and trends 

5.3 Consolidated operations 

5.4 TELUS technology solutions segment 

5.5 Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International segment 

6. Changes in financial position  
7. Liquidity and capital resources

7.1 Overview 

7.2 Cash provided by operating activities 

7.3 Cash used by investing activities 

7.4 Cash provided by financing activities 

7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures 

7.6 Credit facilities 

7.7 Sale of trade receivables 

7.8 Credit ratings 

7.9 Financial instruments, commitments and contingent liabilities 

7.10 Outstanding share information 

7.11 Transactions between related parties 

8. Accounting matters

8.1 Critical accounting estimates and judgments 

8.2 Accounting policy developments 

9. Update to general trends, outlook and assumptions, and regulatory developments and proceedings 9.1 Communications industry regulatory developments and proceedings
10. Risks and risk management  
11. Definitions and reconciliations

11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures 

11.2 Operating indicators 

 

© 2023 TELUS Corporation. All rights reserved. The symbols ™ and ® indicate trademarks owned by TELUS Corporation or its subsidiaries used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 Page 6 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

1.Introduction

 

The forward-looking statements in this section, including, for example, estimates regarding economic growth, inflation, unemployment, housing starts and immigration, are qualified by the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this Management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A).

 

1.1 Preparation of the MD&A

 

The following sections are a discussion of our consolidated financial position and financial performance for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, and should be read together with our September 30, 2023 condensed interim consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income, statements of financial position, statements of changes in owners’ equity and statements of cash flows, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the interim consolidated financial statements). The generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that we use are International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Canadian GAAP. In this MD&A, the term IFRS refers to these standards. In our discussion, we also use certain non-GAAP and other specified financial measures to evaluate our performance, monitor compliance with debt covenants and manage our capital structure. These measures are defined, qualified and reconciled with their nearest GAAP measures, as required by National Instrument 52-112, Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure, in Section 11.1. All currency amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.

 

Additional information relating to the Company, including our Annual Information Form and other filings with securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada, is available on SEDAR+ (sedarplus.com). Our information filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States, including Form 40-F, is available on EDGAR (sec.gov). Additional information about our TELUS International (Cda) Inc. (TELUS International or TI) subsidiary, including discussion of its business and results, can be found in its public filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR.

 

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that all relevant information is gathered and reported to senior management on a timely basis, so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding public disclosure. This MD&A and the interim consolidated financial statements were reviewed by our Audit Committee and authorized by our Board of Directors (Board) for issuance on November 3, 2023.

 

In this MD&A, unless otherwise indicated, results for the third quarter of 2023 (three-month period ended September 30, 2023) and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 are compared with results for the third quarter of 2022 (three-month period ended September 30, 2022) and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022.

 

1.2 The environment in which we operate

 

The success of our business and the challenges we face can best be understood with reference to the environment in which we operate, including broader economic factors that affect our customers and us, and the competitive nature of our business operations.

 

TELUS technology solutions (TTech)

 

Across TTech, we are leveraging our leading technology and compassion to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our long-standing commitment to putting our customers first across the full range of our solutions spanning mobile, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video and security, delivered over our award-winning networks, has made us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. The accolades we have earned over the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms highlight the speed, reliability and expansiveness of our leading networks, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that matter most. The healthcare industry continues to move toward digitization of everyday functions within the healthcare ecosystem. We are helping Canadians and others live healthier lives by leveraging technology that enables access to health information and delivers improved health outcomes with solutions such as employer-focused healthcare. We are also developing innovative technology solutions to help feed the world, putting data to work for customers in the agriculture, food and consumer goods sectors. This efficient and effective collaboration helps ensure the quality and safety of food and consumer goods.

 

Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International (DLCX)

 

Technology is transforming the way businesses interact with their customers at an accelerating pace and scale and, across industries, customer experience has become a critically important competitive differentiator. DLCX clients and their customers have more information and more choices than ever before, and their expectations surrounding brand experiences and the speed at which companies must process and respond to customer interactions are changing rapidly. The proliferation of mobile devices, social media platforms and other methods of digital interaction has enabled customers to access information 24/7 and engage with companies through multiple digital channels. The COVID-19 pandemic had further accelerated the use of digital channels as the first, and sometimes only, point of customer interaction. Customers value a consistent and personalized experience across every channel when interacting with the companies that serve them. Businesses face pressure to engage with their customers across digital and human channels, and seek to do so by combining technology with an authentic human experience that demonstrates a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

Economic estimates

 

Our estimates regarding our economic and operational environment, including economic growth, inflation, unemployment, housing starts and immigration serve as important inputs for the assumptions on which our targets are based. The extent of the impact these estimates will have on us, and the timing of that impact, will depend upon the actual outcomes in specific sectors of the Canadian economy.

 

   Economic growth   Inflation   Unemployment   Housing starts   Immigration 
   (percentage points)   (percentage points)   (percentage points)   (thousands of units)   (thousands) 
   Estimated gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates   Our estimated GDP growth rates1   Estimated inflation rates   Our estimated annual inflation rates1   Unemployment rates  

Our estimated annual unemployment rates1

   Seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts2   Our estimated annual rate of housing starts on an unadjusted basis1   Overall planned permanent resident admissions3 
                   For the month of       For the month of         
                   Sept.   Sept.       Sept.   Sept.         
   2023   2023   2023   2023   20234   20224   2023   2023   2022   2023   2023 
Canada   1.25    1.2    3.95    3.9    5.5    5.2    5.5    270    300    236    465 
B.C.   1.26    0.8    3.96    3.9    5.4    4.3    5.3    40    54    47    n/a 
Alberta   3.06    2.1    3.16    3.4    5.7    5.5    5.9    49    41    32    n/a 
Ontario   1.26    1.2    2.26    3.6    6.0    5.8    5.6    104    136    86    n/a 
Quebec   0.66    0.6    3.56    4.2    4.4    4.4    4.4    53    50    41    n/a 

 

n/a – not applicable 

1Assumptions are as of September 29, 2023 and are based on a composite of estimates from Canadian banks and other sources.
2Source: Statistics Canada. Table 34-10-0158-01 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, housing starts, all areas, Canada and provinces, seasonally adjusted at annual rates, monthly (x 1,000).
3Source: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2023-2025.html.
4Source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, September 2023 and September 2022, respectively.
5Source: Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Report, September 2023.
6Source: British Columbia Ministry of Finance, First Quarterly Report, September 2023; Alberta Ministry of Treasury Board and Finance, 2023 – 24 First Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement, August 2023; Ontario Ministry of Finance, 2023 – 24 First Quarter Finances, August 14, 2023; and Ministère des Finances du Quebec, Budget 2023 – 2024, March 2023, respectively.

 

1.3 Consolidated highlights

 

Long-term debt issues

 

On September 5, 2023, we announced a three-tranche note offering of: $850 million of senior unsecured 5.75% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAK, maturing on September 8, 2033; $400 million of senior unsecured 5.95% Notes, Series CAL, maturing on September 8, 2053; and $500 million of senior unsecured 5.60% Notes, Series CAM, maturing on September 9, 2030. The net proceeds of the three-tranche offering will be used for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, including the repayment of commercial paper and the reduction of cash amounts outstanding under an arm’s length securitization trust, and for other general corporate purposes.

 

The Series CAK notes were issued pursuant to our sustainability-linked bond framework announced on June 14, 2021, linking financing costs to our environmental performance, and the issuance was our fifth bond offering under the framework. Our fourth sustainability-linked note in Canada, and fifth globally, solidifies us as the largest sustainability-linked bond issuer in Canada, contributing to our position as a leader in social capitalism.

 

Our Board of Directors

 

In October 2023, Kathy Kinloch stepped down from our Board. Kathy joined the Board in 2017 and during her tenure, served on the Audit, Corporate Governance and People, Culture and Compensation Committees. We thank Kathy for her outstanding contributions and service to TELUS.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

Consolidated highlights
 
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ millions, except footnotes and unless noted otherwise)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Consolidated statements of income                        
Operating revenues and other income   5,008    4,671    7.2%   14,918    13,354    11.7%
Operating income   517    796    (35.1)%   1,698    2,285    (25.7)%
Income before income taxes   165    762    (78.3)%   703    1,975    (64.4)%
Net income   137    551    (75.1)%   557    1,453    (61.7)%
Net income attributable to Common Shares   136    514    (73.5)%   553    1,367    (59.5)%
Adjusted Net income1   373    471    (20.8)%   1,032    1,308    (21.1)%
                               
Earnings per share (EPS) ($)                              
Basic EPS   0.09    0.37    (75.7)%   0.38    0.99    (61.6)%
Adjusted basic EPS1   0.25    0.34    (26.5)%   0.71    0.95    (25.3)%
Diluted EPS   0.09    0.37    (75.7)%   0.38    0.99    (61.6)%
Dividends declared per Common Share ($)   0.3636    0.3386    7.4%   1.0783    1.0046    7.3%
                               
Basic weighted-average Common Shares outstanding (millions)   1,454    1,398    4.0%   1,447    1,385    4.5%
Consolidated statements of cash flows                              
Cash provided by operating activities   1,307    1,300    0.5%   3,185    3,685    (13.6)%
                               
Cash used by investing activities   (791)   (1,917)   (58.7)%   (4,032)   (4,554)   (11.5)%
Acquisitions   (11)   (1,022)   (98.9)%   (1,273)   (1,502)   (15.2)%
Capital expenditures2   (769)   (925)   (16.9)%   (2,289)   (2,812)   (18.6)%
                               
Cash provided by financing activities   39    1,675    (97.7)%   1,077    1,586    (32.1)%
Other highlights                              
Telecom subscriber connections3 (thousands)                   18,935    17,670    7.2%
Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization1 (EBITDA)   1,517    1,646    (7.9)%   4,726    4,808    (1.7)%
EBITDA margin1 (%)   30.3    35.2     (4.9) pts.   31.7    36.0     (4.3) pts.
Restructuring and other costs   303    78    n/m    577    146    n/m 
Adjusted EBITDA1   1,820    1,724    5.5%   5,302    4,954    7.0%
Adjusted EBITDA margin1 (%)   36.3    36.9     (0.6) pts.    35.5    37.1    (1.6) pts.
Free cash flow1   355    331    7.3%   1,169    951    22.9%
Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs1 (times)                  3.82    3.44    0.38 

  

Notations used in MD&A: n/m – not meaningful; pts. – percentage points.  

 

1These are non-GAAP and other specified financial measures. See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.
2Capital expenditures include assets purchased, excluding right-of-use lease assets, but not yet paid for. Consequently, capital expenditures differ from Cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences, as reported in the interim consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 31 of the interim consolidated financial statements for further information.
3The sum of active mobile phone subscribers, connected device subscribers, internet subscribers, residential voice subscribers, TV subscribers and security subscribers, measured at the end of the respective periods based on information in billing and other source systems. Effective January 1, 2023, on a prospective basis, we adjusted our mobile phone and connected device subscriber bases to remove 50,000 subscribers and add 82,000 subscribers, respectively, due to a review of our subscriber bases. Effective January 1, 2023, on a prospective basis, we adjusted our internet subscriber base to add 70,000 subscribers as a result of business acquisitions.

 

Operating highlights

 

Consolidated Operating revenues and other income increased by $337 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1,564 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Service revenues increased by $340 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1,421 million in the first nine months of 2023. TTech service revenue growth was driven by growth in health services revenues inclusive of our acquisition of LifeWorks on September 1, 2022, higher mobile network revenues and an increase in fixed data service revenues. Increased DLCX revenues resulted from growth from expanded services for certain existing clients and growth from new clients, including new clients from our acquisition of WillowTree on January 3, 2023.

 

Equipment revenues increased by $10 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $159 million in the first nine months of 2023, driven by higher mobile equipment revenues, with the nine-month period experiencing higher contracted volumes.

 

Other income decreased by $13 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $16 million in the first nine months of 2023, largely due to lower reversals of business combination-related provisions in the current periods and a gain on acquisition of control of LifeWorks in the prior year. These effects were partly offset by higher net gains on the sale of assets.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

For additional details on Operating revenues and other income, see Section 5.4 TELUS technology solutions segment and Section 5.5 Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International segment.

 

Operating income decreased by $279 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $587 million in the first nine months of 2023. (See Section 5.3 Consolidated operations for additional details.)

 

EBITDA, which includes restructuring and other costs of $303 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $577 million in the first nine months of 2023 and other equity income related to real estate joint ventures, decreased by $129 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $82 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes restructuring and other costs and other equity income related to real estate joint ventures, increased by $96 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $348 million in the first nine months of 2023, driven by TTech growth. This reflected: (i) higher mobile network revenues; (ii) growth in health; (iii) lower headcount; and (iv) increased margins for internet and security. These factors were partly offset by: (i) merit-based compensation increases; (ii) higher costs related to the scaling of our digital capabilities; (iii) declining TV and fixed legacy voice margins; and (iv) a decline in DLCX contribution. (See Section 5.3 Consolidated operations for additional details.)

 

Income before income taxes decreased by $597 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1,272 million in the first nine months of 2023 as a result of higher Financing costs and lower Operating income. The increase in Financing costs largely resulted from greater interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities as well as the impact of virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element. (See Financing costs in Section 5.3.)

 

Income tax expense decreased by $183 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $376 million in the first nine months of 2023. The effective tax rate decreased from 27.7% to 17.2% in the third quarter of 2023 and from 26.4% to 20.8% in the first nine months of 2023, primarily driven by adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods.

 

Net income attributable to Common Shares decreased by $378 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $814 million in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting the after-tax impacts of higher Operating expenses, including higher depreciation and amortization, and higher Financing costs.

 

Adjusted Net income excludes the effects of restructuring and other costs, income tax-related adjustments, other equity income related to real estate joint ventures and virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element. Adjusted Net income decreased by $98 million or 20.8% in the third quarter of 2023 and $276 million or 21.1% in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Basic EPS decreased by $0.28 or 75.7% in the third quarter of 2023 and $0.61 or 61.6% in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting the after-tax impacts of higher Financing costs and lower Operating income, as well as the effect of a higher number of Common Shares outstanding.

 

Adjusted basic EPS excludes the effects of restructuring and other costs, income tax-related adjustments, other equity income related to real estate joint ventures and virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element. Adjusted basic EPS decreased by $0.09 or 26.5% in the third quarter of 2023 and $0.24 or 25.3% in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Dividends declared per Common Share were $0.3636 in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 7.4% from one year earlier. On November 2, 2023, the Board declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.3761 per share on our issued and outstanding Common Shares, payable on January 2, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 11, 2023. The fourth quarter dividend increased by $0.0250 per share or 7.1% from the $0.3511 per share dividend declared one year earlier, consistent with our multi-year dividend growth program described in Section 4.3 Liquidity and capital resources.

 

During the 12-month period ended on September 30, 2023, our total telecom subscriber connections increased by 1,265,000 or 7.2%. This reflected an increase of 4.0% in mobile phone subscribers, 23.2% in connected device subscribers, 9.2% in internet subscribers, 4.8% in TV subscribers and 8.7% in security subscribers, partly offset by a decline of 2.5% in residential voice subscribers. (See Section 5.4 TELUS technology solutions segment for additional details.)

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

Liquidity and capital resource highlights

 

Cash provided by operating activities increased by $7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and decreased by $500 million in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease for the nine-month period was primarily driven by other working capital changes and an increase in interest paid, partially offset by lower restructuring and other costs disbursements, net of expense. (See Section 7.2 Cash provided by operating activities.)

 

Cash used by investing activities decreased by $1,126 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily resulting from business acquisitions, as the LifeWorks acquisition occurred during the third quarter of 2022. Cash used by investing activities decreased by $522 million in the first nine months of 2023, largely due to lower cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences in addition to the impact of business acquisitions, as WillowTree was acquired during the nine-month period. Capital expenditures decreased by $156 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $523 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to the planned slowdown of our fibre and wireless network build and systems development, consistent with 2023 build targets, when compared to accelerated investments in the comparative periods of 2022. (See Section 7.3 Cash used by investing activities.)

 

Cash provided by financing activities decreased by $1,636 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $509 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily reflecting lower issuances of long-term debt, net of redemptions and repayment. (See Section 7.4 Cash provided by financing activities.)

 

Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio was 3.82 times at September 30, 2023, up from 3.44 times at September 30, 2022. The effect of the increase, primarily due to business acquisitions, on net debt levels (which were already elevated in the current and comparative periods due to spectrum acquisition), exceeded the effect of growth in EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs. As at September 30, 2023, the acquisition of spectrum licences increased the ratio by approximately 0.45 and business acquisitions over the past 12 months increased the ratio by approximately 0.14. (See Section 4.3 Liquidity and capital resources and Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.)

 

Free cash flow increased by $24 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $218 million in the first nine months of 2023. The increase for the nine-month period reflected lower capital expenditures and lower restructuring and other costs disbursements, net of expense. These effects were partly offset by an increase in cash interest paid. Our definition of free cash flow, for which there is no industry alignment, is unaffected by accounting standards that do not impact cash.

 

2.Core business and strategy

 

Our core business and our strategic imperatives were described in our 2022 annual MD&A.

 

3.Corporate priorities for 2023

 

Our annual corporate priorities are used to advance our long-term strategic imperatives and address near-term opportunities and challenges. The following table provides a discussion of activities and initiatives that relate to our 2023 corporate priorities.

 

Elevating our customers, communities and social purpose by honouring our brand promise, Let’s make the future friendly  
 

    We continue to leverage our Connecting for Good® programs to support marginalized individuals by enhancing their access to both technology and healthcare as well as our TELUS Wise® program to improve digital literacy and online safety. Since the launch of our programs, we have provided support for over one million individuals.

 

    During the first nine months of 2023, we welcomed 6,250 new households to our Internet for Good® program. Since we launched the program in 2016, we have connected 53,000 households and 168,000 low-income family members and seniors, in-need persons living with disabilities, government-assisted refugees and youth leaving foster care with low-cost internet service.

 

    Our Mobility for Good® program offers free or subsidized smartphones and mobile phone rate plans to all youth aging out of foster care and to qualifying low-income seniors across Canada. In the first nine months of 2023, we added 6,100 youth, seniors, Indigenous women at risk, government-assisted refugees and other marginalized individuals to the program. Since we launched Mobility for Good in 2017, the program has provided support for 50,000 people.

 

    Our Health for Good® mobile health clinics supported over 41,000 patient visits in the first nine months of 2023. Since the program’s inception, we have facilitated 185,000 cumulative patient visits in 25 different communities across Canada, bringing primary and mental healthcare to individuals experiencing homelessness.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

    In July 2023, we launched a new mobile health clinic in Victoria in partnership with Victoria Cool Aid Society to help address the increasing need for primary healthcare and provide support for people experiencing homelessness. Since its launch, the clinic has supported over 2,000 patient visits, contributing to a combined total of over 18,000 patient visits across both clinics operating in Victoria.

 

    During the first nine months of 2023, our Tech for Good® program provided access to personalized one-on-one training, support and customized recommendations on mobile devices and related assistive technology and/or access to discounted mobile plans for 1,650 Canadians living with disabilities. Since the program’s inception in 2017, we have provided professional assistance for more than 8,000 Canadians living with disabilities to help them independently use or control their mobile device and the TELUS Wireless Accessibility Discount.

 

    During the first nine months of 2023, more than 97,000 individuals in Canada and around the world participated in virtual TELUS Wise workshops and events, bringing our cumulative participation to more than 660,000 individuals since the program launched in 2013.

 

    TELUS Friendly Future Foundation® (the Foundation) and Canadian TELUS Community Boards continue to direct all financial support to charitable initiatives that help youth and marginalized populations. During the first nine months of 2023, the Foundation had a direct impact on the lives of 800,000 youth by granting $8.6 million to over 500 projects delivered by registered charities. Since its inception in 2018, the Foundation has provided $44.5 million in cash donations to our communities, helping 14.4 million youth reach their full potential.

 

    In October 2023, the Foundation launched the TELUS Student Bursary Fund, Canada’s largest bursary fund, supporting students facing financial barriers that impact their ability to enrol or continue their education. With bursaries valued at up to $5,000, this new $50 million fund, created through an endowment gift of $25 million from TELUS and a $25 million commitment in fundraising from the Foundation, will help hundreds of students each year access post-secondary education to lead to a brighter future. Each bursary recipient will also have access to free mobility and low-cost internet plans through our Mobility for Good and Internet for Good programs.

 

Aligning with the start of the 2023 – 2024 school year, in September, the Foundation awarded its first round of bursaries to more than 400 students across the country.

 

    Our Canadian and global TELUS Community Boards entrust local leaders to make recommendations on the allocation of local grants. These grants support registered charities that offer health, education or technology programs to help youth thrive. Since 2005, our 19 TELUS Community Boards have contributed over $106 million in cash donations to more than 9,500 initiatives, providing resources and support for underserved citizens, especially young people, around the world.

 

    During the third quarter of 2023, we announced the expansion of our TELUS Community Boards in Alberta and Ontario.

 

    In Alberta, the community boards were formally changed to TELUS Calgary and Southern Alberta Community Board and TELUS Edmonton and Northern Alberta Community Board, with these expansions now supporting more than 4.7 million Albertans.

 

    In Ontario, the community boards were formally changed to TELUS Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Community Board, TELUS Barrie and Central Ontario Community Board, and TELUS Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Community Board, with these expansions now supporting more than 8.6 million Ontarians.

 

    TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund offers grants for Indigenous-led social, health and community programs. In July 2023, we announced a doubling of our commitment to the Fund, raising the investment from $1 million to $2 million over the next five years. Since its inception in November 2021, the Fund has granted $425,000 in cash donations to 22 community programs supporting food security, cultural revitalization, wildfire relief efforts, and the health, mental health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

 

    During the first nine months of 2023, TELUS, our team members, customers and the Foundation have committed $12.5 million, through cash donations and in-kind contributions, to support 12 humanitarian and disaster relief efforts around the world. Third quarter 2023 support included the wildfires in British Columbia and Northwest Territories and the earthquake in Morocco.

 

●     During the third quarter of 2023, TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good® made equity investments in three new clean technology startups – Climate Robotics, erthos and Plentify – to strengthen climate resilience with agricultural technologies sequestering carbon, plant-powered alternatives to plastic and cleaner energy solutions. In addition, the Fund also made an equity investment into Dryad, a German startup that provides ultra-early wildfire detection through large-scale IoT networks and sensors to help reduce the risk of fires spreading out of control. Since inception in 2020, the Fund has invested in 30 socially innovative companies, with 40% led by women and 50% led by Indigenous or racialized founders.

 

Leveraging TELUS’ world-leading technology to drive superior growth across mobile, home and business services  

 

●     In U.S.-based PCMag‘s report The Best ISPs 2023: Canada, released in August 2023, we were ranked as the fastest nationwide internet service provider (ISP) in Canada among major ISPs for the fourth consecutive year and best ISP for B.C. and Alberta.  

 

●     We were recognized with accolades from independent global analytics company Opensignal in the third quarter of 2023. These results make us Canada’s most awarded network by Opensignal since 2017.  

 

●     In the Mobile Network Experience: Canada Report (August 2023), we earned the top spot in the Voice App Experience category and tied for first in three categories (Games Experience, Download Speed Experience and Availability).  

 

●     In the 5G Experience: Canada Report (August 2023), we tied for top recognition in the 5G Voice App Experience category.  

 

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3 

 

●     In August 2023, we announced the accelerated deployment of our Smart Building technologies across residential and commercial buildings throughout Canada to help organizations reduce energy consumption and adopt technology solutions that help them align with net-zero carbon emission mandates.  

 

●     During the third quarter of 2023, we became the first telecommunications company in Canada to sign the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems introduced by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Our approach to responsible AI is grounded in our commitment to putting customers and communities first, as well as the TELUS Trust Model, which promotes the use of data in ways that build trust by generating value, promoting respect and delivering security.  

 

●     We were the first company in the world to achieve ISO 31700-1 Privacy by Design certification for our Data for Good program, an award-winning insights platform that gives researchers access to high-quality, strongly de-identified data for projects that support social good. The reporting, which was conducted by KPMG, confirms the program meets international privacy criteria and illustrative controls established and harmonized under the 7 Foundational Principles of Privacy by Design developed by Dr. Ann Cavoukian and the ISO 31700 Privacy by Design standard.  

 

Scaling our innovative digital capabilities in TELUS Health and TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods to build assets of consequence  

 

TELUS Health  

 

●     On August 31, 2023, we completed the rebrand of LifeWorks to TELUS Health. This transformation marks one of the largest rebrands in TELUS company history as we embark on our journey as a unified global brand.  

 

●     In October 2023, we were awarded Best Add-on or Support Service (Third Party Provider) at the U.K. Health & Protection Awards. This year, 10 health and well-being companies were shortlisted for this honour across mental health, telemedicine and women’s health.  

 

TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods  

 

●     During the quarter, the Promotion Optimization Institute awarded TELUS Consumer Goods with the Best-In-Class distinction in four categories: (i) data management; (ii) enterprise planning integrated business planning/sales and operations planning capabilities; (iii) food service; and (iv) trade promotion management excellence.  

 

●     During the quarter, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods harmonized 11 acquired legacy brands for a consolidated go-to-market strategy under the TELUS umbrella. This digital-first approach will enable an optimized, efficient path to capitalize on market opportunities.  

 

Scaling our innovative digital capabilities in TELUS International to build an asset of consequence  

 

●     During the third quarter of 2023, TI received several industry accolades, including being:  

 

●     Ranked a Leader on the Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix for Customer Experience Management (the Americas) and recognized as a global provider on Everest Group’s inaugural 2023 Global PEAK Matrix assessment  

 

●     Ranked a Leader in the NelsonHall 2023 NEAT assessment for content transformation services and its subcategories for cost optimization and revenue generation  

 

●     Part of the 2023 Constellation ShortList for Customer Experience Operations Services (Global), for leading delivery of critical transformation initiatives for early adopters and fast-follower organizations  

 

●     Named a finalist of the Fast Company’s 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators (International), among the world’s most innovative and successful brands, recognizing company cultures that empower employees at all levels to improve processes, create new products or invent new ways of doing business  

 

●     Recognized in several categories of the 2023 Stevie Awards for Great Employers, with three gold and one silver recognition.  

  

4.Capabilities

 

The forward-looking statements in this section, including statements regarding our dividend growth program and our financial objectives in Section 4.3, are qualified by the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.

 

4.1 Principal markets addressed and competition

 

For a discussion of our principal markets and an overview of competition, refer to Section 4.1 in our 2022 annual MD&A.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

4.2 Operational resources

 

TELUS technology solutions (TTech)

 

From mid-2013 through September 30, 2023, we have invested more than $7.2 billion to acquire wireless spectrum licences in spectrum auctions and other private transactions. This has more than doubled our national spectrum holdings in support of our top priority to put customers first.

 

Mobile data consumption has been increasing rapidly and is expected to continue growing at a fast rate as the industry transitions to 5G. We have responded by investing in the coverage, capacity, performance and reliability of our network to ensure that we are able to support additional data consumption and growth in our mobile subscriber base in a geographically diverse country, while maintaining the high quality of our network. This includes investments in wireless small cells connected directly to our fibre technology to improve coverage and capacity utilized in our 5G network launch.

 

As at September 30, 2023, our 4G LTE technology covered 99% of Canada’s population, consistent with September 30, 2022. We have continued to invest in the roll-out of our LTE advanced technology, which covered over 95% of Canada’s population at September 30, 2023, consistent with one year earlier. Furthermore, our 5G network covered over 85% of Canada’s population at September 30, 2023, up from 78% at September 30, 2022.

 

We are continuing to invest in urban and rural communities across B.C., Alberta and Eastern Quebec with commitments to deliver broadband technology capabilities to as many Canadians in these communities as possible, including expanding our fibre footprint by connecting more homes and businesses directly to fibre in these communities. In addition, we have increased broadband internet speeds, expanded our IP TV video-on-demand library and high-definition content, including 4K TV and 4K HDR capabilities, and enhanced the marketing of data products and bundles resulting in improved churn rates. Our fibre technology is also an essential component of our wireless access technology and has enabled our 5G deployment. Our home and business security integrates safety and security monitoring with smart devices.

 

As at September 30, 2023, more than 3.1 million households and businesses in B.C., Alberta and Eastern Quebec were covered with fibre-optic cable, which provides these premises with immediate access to our fibre-optic technology. This is up from 2.9 million households and businesses in the third quarter of 2022. We have a very small number of legacy lead-sheathed cables making up less than 0.3% of our entire network. A large percentage of lead-sheathed cables have been removed and will continue to be removed as we progress our copper retirement strategy. The majority of the remaining lead-sheathed cables are underground, within a contained conduit structure (vault) and inaccessible to the public.

 

Within our digital health solutions, our core areas of focus in the global marketplace are: employers (small, medium and large enterprise), payors (both insurers and public sector), providers (including physicians, clinicians, pharmacists) and consumer solutions. We offer a variety of integrated health and well-being products, solutions and services, including virtual care (comprehensive primary care, mental health support, wellness offerings for employees and individuals, pet care), remote patient monitoring and personal emergency response services, medication management (virtual pharmacy, pharmacy management systems), health records management (personal health records, electronic medical records (EMR), and collaborative health records (CHR)), claims management solutions, and the curation of health content. Upon our acquisition of LifeWorks, we expanded the global footprint of TELUS Health, primarily with respect to employer and employee-focused well-being. This includes well-being, health and productivity solutions (including employee and family assistance programs (EFAP), internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) and absence and disability management), corporate reward, recognition and perks programs, pension and benefits administrative solutions, and retirement and financial solutions.

 

Our agriculture and consumer goods solutions include agronomy record-keeping and recommendations, rebate management services, supplier management, animal health solutions, food traceability and quality assurance, cold chain tracking, data management solutions and software solutions for trade promotion management, optimization and analytics (TPx), retail execution, supply chain solutions and analytics capabilities.

 

Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International (DLCX)

 

Our DLCX segment offers services that support the full lifecycle of our clients’ digital transformation journeys. We enable our clients to more quickly embrace next-generation digital technologies to deliver better business outcomes. The solutions and services offered are relevant across multiple markets, including information technology (IT) services for digital transformation of customer experience systems and digital customer experience management.

 

Our DLCX segment has built an agile delivery model with global scale to support next-generation, digitally-led customer experiences. Substantially all of the delivery locations are connected through a carrier-grade infrastructure backed by cloud technologies, enabling globally distributed and virtualized teams. The interconnectedness of our DLCX teams and ability to seamlessly shift interactions between physical and digital channels enables our DLCX teams to tailor our delivery strategy to clients’ evolving needs.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

4.3 Liquidity and capital resources

 

Capital structure financial policies

 

Our objective when managing financial capital is to maintain a flexible capital structure that optimizes the cost and availability of capital at acceptable risk.

 

In our definition of financial capital, we include Common equity (excluding Accumulated other comprehensive income), Non-controlling interests, Long-term debt (including long-term credit facilities, commercial paper backstopped by long-term credit facilities and any hedging assets or liabilities associated with Long-term debt items, net of amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income), Cash and temporary investments, Short-term borrowings (including those arising from securitized receivables) and other long-term debts (including those arising from securitized receivables).

 

We manage our financial capital structure and make adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of our business. In order to maintain or adjust our financial capital structure, we may adjust the amount of dividends paid to holders of Common Shares, purchase Common Shares for cancellation pursuant to normal course issuer bid (NCIB) programs, issue new shares (including Common Shares and TELUS International Subordinate Voting Shares), issue new debt, issue new debt to replace existing debt with different characteristics, increase or decrease the amount of receivables sold to an arm’s-length securitization trust, and/or enter into a new arm’s-length securitization trust to replace an existing arm’s-length securitization trust with different characteristics.

 

We monitor financial capital utilizing a number of measures, including net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio, coverage ratios and dividend payout ratios. (See definitions in Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.)

 

Financing and capital structure management plans

 

Report on financing and capital structure management plans
 

Pay dividends to the holders of the common shares of TELUS Corporation (Common Shares) under our multi-year dividend growth program

 

●     In May 2022, we announced our intention to target ongoing semi-annual dividend increases, with the annual increase in the range of 7 to 10% from 2023 through to the end of 2025, thereby extending the policy first announced in May 2011. Notwithstanding this target, dividend decisions will continue to be subject to our Board’s assessment and the determination of our financial position and outlook on a quarterly basis. Our long-term Common Share dividend payout ratio guideline is 60 to 75% of free cash flow on a prospective basis. (See Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.) There can be no assurance that we will maintain a dividend growth program or that it will be unchanged through 2025. (See Caution regarding forward-looking statements – Lower than planned free cash flow could constrain our ability to invest in operations, reduce leverage or return capital to shareholders, and could affect our ability to sustain our dividend growth program through 2025 and any further dividend growth programs and Section 10.14 Financing, debt and dividends in our 2022 annual MD&A.)

 

●     On November 2, 2023, the Board elected to declare a fourth quarter dividend of $0.3761 per share, payable on January 2, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 11, 2023. The fourth quarter dividend for 2023 reflects a cumulative increase of $0.0250 per share or 7.1% from the $0.3511 per share dividend declared one year earlier.

 

●    Our dividend reinvestment and share purchase (DRISP) plan trustee acquired shares from Treasury for the DRISP plan, rather than acquiring Common Shares in the stock market. We may, at our discretion, offer Common Shares at a discount of up to 5% from the market price under the DRISP. Effective with the dividends paid beginning on October 1, 2019, we offered Common Shares from Treasury at a discount of 2%. During the third quarter of 2023, for the dividends paid on July 4, 2023, our DRISP plan trustee acquired from Treasury approximately 8 million dividend reinvestment Common Shares for $188 million. For the dividends paid on October 3, 2023, the DRISP participation rate, calculated as the DRISP investment of $190 million (including the employee share purchase plan) as a percentage of gross dividends, was approximately 36%.

 

●     TELUS International currently intends to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of its business.

 

Use proceeds from securitized receivables (Short-term borrowings), bank facilities and commercial paper as needed, to supplement free cash flow and meet other cash requirements

 

●     Our issued and outstanding commercial paper was $1.4 billion at September 30, 2023, all of which was denominated in U.S. dollars (US$1.0 billion), compared to $1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) at December 31, 2022, and $1.3 billion (US$0.9 billion) at September 30, 2022. During the quarter, our unsecured revolving credit facility, with uses that include the backstop of commercial paper, was renewed and expiry was extended approximately two years to July 14, 2028. See Section 7.6 for additional details.

 

●     Net draws due to a syndicate of financial institutions (excluding TELUS Corporation) on the TI credit facility were US$1.4 billion at September 30, 2023, compared to US$689 million at December 31, 2022, and US$718 million at September 30, 2022. The TI credit facility is non-recourse to TELUS Corporation.

 

●     Proceeds from securitized trade receivables were $100 million at September 30, 2023, compared to $100 million at both December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Report on financing and capital structure management plans
 

Maintain compliance with financial objectives

 

●     Maintain investment-grade credit ratings – On November 3, 2023, investment-grade credit ratings from the four rating agencies that cover TELUS were in the desired range. (See Section 7.8 Credit ratings.)

 

●     Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio of 2.20 to 2.70 times – As measured at September 30, 2023, this ratio was 3.82 times, outside of the objective range, primarily due to the acquisition of spectrum licences (as spectrum is our largest indefinite life asset) and business acquisitions. Given the cash demands of the 600 MHz auction in 2019, the 3500 MHz auction in 2021, the 3800 MHz auction that commenced in October 2023 and the expected upcoming spectrum auction in 2024 for millimetre wave, the assessment of the guideline and timing of return to the objective range remains to be determined; however, it is our intent to return to a ratio below 2.70 times in the medium term (following the spectrum auction in 2021, the spectrum auction that commenced in October 2023 and the spectrum auction upcoming in 2024), consistent with our long-term strategy. (See Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.)

 

●     Common Share dividend payout ratio of 60 to 75% of free cash flow on a prospective basis – Our objective range is on a prospective basis. The Common Share dividend payout ratio1 we present in this MD&A is a historical measure utilizing the dividends declared in the most recent four quarters, net of dividend reinvestment plan effects, and free cash flow, and is disclosed on a retrospective basis for illustrative purposes in evaluating our target guideline. As at September 30, 2023, the ratio was 88%, outside of the objective range, primarily due to our planned accelerated capital expenditures program to support our broadband capital investments, the build-out of our TELUS PureFibre® infrastructure and the acceleration of our 5G network roll-out. Excluding the effects of our accelerated capital expenditures program of $132 million for the most recent four quarters, as at September 30, 2023, the ratio was 81%. We estimate the ratio will be within the objective range on a prospective basis. (See Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.)

 

●     Generally maintain a minimum of $1 billion in available liquidity – As at September 30, 2023, our available liquidity1 was more than $3.0 billion. (See Section 7.6 Credit facilities and Liquidity risk in Section 7.9.)

 

1These are non-GAAP and other specified financial measures. See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

4.4 Changes in internal control over financial reporting and limitations on scope of design

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, there were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on scope of design

 

In our assessment of the scope of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, we have excluded the controls, policies and procedures of WillowTree, which was acquired on January 3, 2023. This scope limitation is in accordance with National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, which allows an issuer to limit its design of internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures to exclude the controls, policies and procedures of a company acquired not more than 365 days before the end of the financial period to which the certificate relates.

 

From January 3, 2023 (the acquisition date) to September 30, 2023, WillowTree contributed revenues of $195 million and generated net loss of $108 million, such amounts as measured at the end of the period based on information in source systems for the consolidated legal entity. As at September 30, 2023, WillowTree’s current assets and current liabilities represented approximately 1% and 2% of TELUS’ consolidated current assets and current liabilities, respectively, while WillowTree’s non-current assets and non-current liabilities represented approximately 4% and 5% of TELUS’ consolidated non-current assets and non-current liabilities, respectively, based on information in source systems. The amounts recognized for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date are described in Note 18 of the interim consolidated financial statements.

 

5.Discussion of operations

 

This section contains forward-looking statements, including those with respect to mobile phone average revenue per subscriber per month (ARPU) growth, products and services trends regarding loading and retention spending, equipment margins, subscriber growth and various future trends. There can be no assurance that we have accurately identified these trends based on past results or that these trends will continue. See Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

5.1 General

 

Operating segments are components of an entity that engage in business activities from which they earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses related to transactions with the other component(s)), the operations of which can be clearly distinguished and for which the operating results, and in particular, Adjusted EBITDA, are regularly reviewed by a chief operating decision-maker to make resource allocation decisions and to assess performance. Effective September 1, 2022, we embarked upon the modification of our internal and external reporting processes, systems and internal controls concurrent with the acquisition and integration of LifeWorks, and correspondingly we are assessing our segmented reporting structure. Segmented information in Note 5 of the interim consolidated financial statements is regularly reported to our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (our chief operating decision-maker).

 

The TELUS technology solutions (TTech) segment includes: network revenues and equipment sales arising from mobile technologies; data revenues (which include internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology and cloud-based services; and home and business security); healthcare services, software and technology solutions (including employee and family assistance programs and benefits administration); agriculture and consumer goods services (software, data management and data analytics-driven smart-food chain and consumer goods technologies); voice and other telecommunications services revenues; and equipment sales.

 

The digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International (DLCX) segment, which has the U.S. dollar as its primary functional currency, is comprised of digital customer experience and digital-enablement transformation solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI) and content management, provided by TELUS International.

 

5.2 Summary of consolidated quarterly results and trends

 

Summary of quarterly results

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)  2023 Q3   2023 Q2   2023 Q1   2022 Q4   2022 Q3   2022 Q2   2022 Q1   2021 Q4 
Operating revenues and other income1   5,008    4,946    4,964    5,058    4,671    4,401    4,282    4,872 
Operating expenses                                        
Goods and services purchased2   1,858    1,790    1,803    2,082    1,794    1,637    1,594    1,882 
Employee benefits expense2   1,633    1,568    1,540    1,378    1,231    1,171    1,119    1,108 
Depreciation and amortization   1,000    1,006    1,022    929    850    831    842    830 
Total operating expenses   4,491    4,364    4,365    4,389    3,875    3,639    3,555    3,820 
Operating income   517    582    599    669    796    762    727    1,052 
Financing costs before long-term debt prepayment premium   352    323    320    322    34    97    179    192 
Income before income taxes   165    259    279    347    762    665    548    860 
Income taxes   28    63    55    82    211    167    144    197 
Net income   137    196    224    265    551    498    404    663 
Net income attributable to Common Shares   136    200    217    248    514    468    385    644 
Net income per Common Share:                                        
Basic earnings per share (EPS)   0.09    0.14    0.15    0.17    0.37    0.34    0.28    0.47 
Adjusted basic EPS3   0.25    0.19    0.27    0.24    0.34    0.32    0.30    0.23 
Diluted EPS   0.09    0.14    0.15    0.17    0.37    0.34    0.28    0.47 
Dividends declared per Common Share   0.3636    0.3636    0.3511    0.3511    0.3386    0.3386    0.3274    0.3274 
Additional information:                                        
EBITDA   1,517    1,588    1,621    1,598    1,646    1,593    1,569    1,882 
Restructuring and other costs   303    115    159    94    78    29    39    44 
Other equity (income) losses related to real estate joint ventures           (1)   (3)               1 
Gain on disposition of financial solutions business                               410 
Adjusted EBITDA   1,820    1,703    1,779    1,689    1,724    1,622    1,608    1,517 
Cash provided by operating activities   1,307    1,117    761    1,126    1,300    1,250    1,135    896 
Free cash flow   355    279    535    323    331    205    415    43 

 

1In the fourth quarter of 2021, we recorded a gain on disposition of our financial solutions business of $410 million.
2Goods and services purchased and Employee benefits expense amounts include restructuring and other costs.
3See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

Trends

 

For trends discussions related to revenues, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, see Section 5.4 TELUS technology solutions segment and Section 5.5 Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International segment.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

The trend of year-over-year increases in Depreciation and amortization reflects increases related to capital assets acquired in business acquisitions; growth in capital assets in support of the expansion of our broadband footprint, including our generational investment to connect homes and businesses to TELUS PureFibre and 5G technology coverage; and growth in internet, TV and security subscriber loading. The investments in our fibre-optic technology also support our technology strategy to improve coverage and capacity, including the ongoing build-out of our 5G network.

 

The trend of general year-over-year increases in Financing costs reflects greater long-term debt outstanding and increases in effective interest rates attributed to floating-rate debt and for recent fixed rate issuances, mainly associated with our investments in spectrum and fibre technology, as well as business acquisitions. Financing costs are net of capitalized interest related to spectrum licences acquired during the 600 MHz spectrum auction, which we commenced deploying into our existing network in 2021, and during the 3500 MHz spectrum auction. Financing costs also include Interest accretion on provisions (asset retirement obligations and written put options) and Employee defined benefit plans net interest. Additionally, for the eight periods shown, Financing costs include varying amounts of foreign exchange gains or losses, varying amounts of interest income and, effective for the second quarter of 2022, virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element, which contributed to income up to the third quarter of 2022 and to losses thereafter.

 

5.3 Consolidated operations

 

The following is a discussion of our consolidated financial performance. Segment information in Note 5 of the interim consolidated financial statements is regularly reported to our CEO. We discuss the performance of our segments in Section 5.4 TELUS technology solutions segment and Section 5.5 Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International segment.

 

Operating revenues

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Operating revenues                              
Service   4,388    4,048    8.4%   13,091    11,670    12.2%
Equipment   602    592    1.7%   1,758    1,599    9.9%
Operating revenues (arising from contracts with customers)   4,990    4,640    7.5%   14,849    13,269    11.9%
Other income   18    31    (41.9)%   69    85    (18.8)%
Operating revenues and other income   5,008    4,671    7.2%   14,918    13,354    11.7%

 

Consolidated Operating revenues and other income increased by $337 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1,564 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Service revenues increased by $340 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1,421 million in the first nine months of 2023. TTech service revenue increased due to: (i) growth in health services revenues, mainly driven by our acquisition of LifeWorks on September 1, 2022 and organic growth; (ii) higher mobile network revenues attributable to subscriber and moderating roaming revenue growth; and (iii) an increase in fixed data service revenues, resulting from subscriber growth and higher, albeit moderating, revenue per internet customer. These factors were partly offset by lower TV and fixed legacy voice services revenues, primarily due to technological substitution. Growth in DLCX operating revenues resulted from expanded services for certain existing clients and growth from new clients, including new clients from our acquisition of WillowTree on January 3, 2023, and favourable foreign exchange impacts, which collectively more than offset the impact of some DLCX clients managing their own costs thus reducing our revenue.

 

Equipment revenues increased by $10 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $159 million in the first nine months of 2023. The increase for the quarter was driven by higher mobile equipment revenues attributable to higher-value smartphones in the sales mix, partly offset by a reduction in contracted volumes. This increase for the nine-month period was largely driven by higher mobile equipment revenues due to higher-value smartphones in the sales mix, and higher contracted volumes, in addition to moderate growth in fixed equipment revenues resulting from higher sales volumes and lower discounts.

 

Other income decreased by $13 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $16 million in the first nine months of 2023, largely due to lower reversals of business combination-related provisions in the current periods and a gain on acquisition of control of LifeWorks in the prior year. These effects were partly offset by higher net gains on the sale of assets.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Operating expenses

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Goods and services purchased   1,858    1,794    3.6%   5,451    5,025    8.5%
Employee benefits expense   1,633    1,231    32.7%   4,741    3,521    34.6%
Depreciation   611    550    11.1%   1,849    1,637    13.0%
Amortization of intangible assets   389    300    29.7%   1,179    886    33.1%
Operating expenses   4,491    3,875    15.9%   13,220    11,069    19.4%

 

Consolidated operating expenses increased by $616 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $2,151 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Depreciation increased by $61 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $212 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to growth in capital assets over the past 12 months, including business acquisitions and our expanded broadband footprint; increased depreciation on network leases; increased depreciation from impairments arising from real estate rationalization; and higher asset retirement activity.

 

Amortization of intangible assets increased by $89 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $293 million in the first nine months of 2023, arising from business acquisitions and higher expenditures associated with the intangible asset base over the past 12 months.

 

Operating income              

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
TTech EBITDA1 (See Section 5.4)   1,346    1,457    (7.7)%   4,256    4,274    (0.5)%
DLCX EBITDA1 (See Section 5.5)   171    189    (9.4)%   470    534    (11.9)%
EBITDA   1,517    1,646    (7.9)%   4,726    4,808    (1.7)%
Depreciation and amortization (discussed above)   (1,000)   (850)   17.6%   (3,028)   (2,523)   20.0%
Operating income (consolidated earnings before interest and income taxes (EBIT))   517    796    (35.1)%   1,698    2,285    (25.7)%

 

1See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

Operating income decreased by $279 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $587 million in the first nine months of 2023, while EBITDA decreased by $129 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $82 million in the first nine months of 2023. As a partial offset to the growth drivers discussed within Adjusted EBITDA below, EBITDA also reflects higher restructuring and other costs of $225 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily related to efficiency and effectiveness programs including workforce reduction, and $431 million in the first nine months of 2023, inclusive of real estate rationalization, as well as one-time amounts recorded of $68 million for the ratification of the new collective agreement between the Telecommunications Workers Union, United Steelworkers Local 1944 (TWU) and ourselves.

 

Adjusted EBITDA              

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
TTech Adjusted EBITDA1 (See Section 5.4)   1,633    1,524    7.0%   4,777    4,395    8.7%
DLCX Adjusted EBITDA1,2 (See Section 5.5)   187    200    (6.5)%   525    559    (6.1)%
Adjusted EBITDA1   1,820    1,724    5.5%   5,302    4,954    7.0%

 

1See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.
2For certain financial metrics, there are definitional differences between TELUS and TELUS International reporting. These differences largely arise from TELUS International adopting definitions consistent with practice in its industry.

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $96 million or 5.5% in the third quarter of 2023 and $348 million or 7.0% in the first nine months of 2023 driven by TTech growth, which reflects: (i) higher mobile network revenues driven by subscriber growth and our moderating roaming recovery; (ii) growth in health, inclusive of business acquisitions and organic growth; (iii) lower headcount; and (iv) increased margins for internet and security, driven by subscriber growth. These factors were partly offset by: (i) merit-based compensation increases; (ii) higher costs related to the scaling of our digital capabilities, inclusive of increased subscription-based software licences, contractor and cloud usage costs; and (iii) declining TV and fixed legacy voice margins. DLCX contribution declined, primarily due to cost imbalances arising from reductions in service demand, principally in Europe, from some of our larger technology clients, with the impacts being more significant beginning in the second quarter of 2023, which were partially offset by cost efficiency efforts initiated in the second quarter of 2023.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Financing costs              

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities – gross   276    197    40.1%   809    545    48.4%
Interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities – capitalized   (1)   (2)   (50.0)%   (4)   (29)   (86.2)%
Interest on lease liabilities   36    19    89.5%   95    52    82.7%
Interest on short-term borrowings and other   16    6    n/m    28    13    115.4%
Interest accretion on provisions   7    5    40.0%   22    13    69.2%
Interest expense   334    225    48.4%   950    594    59.9%
Employee defined benefit plans net interest   1    2    (50.0)%   5    6    (16.7)%
Foreign exchange gains   (12)   (32)   (62.5)%   (8)   (48)   (83.3)%
Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element   33    (151)   n/m    59    (231)   n/m 
Interest income   (4)   (10)   (60.0)%   (11)   (11)   %
Financing costs   352    34    n/m    995    310    n/m 

 

Financing costs increased by $318 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $685 million in the first nine months of 2023, mainly due to the following factors:

 

Interest expense increased by $109 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $356 million in the first nine months of 2023. These changes largely resulted from the following:

 

Gross interest expense on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities, increased by $79 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $264 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily driven by an increase in average long-term debt balances outstanding, attributable in part to business acquisitions, in addition to an increase in the effective interest rate. Our weighted average interest rate on long-term debt (excluding commercial paper, TELUS bank credit facilities, the revolving components of the TI credit facility, lease liabilities and other long-term debt) was 4.33% at September 30, 2023, compared to 3.95% one year earlier. (See Long-term debt issued and Redemptions and repayments of long-term debt in Section 7.4.)

 

Capitalized long-term debt interest, excluding lease liabilities, is in respect of debt incurred for the purchase of spectrum licences during the 3500 MHz spectrum auction held in June to July 2021 by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

 

Interest on lease liabilities increased by $17 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $43 million in the first nine months of 2023, resulting from increases in both lease principal and effective interest rate.

 

Foreign exchange gains decreased by $20 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $40 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily reflecting changes in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, as well as the European euro relative to the Canadian dollar.

 

Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element represents the estimated unrealized decline recorded from our virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) with renewable energy projects as of September 30, 2023. We have entered into VPPAs with renewable energy projects that develop solar and wind power facilities as part of our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Income taxes              

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions, except tax rates)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Income taxes computed at applicable statutory rates (%)   23.8    25.7    (1.9) pts.   23.5    25.6    (2.1) pts.
Adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods (%)   (13.9)   2.5    (16.4) pts.   (5.0)   0.7    (5.7) pts.
(Non-taxable) non-deductible amounts, net (%)   (1.2)   (0.9)   (0.3) pts.   (1.3)   (0.4)   (0.9) pts.
Withholding and other taxes (%)   3.7    1.2    2.5  pts.   2.1    1.7    0.4  pts.
Losses not recognized (%)   5.5    0.1    5.4  pts.   2.4    0.2    2.2  pts.
Foreign tax differential (%)   (2.4)   (0.9)   (1.5) pts.   (1.6)   (1.4)   (0.2) pts.
Other (%)   1.7        1.7  pts.   0.7        0.7  pts.
Effective tax rate (%)   17.2    27.7    (10.5) pts.   20.8    26.4    (5.6) pts.
Income taxes computed at applicable statutory rates   40    195    (79.5)%   165    506    (67.4)%
Adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods   (23)   19    n/m    (35)   13    n/m 
(Non-taxable) non-deductible amounts, net   (2)   (6)   (66.7)%   (9)   (7)   28.6%
Withholding and other taxes   6    9    (33.3)%   15    24    (37.5)%
Losses not recognized   9    1    n/m    17    4    n/m 
Foreign tax differential   (4)   (7)   (42.9)%   (11)   (18)   (38.9)%
Other   2        n/m    4        n/m 
Income taxes   28    211    (86.7)%   146    522    (72.0)%

 

Total income tax expense decreased by $183 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $376 million in the first nine months of 2023. The effective tax rate decreased from 27.7% to 17.2% in the third quarter of 2023 and from 26.4% to 20.8% in the first nine months of 2023, primarily driven by adjustments recognized in the current period for income taxes of prior periods.

 

Comprehensive income              

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Net income   137    551    (75.1)%   557    1,453    (61.7)%
Other comprehensive income (net of income taxes):                              
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to income   37    (121)   n/m    (33)   (107)   (69.2)%
Items never subsequently reclassified to income   56    (13)   n/m    47    285    (83.5)%
Comprehensive income   230    417    (44.8)%   571    1,631    (65.0)%

 

Comprehensive income decreased by $187 million in the third quarter of 2023, largely as a result of the decrease in Net income, partly offset by the change in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income decreased by $1,060 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily as a result of the decrease in Net income, as well as employee defined benefit plan re-measurement amounts. Items that may subsequently be reclassified to income are composed of changes in the unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments arising from translating financial statements of foreign operations. Items never subsequently reclassified to income are composed of employee defined benefit plans re-measurement amounts and changes in measurement of investment financial assets.

 

5.4 TELUS technology solutions segment

 

TTech trends and seasonality

 

The historical trend over the past eight quarters in mobile network revenue primarily reflects growth in our mobile phone subscriber base, as well as an increase in Internet of Things (IoT) connections. Supplementing this, the trend of mobile phone ARPU has been supported by the progressive recovery of international roaming revenues from increasing travel volumes and our ameliorating historical domestic ARPU declines. Domestic ARPU declines were largely attributable to customers having greater access to higher network speeds and larger allotments of data for a given price point.

 

Mobile equipment revenues have been increasing as a result of higher-value smartphones in the sales mix and moderating device sales volumes, which are heavily impacted by increased retail traffic, promotional activity and customer preferences. Mobile devices have been improving in durability but also increasing in cost, which results in customers deferring upgrades. To mitigate these factors, we continue to offer certified pre-owned devices and our Bring-It-Back® program to provide customers with alternative options for handset upgrades, thereby contributing to a circular economy.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Our spectrum investments and capital expenditures on network improvements increase capacity, reliability and coverage, allowing us to grow revenue through net additions of new mobile phone and connected devices subscribers. The growth in our mobile phone subscriber base is attributable to: (i) industry-leading product offerings with continuous improvements in the speed, performance and reliability of our network, as well as our enhanced digital capabilities; (ii) the success of our promotions, including the bundling of our mobility and home services; (iii) our ability to capture a proportion of the growing population, changing population demographics and an increasing number of customers with multiple devices; and (iv) our relatively low churn rate, which reflects our customers first efforts and upgrade volume programs.

 

Our connected device subscriber base has been growing, primarily in response to our expanded IoT offerings. Growth within our IoT subscriber base is attributed to increased demand for IoT solutions across various industries, including healthcare, agriculture, transportation, smart buildings and smart cities, energy and retail. Our investments in network infrastructure and expanding our IoT product portfolio have also allowed us to provide reliable and scalable IoT solutions to our customer base.

 

Growth in our internet subscriber base has been supported by our continued investments in building out our fibre-optic infrastructure, supplemented by our relatively low customer churn rate. The total number of TV subscribers has increased (in contrast to market-reported declines in conventional television viewing habits), reflecting net subscriber additions in response to our diverse and flexible product offerings, combined with our relatively low customer churn rate. Our security subscriber base growth is increasing as a result of organic growth and business acquisitions. Our home services growth is also attributable to the adoption of our bundling of home services, as well as the bundling of mobility and home services to meet the demand for multiple services per home. Adoption increases our services per home and positively impacts churn for most services, in addition to the effectiveness of our self-install and virtual-install models. Residential voice subscriber losses have remained low as a result of the success of our bundled services and lower-priced offerings, as well as strong retention efforts to mitigate the ongoing substitution to mobile and internet-based services.

 

The trend of growing fixed data services revenues is attributable to the sustained demand for faster internet speeds and larger bandwidth, home and business security offerings and other advanced applications, which are enabled by investments in our fibre-optic footprint. The trend of declining TV revenues and legacy fixed voice revenues are due to technological substitution and intensification of competition in the small and medium-sized business market. However, we are mitigating this trend with our bundled product and lower-priced offerings, product diversification and successful retention efforts. The migration of business product and service offerings to IP services and the entry of new competitors have yielded inherently lower margins compared to some legacy business product and service offerings; however, we are continually refining and diversifying our portfolio of innovative business offerings.

 

The trend of growth in health services revenues has been propelled by the acquisition of LifeWorks in the third quarter of 2022, as well as organic growth in our existing health offerings, which include virtual care, virtual and traditional pharmacy solutions, collaborative health records, health benefits management, personal health monitoring solutions, and employee and family assistance programs and benefits administration. The LifeWorks acquisition immediately enabled the opportunity for health services to operate and grow internationally through long-standing corporate relationships globally, with notable areas of focus in employee health and wellness programs, mental and physical health solutions, pensions and benefits management, and retirement solutions. We are well-positioned to continue improving health and wellness outcomes for people around the world. Our competencies and assets in health, combined with the trend in digitization and automation, position us well to bolster the global healthcare system in a complementary fashion. With our technology heritage, we see the trend moving the healthcare system to improved efficiency and outcomes through better insights. We also believe Canadians and others will have greater control of their healthcare outcomes through the integration of disparate data (better flow of information across the system) and consent-based data management. Our diversified virtual care offerings continue to grow to meet the healthcare needs of Canadians and drive better health outcomes, including the accelerated adoption of virtual consultations, as reflected in the growing number of virtual care members. Our growing number of lives covered are largely driven by the expansion of our employee and family assistance programs, in addition to our health benefits management solutions correlated with the number of benefit claims captured in our digital health transactions.

 

The trend of moderating growth in agriculture and consumer goods services can be attributed to business acquisitions to meet the growing demand for digital solutions in the agriculture industry, though tempered by recent macroeconomic headwinds slowing down subscription growth and sales funnel opportunities. Through our global team and cloud-based solutions, we are able to service our diverse client base, including growers, producers, agronomists, advisors, processors and retailers, by helping to drive more effective and agile decision-making that will address changing consumer demands, improve profitability and generate a better flow of information across the value chain. This improves the safety and sustainability of our outputs and drives efficiencies in the way we produce, distribute and consume food and consumer goods.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

TTech operating indicators
                         
At September 30   2023   2022   Change 
Subscriber connections (thousands):                              
Mobile phone1                 9,958   9,579   4.0%
Connected device1                  2,911    2,362    23.2%
Internet2                  2,590    2,371    9.2%
TV                  1,371    1,308    4.8%
Residential voice                  1,072    1,100    (2.5)%
Security                  1,033    950    8.7%
Total telecom subscriber connections                  18,935    17,670    7.2%
LTE population coverage3 (millions)                  36.7    36.7    %
5G population coverage3 (millions)                  31.6    29.0    9.0%
                               
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
   2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Mobile phone gross additions (thousands)   455    421    8.1%   1,131    1,013    11.6%
Subscriber connection net additions (losses) (thousands):                              
Mobile phone  160   150   6.7%  317   289   9.7%
Connected device   179    124    44.4%   361    262    37.8%
Internet   37    36    2.8%   107    100    7.0%
TV   20    18    11.1%   46    43    7.0%
Residential voice   (8)   (6)   (33.3)%   (24)   (23)   (4.3)%
Security   18    25    (28.0)%   55    71    (22.5)%
Total telecom subscriber connection net additions   406    347    17.0%   862    742    16.2%
Mobile phone ARPU, per month4 ($)   59.19    59.48    (0.5)%   58.85    57.90    1.6%
Mobile phone churn, per month5 (%)   1.00    0.95    0.05  pts.   0.93    0.86    0.07  pts.
                               
Health services (millions)                              
                               
At September 30   2023   2022   Change 
Healthcare lives covered                  69.6    60.4    15.2%
Virtual care members                  5.5    4.0    37.5%
                               
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
   2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Digital health transactions   150.6    143.2    5.2%   452.4    428.2    5.7%

 

1Effective January 1, 2023, on a prospective basis, we adjusted our mobile phone and connected device subscriber bases to remove 50,000 subscribers and add 82,000 subscribers, respectively, due to a review of our subscriber bases.

2Effective January 1, 2023, on a prospective basis, we adjusted our internet subscriber base to add 70,000 subscribers as a result of business acquisitions.

3Including network access agreements with other Canadian carriers.

4This is an other specified financial measure. See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures. This is an industry measure useful in assessing operating performance of a mobile products and services company, but is not a measure defined under IFRS-IASB.

5See Section 11.2 Operating indicators.

 

Mobile phone gross additions were 455,000 in the third quarter of 2023 and 1,131,000 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting increases of 34,000 for the quarter and 118,000 for the nine-month period. These increases were largely driven by growth in postpaid gross additions due to continued market-driven promotional activity and market aggression, which first escalated in the second quarter of 2023 and continued through the third quarter, increased retail and digital traffic, and growth in the Canadian population.

 

Our mobile phone churn rate was 1.00% in the third quarter of 2023 and 0.93% in the first nine months of 2023, compared to 0.95% in the third quarter of 2022 and 0.86% in the first nine months of 2022. These churn rates increased largely due to higher customer switching activity corresponding with increased market-driven promotions, as discussed above. These factors have been partly mitigated by our continued focus on customer retention through our industry-leading service and network quality, successful promotions and bundled offerings.

 

Mobile phone net additions were 160,000 in the third quarter of 2023 and 317,000 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting increases of 10,000 for the quarter and 28,000 for the nine-month period, driven by higher mobile phone gross additions, partially offset by higher mobile phone churn, as described above.

 

Mobile phone ARPU was $59.19 in the third quarter of 2023, reflecting a decrease of $0.29 or 0.5% for the quarter. This decrease is attributed to lower base rate plan prices from increased promotional activity and market aggression affecting both new and existing customers, which first escalated in the second quarter of 2023 and continued through the third quarter, in addition to lower overage revenues as customers continue to adopt larger or unlimited data and voice allotments in their rate plans. These impacts are partly mitigated by our continued focus to drive higher-value loading and realize higher, albeit moderating, roaming revenues from increased travel. Mobile phone ARPU was $58.85 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting an increase of $0.95 or 1.6% for the nine-month period, due to higher roaming revenues as a result of increased travel, partly offset by aforementioned lower base rate plans and lower overage revenues.

 Page 23 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Connected device net additions were 179,000 in the third quarter of 2023 and 361,000 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting increases of 55,000 for the quarter and 99,000 for the nine-month period, attributable to increased IoT connections, as well as sales of other connected devices, such as tablets and mobile internet.

 

Internet net additions were 37,000 in the third quarter of 2023 and 107,000 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting increases of 1,000 for the quarter and 7,000 for the nine-month period. The increases were due to our success in driving strong gross additions in the consumer market through bundled product offerings, partly offset by a higher churn rate from macroeconomic pressures impacting consumer purchasing decisions.

 

TV net additions were 20,000 in the third quarter of 2023 and 46,000 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting increases of 2,000 for the quarter and 3,000 for the nine-month period, due to our diverse offerings, partly offset by higher churn related to the same factors as internet.

 

Residential voice net losses were 8,000 in the third quarter of 2023 and 24,000 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting increased losses of 2,000 for the quarter and 1,000 for the nine-month period. Our bundled product and lower-priced offerings have been successful at mitigating losses and minimizing substitution to mobile and internet-based services.

 

Security net additions were 18,000 in the third quarter of 2023 and 55,000 in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting decreases of 7,000 for the quarter and 16,000 for the nine-month period, due to higher churn related to the same factors as internet, partly offset by increased demand for our bundled product offerings and diverse suite of products and services.

 

Healthcare lives covered were 69.6 million as of the end of the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 9.2 million over the past 12 months, mainly due to healthy growth in our employee and family assistance programs from both new and existing clients across all of our regions, in addition to continued demand for virtual solutions.

 

Virtual care members were 5.5 million as of the end of the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 1.5 million over the past 12 months, attributable to the continued adoption of virtual solutions that keep Canadians and others safely connected to health and wellness care.

 

Digital health transactions were 150.6 million in the third quarter of 2023 and 452.4 million in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting increases of 7.4 million for the quarter and 24.2 million for the nine-month period, largely driven by increased paid exchange of healthcare data between our health benefits management system and care providers resulting from higher patient demand for elective health services.

 

Operating revenues and other income – TTech segment
 
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Mobile network revenue   1,753    1,696    3.4%   5,168    4,896    5.6%
Mobile equipment and other service revenues   557    545    2.2%   1,593    1,444    10.3%
Fixed data services1   1,153    1,099    4.9%   3,427    3,235    5.9%
Fixed voice services   191    198    (3.5)%   573    599    (4.3)%
Fixed equipment and other service revenues   125    125    %   384    359    7.0%
Health services   422    225    87.6%   1,273    502    n/m 
Agriculture and consumer goods services   83    85    (2.4)%   246    251    (2.0)%
Operating revenues (arising from contracts with customers)   4,284    3,973    7.8%   12,664    11,286    12.2%
Other income   18    31    (41.9)%   69    85    (18.8)%
External Operating revenues and other income   4,302    4,004    7.4%   12,733    11,371    12.0%
Intersegment revenues   4    5    (20.0)%   12    13    (7.7)%
TTech Operating revenues and other income   4,306    4,009    7.4%   12,745    11,384    12.0%

 

1Excludes health services and agriculture and consumer goods services.

 

TTech Operating revenues and other income increased by $297 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1,361 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Mobile network revenue increased by $57 million or 3.4% in the third quarter of 2023 and $272 million or 5.6% in the first nine months of 2023, largely due to growth in our mobile phone and connected device subscriber base, as well as moderating roaming revenue growth. These impacts were partly offset by the impact of lower base rate plan prices and lower overage revenues as previously discussed in mobile phone ARPU.

 Page 24 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Mobile equipment and other service revenues increased by $12 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily attributable to higher-value smartphones in the sales mix. This was partly offset by a reduction in contracted volumes attributed to increased promotional activity centred around rate plans and market aggression, in addition to more customers taking advantage of bring-your-own-device plan offerings. Mobile equipment and other service revenues increased by $149 million in the first nine months of 2023, due to higher-value smartphones in the sales mix and higher contracted volumes as overall market activity had increased.

 

Fixed data services revenues increased by $54 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $192 million in the first nine months of 2023. These increases were driven by: (i) an increase in our internet, security and TV subscribers; and (ii) higher, albeit moderating, revenue per customer as a result of internet speed upgrades and rate changes. This growth was partially offset by lower TV revenue per customer, reflecting an increased mix of customers selecting smaller TV combination packages and technological substitution.

 

Fixed voice services revenues decreased by $7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $26 million in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting the ongoing decline in legacy voice revenues as a result of technological substitution and price plan changes. Declines were partly mitigated by the success of our bundled product offerings, our retention efforts and the migration from legacy to IP services offerings.

 

Fixed equipment and other service revenues were unchanged in the third quarter of 2023. Fixed equipment and other service revenues increased by $25 million in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting higher business and consumer sales volumes and lower discounts on consumer premise equipment.

 

Health services revenues increased by $197 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $771 million in the first nine months of 2023, driven by: (i) our acquisition of LifeWorks on September 1, 2022, inclusive of organic growth in demand for our integrated health, productivity, retirement and benefit solutions; (ii) the continued adoption of our virtual care solutions; and (iii) increased revenue associated with our pharmacy management software.

 

Agriculture and consumer goods services revenues decreased by $2 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $5 million in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting transient headwinds and macroeconomic challenges, including subscription softness and churn in our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-based revenue management software for consumer goods manufacturers. Our agriculture and consumer goods revenues are largely earned in U.S. dollars, and in 2023 compared to 2022, the Canadian dollar weakened against the U.S. dollar, resulting in favourable impacts to revenues in these periods.

 

Other income decreased by $13 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $16 million in the first nine months of 2023, largely due to lower reversals of business combination-related provisions in the current periods and a gain on acquisition of control of LifeWorks in the prior year. These effects were partly offset by higher net gains on the sale of assets.

 

Intersegment revenues represent services provided to the DLCX segment that are eliminated upon consolidation, together with the associated DLCX expenses.

 

Direct contribution – TTech segment
 
   Mobile products and services   Fixed products and services1   Total TTech 
Three-month periods ended                                             
September 30 ($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Revenues                                             
Service   1,792    1,725    3.9%   1,890    1,656    14.1%   3,682    3,381    8.9%
Equipment   518    516    0.4%   84    76    10.5%   602    592    1.7%
Operating revenues (arising from contracts with customers)   2,310    2,241    3.1%   1,974    1,732    14.0%   4,284    3,973    7.8%
Expenses                                             
Direct expenses   707    703    0.6%   675    522    29.3%   1,382    1,225    12.8%
Direct contribution   1,603    1,538    4.2%   1,299    1,210    7.4%   2,902    2,748    5.6%

 Page 25 of 53

 

 

TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Direct contribution – TTech segment
 
   Mobile products and services   Fixed products and services1   Total TTech 
Nine-month periods ended                                             
September 30 ($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Revenues                                             
Service   5,265    4,972    5.9%   5,641    4,715    19.6%   10,906    9,687    12.6%
Equipment   1,496    1,368    9.4%   262    231    13.4%   1,758    1,599    9.9%
Operating revenues (arising from contracts with customers)   6,761    6,340    6.6%   5,903    4,946    19.3%   12,664    11,286    12.2%
Expenses                                             
Direct expenses   2,025    1,905    6.3%   2,006    1,454    38.0%   4,031    3,359    20.0%
Direct contribution   4,736    4,435    6.8%   3,897    3,492    11.6%   8,633    7,927    8.9%

 

1Includes health services and agriculture and consumer goods services.

 

The direct expenses included in the direct contribution calculations in the preceding tables represent components of the Goods and services purchased and Employee benefits expense totals included in the table below and have been calculated in accordance with the accounting policies used to prepare the totals presented in the financial statements. TTech direct contribution increased by $154 million or 5.6% in the third quarter of 2023 and $706 million or 8.9% in the first nine months of 2023.

 

TTech mobile products and services direct contribution increased by $65 million or 4.2% in the third quarter of 2023 and $301 million or 6.8% in the first nine months of 2023, largely reflecting mobile subscriber growth, higher roaming margins associated with increased international travel volumes and higher equipment margins. These were partly offset by higher commissions attributed to increased levels of retail traffic.

 

TTech fixed products and services direct contribution increased by $89 million or 7.4% in the third quarter of 2023 and $405 million or 11.6% in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting growth in health, inclusive of business acquisitions and organic growth, as well as increased margins for internet, data and security, driven by subscriber growth. These were partly offset by declining TV and legacy voice margins, principally due to technological substitution.

 

Operating expenses – TTech segment
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Goods and services purchased1   1,886    1,785    5.7%   5,516    4,955    11.3%
Employee benefits expense1   1,074    767    40.0%   2,973    2,155    38.0%
TTech operating expenses   2,960    2,552    16.0%   8,489    7,110    19.4%

 

1Includes restructuring and other costs.

 

TTech operating expenses increased by $408 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1,379 million in the first nine months of 2023. See TTech Adjusted EBITDA below for further details.

 

EBITDA – TTech segment
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions, except margins)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
EBITDA   1,346    1,457    (7.7)%   4,256    4,274    (0.5)%
Add restructuring and other costs included in EBITDA   287    67    n/m    522    121    n/m 
Deduct other equity income related to real estate joint ventures           n/m    (1)       n/m 
Adjusted EBITDA   1,633    1,524    7.0%   4,777    4,395    8.7%
EBITDA margin1 (%)   31.3    36.3    (5.0) pts.   33.4    37.5    (4.1) pts.
Adjusted EBITDA margin1 (%)   37.9    38.0    (0.1) pts.   37.5    38.6    (1.1) pts.

 

1These are non-GAAP and other specified financial measures. See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

TTech EBITDA decreased by $111 million or 7.7% in the third quarter of 2023 and $18 million or 0.5% in the first nine months of 2023. As a partial offset to the growth drivers discussed within TTech Adjusted EBITDA below, EBITDA also reflects higher restructuring and other costs of $220 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily related to efficiency and effectiveness programs, and $401 million in the first nine months of 2023, inclusive of real estate rationalization as well as one-time amounts recorded of $68 million for the ratification of the new collective agreement between the TWU and ourselves.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

TTech Adjusted EBITDA increased by $109 million or 7.0% in the third quarter of 2023 and $382 million or 8.7% in the first nine months of 2023, reflecting an increase in direct contribution, lower headcount, inclusive of synergies achieved with LifeWorks, and lower advertising and promotional costs. These factors were partially offset by: (i) merit-based compensation increases; (ii) higher costs related to business acquisitions; (iii) increased services provided by the DLCX segment; and (iv) higher costs related to the scaling of our digital capabilities, inclusive of increased subscription-based licences, contractor and cloud usage costs.

Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 0.1 percentage points in the third quarter of 2023 and 1.1 percentage points in the first nine months of 2023. These declines were largely due to our continued diversification into growth sectors that are generally lower margin – and less capital intensive – than traditional telecommunications, inclusive of our LifeWorks acquisition, in addition to rising subscription-based software licence and cloud infrastructure costs as we scale our digital capabilities while working in the early stages of decommissioning certain on-premise servers and other organizational processes. These impacts were partly offset by our cost efficiency and effectiveness programs.

 

Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures – TTech segment
 
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Adjusted EBITDA   1,633    1,524    7.0%   4,777    4,395    8.7%
Capital expenditures   (734)   (892)   (17.7)%   (2,200)   (2,710)   (18.8)%
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures1   899    632    42.2%   2,577    1,685    52.9%

 

1See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

TTech Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures increased by $267 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $892 million in the first nine months of 2023. See Section 7.3 for further discussion on capital expenditures.

 

EBIT – TTech segment                        
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
EBITDA   1,346    1,457    (7.7)%   4,256    4,274    (0.5)%
Depreciation   (563)   (511)   10.2%   (1,713)   (1,523)   12.5%
Amortization of intangible assets   (329)   (258)   27.5%   (993)   (755)   31.5%
EBIT1   454    688    (34.0)%   1,550    1,996    (22.3)%

 

1See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

TTech EBIT decreased by $234 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $446 million in the first nine months of 2023. Depreciation and amortization increased, reflecting business acquisitions and growth in capital assets over the past 12 months, including our expanded fibre footprint and 5G network roll-out, and increased depreciation on network leases in addition to higher depreciation arising from real estate rationalization.

 

5.5 Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International segment

 

DLCX trends

 

The historical trend over the past eight quarters in DLCX revenue reflects both the growth in our organic customer base, increases in new service programs provided to existing clients and growth from acquisitions, including our acquisition of WillowTree on January 3, 2023. The higher revenue also includes revenue from internal services provided to the TTech segment. In the third quarter of 2023, we continued to experience a greater than expected reduction in service volume demand from some of our larger technology clients, particularly in Europe, which became more significant beginning in the second quarter of 2023. In addition, several of our key clients also began to aggressively reduce their own costs, which has created delays and near-term reductions in spend commitments.

 

Goods and services purchased and Employee benefits expense increased due to the expansion of our DLCX team member base to service growing volumes, changes in external labour requirements to support the growth in our digital services business, changes in our crowd-sourced enabled workforce to support our AI business, increases in our software licensing costs associated with a growing team member base, and increases in administrative expenses and facility costs to support overall business growth and acquisitions.

 

Depreciation and amortization have increased due to growth in our capital assets to support the expansion of our delivery sites required to service customer demand, and growth in intangible assets recognized in connection with our business acquisitions, including our acquisition of WillowTree.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

DLCX operating indicators
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Operating revenues by industry vertical                              
Tech and games   404    377    7.2%   1,191    1,099    8.4%
Communications and media   208    196    6.1%   626    555    12.8%
eCommerce and fintech   95    87    9.2%   291    285    2.1%
Healthcare   51    14    n/m    155    43    n/m 
Banking, financial services and insurance   46    55    (16.4)%   156    161    (3.1)%
All others1   85    74    14.9%   294    216    36.1%
    889    803    10.7%   2,713    2,359    15.0%
Operating revenues by geographic region                              
Europe   271    276    (1.8)%   841    857    (1.9)%
North America   248    206    20.4%   786    584    34.6%
Asia-Pacific   217    194    11.9%   638    566    12.7%
Central America and others2   153    127    20.5%   448    352    27.3%
    889    803    10.7%   2,713    2,359    15.0%

 

1All others includes, among others, travel and hospitality, energy and utilities, retail and consumer packaged goods industry verticals.
2Others includes South America and Africa geographic regions.

 

Across all of our verticals, the reported revenue growth rates were positively impacted by the strengthening of both the U.S. dollar and the European euro against the Canadian dollar compared to the same periods in the prior year.

 

Revenue from our tech and games industry vertical increased by $27 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $92 million in the first nine months of 2023, due to continued growth experienced with a number of our technology clients and the addition of new clients, which was partially offset by lower revenue from one of our largest clients, a leading social media company. Revenue from our communications and media industry vertical increased by $12 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $71 million in the first nine months of 2023, driven primarily by more services provided to the TTech segment and the addition of new clients from our acquisition of WillowTree. Revenue from our eCommerce and fintech industry vertical increased by $8 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $6 million in the first nine months of 2023, due to the addition of new clients from our acquisition of WillowTree, partially offset by a decline in service volumes from fintech clients. Revenue from our healthcare industry vertical increased by $37 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $112 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to more services provided to the healthcare business unit of the TTech segment. Revenue from our banking, financial services and insurance industry vertical decreased by $9 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $5 million in the first nine months of 2023, due to lower service volumes from a global financial institution client, partially offset by the addition of new clients from our acquisition of WillowTree.

 

We serve our clients, who are primarily domiciled in North America and Europe, from multiple delivery locations across various geographic regions. In addition, our TELUS International AI Data Solutions (TIAI) clients are largely supported by crowdsourced contractors that are globally dispersed and not limited to the physical locations of our delivery centres. In general, revenue growth in each geographic region, excluding Europe, corresponds with the overall growth of the business and our consolidated revenue. The decline in revenue in Europe for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 was primarily due to lower service volumes from our technology clients serviced from this region. The table above presents the revenue generated in each geographic region, based on the location of our delivery centre or where the services were provided from, for the periods presented.

 

Operating revenues and other income – DLCX segment
 
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Operating revenues (arising from contracts with customers)   706    667    5.8%   2,185    1,983    10.2%
Intersegment revenues   183    136    34.6%   528    376    40.4%
DLCX Operating revenues and other income   889    803    10.7%   2,713    2,359    15.0%

 

DLCX Operating revenues and other income increased by $86 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $354 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Our digital and customer experience solutions revenues increased by $39 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $202 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily attributable to growth in our tech and games, eCommerce and fintech and other industry vertical clients, arising from additional services provided to certain existing clients and new clients added since the prior year, including new clients from the acquisition of WillowTree. This growth was partially offset by lower revenues from one of our largest clients, a leading social media company, as well as a global financial institution client. In addition, the strengthening of both the U.S. dollar and the European euro against the Canadian dollar resulted in a favourable foreign currency impact on our DLCX operating results. Revenues from contracts denominated in U.S. dollars, European euros and other currencies will be affected by changes in foreign exchange rates.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Intersegment revenues represent services provided to the TTech segment, including those from the TELUS master services agreement. Such revenue is eliminated upon consolidation, together with the associated TTech expenses. The increase in intersegment revenues reflects the competitive benefits TELUS derives from the lower cost structure in the DLCX segment and the significant amounts of value-generating digital, customer experience, telecommunications, health and consumer goods solutions TELUS receives, while maintaining control over the quality of the associated services delivered and, on a consolidated basis, retaining the margin that a third-party vendor would otherwise earn.

 

Operating expenses – DLCX segment
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Goods and services purchased1   159    150    6.0%   475    459    3.5%
Employee benefits expense1   559    464    20.5%   1,768    1,366    29.4%
DLCX operating expenses   718    614    16.9%   2,243    1,825    22.9%

 

1Includes restructuring and other costs.

 

DLCX operating expenses increased by $104 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $418 million in the first nine months of 2023. See DLCX Adjusted EBITDA below for further details.

 

EBITDA – DLCX segment
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions, except margins)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
EBITDA   171    189    (9.4)%   470    534    (11.9)%
Add restructuring and other costs included in EBITDA   16    11    n/m    55    25    n/m 
Adjusted EBITDA1   187    200    (6.5)%   525    559    (6.1)%
EBITDA margin2 (%)   19.2    23.6    (4.4) pts.   17.3    22.6    (5.3) pts.
Adjusted EBITDA margin2 (%)   21.0    24.9    (3.9) pts.   19.3    23.7    (4.4) pts.

 

1For certain metrics, there are definitional differences between TELUS and TELUS International reporting. These differences largely arise from TELUS International adopting definitions consistent with practice in its industry.
2These are non-GAAP and other specified financial measures. See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

DLCX EBITDA decreased by $18 million or 9.4% in the third quarter of 2023 and $64 million or 11.9% in the first nine months of 2023. DLCX Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $13 million or 6.5% in the third quarter of 2023 and $34 million or 6.1% in the first nine months of 2023, while Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 3.9 percentage points in the third quarter of 2023 and 4.4 percentage points in the first nine months of 2023. These decreases were primarily due to cost imbalances arising from reductions in service demand, principally in Europe, from some of our larger technology clients, with the impacts being more significant beginning in the second quarter of 2023, which were partially offset by cost efficiency efforts initiated in the second quarter of 2023. Notably, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin have shown sequential improvement, reflecting the positive impacts realized from cost efficiency efforts, including decreases in our team member count within DLCX in response to the reduction in service demand from some of our clients.

 

Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures – DLCX segment
 
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Adjusted EBITDA   187    200    (6.5)%   525    559    (6.1)%
Capital expenditures   (35)   (33)   6.1%   (89)   (102)   (12.7)%
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures1   152    167    (9.0)%   436    457    (4.6)%

 

1See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

DLCX Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures decreased by $15 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $21 million in the first nine months of 2023. See Section 7.3 for further discussion on capital expenditures.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

EBIT – DLCX segment
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ in millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
EBITDA   171    189    (9.4)%   470    534    (11.9)%
Depreciation   (48)   (39)   23.1%   (136)   (114)   19.3%
Amortization of intangible assets   (60)   (42)   42.9%   (186)   (131)   42.0%
EBIT1   63    108    (41.7)%   148    289    (48.8)%

 

1See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

DLCX EBIT decreased by $45 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $141 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to the decrease in EBITDA as described above, higher depreciation and amortization related to the acquisition of WillowTree, and corresponding intangible assets acquired on January 3, 2023.

 

6.Changes in financial position

 

Financial position at:  Sept. 30   Dec. 31        
($ millions)  2023   2022   Change   Change includes:
Current assets                  
Cash and temporary investments, net  1,204   974   230   See Section 7 Liquidity and capital resources
Accounts receivable   3,363    3,316    47   An increase primarily driven by higher fixed product customer receivables and acquisitions, partly offset by decreases in sales volumes from our dealer and retail channels, receipt of vendor credits and wireless roaming
Income and other taxes receivable   163    124    39   Instalments to date are more than the expense
Inventories   550    537    13   An increase primarily driven by the advance purchase of fixed product inventory and increase in the volume of used handsets, offset by higher consumption of fixed product inventory
Contract assets   423    441    (18)  Refer to description in non-current contract assets
Prepaid expenses   775    617    158   An increase in the prepayment of maintenance contracts net of amortization and annual prepayment of statutory employee benefits and licensing fees
Current derivative assets   65    83    (18)  A decrease in the notional amount of hedging items.
Current liabilities                  
Short-term borrowings   104    104       See Note 22 of the interim consolidated financial statements
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   3,401    3,952    (551)  A decrease primarily driven by a reduction in liabilities associated with trade accounts payables and capital expenditures. See Note 23 of the interim consolidated financial statements
Income and other taxes payable   145    112    33   Instalments to date are less than the expense
Dividends payable   529    502    27   Effects of increases in the dividend rate and number of shares outstanding
Advance billings and customer deposits   937    891    46   An increase in advance billings primarily due to business growth during the period. See Note 24 of the interim consolidated financial statements
Provisions   345    166    179   An increase primarily driven by employee-related provisions
Current maturities of long-term debt   4,376    2,541    1,835   An increase from the reclassification of long-term debt related to the upcoming maturity of $1.1 billion Notes, Series CK, in April 2024, and the upcoming maturity of TELUS bank credit facility of $1.1 billion in July 2024; partly offset by the maturity of $500 million Notes, Series CJ, in March 2023 and a decrease in outstanding commercial paper
Current derivative liabilities   4    18    (14)  A decrease in the notional amount of hedging items.

Working capital

(Current assets subtracting Current liabilities)

   (3,298)   (2,194)   (1,104)  TELUS normally has a negative working capital position. See Financing and capital structure management plans in Section 4.3 and Note 4(c) of the interim consolidated financial statements.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Financial position at:  Sept. 30   Dec. 31        
($ millions)  2023   2022   Change   Change includes:
Non-current assets                  
Property, plant and equipment, net   17,372    17,084    288   See Capital expenditures in Section 7.3 Cash used by investing activities and Depreciation in Section 5.3 Consolidated operations
Intangible assets, net   19,813    19,239    574   See Capital expenditures in Section 7.3 Cash used by investing activities and Amortization of intangible assets in Section 5.3 Consolidated operations
Goodwill, net   10,053    9,131    922   An increase primarily due to the acquisitions of WillowTree and individually immaterial business acquisitions. See Note 18 of the interim consolidated financial statements
Contract assets   280    320    (40)  A decrease driven by lower subsidized devices offset with our Bring-It-Back and TELUS Easy Payment® programs
Other long-term assets   2,399    2,203    196   An increase primarily due to new investments in associates, partially offset by decreases in the fair value of virtual power purchase agreements.
Non-current liabilities                  
Provisions   682    538    144   A net increase primarily driven by business acquisitions
Long-term debt   23,457    22,496    961   See Section 7.4 Cash provided by financing activities
Other long-term liabilities   623    636    (13)  A decrease due to pension benefit liabilities. See Note 27 of the interim consolidated financial statements
Deferred income taxes   4,351    4,455    (104)  An overall decrease in temporary differences between the accounting and tax basis of assets and liabilities.
Owners’ equity                  
Common equity   16,317    16,569    (252)  See Consolidated statements of changes in owners’ equity in the interim consolidated financial statements
Non-controlling interests   1,189    1,089    100   See Consolidated statements of changes in owners’ equity in the interim consolidated financial statements.

 

7.Liquidity and capital resources

 

This section contains forward-looking statements, including those with respect to our TELUS Corporation Common Share (Common Share) dividend payout ratio and net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio. See Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.

 

7.1 Overview

 

Our capital structure financial policies and financing and capital structure management plans are described in Section 4.3.

 

Cash flows
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Cash provided by operating activities   1,307    1,300    7    3,185    3,685    (500)
Cash used by investing activities   (791)   (1,917)   1,126    (4,032)   (4,554)   522 
Cash provided by financing activities   39    1,675    (1,636)   1,077    1,586    (509)
Increase in Cash and temporary investments, net   555    1,058    (503)   230    717    (487)
Cash and temporary investments, net, beginning of period   649    382    267    974    723    251 
Cash and temporary investments, net, end of period   1,204    1,440    (236)   1,204    1,440    (236)

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

7.2 Cash provided by operating activities

 

Analysis of changes in cash provided by operating activities
 
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Operating revenues and other income (see Section 5.3)   5,008    4,671    337    14,918    13,354    1,564 
Goods and services purchased (see Section 5.3)   (1,858)   (1,794)   (64)   (5,451)   (5,025)   (426)
Employee benefits expense (see Section 5.3)   (1,633)   (1,231)   (402)   (4,741)   (3,521)   (1,220)
Restructuring and other costs, net of disbursements   90    4    86    190    (13)   203 
Net employee defined benefit plans expense   15    24    (9)   46    76    (30)
Employer contributions to employee defined benefit plans   (7)   (9)   2    (23)   (34)   11 
Share-based compensation expense, net of payments   27    30    (3)   100    98    2 
Unrealized change in forward element of virtual power purchase agreements (see Section 5.3)   33    (151)   184    59    (231)   290 
Interest paid   (307)   (203)   (104)   (888)   (578)   (310)
Interest received   4    10    (6)   11    11     
Income taxes paid, net of recoveries received   (63)   (91)   28    (342)   (329)   (13)
Other operating working capital changes   (2)   40    (42)   (694)   (123)   (571)
Cash provided by operating activities   1,307    1,300    7    3,185    3,685    (500)

 

Cash provided by operating activities increased by $7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and decreased by $500 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Restructuring and other costs, net of disbursements, represented a net change of $86 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $203 million in the first nine months of 2023. We incurred lower restructuring and other costs disbursements net of expense, related to cost efficiency and effectiveness initiatives, which includes $68 million in one-time amounts for the ratification of the new collective agreement between the Telecommunications Workers Union, United Steelworkers Local 1944 (TWU) and ourselves that was paid in the second quarter of 2023.

 

Interest paid increased by $104 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $310 million in the first nine months of 2023, largely due to: (i) the issuances of the three-tranche $2.0 billion of notes near the end of third quarter of 2022 and the first quarter 2023 Series CAJ notes described in Section 7.4; (ii) increased draws on the TELUS International (TI) credit facility; (iii) the unsecured non-revolving $1.1 billion bank credit facility maturing July 9, 2024, which was first drawn during the third quarter of 2022; and (iv) increased interest paid on commercial paper, as we had more commercial paper outstanding during the first nine months of 2023 at higher interest rates.

 

For a discussion of Other operating working capital changes, see Section 6 Changes in financial position and Note 31(a) of the interim consolidated financial statements.

 

7.3 Cash used by investing activities

 

Analysis of changes in cash used by investing activities
 
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences   (745)   (832)   87    (2,498)   (2,861)   363 
Cash payments for spectrum licences   (24)       (24)   (29)       (29)
Cash payments for acquisitions, net   (11)   (1,022)   1,011    (1,273)   (1,502)   229 
Advances to, and investment in, real estate joint ventures and associates   (19)   (1)   (18)   (136)   (3)   (133)
Real estate joint venture receipts   1    1        5    3    2 
Proceeds on disposition       3    (3)   7    15    (8)
Investment in portfolio investments and other   7    (66)   73    (108)   (206)   98 
Cash used by investing activities   (791)   (1,917)   1,126    (4,032)   (4,554)   522 

 

Cash used by investing activities decreased by $1,126 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $522 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

The decrease in Cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, was primarily composed of:

 

Decreases in capital expenditures of $156 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $523 million in the first nine months of 2023 (see Capital expenditure measures table and discussion below)

 

Higher capital expenditure payments of $69 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $160 million in the first nine months of 2023 with respect to payment timing differences.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Cash payments for spectrum licences increased by $24 million in the third quarter and $29 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily related to the acquisition of AWS-1 and broadband radio service (BRS) bands.

 

In the first quarter of 2023, we made cash payments for the acquisition of WillowTree, as well as individually immaterial business acquisitions that are complementary to our existing lines of business. This is compared to the first nine months of 2022, where we made cash payments for the acquisitions of Fully Managed Inc., Vivint Smart Home and LifeWorks, as well as other individually immaterial business acquisitions that were complementary to our existing lines of business.

 

Advances to, and investments in, real estate joint ventures and associates increased by $18 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $133 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily related to our equity interest in Miovision Technologies Incorporated. See Note 21 of the interim consolidated financial statements for further details.

 

·Investment in portfolio investments and other decreased by $73 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $98 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily from a decrease of capital inventory, as well as investments in a greater number of portfolio investments in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022.

 

Capital expenditure measures
                         
   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ millions, except capital expenditure intensity)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Capital expenditures1                        
TELUS technology solutions (TTech) segment                              
TTech operations   712    873    (18.4)%   2,161    2,678    (19.3)%
TTech real estate development   22    19    15.8%   39    32    21.9%
    734    892    (17.7)%   2,200    2,710    (18.8)%
Digitally-led customer experiences – TELUS International (DLCX) segment   35    33    6.1%   89    102    (12.7)%
Consolidated   769    925    (16.9)%   2,289    2,812    (18.6)%
TTech segment capital expenditure intensity2 (%)   17    22    (5) pts.   17    24    (7) pts.
DLCX segment capital expenditure intensity2 (%)   4    4      pts.   3    4    (1) pt.
Consolidated capital expenditure intensity2 (%)   15    19    (4) pts.   15    21    (6) pts.

 

1Capital expenditures include assets purchased, excluding right-of-use lease assets, but not yet paid for. Consequently, capital expenditures differ from Cash payments for capital assets, excluding spectrum licences, as reported in the condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 31 of the interim consolidated financial statements for further information.
2See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

Consolidated capital expenditures decreased by $156 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $523 million in the first nine months of 2023. TTech operations drove $161 million of the decrease in the third quarter of 2023 and $517 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to the planned slowdown of our fibre and wireless network build and systems development, which is consistent with 2023 build targets when compared to our accelerated investments in the comparative periods of 2022. Our capital investments have enabled: (i) our internet, TV and security subscriber growth, as well as more premises connected to our fibre network; (ii) increased coverage of our 5G network; (iii) the expansion of our health product offerings and capabilities, as well as to support business integration; and (iv) enhancement of our product and digital development to increase our system capacity and reliability. TTech real estate development capital expenditures increased by $3 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $7 million in the first nine months of 2023, due to increased capital investment to support construction of multi-year development projects including TELUS Ocean and other commercial buildings in B.C. By September 30, 2023, our 5G network covered approximately 31.6 million Canadians, representing over 85% of the population.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

7.4 Cash provided by financing activities

 

Analysis of changes in cash provided by financing activities

 

   Three-month periods ended September 30   Nine-month periods ended September 30 
($ millions)  2023   2022   Change   2023   2022   Change 
Dividends paid to holders of Common Shares   (338)   (297)   (41)   (976)   (880)   (96)
Issue (repayment) of short-term borrowings, net   (490)   (182)   (308)       (17)   17 
Long-term debt issued   2,808    4,936    (2,128)   8,325    8,993    (668)
Redemptions and repayment of long-term debt   (1,925)   (2,759)   834    (6,195)   (6,388)   193 
Shares of subsidiary purchased from non-controlling interests, net               (57)   (85)   28 
Other   (16)   (23)   7    (20)   (37)   17 
Cash provided by financing activities   39    1,675    (1,636)   1,077    1,586    (509)

 

Cash provided by financing activities decreased by $1,636 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $509 million in the first nine months of 2023.

 

Dividends paid to holders of Common Shares 

 

Our dividend reinvestment and share purchase (DRISP) plan trustee acquired shares from Treasury for the DRISP plan, rather than acquiring Common Shares in the stock market. Effective with the dividends paid on October 1, 2019, we offered Common Shares from Treasury at a discount of 2%. Cash payments for dividends increased by $41 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $96 million in the first nine months of 2023, which reflected higher dividend rates under our dividend growth program (see Section 4.3) and an increase in the number of shares outstanding. This was partly offset by a higher discounted DRISP issuance. During the third quarter of 2023, our DRISP plan trustee acquired Common Shares for $188 million.

 

In October 2023, we paid dividends of $339 million to the holders of Common Shares and the trustee acquired dividend reinvestment Common Shares from Treasury for $190 million, totalling $529 million.

 

Issue (repayment) of short-term borrowings, net 

 

In the first quarter of 2023, we drew down amounts advanced to us from an arm’s-length securitization trust to finance working capital. These amounts were repaid in the third quarter of 2023.

 

Long-term debt issued and Redemptions and repayment of long-term debt 

 

In the third quarter of 2023, long-term debt issued decreased by $2,128 million, while redemptions and repayment of long-term debt decreased by $834 million. These changes were primarily composed of:

 

A net decrease in commercial paper outstanding, including foreign exchange effects, of $527 million to a balance of $1.4 billion (US$1.0 billion) at September 30, 2023, from a balance of $1.9 billion (US$1.5 billion) at June 30, 2023. Our commercial paper program, when utilized, provides lower-cost funds than our revolving credit facility and is fully backstopped by the revolving credit facility (see Section 7.6 Credit facilities).

 

A decrease in net draws on the TI credit facility, including foreign exchange effects, of $114 million. As at September 30, 2023, net draws due to a syndicate of financial institutions (excluding TELUS Corporation) were US$1.4 billion, whereas as at June 30, 2023, net draws were US$1.5 billion. The TI credit facility is non-recourse to TELUS Corporation.

 

The September 8, 2023 three-tranche note issuance of $850 million of senior unsecured 5.75% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAK, maturing on September 8, 2033; $400 million of senior unsecured 5.95% Notes, Series CAL, maturing on September 8, 2053; and $500 million of senior unsecured 5.60% Notes, Series CAM, maturing on September 9, 2030. The net proceeds from the three-tranche offering will be used for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.

 

For the first nine months of 2023, long-term debt issued decreased by $668 million, while redemptions and repayment of long-term debt increased by $193 million. In addition to some activity from the third quarter of 2023, the change in balance for the first nine months of 2023 was primarily composed of:

 

A net decrease in commercial paper outstanding, including foreign exchange effects, of $41 million from a balance of $1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) at December 31, 2022.

 

An increase in net draws on the TI credit facility, including foreign exchange effects, of $995 million. As at December 31, 2022, net draws due to a syndicate of financial institutions (excluding TELUS Corporation) were US$689 million. The increase in net draws on the TI credit facility was used to fund the acquisition of WillowTree.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

The March 28, 2023 issue of $500 million of senior unsecured 4.95% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAJ, maturing on March 28, 2033. The net proceeds were used for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness and other general corporate purposes.

 

The repayment upon maturity of $500 million of 3.35% Notes, Series CJ due March 2023.

 

The average term to maturity of our long-term debt (excluding commercial paper, TELUS bank credit facilities, the revolving components of the TI credit facility, lease liabilities and other long-term debt) was 11.5 years at September 30, 2023, a decrease from 12.1 years at both December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022. Additionally, the weighted average cost of our long-term debt (excluding commercial paper, TELUS bank credit facilities, the revolving components of the TI credit facility, lease liabilities and other long-term debt) was 4.33% at September 30, 2023, an increase from 4.03% at December 31, 2022 and from 3.95% at September 30, 2022.

 

Shares of subsidiary purchased from non-controlling interests, net 

 

In the second quarter of 2023, we acquired 2.5 million multiple voting shares of TELUS International from a non-controlling interest. As at September 30, 2023, TELUS held approximately 56.0% of the outstanding shares of TELUS International, 1.9% of the outstanding subordinate voting shares, 76.0% of the outstanding multiple voting shares of TELUS International and 73.4% of the outstanding voting rights of TELUS International.

 

In the second quarter of 2022, we also acquired shares of TELUS International from a non-controlling interest.

 

Other 

 

In the third quarter of 2023, we incurred debt issuance costs in connection with the above mentioned September 8, 2023 three-tranche note issuance. This was lesser than debt issuance costs incurred in the first nine months of 2022 in connection with the September 13, 2022 three-tranche note issuance and the first quarter 2022 senior unsecured 3.40% U.S. Dollar Sustainability-Linked Notes issuance.

 

We also incurred debt issuance costs in connection with the issuance of our senior unsecured 4.95% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAJ, in the first quarter of 2023, which was lesser than debt issuance costs in connection with the issuance of our senior unsecured 3.40% U.S. Dollar Sustainability-Linked Notes in the first quarter of 2022.

 

7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures

 

Net debt was $26.7 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $3.0 billion compared to one year earlier, resulting mainly from: the third quarter 2023 three-tranche issuance of $1.75 billion of notes as described in Section 7.4; an increase in net draws due to a syndicate of financial institutions (excluding TELUS Corporation) on the TI credit facility, which is non-recourse to TELUS Corporation; and the first quarter 2023 issuance of $500 million of Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAJ, as described in Section 7.4; and less Cash and temporary investments. These factors were partially offset by the repayment upon maturity of 3.35% Notes, Series CJ in the first quarter of 2023.

 

Fixed-rate debt as a proportion of total indebtedness, which excludes lease liabilities and other long-term debt, was 85% as at September 30, 2023, down from 86% one year earlier. The decrease was primarily due to: (i) an increase in net draws due to a syndicate of financial institutions (excluding TELUS Corporation) on the TI credit facility; (ii) the repayment upon maturity of 3.35% Notes, Series CJ in the first quarter of 2023; and (iii) an increase in commercial paper outstanding, which is classified as floating-rate debt in this calculation. These factors were partially offset by: (i) the third quarter 2023 three-tranche issuance of $1.75 billion of notes and the first quarter 2023 issuance of $500 million of Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAJ, both as described in Section 7.4; and (ii) the size of the unsecured non-revolving bank credit facility maturing July 9, 2024 being reduced from $1.6 billion at September 30, 2022 to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2023, and it is classified as floating-rate debt in this calculation.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Our Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio supports our financial objective of maintaining investment-grade credit ratings, which facilitates reasonable access to capital. This ratio was 3.82 times, as measured at September 30, 2023, up from 3.44 times one year earlier. The effect of the increase, primarily due to business acquisitions, on net debt levels (which were already elevated in the current and comparative periods due to the acquisition of spectrum licences, our largest indefinite life asset), exceeded the effect of growth in EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs. As at September 30, 2023, the acquisition of spectrum licences increased the ratio by approximately 0.45 and business acquisitions over the past 12 months increased the ratio by approximately 0.14. Our recent acquisitions of spectrum licences have increased our national spectrum holdings and represent an investment to extend our network capacity to support continuing growth in demand for data, as well as growth in our mobile subscriber base. Given the cash demands of the 600 MHz auction in 2019, the 3500 MHz auction in 2021, the 3800 MHz auction that commenced in October 2023 and the expected upcoming spectrum auction in 2024 for millimetre wave, the assessment of the guideline and timing of return to the objective range remains to be determined; however, it is our intent to return to a ratio below 2.70 times in the medium term (following the spectrum auction in 2021, and the spectrum auctions underway in 2023 and expected in 2024), consistent with our long-term strategy. While this ratio exceeds our long-term objective range, we are well in compliance with the leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, which states that we may not permit our leverage ratio to exceed 4.25 to 1.00 at September 30, 2023 (see Section 7.6 Credit facilities). 

 

Liquidity and capital resource measures 

 

As at, or for the 12-month periods ended, September 30  2023   2022   Change 
Components of debt and coverage ratios ($ millions)               
Long-term debt   27,833    25,139    2,694 
Net debt1   26,719    23,689    3,030 
Net income   822    2,116    (1,294)
EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs1   6,995    6,880    115 
Financing costs   1,317    502    815 
Net interest cost1   1,218    752    466 
Debt ratios               
Fixed-rate debt as a proportion of total indebtedness (excluding lease liabilities and other long-term debt) (%)   85    86    (1) pt.
Average term to maturity of long-term debt (excluding commercial paper, TELUS bank credit facilities, the revolving components of the TI credit facility, lease liabilities and other long-term debt) (years)   11.5    12.1    (0.6)
Weighted average interest rate on long-term debt (excluding commercial paper, TELUS bank credit facilities, the revolving components of the TI credit facility, lease liabilities and other long-term debt) (%)   4.33    3.95    0.38 pts.
Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs1 (times)   3.82    3.44    0.38 
Coverage ratios1 (times)               
Earnings coverage   1.9    4.4    (2.5)
EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage   5.7    9.1    (3.4)
Other measures1 (%)               
Determined using most comparable IFRS-IASB measures               
Ratio of Common Share dividends declared to cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures   151    215    (64) pts.
Determined using management measures               
Common Share dividend payout ratio – net of dividend reinvestment plan effects   88    120    (32) pts.

 

1     See Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures.

 

Earnings coverage ratio for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2023 was 1.9 times, down from 4.4 times one year earlier. A decrease in income before borrowing costs and income taxes decreased the ratio by 1.7, while an increase in borrowing costs decreased the ratio by 0.8. Restructuring and other costs impacted the ratio by 0.5.

 

EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2023 was 5.7 times, down from 9.1 times one year earlier. Growth in EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs increased the ratio by 0.2 and an increase in net interest costs of $466 million decreased the ratio by 3.6.

 

Common Share dividend payout ratios: Actual Common Share dividend payout decisions will continue to be subject to our Board’s assessment of our financial position and outlook, as well as our long-term Common Share dividend payout objective range of 60 to 75% of prospective free cash flow. So as to be consistent with the way we manage our business, our Common Share dividend payout ratio is presented as a historical measure calculated as the sum of the dividends declared in the most recent four quarters for Common Shares, as recorded in the financial statements, net of dividend reinvestment plan effects, divided by the sum of the most recent four quarters’ free cash flow amounts for interim reporting periods. For fiscal years, the denominator is annual free cash flow. The historical measure for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2023 is presented for illustrative purposes in evaluating our target guideline. As at September 30, 2023, the ratio was outside of the objective range, primarily due to our planned accelerated capital expenditures program to support our broadband capital investments, the build-out of our TELUS PureFibre infrastructure and the acceleration of our 5G network roll-out. Excluding the effects of our accelerated capital expenditures program of $132 million for the four most recent quarters, as at September 30, 2023, the ratio was 81%.

 

TI intends to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of its business.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

7.6 Credit facilities

 

At September 30, 2023, we had $1,333 million of liquidity available from the TELUS revolving credit facility and $547 million of liquidity available from the TI credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions (excluding TELUS Corporation). We are well within our objective of generally maintaining at least $1 billion of available liquidity.

 

TELUS credit facilities 

 

We have a $2.75 billion (or U.S. dollar equivalent) unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions, expiring July 14, 2028. The revolving credit facility is used for general corporate purposes, including the backstop of commercial paper, as required. As at September 30, 2023, we had an unsecured non-revolving $1.1 billion bank credit facility, maturing July 9, 2024, with a syndicate of financial institutions, which is to be used for general corporate purposes. As at September 30, 2023, we had drawn $1.1 billion on the non-revolving bank credit facility, with an effective average interest rate of 6.0% through October 2023.

 

TELUS revolving credit facility at September 30, 2023

 

($ millions)   Expiry   Size   Drawn  

Outstanding

undrawn

letters of

credit

 

Backstop for

commercial

paper

program

 

Available

liquidity

 
Revolving credit facility1   July 14, 2028   2,750       (1,417 ) 1,333  

 

1     Canadian dollars or U.S. dollar equivalent.

 

Our credit facilities contain customary covenants, including a requirement that we not permit our consolidated leverage ratio to exceed 4.25 to 1.00 and that we not permit our consolidated coverage ratio to be less than 2.00 to 1.00 at the end of any financial quarter. As at September 30, 2023, our consolidated leverage ratio was 3.82 to 1.00 and our consolidated coverage ratio was 5.7 to 1.00. These ratios are expected to remain well within the covenants. There are certain minor differences in the calculation of the leverage ratio and coverage ratio under the revolving credit facility, as compared with the calculation of Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs and EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage. Historically, the calculations are substantially similar other than the covenant includes in EBITDA the unrealized effects of non-currency risk-related derivative financial instruments that are held for trading (see Note 4(d) of the interim consolidated financial statements). The covenants are not impacted by revaluation, if any, of Property, plant and equipment, Intangible assets or Goodwill for accounting purposes. Continued access to our credit facilities is not contingent on maintaining a specific credit rating.

 

Commercial paper 

 

TELUS Corporation has an unsecured commercial paper program, which is backstopped by our revolving credit facility, enabling us to issue commercial paper up to a maximum aggregate equivalent amount at any one time of $2.0 billion (US$1.5 billion maximum) as at September 30, 2023. Foreign currency forward contracts are used to manage currency risk arising from issuing commercial paper denominated in U.S. dollars. The commercial paper program is to be used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, capital expenditures and investments. Our ability to reasonably access the commercial paper market in the U.S. is dependent on our credit ratings (see Section 7.8 Credit ratings).

 

TELUS International credit facility 

 

As at September 30, 2023, TELUS International (Cda) Inc. had a credit facility, secured by its assets, expiring on January 3, 2028, with a syndicate of financial institutions, including TELUS Corporation. The TI credit facility is comprised of revolving components totalling US$800 million (TELUS Corporation as approximately 7.2% lender) and amortizing term loan components totalling US$1.2 billion (TELUS Corporation as approximately 7.2% lender). The TI credit facility is non-recourse to TELUS Corporation. The outstanding revolving components and term loan components had a weighted average interest rate of 7.4% as at September 30, 2023.

 

The term loan components are subject to amortization schedules which requires that 5% of the principal advanced be repaid each year of the term of the agreement, with the balance due at maturity.

 

Other letter of credit facilities 

 

At September 30, 2023, we had $62 million of letters of credit outstanding issued under various uncommitted facilities; such letter of credit facilities are in addition to the ability to provide letters of credit pursuant to our committed revolving bank credit facility. Available liquidity under various uncommitted letters of credit facilities was $122 million at September 30, 2023. We have arranged incremental letters of credit to allow us to participate in Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s 3800 MHz wireless spectrum auction that commenced in October 2023. Under the terms of the auction, communications between bidders that would provide insights into bidding strategies, including reference to preferred blocks, technologies or valuations, are precluded until the deadline for the final payment in the auction. Disclosure of the precise amount of our letters of credit could be interpreted as a signal of bidding intentions. The maximum amount of letters of credit that any national incumbent could be required to deliver is approximately $350 million.

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Other long-term debt 

 

Other liabilities bear interest at 3.3%, are secured by the AWS-4 spectrum licences associated with these other liabilities, and are subject to amortization schedules, so that the principal is repaid over the periods to maturity, the last period ending March 31, 2035.

 

7.7 Sale of trade receivables

 

TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of TELUS, is a party to an agreement with an arm’s-length securitization trust associated with a major Schedule I Canadian bank, under which it is currently able to sell an interest in certain trade receivables for an amount up to a maximum of $600 million. The agreement is in effect until December 31, 2024, and available liquidity was $500 million as at September 30, 2023. (See Note 22 of the interim consolidated financial statements.) Sales of trade receivables in securitization transactions are recognized as collateralized Short-term borrowings and thus do not result in our de-recognition of the trade receivables sold.

 

TCI is required to maintain a credit rating of at least BB by DBRS Ltd. or the securitization trust may require the sale program to be wound down prior to the end of the term. The minimum credit rating was exceeded as of November 3, 2023.

 

7.8 Credit ratings

 

There were no changes to our investment-grade credit ratings during the third quarter of 2023 or as of November 3, 2023. We believe adherence to most of our stated financial policies (see Section 4.3), coupled with our efforts to maintain a constructive relationship with banks, investors and credit rating agencies, continue to provide reasonable access to capital markets.

 

7.9 Financial instruments, commitments and contingent liabilities

 

Financial instruments 

 

Our financial instruments, their accounting classification and the nature of certain risks that they may be subject to were described in Section 7.9 in our 2022 annual MD&A.

 

Liquidity risk 

 

As a component of our capital structure financial policies, discussed in Section 4.3 Liquidity and capital resources, we manage liquidity risk by: maintaining a daily cash pooling process that enables us to manage our available liquidity and our liquidity requirements according to our actual needs; maintaining an agreement to sell trade receivables to an arm’s-length securitization trust; maintaining bilateral bank facilities and syndicated credit facilities; maintaining a supply chain financing program; maintaining a commercial paper program; maintaining an in-effect shelf prospectus; continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows; and managing maturity profiles of financial assets and financial liabilities.

 

As at September 30, 2023, TELUS Corporation could offer an unlimited amount of securities in Canada, and US$3.5 billion of securities in the U.S., qualified pursuant to a Canadian shelf prospectus that is in effect until September 2024. TI has a Canadian shelf prospectus that is in effect until May 2024 under which an unlimited amount of debt or equity securities could be offered.

 

As at September 30, 2023, we had $1.3 billion of liquidity available from the TELUS revolving credit facility and $547 million of liquidity available from the TI credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions (excluding TELUS Corporation) (see Section 7.6 Credit facilities). Excluding the TI credit facility and including cash and temporary investments of $1.2 billion, we had available liquidity of more than $3.0 billion at September 30, 2023 (see Section 11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures). This adheres to our objective of generally maintaining at least $1 billion of available liquidity. We believe that our investment-grade credit ratings contribute to reasonable access to capital markets.

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

Purchase obligations 

 

As at September 30, 2023, our contractual commitments related to the acquisition of Property, plant and equipment were $377 million through to December 31, 2027, as compared to $275 million over a period ending December 31, 2027 reported as at December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to real estate development initiatives.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Claims and lawsuits 

 

A number of claims and lawsuits (including class actions and intellectual property infringement claims) seeking damages and other relief are pending against us and, in some cases, other mobile carriers and telecommunications service providers. As well, we have received notice of, or are aware of, certain possible claims (including intellectual property infringement claims) against us and, in some cases, other mobile carriers and telecommunications service providers.

 

It is not currently possible for us to predict the outcome of such claims, possible claims and lawsuits due to various factors, including: the preliminary nature of some claims; uncertain damage theories and demands; an incomplete factual record; uncertainty concerning legal theories and procedures and their resolution by the courts, at both the trial and the appeal levels; and the unpredictable nature of opposing parties and their demands.

 

However, subject to the foregoing limitations, management is of the opinion, based upon legal assessments and information presently available, that it is unlikely that any liability, to the extent not provided for through insurance or otherwise, would have a material effect on our financial position and the results of our operations, including cash flows, with the exception of the items disclosed in Note 29(a) of the interim consolidated financial statements.

 

7.10 Outstanding share information

 

Outstanding shares (millions)  September 30, 2023   October 31, 2023 
Common Shares   1,455    1,463 
Common Share options   2    2 
Restricted share units and deferred share units – equity-settled   12    12 

 

7.11 Transactions between related parties

 

Transactions with key management personnel 

 

Our key management personnel have authority and responsibility for overseeing, planning, directing and controlling our activities and consist of our Board of Directors and our Executive Team. Total compensation expense for key management personnel was $18 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $60 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $23 million and $78 million in the respective periods in 2022. The decrease in compensation expense for key management personnel in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 was primarily due to lower share-based compensation. See Note 30(a) of the interim consolidated financial statements for additional details.

 

Transactions with defined benefit pension plans 

 

We provided our defined benefit pension plans with management and administrative services on a cost recovery basis and actuarial services on an arm’s-length basis. Charges for these services were immaterial.

 

Transactions with real estate joint ventures and associate 

 

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, we had transactions with real estate joint ventures, which are related parties to us, as set out in Note 21 of the interim consolidated financial statements.

 

For the TELUS Sky real estate joint venture, commitments and contingent liabilities include construction financing ($282 million, with Canadian financial institutions as 66-2/3% lender and TELUS as 33-1/3% lender) under a credit agreement maturing July 12, 2024. We have entered into lease agreements with the TELUS Sky real estate joint venture.

 

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, we increased our investment in Miovision Technologies Incorporated, as set out in Note 21(b) of the interim consolidated financial statements.

 

8.Accounting matters

 

8.1 Critical accounting estimates and judgments

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect: the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and the reported amounts and classification of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting estimates and significant judgments are generally discussed with the Audit Committee each quarter and are described in Section 8.1 in our 2022 annual MD&A, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

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8.2 Accounting policy developments

 

Our accounting policy developments were discussed in Section 8.2 Accounting policy developments in our 2022 annual MD&A. See Note 2 of the interim consolidated financial statements for additional details.

 

9.Update to general trends, outlook and assumptions, and regulatory developments and proceedings

 

This section contains forward-looking statements, which should be read together with the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.

 

The assumptions for our 2023 outlook, as described in Section 9 in our 2022 annual MD&A, remain the same, except for the following:

 

Our revised estimates for 2023 economic growth in Canada, B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec are 1.2%, 0.8%, 2.1%, 1.2% and 0.6%, respectively (compared to 0.6%, 0.4%, 1.5%, 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively, as reported in our 2022 annual MD&A).

 

Our revised estimates for 2023 annual inflation rates in Canada, B.C., Alberta and Quebec are 3.9%, 3.9%, 3.4% and 4.2%, respectively (compared to 3.7%, 3.7%, 3.8% and 3.7%, respectively, as reported in our 2022 annual MD&A).

 

Our revised estimates for 2023 annual unemployment rates in Canada, B.C., Ontario and Quebec are 5.5%, 5.3%, 5.6% and 4.4%, respectively (compared to 6.1%, 5.6%, 6.6% and 5.5%, respectively, as reported in our 2022 annual MD&A).

 

Our revised estimates for 2023 annual rates of housing starts on an unadjusted basis in Canada, B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec are 236,000 units, 47,000 units, 32,000 units, 86,000 units and 41,000 units, respectively (compared to 212,000 units, 34,000 units, 31,000 units, 71,000 units and 50,000 units, respectively, as reported in our 2022 annual MD&A).

 

The extent to which these economic estimates affect us and the timing of their impact will depend upon the actual experience of specific sectors of the Canadian economy.

 

Regarding our digitally-led customer experiences (DLCX) segment, we anticipate continued optimization of its cost structure enabled by automation and generative AI solutions to mitigate near-term challenges from persistent global macroeconomic pressures. Long-term growth and profitability will be supported by the differentiation of digital customer experience solutions.

 

Defined benefit pension plan funding has been revised to approximately $28 million from approximately $35 million due to improvements in the funded statuses of the plans.

 

Our restructuring and other costs assumption has been revised to up to $750 million from approximately $275 million. This was driven by accelerated cost efficiency programs implemented to drive EBITDA expansion, margin accretion and accelerated cash flow growth.

 

Our income taxes computed at an applicable statutory rate assumption has been revised downward to a range of 23.3 to 23.9% from a range of 24.7 to 25.3%, and our cash income tax payments assumption has been further revised downward to a range of approximately $375 million to $425 million, from a range of approximately $420 million to $500 million as disclosed in our second quarter 2023 MD&A, and from a range of approximately $550 million to $630 million as disclosed in our 2022 annual MD&A. The decrease in applicable statutory rate assumption is primarily due to lower income earned in jurisdictions with higher statutory income tax rates. The decrease in our cash income tax payments range is due to lower forecasted net income before tax, in part due to increased restructuring and other costs supporting our efficiency and effectiveness initiatives.

 

We anticipate a 2023 European euro to U.S. dollar average exchange rate of €1.00: US$1.09 compared to our original European euro to U.S. dollar average exchange rate of €1.00: US$1.08 assumption.

 

9.1 Communications industry regulatory developments and proceedings

 

Our telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunication services are regulated under federal laws by various authorities, including the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Canadian Heritage and the Competition Bureau.

 

The operations of our health business are also subject to various federal and provincial health laws and regulations, as well as policies, guidelines and directives issued by regulatory and administrative bodies. See Section 10.3 Regulatory matters in our 2022 annual MD&A.

 

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

The following is a summary of certain significant communications industry regulatory developments and proceedings relevant to our telecommunications business and our industry. This summary is not intended to be a comprehensive legal analysis or description of all of the specific issues described. Although we have indicated those issues for which we do not currently expect the outcome of a development or proceeding to be material to us, there can be no assurance that the expected outcome will occur or that our current assessment of its likely impact on us will be accurate. See Section 10.3 Regulatory matters in our 2022 annual MD&A.

 

Radiocommunication licences and spectrum-related matters 

 

ISED regulates, among other matters, the allocation and use of radio spectrum in Canada and licenses radio apparatus, frequency bands and/or radio channels within various frequency bands to service providers and private users. The department also establishes the terms and conditions that may attach to such radio authorizations, including restrictions on licence transfers, coverage obligations, research and development obligations, annual reporting, and obligations concerning mandated roaming and antenna site sharing with competitors.

 

Spectrum transfer moratorium and review of the spectrum transfer framework 

 

On March 31, 2023, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced a moratorium on high-impact transfers of spectrum licences in commercial mobile bands. “High-impact” transfers are those that would have a significant effect on the ability of telecommunications service providers to offer wireless services in Canada. The Minister also directed ISED to launch a comprehensive review of Canada’s spectrum transfer framework, with the moratorium expiring once a new framework comes into effect. No details were released about when the framework review would take place, or when a new framework will be implemented. There is a risk that this moratorium could have a material impact on us depending on how long it remains in place.

 

Millimetre Wave (mmWave) spectrum auction to support 5G 

 

On June 5, 2019, ISED released its Decision on Releasing Millimetre Wave Spectrum to Support 5G, repurposing several tranches of mmWave spectrum for mobile use. On June 6, 2022, ISED issued its Consultation on a Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 26, 28 and 38 GHz bands, which is the first step in setting the auction framework rules, including competitive measures for these mmWave bands. There is a risk that the auction rules will favour certain carriers over us and impact our ability to acquire an adequate quantity of mmWave spectrum. ISED maintains its projection that the mmWave auction will commence in 2024.

 

3800 MHz spectrum auction to support 5G 

 

The 3800 MHz spectrum band is seen as an extension to the 3500 MHz band. On May 21, 2021, ISED released its Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band, which will make 250 MHz of spectrum available for auction. The 3800 MHz spectrum will only be cleared and available by March 2025 in urban areas and March 2027 in many rural areas. Certain rural areas (in Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut, and northern parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador) are still deemed satellite-dependent and this spectrum is considered encumbered for mobile use in these areas. On June 30, 2022, ISED released its Decision on a Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 3800 MHz Band, which defines the auction rules and conditions of licence for the 3800 MHz band. The auction framework includes a 100 MHz cap across the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands and unlike previous auctions, it does not include set-asides. In 29 of the 172 licence areas, only 50 MHz of unencumbered spectrum is available and the remaining 200 MHz will be encumbered by coexistence with satellite earth stations. The limited amount of unencumbered spectrum may impact our ability to acquire an adequate quantity of 3800 MHz band spectrum in satellite-dependent areas. We applied and submitted our financial deposits for participation in the 3800 MHz spectrum auction on July 25, 2023. Auction bidding started on October 24, 2023.

 

Consultation on Conditions of Licence relating to the Provision of Service within the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Subway System 

 

On September 11, 2023, ISED released new conditions of licence relating to the provision of service within the TTC subway system. These conditions of licence apply to all wireless service providers that hold mobile wireless spectrum that cover the Toronto tier 5-282 service area. These conditions of licence required all applicable licensees to provide wireless services in the TTC subway by October 3, 2023. They also set requirements upon licensees to finalize network agreements with Rogers Communications Inc., the licensee that operates the wireless antenna system in the TTC subway, and to meet stated deployment requirements over the next three years. We satisfied the October 3, 2023 date to deploy wireless services in the TTC subway. We are presently working to finalize a network agreement and will also plan to meet the stated deployment and other conditions of licence.

 

Regulatory and federal government reviews

 

The CRTC and the federal government have initiated public proceedings to review various matters. A number of key proceedings are discussed below.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework 

 

On March 8, 2023, the CRTC issued Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-56. The Notice of Consultation first creates a rate reduction by requiring incumbent carriers to revise their rates to reflect a 10% decrease in the costs of traffic-sensitive components. The Notice of Consultation then seeks comment on a number of issues, including whether wholesale access to fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) service should be offered on an aggregated basis and whether any further regulation, including retail regulation, is warranted. The Notice of Consultation further expresses the CRTC’s preliminary view that incumbents should be required to provide an interim aggregated wholesale FTTP service pending the disposition of the consultation. The consultation on the matter of an interim aggregated wholesale FTTP mandate has now closed, and the remainder of the proceeding is scheduled to conclude with an oral hearing at a date to be fixed. Until the CRTC releases its decisions in this matter, it is too early to determine the impact of this proceeding on us.

 

Review of mobile wireless services 

 

On April 15, 2021, the CRTC released its decision in the Wireless Regulatory Framework Review. The CRTC determined that TELUS, Bell, Rogers and SaskTel must provide wholesale mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) access to facilities-based regional wireless providers in areas where those providers hold a mobile wireless spectrum licence. MVNO access is based on commercially negotiated rates and will be phased out after seven years. On October 25, 2022, the CRTC released Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-288, where it made determinations on the draft terms and conditions of the MVNO tariffs of TELUS, Bell, Rogers and SaskTel. The carriers updated their tariffs based on this decision and the Commission granted final approval on May 9, 2023 in Telecom Order 2023-133. TELUS, Bell, Rogers and SaskTel now have the MVNO service operational and available for use. Eligible wireless providers desiring MVNO access are entitled to commence negotiations. The Commission also issued Telecom Order 2023-171 where it approved updates to the domestic roaming tariffs of TELUS, Bell and Rogers to take into account the availability of seamless roaming and 5G services as part of mandated domestic roaming.

 

We appealed two determinations from this decision to the Federal Court of Appeal: (i) the requirement for the national mobile carriers, including us, to offer seamless roaming as an additional condition under which the existing mandated wholesale roaming service must be offered; and (ii) the ruling that sections 43 and 44 of the Telecommunications Act do not provide the CRTC with jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes involving mobile wireless transmission facilities. The appeal was heard in December 2022 and was dismissed on April 13, 2023. We have sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada on the issue of CRTC jurisdiction over mobile wireless transmission facilities.

 

On July 24, 2023, the CRTC issued its first arbitration decision related to the MVNO framework, in the context of a final offer arbitration between Rogers and Quebecor. The CRTC selected Quebecor’s offer for the MVNO data access rate, but the rate remains confidential. Rogers has now filed an application with the Federal Court of Appeal seeking leave to appeal the CRTC’s decision. In addition, on October 10, 2023, the CRTC issued an arbitration decision about access to MVNO services by Quebecor from Bell. The CRTC selected the data rate as proposed by Bell. The impact of these decisions on us will be dependent on the commercial rates that we negotiate for MVNO access or are otherwise imposed by the CRTC through the final offer arbitration process, as well as the outcome of the Federal Court of Appeal process.

 

Consultation on amending the CRTC MVNO mandate to include additional retail market segments 

 

On March 1, 2023, the CRTC issued Facilities-based wholesale mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) access tariffs – Considering the inclusion of additional retail market segments, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-48. In this consultation, the CRTC is soliciting comments on whether the wholesale MVNO framework should be broadened to include enterprise, Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine service. The record of this proceeding is now closed. Until the CRTC issues a decision in this consultation, it is too early to determine its impact on us.

 

Application to seek a review of domestic wholesale roaming rates 

 

On May 19, 2022, Bragg Communications Inc., Cogeco Communications Inc., Videotron Ltd., Xplornet Communications Inc. and Xplore Mobile Inc. filed a joint application to the CRTC seeking a review of the tariffed rates currently charged by TELUS, Bell and Rogers for domestic wholesale roaming, claiming that the current rates are no longer just and reasonable. We have filed an answer to this application demonstrating why such a review is not warranted at this time and the CRTC has since issued requests for information to wireless services providers. The impact of this application is dependent upon whether the CRTC decides to undertake a review of mandated roaming rates and to what extent there are any changes for current tariffed rates.

 

New draft cybersecurity legislation 

 

On June 14, 2022, the federal government introduced Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. The legislation would amend the Telecommunications Act, among other things, to allow the Governor in Council to prohibit telecommunications service providers from using equipment from designated companies in their networks. In practice, this will allow the federal government to ban the use of Huawei and ZTE equipment in our network and impose penalties for non-compliance. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry stated that the government intends to use its powers under Bill C-26, if passed, to, among other things, require the removal of existing Huawei and ZTE 5G equipment by June 28, 2024. The legislation would also create a new statute, the Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act (CCSPA). The CCSPA would require designated federally regulated corporations to maintain cybersecurity plans, impose reporting requirements and impose penalties for non-compliance. Bill C-26 received second reading on March 27, 2023. If we are ultimately subject to an order requiring us to remove a significant amount of equipment from our network, the effect could be material.

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Government of Canada and CRTC activities to improve Canadian network resiliency 

 

On February 22, 2023, the CRTC issued Call for comments – Development of a regulatory framework to improve network reliability and resiliency – Mandatory notification and reporting about major telecommunications service outages, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-39, in which it sought comments on a notification and reporting regime for major service outages. In addition, the Commission mandated the implementation of an interim notification and reporting regime for major service outages while the consultation is ongoing. We implemented the interim regime on March 8, 2023, and are also participating in the consultation. ISED is also conducting further steps via the Canadian Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (CSTAC) to examine network resiliency. We continue to participate in all follow-up initiatives as required. It is too early to determine if these initiatives will have a material impact until they are concluded.

 

Nova Scotia 911 legislation 

 

In November 2022, Nova Scotia passed amendments to the Emergency 911 Act and the Emergency Management Act that, among other things, require telecommunications service providers to take certain actions to prevent certain outages, to inform stakeholders, and to refund customers in the case of certain outages. These amendments have received royal assent but have not been proclaimed into force. Most of the obligations of telecommunications service providers are to be set out in regulations, which have yet to be made by the Governor in Council. Until the regulations are made, it is too early to determine the impact of this legislation on us.

 

CRTC proceeding regarding potential barriers to the deployment of broadband-capable networks in underserved areas in Canada 

 

On December 10, 2019, the CRTC issued Call for comments regarding potential barriers to the deployment of broadband-capable networks in underserved areas in Canada, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-406. In this proceeding, the CRTC sought comment on barriers that service providers and communities face in building new facilities, or interconnecting to or accessing existing facilities, and in extending networks into underserved areas in order to offer universal service objective-level services. The CRTC has specifically identified access to affordable transport services and efficient use of support structures as potential barriers. The record of the proceeding is now closed and we anticipate a decision this year. It is too early to determine the impact of the proceeding on us.

 

Implementation of next-generation 9-1-1 service 

 

On June 14, 2021, the CRTC issued Telecom Decision CRTC 2021-199, Establishment of new deadlines for Canada’s transition to next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), where the CRTC stipulated revised implementation for NG9-1-1 service in Canada. Consistent with the CRTC’s requirements, we are now transiting live NG9-1-1 traffic over our NG9-1-1 network, but full implementation of NG9-1-1 in our NG9-1-1 territory is contingent on interconnections with 9-1-1 call centres and such implementation is dependent upon local government authorities. We continue our work to fully implement NG9-1-1.

 

On October 4, 2023, a group of public safety answering points (PSAPs), which are the entities that receive 9-1-1 calls and dispatch emergency services, filed an application to the CRTC asking that NG9-1-1 network providers, including us, make available a NG9-1-1 network testing environment for PSAPs. We are reviewing this application and plan to intervene as part of this process. The outcome of this application is not expected to be material and will not affect our ability to meet our regulatory mandate to implement NG9-1-1.

 

Development of a network-level blocking framework to limit botnet traffic 

 

On June 23, 2022, the CRTC released Development of a network-level blocking framework to limit botnet traffic and strengthen Canadians’ online safety, Compliance and Enforcement and Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-170. The Commission has asked its technical working group, the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee, to examine the issue and produce a report within nine months about how internet service providers (ISPs) can implement network blocking of malicious botnet traffic. Parties will have an opportunity to comment on the report prior to the Commission rendering any further determinations. The outcome is not expected to be material.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Federal private sector privacy bill proposes to repeal and replace the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act 

 

On June 16, 2022, Bill C-27 was introduced and received first reading in the House of Commons. The Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022 proposes to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (replacing the existing private sector privacy legislation and implementing new consumer privacy rights, enhanced enforcement powers and a private right of action), the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act (a new adjudicative body to provide independent oversight on enforcement activities by the regulator) and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (a new regulatory regime for the use of AI in the private sector, using a risk-based framework supported by extensive enforcement powers). The bill proposes significant changes to federal privacy legislation in Canada. Bill C-27 is currently being studied by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology. Until the bill is passed in its final form, we are unable to determine the materiality of the proposed changes.

 

Amendments to Quebec’s public and private sector privacy law 

 

On September 22, 2021, An Act to modernize legislative provisions as regards the protection of personal information, received assent. Extensive new requirements governing the collection, use and disclosure of the personal information of individuals in Quebec will be phased in over three years (September 2022 to September 2024). The Act also creates a new enforcement regime with significant criminal fines and administrative monetary penalties for certain infractions and a private right of action with minimum statutory punitive damages. The full impact of the Act is not yet known because some key provisions, such as those relating to artificial intelligence, have to be further elaborated through government regulations and interpretive guidance from the regulator. The materiality of the change cannot be fully assessed at this time.

 

CRTC Review of Telecommunications Services to the Far North 

 

On November 2, 2020, the CRTC initiated the first phase of a review of its regulatory framework for Northwestel Inc. and the state of telecommunications services in Canada’s North in Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2020-367. On January 20, 2021, a number of interveners proposed large subsidy increases to Northwestel and other companies providing service in Canada’s North. On June 8, 2022, the CRTC released Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2022-147 initiating the second phase of this review, leaving open the potential for subsidy increases. On October 24, 2022, the CRTC added three TELUS communities (High Level, Alberta, Atlin, B.C. and Fort St. John, B.C.) to the scope of the proceeding. A hearing was held in Whitehorse, Yukon from April 17 to 21, 2023. The CRTC has since issued some requests for information that suggested a subsidy of up to $55 million per year, of which we would pay approximately 25%. A decision is unlikely before 2024.

 

Consultation on amendments to the Competition Act 

 

In February 2022, ISED announced its intention to undertake a review of the Competition Act, beginning with immediate, targeted amendments to the Act. The targeted amendments received royal assent on June 23, 2022 and included: (i) addition of a new provision to protect workers from agreements between employers that fix wages and restrict job mobility; (ii) addition of a new provision regarding “drip pricing” to both the civil and criminal prohibition on false or misleading representations; (iii) addition of an expanded list of factors to be considered when assessing the competitive impact of mergers, business practices and competitor collaborations; (iv) amendments to clarify an “anti-competitive act” for abuse of dominance; (v) amendments to provide access by private parties to the Competition Tribunal if they are directly and substantially affected by the conduct of another party; and (vi) introduction of an anti-avoidance provision to the notifiable transactions provisions of the Competition Act.

 

In November 2022, ISED commenced a consultation seeking input on further amendments to the Competition Act. The further consultations were commenced by the issuance of a discussion paper entitled The Future of Competition Policy in Canada, released in November 2022. ISED has outlined five areas of focus for the consultation: (i) merger review; (ii) unilateral conduct; (iii) competitor collaborations; (iv) deceptive marketing; and (v) administration and enforcement of the law. We filed comments setting out our views on these topics in response.

 

In October 2023, the Government tabled Bill C-56 in Parliament, which would amend the Competition Act to: (i) repeal the efficiencies defence in respect of mergers; (ii) enhance the powers of the Commissioner of Competition with respect to market studies; and (ii) extend the civil competitor collaboration provisions to include certain agreements between non-competitors.

 

Rogers application to attach small cell antennas to TELUS and Bell support structures 

 

On July 4, 2023, Rogers brought an application to the CRTC alleging that TELUS and Bell have an obligation to process Rogers applications to attach small cell antennas to support structures and that TELUS and Bell have failed to meet this obligation. Answers to the application were filed on August 11, 2023 wherein we opposed the allegations vigorously.

 

Proceeding regarding support structure relocation compensation 

 

On January 16, 2023, we filed a proposed revision to our support structure tariff that allows support structure licensees to negotiate relocation terms and compensation directly with the party forcing the relocation, pursuant to the CRTC’s direction in Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-311, Rogers Communications Canada Inc. and Shaw Cablesystems G.P. – Application regarding compensation for transmission line relocation in British Columbia. Concurrent with the tariff application proceeding, which included requests for information and replies to interventions, on February 28, 2023, British Columbia’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) filed an application with the CRTC to stay the Commission’s directives in the decision, as well as to review and rescind or vary the decision. We responded on March 30, 2023 asking the Commission to dismiss MOTI’s review and vary application (R&V) and on May 16, 2023, the Commission denied MOTI’s request for a stay of the directives but has yet to conclude on the R&V. The R&V ruling is outstanding and is not expected to be material.

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Broadcasting and content-related issues

 

Regulatory Plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system 

 

Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, which brings streaming services that operate over the internet expressly within the scope of the Broadcasting Act, was passed by Parliament and received Royal Assent on April 27, 2023. On May 12, 2023, the CRTC issued three notices of consultation for Phase 1 of the Regulatory Plan, including notices of consultation concerning the contribution framework that will apply to traditional and online broadcasting undertakings, the registration of online undertakings, and a review of exemption orders and basic conditions of service that will apply to online undertakings. We have participated in all three consultations. On September 29, 2023, the CRTC released policies relating to which online undertakings are required to register with the CRTC, and the conditions of service that will apply to those undertakings. We will participate in the CRTC’s hearing scheduled to begin on November 20, 2023, to consider the initial contribution regime that will apply to online undertakings. It is too early to determine the impact on us.

 

TELUS receives administrative renewals for its broadcasting undertaking licences 

 

On August 8, 2023, the CRTC issued administrative licence renewals for various broadcasting undertakings, including our terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) serving areas of Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec, and our terrestrial pay-per-view (PPV) service. As a result of these administrative licence renewals, our BDUs and PPV service will continue to operate under their existing conditions of licence until August 31, 2026. On August 29, 2023, the CRTC issued an administrative licence renewal for our national video-on-demand (VOD) undertaking, for the period of September 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

Review of the Copyright Act and consultations on copyright reform to address specific issues  

 

The Copyright Act’s last statutorily mandated review was launched in 2017 and resulted in reports from the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage being presented to the House of Commons in the summer of 2019. The parliamentary review led to further government consultations (described below) launched in 2021 to explore specific issues raised during the review, such as how to modernize the copyright framework for online intermediary liability, AI and IoT. The timeline for potential changes to the Copyright Act is uncertain, although the next statutorily mandated review was supposed to be launched in 2022 and it is unclear whether or how this might impact the timeline for comprehensive copyright reform legislation. In the meantime, the federal government has made smaller changes to the Copyright Act, such as the inclusion in the 2022 budget of proposed amendments to extend the term of copyright by 20 years, which was required to satisfy Canada’s obligations under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. The policy approach for copyright has traditionally been based on a balance between the rights of copyright owners and user rights, and as a result, the impact of this proceeding is not expected to be material.

 

On April 14, 2021, ISED announced the launch of a consultation to modernize the copyright framework for online intermediaries. The consultation builds on the work done in 2018 and 2019 as part of the parliamentary review of the Copyright Act. ISED sought comments on a broad range of issues, including the role of intermediaries in policing online copyright infringement, how to remunerate rights holders for the use of their content on online platforms, and what types of enforcement tools (such as website-blocking orders) should be available against intermediaries. We participated in this consultation and filed joint comments with other ISPs on May 31, 2021. Among other things, the comments advocated for a continuation of existing government policy that provides ISPs with unconditional safe harbour protection for the potentially infringing activities of their customers. It is too early to tell whether this consultation will have a material impact on us.

 

On July 19, 2021, the government announced a consultation to modernize the copyright framework applicable to AI and IoT. The government’s objectives were to support innovation and investment in AI and other digital and emerging technologies, support Canada’s cultural industries and preserve the incentive to create and invest provided by the economic rights set out in the Act, and support competition and marketplace needs regarding IoT devices and other software-enabled products. We participated in this consultation and filed joint comments with other ISPs on September 17, 2021. Among other things, the joint comments advocated that no changes should be made to the Copyright Act that would unduly burden or create potential liability risks for ISPs. Similar to the broader Copyright Act review, the impact of this proceeding is not expected to be material.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Consultation on the government’s proposed approach to address harmful content online 

 

On July 29, 2021, the government launched a consultation on its proposed approach to address harmful content online. The government’s proposals largely target social media and content platforms, but a few proposals would also have impacted ISPs. Accordingly, we participated in this consultation and filed joint comments with other ISPs on September 25, 2021. Among other things, the joint comments advocated that the legal framework for addressing harmful online content should not create undue obligations or liability for telecommunications carriers, and that requirements to block access to content online or to provide subscriber information should continue to require judicial orders. In March 2022, the government established an expert advisory group on online safety, with a mandate to provide the Minister of Canadian Heritage with advice on how to design the legislative and regulatory framework to address harmful content online and how to best incorporate the feedback received during the national consultation held from July to September 2021. Following the publication of the group’s report, the government conducted further consultations with stakeholder groups regarding the advice it received from the expert advisory group. The government has indicated it expects to table a bill to address online harms in 2023. The impact of this consultation is not expected to be material.

 

10.Risks and risk management

 

The principal risks and uncertainties that could affect our future business results and associated risk mitigation activities were described in our 2022 annual MD&A and have not materially changed since December 31, 2022, except for the ratification of the new collective agreement between the TWU and ourselves as further described in Note 29(b) of the interim consolidated financial statements. Reference is made as well to the summary of risks and uncertainties in the Caution regarding forward-looking statements at the beginning of this MD&A.

 

11.Definitions and reconciliations

 

11.1 Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures

 

We have issued guidance on and report certain non-GAAP measures that are used to evaluate the performance of TELUS, as well as to determine compliance with debt covenants and to manage our capital structure. As non-GAAP measures generally do not have a standardized meaning, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For certain financial metrics, there are definitional differences between TELUS and TELUS International reporting. These differences largely arise from TELUS International adopting definitions consistent with practice in its industry. Securities regulations require such measures to be clearly defined, qualified and reconciled with their nearest GAAP measure. Certain of the metrics do not have generally accepted industry definitions.

 

Adjusted Net income and adjusted basic earnings per share (EPS): These are non-GAAP measures that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Adjusted Net income excludes the effects of restructuring and other costs, income tax-related adjustments, other equity (income) losses related to real estate joint ventures, long-term debt prepayment premium and other adjustments (identified in the following tables). Adjusted basic EPS is calculated as adjusted net income divided by the basic weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding. These measures are used to evaluate performance at a consolidated level and exclude items that, in management’s view, may obscure underlying trends in business performance or items of an unusual nature that do not reflect our ongoing operations. They should not be considered alternatives to Net income and basic EPS in measuring TELUS’ performance.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Reconciliation of adjusted Net income                
                 
   Three-month periods ended
September 30
   Nine-month periods ended
September 30
 
($ millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Net income attributable to Common Shares   136    514    553    1,367 
Add (deduct) amounts net of amount attributable to non-controlling interests:                    
Restructuring and other costs   297    73    553    137 
Tax effect of restructuring and other costs   (71)   (18)   (129)   (34)
Real estate rationalization-related restructuring impairments   13        65    1 
Tax effect of real estate rationalization-related restructuring impairments   (3)       (17)    
Income tax-related adjustments   (23)   13    (35)   7 
Other equity income related to real estate joint ventures           (1)    
Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element   33    (151)   59    (231)
Tax effect of virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element   (9)   40    (16)   61 
Adjusted Net income   373    471    1,032    1,308 

 

Reconciliation of adjusted basic EPS                        

 

   Three-month periods ended
September 30
   Nine-month periods ended
September 30
 
($)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Basic EPS   0.09    0.37    0.38    0.99 
Add (deduct) amounts net of amount attributable to non-controlling interests:                    
Restructuring and other costs, per share   0.20    0.05    0.38    0.10 
Tax effect of restructuring and other costs, per share   (0.05)   (0.01)   (0.09)   (0.02)
Real estate rationalization-related restructuring impairments, per share           0.04     
Tax effect of real estate rationalization-related restructuring impairments, per share           (0.01)    
Income tax-related adjustments, per share   (0.01)   0.01    (0.02)   0.01 
Virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element, per share   0.03    (0.11)   0.04    (0.17)
Tax effect of virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element, per share   (0.01)   0.03    (0.01)   0.04 
Adjusted basic EPS   0.25    0.34    0.71    0.95 

 

Available liquidity: This is a non-GAAP measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Available liquidity is calculated as the sum of Cash and temporary investments, net, amounts available from the revolving credit facility and amounts available under our trade receivables securitization program measured at the end of the period. We believe this to be a useful measure because it allows us to monitor compliance with our financial objectives. It should not be considered as an alternative to Cash and temporary investments, net in measuring TELUS’ performance.

 

Available liquidity reconciliation

 

As at September 30 ($ millions)   2023    2022 
Cash and temporary investments, net   1,204    1,440 
Net amounts available from the TELUS Corporation revolving credit facility   1,333    1,449 
Amounts available under trade receivables securitization program   500    500 
Available liquidity1   3,037    3,389 

 

1Excludes available liquidity from the unsecured non-revolving $1.1 billion bank credit facility.

 

Capital expenditure intensity: This measure is calculated as capital expenditures excluding real estate development divided by Operating revenues and other income. It provides a basis for comparing the level of capital expenditures to those of other companies of varying size within the same industry.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Calculation of Capital expenditure intensity                                          

 

Three-month periods ended September 30  TTech   DLCX   Eliminations   Total 
($ millions, except ratio)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Numerator – Capital expenditures excluding real estate development   712    873    35    33            747    906 
Denominator – Operating revenues and other income   4,306    4,009    889    803    (187)   (141)   5,008    4,671 
Capital expenditure intensity (%)   17    22    4    4     n/m     n/m    15    19 

 

Calculation of Capital expenditure intensity                                          

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30  TTech   DLCX   Eliminations   Total 
($ millions, except ratio)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Numerator – Capital expenditures excluding real estate development   2,161    2,678    89    102            2,250    2,780 
Denominator – Operating revenues and other income   12,745    11,384    2,713    2,359    (540)   (389)   14,918    13,354 
Capital expenditure intensity (%)   17    24    3    4     n/m     n/m    15    21 

 

TELUS Corporation Common Share (Common Share) dividend payout ratio: This is a historical measure calculated as the sum of the most recent four quarterly dividends declared, as recorded in the financial statements, net of dividend reinvestment plan effects, divided by the sum of free cash flow amounts for the most recent four quarters for interim reporting periods. For fiscal years, the denominator is annual free cash flow. Our objective range for the annual TELUS Corporation Common Share dividend payout ratio is on a prospective basis, rather than on a trailing basis. (See Section 4.3 Liquidity and capital resources and Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.)

 

Calculation of ratio of Common Share dividends declared to cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures

 

Determined using most comparable IFRS-IASB measures

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions, except ratio)  2023   2022 
Numerator – Sum of the last four quarterly dividends declared   2,063    1,846 
Cash provided by operating activities   4,311    4,581 
Less:          
Capital expenditures   (2,949)   (3,721)
Denominator – Cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures   1,362    860 
Ratio (%)   151    215 

 

Calculation of Common Share dividend payout ratio, net of dividend reinvestment plan effects

 

Determined using management measures

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions, except ratio)   2023    2022 
Sum of the last four quarterly dividends declared   2,063    1,846 
Sum of the amounts of the last four quarterly dividends declared reinvested in Common Shares   (748)   (658)
Numerator – Sum of the last four quarterly dividends declared, net of dividend reinvestment plan effects   1,315    1,188 
Denominator – Free cash flow1   1,492    994 
Ratio (%)   88    120 

 

1Reflects the impacts of our accelerated capital program announced on March 25, 2021.

 

Earnings coverage: This measure is defined in the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 41-101 and related instruments, and is calculated as follows:

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Calculation of Earnings coverage

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions, except ratio)  2023   2022 
Net income attributable to Common Shares   801    2,011 
Income taxes (attributable to Common Shares)   235    667 
Borrowing costs (attributable to Common Shares)1   1,125    778 
Numerator   2,161    3,456 
Denominator – Borrowing costs   1,125    778 
Ratio (times)   1.9    4.4 

 

1Interest on Long-term debt plus Interest on short-term borrowings and other plus long-term debt prepayment premium, adding capitalized interest and deducting borrowing costs attributable to non-controlling interests.


EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization): We have issued guidance on and report EBITDA because it is a key measure used to evaluate performance at a consolidated level. EBITDA is commonly reported and widely used by investors and lending institutions as an indicator of a company’s operating performance and ability to incur and service debt, and as a valuation metric. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to Net income in measuring TELUS’ performance, nor should it be used as a measure of cash flow. EBITDA as calculated by TELUS is equivalent to Operating revenues and other income less the total of Goods and services purchased expense and Employee benefits expense.

 

We calculate EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs, as it is a component of the EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio and the Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio.

 

We also calculate Adjusted EBITDA to exclude items of an unusual nature that do not reflect our ongoing operations and should not, in our opinion, be considered in a long-term valuation metric or should not be included in an assessment of our ability to service or incur debt.

 

EBIT (earnings before interest and income taxes) is calculated for our reportable segments because we believe it is a meaningful indicator of our operating performance, as it represents our earnings from operations before costs of capital structure and income taxes.

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliations                  

 

   TTech   DLCX   Total 
Three-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Net income                       137    551 
Financing costs                       352    34 
Income taxes                       28    211 
EBIT   454    688    63    108    517    796 
Depreciation   563    511    48    39    611    550 
Amortization of intangible assets   329    258    60    42    389    300 
EBITDA   1,346    1,457    171    189    1,517    1,646 
Add restructuring and other costs included in EBITDA   287    67    16    11    303    78 
EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs and Adjusted EBITDA   1,633    1,524    187    200    1,820    1,724 

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliations                  

 

   TTech   DLCX   Total 
Nine-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Net income                       557    1,453 
Financing costs                       995    310 
Income taxes                       146    522 
EBIT   1,550    1,996    148    289    1,698    2,285 
Depreciation   1,713    1,523    136    114    1,849    1,637 
Amortization of intangible assets   993    755    186    131    1,179    886 
EBITDA   4,256    4,274    470    534    4,726    4,808 
Add restructuring and other costs included in EBITDA   522    121    55    25    577    146 
EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs   4,778    4,395    525    559    5,303    4,954 
Other equity income related to real estate joint ventures   (1)               (1)    
Adjusted EBITDA   4,777    4,395    525    559    5,302    4,954 

 

Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures is calculated for our reportable segments, as it represents a simple cash flow view that may be more comparable to other issuers.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures reconciliation            

 

   TTech   DLCX   Total 
Three-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Adjusted EBITDA   1,633    1,524    187    200    1,820    1,724 
Capital expenditures   (734)   (892)   (35)   (33)   (769)   (925)
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures   899    632    152    167    1,051    799 

 

Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures reconciliation            

 

   TTech   DLCX   Total 
Nine-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Adjusted EBITDA   4,777    4,395    525    559    5,302    4,954 
Capital expenditures   (2,200)   (2,710)   (89)   (102)   (2,289)   (2,812)
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures   2,577    1,685    436    457    3,013    2,142 

 

We calculate EBITDA margin and Adjusted EBITDA margin to evaluate the performance of our operating segments and we believe these measures are also used by investors as indicators of a company’s operating performance. We calculate EBITDA margin as EBITDA divided by Operating revenues and other income. Adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP ratio that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS-IASB and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We calculate Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by adjusted Operating revenues and other income.

 

Calculation of EBITDA margin                                          

 

Three-month periods ended September 30  TTech   DLCX   Eliminations   Total 
($ millions, except margin)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Numerator – EBITDA   1,346    1,457    171    189            1,517    1,646 
Denominator – Operating revenues and other income   4,306    4,009    889    803    (187)   (141)   5,008    4,671 
EBITDA margin (%)   31.3    36.3    19.2    23.6     n/m     n/m    30.3    35.2 

 

Calculation of EBITDA margin                                          

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30  TTech   DLCX   Eliminations   Total 
($ millions, except margin)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Numerator – EBITDA   4,256    4,274    470    534            4,726    4,808 
Denominator – Operating revenues and other income   12,745    11,384    2,713    2,359    (540)   (389)   14,918    13,354 
EBITDA margin (%)   33.4    37.5    17.3    22.6     n/m     n/m    31.7    36.0 

 

Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin                                          

 

Three-month periods ended September 30  TTech   DLCX   Eliminations   Total 
($ millions, except margin)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Numerator – Adjusted EBITDA   1,633    1,524    187    200            1,820    1,724 
Adjusted Operating revenues and other income:                                        
Denominator – Operating revenues and other income   4,306    4,009    889    803    (187)   (141)   5,008    4,671 
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)   37.9    38.0    21.0    24.9     n/m     n/m    36.3    36.9 

 

Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin                                          

 

Nine-month periods ended September 30  TTech   DLCX   Eliminations   Total 
($ millions, except margin)  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Numerator – Adjusted EBITDA   4,777    4,395    525    559            5,302    4,954 
Adjusted Operating revenues and other income:                                        
Operating revenues and other income   12,745    11,384    2,713    2,359    (540)   (389)   14,918    13,354 
Other equity income related to real estate joint ventures   (1)                       (1)    
Denominator – Adjusted Operating revenues and other income   12,744    11,384    2,713    2,359    (540)   (389)   14,917    13,354 
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)   37.5    38.6    19.3    23.7     n/m     n/m    35.5    37.1 

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage: This measure is defined as EBITDA –excluding restructuring and other costs, divided by Net interest cost, calculated on a 12-month trailing basis. It is similar to the coverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, as described in Section 7.6 Credit facilities.

 

Calculation of EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions, except ratio)  2023   2022 
Numerator – EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs   6,995    6,880 
Denominator – Net interest cost   1,218    752 
Ratio (times)   5.7    9.1 

 

Free cash flow: We report this measure as a supplementary indicator of our operating performance, and there is no generally accepted industry definition of free cash flow. It should not be considered as an alternative to the measures in the condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows. Free cash flow excludes certain working capital changes (such as trade receivables and trade payables), proceeds from divested assets and other sources and uses of cash, as found in the condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows. It provides an indication of how much cash generated by operations is available after capital expenditures that may be used to, among other things, pay dividends, repay debt, purchase shares or make other investments. We exclude impacts of accounting standards that do not impact cash, such as IFRS 15 and IFRS 16. Free cash flow may be supplemented from time to time by proceeds from divested assets or financing activities.

 

Free cash flow calculation                        

 

   Three-month periods ended
September 30
   Nine-month periods ended
September 30
 
($ millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
EBITDA   1,517    1,646    4,726    4,808 
Restructuring and other costs, net of disbursements   90    4    190    (13)
Effects of contract asset, acquisition and fulfilment (IFRS 15 impact) and TELUS Easy Payment device financing   (17)   (37)   32    90 
Effects of lease principal (IFRS 16 impact)   (135)   (118)   (394)   (366)
Items from the condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows:                    
Share-based compensation, net   27    30    100    98 
Net employee defined benefit plans expense   15    24    46    76 
Employer contributions to employee defined benefit plans   (7)   (9)   (23)   (34)
Interest paid   (307)   (203)   (888)   (578)
Interest received   4    10    11    11 
Capital expenditures1   (769)   (925)   (2,289)   (2,812)
Free cash flow before income taxes   418    422    1,511    1,280 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds   (63)   (91)   (342)   (329)
Free cash flow   355    331    1,169    951 

 

1Refer to Note 31 of the interim consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

The following reconciles our definition of free cash flow with Cash provided by operating activities.

 

Free cash flow reconciliation with Cash provided by operating activities          

 

   Three-month periods ended
September 30
   Nine-month periods ended
September 30
 
($ millions)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Free cash flow   355    331    1,169    951 
Add (deduct):                    
Capital expenditures1   769    925    2,289    2,812 
Effects of lease principal   135    118    394    366 
Net change in non-cash operating working capital not included in preceding line items and other individually immaterial items included in Net income neither providing nor using cash   48    (74)   (667)   (444)
Cash provided by operating activities   1,307    1,300    3,185    3,685 

 

1Refer to Note 31 of the interim consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

Mobile phone average revenue per subscriber per month (ARPU) is calculated as network revenue derived from monthly service plan, roaming and usage charges; divided by the average number of mobile phone subscribers on the network during the period, and is expressed as a rate per month.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Net debt: We believe that net debt is a useful measure because it represents the amount of Short-term borrowings and long-term debt obligations that are not covered by available Cash and temporary investments. The nearest IFRS measure to net debt is Long-term debt, including Current maturities of Long-term debt. Net debt is a component of the Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs ratio.

 

Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs: This measure is defined as net debt at the end of the period divided by 12-month trailing EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs. (See discussion in Section 7.5 Liquidity and capital resource measures.) This measure is similar to the leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities, as described in Section 7.6 Credit facilities.

 

Calculation of Net debt to EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions, except ratio)  2023   2022 
Numerator – Net debt   26,719    23,689 
Denominator – EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs   6,995    6,880 
Ratio (times)   3.82    3.44 

 

Net interest cost: This measure is the denominator in the calculation of EBITDA – excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage. Net interest cost is defined as financing costs, excluding capitalized long-term debt interest, employee defined benefit plans net interest, virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element, and recoveries on redemption and repayment of debt, calculated on a 12-month trailing basis. Expenses recorded for the long-term debt prepayment premium, if any, are included in net interest cost.

 

Calculation of Net interest cost

 

For the 12-month periods ended September 30 ($ millions)  2023   2022 
Financing costs   1,317    502 
Deduct employee defined benefit plans net interest   (7)   (13)
Add interest on long-term debt, excluding lease liabilities – capitalized   5    32 
Add virtual power purchase agreements unrealized change in forward element   (97)   231 
Net interest cost   1,218    752 

 

11.2 Operating indicators

 

The following measures are industry metrics that are useful in assessing the operating performance of a mobile and fixed telecommunications entity, but do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS-IASB.

 

Churn is calculated as the number of subscribers deactivated during a given period divided by the average number of subscribers on the network during the period, and is expressed as a rate per month. Mobile phone churn refers to the aggregate average of both prepaid and postpaid mobile phone churn. A TELUS, Koodo or Public Mobile brand prepaid mobile phone subscriber is deactivated when the subscriber has no usage for 90 days following expiry of the prepaid credits.

 

Connected device subscriber means a subscriber on an active TELUS service plan with a recurring revenue-generating portable unit (e.g. tablets, internet keys, Internet of Things, wearables and connected cars) that is supported by TELUS and is intended for limited or no cellular voice capability.

 

Mobile phone subscriber means a subscriber on an active TELUS service plan with a recurring revenue-generating portable unit (e.g. feature phones and smartphones) where TELUS provides voice, text and/or data connectivity.

 

Internet subscriber means a subscriber on an active TELUS internet plan with a recurring revenue-generating unit where TELUS provides internet connectivity.

 

Residential voice subscriber means a subscriber on an active TELUS phone plan with a recurring revenue-generating unit where TELUS provides voice service.

 

Security subscriber means a subscriber on an active TELUS security plan with a recurring revenue-generating unit that is connected to the TELUS security and automation platform.

 

TV subscriber means a subscriber on an active TELUS TV plan with a recurring revenue-generating subscription for video services from a TELUS TV platform.

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TELUS Corporation – Management’s discussion and analysis – 2023 Q3

 

Healthcare lives covered means the number of users (primary members and their dependents) enrolled in various health programs supported by TELUS Health services (e.g. virtual care, health benefits management, preventative care, personal health security, and employee and family assistance programs). It is probable that some members and their dependents will be a user of multiple TELUS Health services.

 

Virtual care member means primary enrolment to receive services on an active TELUS Health virtual care plan.

 

Digital health transactions mean the total number of health claims, dental claims, consultations or other transactions facilitated by TELUS Health products and services.

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