## ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND INTERNAL CONTROLS 

## Accounting Policies and Critical Judgments and Estimates 

The preparation of financial statements requires management to select appropriate accounting policies and to make judgments and estimates that affect the carried amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. 

In making critical judgments and estimates, management relies on external information and observable conditions, where possible, supplemented by internal analysis as required. These estimates have been applied in a manner consistent with that in the prior year and there are no known trends, commitments, events or uncertainties that we believe will materially affect the methodology or assumptions utilized in this report. The estimates are impacted by, among other things, movements in interest rates and other factors, some of which are highly uncertain. 

For further reference on accounting policies and critical judgments and estimates, see our significant accounting policies contained in Note 2 to the December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements. 

## i. Critical Estimates 

The significant estimates used in determining the recorded amount for assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements include the following: 

a. Investment Properties 

The critical assumptions and estimates used when determining the fair value of commercial properties are: the timing of rental income from future leases reflecting current market conditions, less assumptions of future cash flows in respect of current and future leases; maintenance and other capital expenditures; discount rates; terminal capitalization rates; and terminal valuation dates. Properties under development are recorded at fair value using a discounted cash flow model which includes estimates in respect of the timing and cost to complete the development. 

b. Revaluation Method for Property, Plant and Equipment 

When determining the carrying value of property, plant and equipment using the revaluation method, the company uses the following critical assumptions and estimates: the timing of forecasted revenues, future sales prices and margins; future sales volumes; future regulatory rates; maintenance and other capital expenditures; discount rates; terminal capitalization rates; terminal valuation dates; useful lives; and residual values. Determination of the fair value of property, plant and equipment under development includes estimates in respect of the timing and cost to complete the development. 

c. Sustainable Resources 

The fair value of standing timber and agricultural assets is based on the following critical estimates and assumptions: the timing of forecasted revenues and prices; estimated selling costs; sustainable felling plans; growth assumptions; silviculture costs; discount rates; terminal capitalization rates; and terminal valuation dates. 

d. Financial Instruments 

Estimates and assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments are: equity and commodity prices; future interest rates; the credit worthiness of the company relative to its counterparties; the credit risk of the company’s counterparties; estimated future cash flows; discount rates and volatility utilized in option valuations. 

e. Inventory 

The company estimates the net realizable value of its inventory using estimates and assumptions about future selling prices and future development costs. 

f. Other 

Other estimates and assumptions utilized in the preparation of the company’s financial statements are: the assessment or determination of net recoverable amounts; depreciation and amortization rates and useful lives; estimation of recoverable amounts of cash-generating units for impairment assessments of goodwill and intangible assets; ability to utilize tax losses and other tax measurements; and fair value of assets held as collateral. 

## ii. Critical Judgments 

Management is required to make critical judgments when applying its accounting policies. The following judgments have the most significant effect on the consolidated financial statements: 

