MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Disclosure of initial application of standards or interpretations [abstract]

MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION

2. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION

The accounting policies described below were applied consistently to all periods presented in these combined financial statements.

(a) Basis of Presentation and Statement of Compliance

The combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

(b) Combined Financial Statements and Basis of Consolidation

As a result of the REIT conversion described in note 1, the Trust does not have a single parent; however, each unit of Granite REIT and each share of Granite GP trade as a single stapled unit and accordingly, Granite REIT and Granite GP have identical ownership. Therefore, these financial statements have been prepared on a combined basis whereby the assets, liabilities and results of Granite GP and Granite REIT have been combined. The combined financial statements include the subsidiaries of Granite GP and Granite REIT. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated by Granite GP or Granite REIT from the date of acquisition, being the date on which control is obtained. The subsidiaries continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. Control exists when Granite GP or Granite REIT have power, exposure or rights to variable returns and the ability to use their power over the entity to affect the amount of returns it generates.

All intercompany balances, income and expenses and unrealized gains and losses resulting from intercompany transactions are eliminated.

(c) Trust Units

The stapled units are redeemable at the option of the holder and, therefore, are required to be accounted for as financial liabilities, except where certain exemption conditions are met, in which case redeemable instruments may be classified as equity. The attributes of the stapled units meet the exemption conditions set out in IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation and are, therefore, presented as equity on the combined balance sheets.

(d) Investment Properties

The Trust accounts for its investment properties, which include income-producing properties, properties under development and land held for development, in accordance with IAS 40, Investment Property. For acquired investment properties that meet the definition of a business, the acquisition is accounted for as a business combination (note 2(e)); otherwise they are initially measured at cost including directly attributable expenses. Subsequent to acquisition, investment properties are carried at fair value, which is determined based on available market evidence at the balance sheet date including, among other things, rental revenue from current leases and reasonable and supportable assumptions that represent what knowledgeable, willing parties would assume about rental revenue from future leases less future cash outflows in respect of capital expenditures. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognized in net income in the period of change.

Income-Producing Properties

The carrying value of income-producing properties includes the impact of straight-line rental revenue (note 2(j)), tenant incentives and deferred leasing costs since these amounts are incorporated in the determination of the fair value of income-producing properties.

When an income-producing property is disposed of, the gain or loss is determined as the difference between the disposal proceeds, net of selling costs, and the carrying amount of the property and is recognized in net income in the period of disposal.

Properties Under Development

The Trust’s development properties are classified as such until the property is substantially completed and available for occupancy. The initial cost of properties under development includes the acquisition cost of the land and direct development or expansion costs, including construction costs, borrowing costs and indirect costs wholly attributable to development. Borrowing costs are capitalized to projects under development or construction based on the average accumulated expenditures outstanding during the period multiplied by the Trust’s average borrowing rate on existing debt. Where borrowings are associated with specific developments, the amount capitalized is the gross borrowing cost incurred on such borrowings less any investment income arising on temporary investment of these borrowings. The capitalization of borrowing costs is suspended if there are prolonged periods that development activity is interrupted. The Trust capitalizes direct and indirect costs, including property taxes and insurance of the development property, if activities necessary to ready the development property for its intended use are in progress. Costs of internal personnel and other indirect costs that are wholly attributable to a project are capitalized as incurred.

If considered reliably measurable, properties under development are carried at fair value. Properties under development are measured at cost if fair value is not reliably measurable. In determining the fair value of properties under development consideration is given to, among other things, remaining construction costs, development risk, the stage of project completion and the reliability of cash inflows after project completion.

(e)Business Combinations

The Trust accounts for property acquisitions as a business combination if the particular assets and set of activities acquired can be operated and managed as a business in their current state for the purpose of providing a return to the unitholders. In accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations, the acquired set of activities and assets in an acquisition must include an input and a substantive process to qualify as a business. IFRS 3 amendments, effective January 1, 2020, provide for an optional concentration test to permit a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business. The concentration test is met if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. The Trust applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for a business combination is the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Trust. The total consideration includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Identifiable assets acquired as well as liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are initially measured at fair value at the acquisition date.

The Trust recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred.

Any contingent consideration is recognized at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair value of contingent consideration that is recorded as an asset or liability is recognized in net income.

Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the fair value of non-controlling interest over the identifiable net assets acquired. If the consideration transferred is lower than the fair value of the net assets acquired, the difference is recognized in net income.

(f)Assets Held for Sale

Non-current assets (and disposal groups) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is satisfied when the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition, management is committed to the sale and the sale is highly probable to occur within one year.

(g)Foreign Currency Translation

The assets and liabilities of the Trust’s foreign operations are translated into Canadian dollars using exchange rates prevailing at the end of each reporting period. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during that period, in which case, for material transactions, the exchange

rates at the dates of those transactions are used. Exchange differences arising are recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income and accumulated in equity.

In preparing the financial statements of each entity, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency (foreign currencies) are recognized at the average rates of exchange prevailing in the period. At the end of each reporting period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. Exchange differences on monetary items are recognized in net income in the period in which they arise except for:

•The effective portion of exchange differences on transactions entered into in order to hedge certain foreign currency risks are recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income;

•Exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation) are recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income; and

•Exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings related to capitalized interest for assets under construction are recognized in investment properties.

(h)Financial Instruments and Hedging

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

The following summarizes the Trust’s classification and measurement basis of its financial assets and liabilities:

	Classification and Measurement Basis
Financial assets
Long-term receivables included in other assets	Amortized Cost
Derivatives	Fair Value
Loan receivable	Amortized Cost
Accounts receivable	Amortized Cost
Foreign exchange collar contracts	Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	Amortized Cost
Financial liabilities
Unsecured debentures, net	Amortized Cost
Unsecured term loans, net	Amortized Cost
Secured debt	Amortized Cost
Derivatives	Fair Value
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	Amortized Cost
Foreign exchange collar contracts	Fair Value
Distributions payable	Amortized Cost

The Trust recognizes an allowance for expected credit losses (“ECL”) for financial assets measured at amortized cost. The impact of the credit loss modeling process is summarized as follows:

•The Trust did not record an ECL allowance against long-term receivables as historical experience of loss on these balances is insignificant and, based on the assessment of forward-looking information, no significant increases in losses are expected. The Trust will continue to assess the valuation of these instruments.

•The Trust did not record an ECL allowance against accounts receivable and loan receivable and has determined that its internal processes of evaluating each receivable on a specific basis for collectability using historical experience and adjusted for forward-looking information, would appropriately allow the Trust to determine if there are significant increases in credit risk to then record a corresponding ECL allowance.

For financial liabilities measured at amortized cost, the liability is amortized using the effective interest rate method. Under the effective interest rate method, any transaction fees, costs, discounts and premiums directly related to the financial liabilities are recognized in net income over the expected life of the obligation.

In regards to modifications to financial liabilities, when a financial liability measured at amortized cost is modified or exchanged, and such modification or exchange does not result in derecognition, the adjustment to the amortized cost of the financial liability as a result of the modification or exchange is recognized in net income.

Derivatives and Hedging

Derivative instruments, such as the cross currency interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps and foreign exchange collar contracts, are recorded in the combined balance sheet at fair value, including those derivatives that are embedded in financial or non-financial contracts. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in the combined statements of net income. The Trust utilizes derivative financial instruments from time to time in the management of its foreign currency and interest rate exposures. The Trust’s policy is not to utilize derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Trust applies hedge accounting to certain derivative and non-derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of net investments in subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the Canadian dollar. Hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively when the hedge relationship is terminated or no longer qualifies as a hedge, or when the hedging item is sold or terminated. In a net investment hedging relationship, the effective portion of foreign exchange gains or losses on the hedging instruments is recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income and the ineffective portion is recognized in net income. The amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are recognized in net income when there is a disposition or partial disposition of the foreign subsidiary.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

In August 2020, the IASB issued Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 Amendments to IFRS 9, Financial Instruments; IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures; IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement; IFRS 4, Insurance Contracts and IFRS 16, Leases, which addresses issues that might affect financial reporting once an existing interest rate benchmark is replaced with an alternative benchmark interest rate and provides specific disclosure requirements. The amendments introduce a practical expedient for modifications of

financial instruments, where the basis for determining the contractual cash flows changes as a result of the Interbank Offer Rate (“IBOR”) reform, allowing for prospective application of the alternative benchmark interest rate. In addition, the amendments relate to the application of hedge accounting, providing an exception such that changes in the formal designation and documentation of hedge accounting relationships that are needed to reflect the changes required by IBOR reform do not result in the discontinuation of hedge accounting or the designation of new hedging relationships.

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2021. As some of the Trust's unsecured debt and related derivatives have been or will be impacted by the IBOR reform, the reformed IFRS guidance has been adopted. The adoption of the amendments did not have a material impact on the Trust's combined financial statements. Refer to note 8 for details of the unsecured debt and related derivatives that have been or will be affected by the IBOR reform and the transition plan that the Trust has executed to alternative benchmark interest rates.

(i)Leases

The Trust recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease obligation at the lease commencement date, in accordance with IFRS 16, Leases. The Trust accounts for its right-of-use assets that do not meet the definition of investment property as fixed assets. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost and, subsequently, at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease obligation. When a right-of-use asset meets the definition of investment property, it is initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at fair value (note 2(d)).

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, at the Trust’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Trust uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.

The lease obligation is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability and decreased by lease payments made. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee or, as appropriate, a change in the assessment of whether a purchase or extension option is reasonably certain to be exercised or a termination option is reasonably certain not to be exercised.

(j)Revenue Recognition

Where Granite has retained substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership of its rental properties, leases with its tenants are accounted for as operating leases. Where substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership of the Trust’s rental properties have been transferred to its tenants, the Trust’s leases are accounted for as finance leases. All of the Trust’s current leases are operating leases.

Revenue from investment properties includes base rents earned from tenants under lease agreements, property tax and operating cost recoveries and other incidental income. Rents from tenants may contain rent escalation clauses or free rent periods which are recognized in revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The difference between the revenue recognized and the contractual rent is included in investment properties as straight-line rents receivable. In addition, tenant incentives including cash allowances provided to tenants are recognized as a reduction in rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease

where it is determined that the tenant fixturing has no benefit to the property beyond the existing tenancy. Property tax and operating cost recoveries from tenants are recognized as revenue in the period in which applicable costs are incurred.

(k)Unit-based Compensation Plans

Executive Deferred Stapled Unit Plan

The executive deferred stapled unit plan is measured at fair value at the date of grant and amortized to compensation expense from the effective date of the grant to the final vesting date. Compensation expense is recognized on a proportionate basis consistent with the vesting features of each tranche of the grant. Compensation expense for executive deferred stapled units granted under the plan is recognized in general and administrative expenses with a corresponding liability recognized based upon the fair value of the Trust’s stapled units as the Trust is an open-ended trust making its units redeemable. During the period in which the executive deferred stapled units are outstanding, for grants with no performance criteria, the liability is adjusted for changes in the market value of the Trust’s stapled unit, and for grants with performance criteria, the liability is measured at fair value using the Monte Carlo simulation model (note 13), with both such adjustments being recognized as compensation expense in general and administrative expenses in the period in which they occur. The liability balance is reduced as deferred stapled units are forfeited or settled for stapled units and recorded in equity.

Director/Trustee Deferred Share Unit Plan

The compensation expense and a corresponding liability associated with the director/trustee deferred share unit plan are measured based on the market value of the underlying stapled units. During the period in which the awards are outstanding, the liability is adjusted for changes in the market value of the underlying stapled unit, with such positive or negative adjustments being recognized in general and administrative expenses in the period in which they occur. The liability balance is settled for cash or stapled units when a director/trustee ceases to be a member of the Board.

(l)Income Taxes

Operations in Canada

Granite qualifies as a mutual fund trust under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Act”) and as such the Trust itself will not be subject to income taxes provided it continues to qualify as a REIT for purposes of the Act. A REIT is not taxable and not considered to be a Specified Investment Flow-through Trust provided it complies with certain tests and it distributes all of its taxable income in a taxation year to its unitholders.

The Trust’s qualification as a REIT results in no current or deferred income tax being recognized in the combined financial statements for income taxes related to the Canadian investment properties.

Operations in the United States

The Trust’s investment property operations in the United States are conducted in a qualifying United States REIT (“US REIT”) for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a qualifying US REIT, it is not taxable provided it complies with certain tests in addition to the requirement to distribute substantially all of its taxable income.

As a qualifying US REIT, current income taxes on U.S. taxable income have not been recorded in the combined financial statements. However, the Trust has recorded deferred income taxes that may arise on the disposition of its investment properties as the Trust will likely be subject to entity level income tax in connection with such transactions pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act.

Operations in Europe

The Trust consolidates certain entities that continue to be subject to income tax.

Income taxes for taxable entities in Europe, as well as other entities in Canada or the United States subject to tax, are recorded as follows:

Current Income Tax

The current income tax expense is determined on the basis of enacted or substantively enacted tax rates and laws at each balance sheet date.

Deferred Income Tax

Deferred income tax is recorded, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts reported on the combined financial statements. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that deductions, tax credits or tax losses will be utilized.

Each of the current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they are levied by the same taxation authority in either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities within the same reporting group that settle on a net basis.

(m) Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the combined financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures made in the financial statements and accompanying notes.

Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions utilized in preparing the combined financial statements are reasonable and prudent; however, actual results could be materially different and require an adjustment to the reported results.

Judgments

The following are the critical judgments that have been made in applying the Trust’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the combined financial statements:

(i) Leases

The Trust’s policy for revenue recognition is described in note 2(j). The Trust makes judgments in determining whether certain leases are operating or finance leases, in particular tenant

leases with long contractual terms or leases where the property is a large square-footage and/or architecturally specialized. The Trust also makes judgments in determining the lease term for some lease contracts in which it is a lessee that include renewal or termination options. The assessment of whether the Trust is reasonably certain to exercise such options impacts the lease term which, in turn, significantly affects the amount of lease obligations and right-of-use assets recognized.

(ii) Investment Properties

The Trust’s policy relating to investment properties is described in note 2(d). In applying this policy, judgment is used in determining whether certain costs incurred for tenant improvements are additions to the carrying amount of the property or represent incentives, identifying the point at which practical completion of properties under development occurs and determining borrowing costs to be capitalized to the carrying value of properties under development. Judgment is also applied in determining the use, extent and frequency of independent appraisals.

(iii) Income Taxes

The Trust applies judgment in determining whether it will continue to qualify as a REIT for both Canadian and U.S. tax purposes for the foreseeable future. However, should it at some point no longer qualify, it would be subject to income tax and would be required to recognize current and deferred income taxes.

Estimates and Assumptions

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities include the following:

(i) Valuation of Investment Properties

The fair value of investment properties is determined by management using primarily the discounted cash flow method in which the income and expenses are projected over the anticipated term of the investment plus a subsequent reversionary value discounted using an appropriate discount rate. The Trust obtains, from time to time, appraisals from independent qualified real estate valuation experts. However, the Trust does not value its investment properties based on these appraisals but uses them as data points, alongside other external market information for management to arrive at its own conclusions on values. Management receives valuation assumptions from external appraisers such as discount rates, terminal capitalization rates and market rental rates, however, the Trust also considers its knowledge of historical renewal experiences with its tenants, its understanding of certain specialized aspects of the Trust’s portfolio and tenant profile, and its knowledge of the current condition of the properties to determine proprietary market leasing assumptions, including lease renewal probabilities, renewal rents and capital expenditures. The critical assumptions relating to the Trust’s estimates of fair values of investment properties include contractual rents, contractual renewal terms, expected future market rental rates, discount rates that reflect current market uncertainties, capitalization rates and recent investment property prices. If there is any change in these assumptions or regional, national or international economic conditions, the fair value of investment properties may change materially. Refer to note 4 for further information on the estimates and assumptions made by management.

(ii) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Where the fair value of financial assets or liabilities recorded on the combined balance sheet or disclosed in the notes cannot be derived from active markets, they are determined using valuation techniques including the discounted cash flow method. The inputs to these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgment is required in establishing fair values. The judgments include considerations of inputs such as credit risk and volatility. Changes in assumptions about these factors could materially affect the reported fair value of financial instruments.

(iii) Income Taxes

The Trust operates in a number of countries and is subject to the income tax laws and related tax treaties in each of its operating jurisdictions. These laws and treaties can be subject to different interpretations by relevant taxation authorities. Significant judgment is required in the estimation of Granite’s income tax expense, the interpretation and application of the relevant tax laws and treaties and the provision for any exposure that may arise from tax positions that are under audit by relevant taxation authorities.

The recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets or liabilities is dependent on management’s estimate of future taxable profits and income tax rates that are expected to be in effect in the period the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Any changes in management’s estimate can result in changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities as reported in the combined balance sheets and also the deferred income tax expense in the combined statements of net income.

(n)Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023

In February 2021, the IASB issued narrow-scope amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, IFRS Practice Statement 2, Making Materiality Judgements and IAS 8, Accounting Polices, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors. 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. The Trust has adopted these amendments effective January 1, 2023. The adoption of the amendments did not have a material impact on the Trust's combined financial statements.

(o)Future Changes in Accounting Standards

In January 2020, the IASB issued an amendment to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, to clarify its requirements for the presentation of liabilities in the statement of financial position.

The limited scope amendment affected only the presentation of liabilities in the statement of financial position and not the amount or timing of its recognition. The amendment clarified that the classification of liabilities as current or non-current is based on rights that are in existence at the end of the reporting period and specified that classification is unaffected by expectations about whether an entity will exercise its right to defer settlement of a liability. It also introduced a definition of ‘settlement’ to make clear that settlement refers to the transfer to the counterparty of cash, equity instruments, other assets or services. On October 31, 2022, the IASB issued Non-Current Liabilities with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1). These amendments specify that covenants to be complied with after the reporting date do not affect the classification of debt as current or non-current at the reporting date. The amendments are effective January 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted and the amendments are to be

applied retrospectively. The Trust does not expect these amendments to have a material impact on its combined financial statements.