ESDC - Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences

2012-2013

As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on the total annual expenditures for each of travel, hospitality and conferences for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. It also provides the variance explanations from the previous fiscal year of these areas.

This information is updated annually and does not contain information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Expenditures on travel, hospitality and conferences incurred by federal departments and agencies are directly related to supporting departmental mandates and the government's priorities.

The department delivers its mandate through three business lines:  programs that support Human Resources and Skills Development, the Labour Program, and Service Canada. The core programs and services for Canadians that HRSDC delivers include Old Age Security; Canada Pension Plan; Employment Insurance; Canada Student Loans and Grants; National Child Benefit; and Universal Child Care Benefit.

HRSDC also provides funding to organizations and other levels of government through targeted labour market and social development programs. Through the Labour Program, HRSDC is responsible for labour laws and policies in federally regulated workplaces. Service Canada helps citizens access HRSDC’s programs, as well as other Government of Canada programs and services.

For more information, please refer to the Report on Plans and Priorities 2012-2013 and the Departmental Performance Report 2012-2013.

Total annual expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conference of the former Human Resources and Skills Development Canada are summarized below:

¹ Includes international travel that is part of a department's program

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year

The department is focussed on effective cost control and maximum value for money, as per the Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures.

TRAVEL:

A.  Public Servants:  Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental travel expenditures by public servants decreased 22% due to:

• Using suitable alternatives and leveraging available technology, such as net meetings, video and teleconferencing, and on-line or other training tools to reduce and/or minimize travel costs.

B.  Non-Public Servants:  Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental travel expenditures by non-public servants decreased 34% due to: 

• Minimizing the number of persons travelling to various conferences, negotiations and meetings to effectively carry out the government’s mandate, negotiations or representation.

C.  Minister and Minister’s Staff:  Compared to fiscal 2011-2012, departmental international expenditures by the ministers and their staff decreased overall by 16% due to:

• Keeping with the Government's agenda of responsible spending.

HOSPITALITY:

Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental hospitality expenditures decreased by 41% due to:

• Promoting a more cost-conscious culture within the organization at all levels.
• Keeping hospitality costs to a minimum in relation to the scope and purpose of each event.

CONFERENCE FEES:

Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental conference fees expenditures decreased by 13% due to:

• Continuing the emphasis on the use of government facilities when and where possible.
• Adhering to the principles of prudence, economy and value for money.

In summary, by focussing on cost-effective measures and strengthening controls to increase accountability, the department has decreased its expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences by 24% overall.