ESDC - Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences
2013-2014
As required by the Treasury Board (TB) 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 Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014. 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 Employment and Social Development, the Labour Program, and Service Canada. The core programs and services for Canadians that ESDC delivers include Old Age Security; Canada Pension Plan; Employment Insurance; Canada Student Loans and Grants; the Canada Education Savings Program; National Child Benefit; and Universal Child Care Benefit.
ESDC also provides funding to organizations and other levels of government through targeted labour market and social development programs. Through the Labour Program, ESDC is responsible for labour laws and policies in federally regulated workplaces. Service Canada helps citizens access ESDC’s programs, as well as other Government of Canada programs and services.
For more information, please refer to the Report on Plans and Priorities 2013-2014 and the Departmental Performance Report 2013-2014.
Total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences of Employment and Social Development Canada are summarized below:
| Expenditure Category |
Expenditures for the year |
Expenditures for the previous year ending March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars) | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Travel - Public Servants |
$22,334 |
$25,128 |
($2,794) |
|
Travel - Non-Public Servants |
$1,696 |
$3,693 1 |
($1,997) |
|
Total Travel |
$24,030 |
$28,821 |
($4,791) |
|
Hospitality |
$197 |
$255 |
($58) |
|
Conference Fees |
$42 |
$63 |
($21) |
|
TOTAL |
$24,269 |
$29,139 |
($4,870) |
|
International Travel by Ministers and Ministers' Staff (also included in Travel - Non-Public Servant) 2 |
|
|
|
|
Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada - Hon J. Kenney (Jul 15, 2013 - Mar 31, 2014) |
$55 |
|
$55 |
|
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development - Hon D. Finley (Apr 1, 2013 - Jul 14, 2013) |
$1 |
$11 |
($10) |
|
Minister of Labour - Hon K. Leitch (Jul 15, 2013 - Mar 31, 2014) |
$15 |
|
$15 |
|
Minister of Labour - Hon L. Raitt (Apr 1, 2013 - Jul 14, 2013) |
$17 |
$31 |
($14) |
|
Ministers of State (Seniors) - Hon A. Wong (Apr 1, 2013 - Mar 31, 2014) |
$58 |
$33 |
$25 |
|
Minister of State (Social Development) - Hon C. Bergen (New Jul 15, 2013 - Mar 31, 2014) |
$8 |
|
$8 |
|
Total International Travel by Ministers and Ministers' Staff |
$154 |
$75 |
$79 |
|
1 Restated to include international travel by Ministers and Ministers' Staff to comply with the TB Guideline on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures released December 2013. |
|
2 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 TB Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures.
TRAVEL:
A. Public Servants: Compared to fiscal year 2012-2013, departmental travel expenditures by public servants decreased 11% 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 2012-2013, departmental travel expenditures by non-public servants decreased 54% due to:
- Minimizing the number of persons travelling to various negotiations and meetings to effectively carry out the government’s mandate, negotiations or representation.
C. Minister and Minister’s Staff: Compared to fiscal 2012-2013, departmental international expenditures by the ministers and their staff increased overall by 105% as a result of:
- The July 2013 cabinet shuffle where the Minister of ESDC`s role was broadened to include both the ESDC and Multiculturalism portfolios and the creation of the Minister of State for Social Development.
HOSPITALITY:
Compared to fiscal year 2012-2013, departmental hospitality expenditures decreased by 23% 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 2012-2013, departmental conference fees expenditures decreased by 33% 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 17% overall.