Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 2025 - 2026
As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on travel, hospitality and conference expenditures for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026.
Travel, hospitality and conference expenditures incurred by a federal department or agency relate to activities that support the department or agency’s mandate and the government’s priorities.
Mandate:
The Department supports the sector from the farmer to the consumer, from the farm to global markets, through all phases of producing, processing and marketing of farm, food and agri-based products. Agriculture is a shared jurisdiction in Canada, and the Department works closely with provincial and territorial governments to develop and deliver policies, programs and services.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2026
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2026 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2025 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$3,867.00 |
$3,902.00 |
-$35.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$1,337.00 |
$944.00 |
$393.00 |
Internal governance |
$182.00 |
$226.00 |
-$44.00 |
Training |
$1,308.00 |
$1,318.00 |
-$10.00 |
Other |
$442.00 |
$478.00 |
-$36.00 |
| A. Total travel | $7,136.00 |
$6,868.00 |
$268.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $192.00 |
$235.00 |
-$43.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $305.00 |
$233.00 |
$72.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $7,633.00 |
$7,336.00 |
$297.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $169.00 |
$77.00 |
$92.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2024-25, departmental travel expenditures in 2025-26 increased by $270 thousand, primarily due to the strategic prioritization of essential international engagements. However, overall travel volume decreased by more than 10% year over year, reflecting the continued effectiveness of measures under the Refocusing Government Spending initiative.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2024-25, departmental hospitality expenditures in 2025-26 decreased by $43 thousand, primarily due to fewer in-person events and increased use of virtual meetings.
Conference fees:
Compared to fiscal year 2024-25, departmental conference expenditures in 2025-26 increased by $72 thousand, mainly due to participation in the Hybrid G7 Agriculture Officials Meeting.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
The agriculture and agrifood sector is export reliant. Ministerial travel aims to build and strengthen relationships with trading partners and to promote Canada’s high quality, safe agricultural products abroad. The following events were carried out to achieve this goal:
• Meeting with senior government officials, industry leaders, importers, and other key stakeholders to advance agricultural and agri-food trade (Jakarta/Singapore/Manila, July/August 2025).
• Meeting with Mexican officials and key stakeholders to strengthen commercial ties and promote Canadian agriculture and agri-food (Mexico City/Guadalajara, October 2025).
• Engaging with Chinese and Canadian industry leaders to support new business opportunities (Shanghai/Beijing/Qingdao, October/November 2025).
• Participating in a trade mission with the Prime Minister to advance the Canada-China strategic partnership (Beijing, January 2026).
• Participating in the Team Canada Trade Mission to Mexico to strengthen commercial ties (Mexico City/Guadalajara, February 2026).
• Meeting with U.S. officials to highlight the importance of the Canada-U.S. agriculture trade relationship (Washington, February 2026).
• Attending Seafood Expo North America (Boston, March 2026).