Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Fisheries and Oceans Canada 2018 - 2019
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 Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.
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 core business of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, managing Canada’s fisheries and safeguarding its waters, is central to who we are as a Department. Our work is part of the daily lives of Canadians.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada ensures commercial vessels and recreational boaters can safely navigate our waters and is there to save lives and protect our environment when emergencies arise; sustainably manages fisheries and aquaculture and works with fishers, coastal and Indigenous communities to enable their continued prosperity from fish and seafood; and ensures that Canada’s oceans and other aquatic ecosystems are protected from negative impacts.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2019
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2019 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2018 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$50,721.00 |
$51,579.00 |
-$858.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$5,131.00 |
$2,333.00 |
$2,798.00 |
Internal governance |
$3,272.00 |
$1,995.00 |
$1,277.00 |
Training |
$9,711.00 |
$7,601.00 |
$2,110.00 |
Other |
$2,288.00 |
$1,270.00 |
$1,018.00 |
| A. Total travel | $71,123.00 |
$64,778.00 |
$6,345.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $516.00 |
$454.00 |
$62.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $356.00 |
$372.00 |
-$16.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $71,995.00 |
$65,604.00 |
$6,391.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $110.00 |
$114.00 |
-$4.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2017-2018, total departmental travel expenditures increased by $6.3 million or 9.8%, mainly due to increased stakeholder engagement, internal governance and training in support of program delivery.
The increase in travel expenditures is mainly the result of an increase in the ability to engage stakeholders and increase negotiations and consultations with Indigenous groups, which are mostly related to such initiatives as the Oceans Protection Plan (OPP), Small Craft Harbours Budget 2018, Fisheries Act Renewal, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Conservation Targets. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) also had more travel related to Shore Based Asset Readiness, Search and Rescue and vessel maintenance. The implementation of the Conservation and Protection’s International program suite to deliver operational activities also contributed to the increase.
In addition, department-wide travel expenditures related to training were higher, principally due to an increase in Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) technical training, training related to fleet operations, CCG College and other project specific courses. Training for Real Property staff and the increased number of Fishery Officer Cadets trained in 2018-19 also explains the higher travel expenditures related to training.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2017-2018, departmental hospitality expenditures increased by $62 thousand due to more frequent consultation meetings with Arctic, Indigenous and Area of Interest stakeholders for various initiatives including Nunavut Fisheries Regulations, increased efforts under Indigenous Relationships and Partnerships and the Oceans Protection Plan, as well as the conservation and protection of ecosystems.
Conference fees:
Compared to fiscal year 2017-2018, there was no significant variance for conference fees. The minor decrease can be attributed to a lower attendance at science related conferences and expositions in 2018-2019.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2017-2018, there was no significant variance for International travel for the Minister and Minister’s Staff.