Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Environment and Climate Change Canada 2017 - 2018
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 Environment and Climate Change Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
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:
Environment and Climate Change Canada is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues. The Department addresses these issues through various actions including the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on clean growth and climate change; engaging with our strategic partners including provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples; monitoring; science-based research; policy and regulatory development; and, through the enforcement of environmental laws. The Department's programs focus on minimizing threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution; equipping Canadians to make informed decisions on weather, water and climate conditions; and conserving and restoring Canada's natural environment.
Under the Department of the Environment Act, the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change extend to matters such as: the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality, and the coordination of the relevant policies and programs of the Government of Canada; renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna; meteorology; and the enforcement of rules and regulations.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2018
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2018 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2017 Note 1 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$19,789.00 |
- | - |
Key stakeholders |
$1,784.00 |
- | - |
Internal governance |
$1,054.00 |
- | - |
Training |
$2,477.00 |
- | - |
Other |
$1,139.00 |
- | - |
| A. Total travel | $26,243.00 |
$24,092.00 |
$2,151.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $474.00 |
$301.00 |
$173.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $871.00 |
$591.00 |
$280.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $27,588.00 |
$24,984.00 |
$2,604.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $188.00 |
$140.00 |
$48.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2016–17, the increase in departmental travel expenditures is mainly due to the increase in travel associated with the Oil Sands Monitoring, the Northern Contaminants Program workshops, the program administration re-organization for Water Quality Monitoring Surveillance, the negotiation on environmental chapters of trade agreements and the climate change negotiations.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2016–17, the increase in departmental hospitality expenditures is mainly due to hosting international events such as G7 Summit, preparatory meetings and Ministerial meetings on Climate Action, for hosting the Arctic and Marine Oilspill Program seminar and the Memorandum of Understanding with Transport Canada related to the Rental of the International Civil Aviation Organization conference facilities in Montréal.
Conference fees:
Compared to fiscal year 2016–17, the increase in departmental conference fee expenditures is mainly due to the Memorandum of Understanding with Transport Canada related to the Rental of the International Civil Aviation Organization conference facilities in Montréal.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2016–17, the increase in departmental for international travel by the Minister and the Minister’s exempt staff is mainly due to the participation in World Ocean Summit and to meet with stakeholders in Dublin (Ireland).