Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Environment and Climate Change Canada 2023 - 2024
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, 2024.
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:
ECCC leads and supports a wide range of environmental issues, including taking action on clean growth and climate change, pollution, conserving nature, and predicting weather and environmental conditions. The Department addresses these issues through various actions and initiatives including leading Canada’s efforts to transition to a net-zero economy and strengthening resilience to climate change, protecting more of our lands and waters, strengthening protection and recovery for species at risk and their habitats, and providing environmental and weather information to Canadians. To achieve its mandate, the Department works with provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, civil society, industry, and international partners, and undertakes monitoring, science-based research, policy and regulatory development, and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
The Department’s program focus reflects the interdependence between environmental sustainability and economic well-being.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2024
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2024 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2023 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$19,383.00 |
$19,863.00 |
-$480.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$2,026.00 |
$2,105.00 |
-$79.00 |
Internal governance |
$601.00 |
$455.00 |
$146.00 |
Training |
$2,226.00 |
$2,729.00 |
-$503.00 |
Other |
$1,046.00 |
$934.00 |
$112.00 |
| A. Total travel | $25,282.00 |
$26,086.00 |
-$804.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $212.00 |
$325.00 |
-$113.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $661.00 |
$576.00 |
$85.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $26,155.00 |
$26,987.00 |
-$832.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $234.00 |
$280.00 |
-$46.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2022–23, departmental travel expenditures slightly decreased mainly due to the non-recurring expenditures related to hosting the 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montréal in December 2022, offset by increases in travel as part of the delivery of core programs. ECCC is called upon to ensure its employees and key stakeholders travel mostly for the purposes of, but not limited to, monitoring weather, water quantity, ice, air and climate conditions, collecting supporting evidence for decision making as part of conserving nature, and enforcing applicable laws and regulations.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2022–23, departmental hospitality expenditures decreased mainly due to the non-recurring expenditures related to hosting the 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montréal in December 2022.
Conference fees:
Compared to fiscal year 2022–23, departmental expenditures slightly increased due to the regular business requirements. Since ECCC is a science-based department, attending conferences and other similar events are required to maintain a high-level of knowledge. Continuous efforts are being made to minimize costs related to conference participation.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2022–23, departmental expenditures for international travel by the Minister and the Minister’s exempt staff decreased mainly due to trips related to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP 28) at lower cost than trips related to the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP 27).