Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Employment and Social Development Canada 2012 - 2013
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 Employment and Social Development Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
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 delivers its mandate through three business lines: programs that support Human Resources and Skills Development, the Labour Program, and Service Canada. The core programs and services for Canadians that HRSDC delivers include Old Age Security; Canada Pension Plan; Employment Insurance; Canada Student Loans and Grants; National Child Benefit; and Universal Child Care Benefit. HRSDC also provides funding to organizations and other levels of government through targeted labour market and social development programs. Through the Labour Program, HRSDC is responsible for labour laws and policies in federally regulated workplaces. Service Canada helps citizens access HRSDC’s programs, as well as other Government of Canada programs and services.
Employment and Social Development Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2013
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2013 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2012 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Public Servants |
$25,128.00 |
$32,347.00 |
-$7,219.00 |
Non-public Servants |
$3,618.00 |
$5,458.00 |
-$7,219.00 |
| A. Total travel | $28,746.00 |
$32,347.00 |
-$1,840.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $255.00 |
$433.00 |
-$178.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $63.00 |
$73.00 |
-$10.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $29,064.00 |
$38,311.00 |
-$9,247.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $75.00 |
$90.00 |
-$15.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Public Servants: 25128 Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental travel expenditures by public servants decreased 22% 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.;
Non-Public Servants: 3618 Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental travel expenditures by non-public servants decreased 34% due to minimizing the number of persons travelling to various conferences, negotiations and meetings to effectively carry out the government’s mandate, negotiations or representation.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental hospitality expenditures decreased by 41% due to promoting a more cost-conscious culture within the organization at all levels and keeping hospitality costs to a minimum in relation to the scope and purpose of each event.
Conference fees:
Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental conference fees expenditures decreased by 13% due to continuing the emphasis on the use of government facilities when and where possible and adhering to the principles of prudence, economy and value for money.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared to fiscal 2011-2012, departmental international expenditures by the ministers and their staff decreased overall by 16% due to keeping with the Government's agenda of responsible spending.