Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022 - 2023
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 Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.
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:
ISED helps Canadian businesses grow, innovate and expand so they can create good-quality jobs and wealth for Canadians. It also supports science research and the integration of scientific considerations into investment and policy choices. The Department helps small businesses grow through trade and innovation and promotes increased tourism in Canada. The Department also works to position Canada as a global centre for innovation where growth is clean and inclusive, the middle class prospers through more opportunities for all Canadians, and our companies become global leaders.
ISED's efforts focus on improving conditions for investment, supporting science, helping small and medium-sized businesses grow, building capacity for clean and sustainable technologies and processes, increasing Canada's share of global trade, promoting tourism, and building an efficient and competitive marketplace.
Information on major ISED programs is available in the Departmental Results Report and the Departmental Plan.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2023
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2023 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2022 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$4,815.00 |
$1,017.00 |
$3,798.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$2,484.00 |
$317.00 |
$2,167.00 |
Internal governance |
$208.00 |
$14.00 |
$194.00 |
Training |
$383.00 |
$36.00 |
$347.00 |
Other |
$346.00 |
$15.00 |
$331.00 |
| A. Total travel | $8,236.00 |
$1,399.00 |
$6,837.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $116.00 |
$19.00 |
$97.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $811.00 |
$235.00 |
$576.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $9,163.00 |
$1,653.00 |
$7,510.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $421.00 |
$59.00 |
$362.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Increase in travel expenditures since the previous fiscal year is mostly attributable to the progressive return to normal and regular operations following the pandemic. Expenditures have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels despite a significant growth in ISED operating budgets and high levels of inflation over the past few years. Expenditures for this fiscal year still only represents 72% of annual expenditures reported prior to the pandemic.
Hospitality:
Increase in hospitality expenditures since the previous fiscal year is mostly attributable to the progressive return to normal and regular operations following the pandemic. Expenditures have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels despite a significant growth in ISED operating budgets and high levels of inflation over the past few years. Expenditures for this fiscal year still only represents 31% of annual expenditures reported prior to the pandemic.
Conference fees:
Increase in conference fees expenditures since the previous fiscal year is mostly attributable to the progressive return to normal and regular operations following the pandemic. Expenditures have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels despite a significant growth in ISED operating budgets and high levels of inflation over the past few years. This year’s level of expenditure is in line with pre-pandemic levels considering the growth of the department.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Increase in expenditures since the previous fiscal year is mostly attributable to the progressive return to normal and regular operations following the pandemic. Expenditures have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels despite a significant growth in ISED operating budgets and high levels of inflation over the past few years. Increased expenditures for this fiscal year are primarily attributable to increased international travel as part of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry’s mandate.