Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Innovation, Science and Economic Development 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 Innovation, Science and Economic Development 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:
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, 2024
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2024 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2023 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$4,837.00 |
$4,815.00 |
$22.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$1,978.00 |
$2,484.00 |
-$506.00 |
Internal governance |
$222.00 |
$208.00 |
$14.00 |
Training |
$750.00 |
$383.00 |
$367.00 |
Other |
$237.00 |
$346.00 |
-$109.00 |
| A. Total travel | $8,024.00 |
$8,236.00 |
-$212.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $112.00 |
$116.00 |
-$4.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $531.00 |
$811.00 |
-$280.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $8,667.00 |
$9,163.00 |
-$496.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $259.00 |
$421.00 |
-$162.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
The reduction in travel expenditures from the previous fiscal year is largely due to the budget reduction at the government level as part of the Refocusing Government Spending initiative. ISED established travel caps to ensure total travel expenditures aligned with the projected savings targets. The increase in travel related to training is largely due to mandatory on-site training for new recruits across Canada.
Hospitality:
The expenditures in hospitality remained stable compared to last year.
Conference fees:
Decrease in conference fees expenditures since the previous fiscal year is mostly attributable to the continued shift towards virtual and hybrid event formats, which significantly lowered participation costs compared to in-person conferences. Additionally, budgetary reductions across government led to stricter guidelines on conference attendance, prioritizing essential events.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Decrease in international travel expenditures from the previous fiscal year can be attributed to reductions in duration of trips, number of travellers and number of trips taken.