Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 2020 - 2021

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 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

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 supports the sector from the farmer to the consumer, from the farm to global markets, through all phases of producing, processing and marketing of farm, food and agri-based products. Agriculture is a shared jurisdiction in Canada, and the Department works closely with provincial and territorial governments in the development and delivery of policies, programs and services.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2021

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Expenditure category

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2021 ($ thousands)

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2020 ($ thousands)

Variance ($ thousands)

Travel

Operational activities

$247.00

$5,579.00

-$5,332.00

Key stakeholders

$7.00

$1,469.00

-$1,462.00

Internal governance

$9.00

$608.00

-$599.00

Training

$3.00

$2,176.00

-$2,173.00

Other

$17.00

$523.00

-$506.00

A. Total travel

$283.00

$10,355.00

-$10,072.00

B. Hospitality

$9.00

$234.00

-$225.00

C. Conference fees

$15.00

$148.00

-$133.00

Total [A+B+C]

$307.00

$10,737.00

-$10,430.00

International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel)

$0.00

$31.00

-$31.00

Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year

Total travel:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-2020, departmental travel expenditures in 2020-2021 decreased by $10,073,000 or 97% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospitality:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-2020, departmental hospitality expenditures in 2020-2021 decreased by $225,000 or 96% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conference fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-2020, departmental conference fees in 2020-2021 decreased by $133,000 or 90% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:

Due to the global pandemic and travel restrictions, the Minister did not engage in any international outreach or trade missions.