Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 2021 - 2022

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, 2022.

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, 2022

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Expenditure category

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2022 ($ thousands)

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

Variance ($ thousands)

Travel

Operational activities

$690.00

$247.00

$443.00

Key stakeholders

$56.00

$7.00

$49.00

Internal governance

$18.00

$9.00

$9.00

Training

$3.00

$3.00

$0.00

Other

$68.00

$17.00

$51.00

A. Total travel

$835.00

$283.00

$552.00

B. Hospitality

$38.00

$9.00

$29.00

C. Conference fees

$31.00

$15.00

$16.00

Total [A+B+C]

$904.00

$307.00

$597.00

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

$7.00

$0.00

$7.00

Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year

Total travel:

Compared to fiscal year 2020-2021, departmental travel expenditures in 2021-2022 increased by $552 thousand as a result of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Hospitality:

Compared to fiscal year 2020-2021, departmental hospitality expenditures in 2021-2022 increased by $29 thousand as a result of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Conference fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2020-2021, departmental conference fees in 2021-2022 increased by $16 thousand as a result of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:

With the easing of international travel restrictions, the Minister and two support staff traveled to Washington to meet with the Secretary of Agriculture and officials in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).