Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions 2011 - 2012

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 Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

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:

Under its incorporating Act, which came into effect on October 5, 2005, the mission of the Agency is to promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those regions where slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for productive employment are inadequate. In carrying out its mission, the Agency shall take such measures as will promote cooperation and complementarity with Quebec and communities in Quebec. Details on the Agency’s programs, authorities mandate and major program activities can be found in the Report on Plans and Priorities and the Departmental Performance Reports.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2012

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Expenditure category	Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2012 ($ thousands)	Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2011 ($ thousands)	Variance ($ thousands)
Travel
Public Servants	$783.00	$976.00	-$193.00
Non-public Servants	$0.00	$7.00	-$193.00
A. Total travel	$783.00	$976.00	-$7.00
B. Hospitality	$31.00	$37.00	-$6.00
C. Conference fees	$27.00	$48.00	-$21.00
Total [A+B+C]	$841.00	$1,068.00	-$227.00
International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel)	$0.00	$20.00	-$20.00

Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year

Total travel:

Globally, the Agency’s expenditures for all categories declined compared to 2010-2011. This decline is partially the result of efforts by the Agency to implement the government’s deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, the Agency implemented various budget control measures with a view to reducing expenditures for these expense categories. The deployment of a videoconference system enabling visual and interactive communications between our offices contributed to reducing travel costs.

Hospitality:

Globally, the Agency’s expenditures for all categories declined compared to 2010-2011. This decline is partially the result of efforts by the Agency to implement the government’s deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, the Agency implemented various budget control measures with a view to reducing expenditures for these expense categories. All Agency managers were called upon to reduce their hospitality expenditures to the extent possible

Conference fees:

Globally, the Agency’s expenditures for all categories declined compared to 2010-2011. This decline is partially the result of efforts by the Agency to implement the government’s deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, the Agency implemented various budget control measures with a view to reducing expenditures for these expense categories. Conference-related expenditures have fallen because, since the 2011-2012 fiscal year, all costs for attending conferences intended to help participants maintain or acquire skills or knowledge are considered as training costs.