Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions 2013 - 2014
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, 2014.
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 the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Act, which came into effect on October 5, 2005, the Agency’s mission is to promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or where opportunities for productive employment are inadequate.
Information on the Agency’s authorities, mandate, program activities and programs can be found in the Report on Plans and Priorities and the Departmental Performance Report.
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2014
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2014 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2013 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Public Servants |
$450.00 |
$535.00 |
-$85.00 |
Non-public Servants |
$75.00 |
$1.00 |
-$85.00 |
| A. Total travel | $525.00 |
$535.00 |
$74.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $14.00 |
$20.00 |
-$6.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $1.00 |
$6.00 |
-$5.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $540.00 |
$562.00 |
-$22.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $16.00 |
$0.00 |
$16.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Public servants: Compared with fiscal year 2012-13, the Agency’s travel expenditures by public servants decreased by 45 thousand dollars mainly due to:
• Increased use of a telepresence system which allowed for visual and interactive communications among our offices, thus reducing travel.
Non-public servants: Compared to fiscal year 2012-13, the Agency’s travel expenditures by non-public servants increased by 34 thousand dollars mainly due to:
• The Minister of the Agency was assigned new responsibilities following his appointment as Regional Minister for Quebec;
• As part of his mandate, the Minister and his staff concluded a visit at the 50th International Paris Air and Space Show in Paris-Le Bourget, promoting the strengths and capabilities of the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry with major clients from the international scene, so as to support the positioning efforts deployed by the small and medium enterprises (SME) of Quebec present at the show.
Hospitality:
Compared with fiscal year 2012-13, the Agency’s hospitality and conference fees decreased. The variance is non-significant.
Conference fees:
Compared with fiscal year 2012-13, the Agency’s hospitality and conference fees decreased. The variance is non-significant.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared with fiscal year 2012-13, the Agency’s international travel expenditures by the Minister and his staff increased by 16 thousand dollars mainly due to:
• As part of his mandate, the Minister and his staff concluded the trade mission mentioned above. No international travel had been made the previous year.