Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions 2016 - 2017

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, 2017.

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:

CED’s mandate 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 opportunities for productive employment are inadequate. CED fulfils its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Act, which came into force on October 5, 2005. In addition, CED is committed to promoting co-operation and complementarity with Quebec and its communities.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2017

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Expenditure category

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2017 ($ thousands)

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2016 ($ thousands)

Variance ($ thousands)

Travel

Public Servants

$718.00

$656.00

$62.00

Non-public Servants

$4.00

$28.00

$62.00

A. Total travel

$722.00

$656.00

-$24.00

B. Hospitality

$33.00

$25.00

$8.00

C. Conference fees

$21.00

$19.00

$2.00

Total [A+B+C]

$776.00

$728.00

$48.00

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

$0.00

$1.00

-$1.00

Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year

Total travel:

Public Servants: 718 Compared with fiscal year 2015-2016, public servant travel expenditures were up $62,000. This increase can be attributed to : 1) increased participation by CED employees in public consultation events with local economic development players across Quebec (entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and the provincial government; 2) increased attendance at meetings with Aboriginal communities (more frequent travel and to locations further away); 3) increased participation by CED employees in interdepartmental meetings in Ottawa, further to the creation of the federal organization that manages the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, and to support the implementation of Government-wide initiatives; 4) and greater participation at international fairs associated with Industrial and Technological Benefits.; Non-Public Servants: 4 As a result of the drop in the number of exempt staff members at CED, travel expenditures by non–public servants fell by $24,000 compared with 2015-2016.

Hospitality:

Compared with fiscal year 2015-2016, the Agency’s hospitality fees were up $8,000 year-over-year. This rise can be attributed to greater attendance at various forums dealing primarily with CED’s internal governance

Conference fees:

N/A

Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:

N/A