Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions 2018 - 2019

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, 2019.

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 mission of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) is to promote the long-term economic development of Quebec regions with particular emphasis on those areas with slow economic growth or inadequate productive employment opportunities. CED carries out its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Act to establish the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, which came into force on October 5, 2005. CED is also committed to promoting co-operation and a complementary relationship with Quebec and its communities. CED is a key federal player in Quebec for the promotion of economic development in the regions and among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To achieve its core responsibility, which consists of developing the Quebec economy, CED fosters business start-ups and performance. It helps businesses become more innovative, productive and competitive. It supports community engagement efforts in the various regions of Quebec and the attraction of investment aimed at increasing the prosperity of the Quebec and Canadian economies. CED contributes to the economic vitality of all Quebec regions by leveraging their competitive regional advantages. It supports the transition and diversification of communities that remain dependent on a limited number of sectors or that have been affected by an economic shock, such as the closure of the chrysotile mines or the Lac Mégantic tragedy. The following three CED programs support its core responsibility: Regional Innovation; Vitality of Communities; Ad-hoc or Targeted Support. Additional information on the Agency’s authority, mandate and programs is available in the 2018-2019 Departmental Plan Results.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2019

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Expenditure category

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2019 ($ thousands)

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2018 ($ thousands)

Variance ($ thousands)

Travel

Operational activities

$564.00

$452.00

$112.00

Key stakeholders

$14.00

$21.00

-$7.00

Internal governance

$76.00

$55.00

$21.00

Training

$172.00

$101.00

$71.00

Other

$3.00

$12.00

-$9.00

A. Total travel

$829.00

$641.00

$188.00

B. Hospitality

$29.00

$34.00

-$5.00

C. Conference fees

$68.00

$38.00

$30.00

Total [A+B+C]

$926.00

$713.00

$213.00

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

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year

Total travel:

CED expenditures in all categories increased by $213,000 compared with the 2017–2018 fiscal year, primarily owing to increased travel costs. Compared with the 2017–2018 fiscal year, CED travel expenditures increased by roughly $188,000. The increase can be explained as follows: Greater trips by existing employees and temporary resources to maintain service levels with external clients in various regions across Quebec. The purpose was to meet short-term needs during the planning and structuring stages of new approved initiatives and to ensure their speedy implementation, including the renewal of agreements with partners; Increased travel costs related to employee training, such as training on innovative technology in the wake of changes to innovation-based programming; The roll-out of the digital strategy, namely the implementation of our new grants and contributions management system (Cortex) and the financial and material management system (SAP), led to more travel; Employees travelled within various sectors to better understand their internal partners’ business processes in an effort to enhance the client experience, foster innovation and share best practices.

Hospitality:

-

Conference fees:

Compared with the 2017–2018 fiscal year, CED conference fees increased by approximately $30,000 in 2018–2019. This variance is explained by the Agency’s stronger presence in the field (participation in fairs, events, innovation fairs, conferences, etc.) in order to more easily reach our target clientele and expand our network to achieve our objectives.

Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:

-