Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat 2024 - 2025

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 Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.

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 mandate of the CICS is to support federal, provincial and territorial governments in the planning and conduct of senior level intergovernmental conferences held across Canada. The primary objective of the CICS is to relieve client departments of the numerous technical and administrative tasks associated with the planning and conduct of multilateral conferences, thereby enabling participants to concentrate on substantive intergovernmental policy issues. The CICS provides continuous, effective, impartial administrative services to these meetings.

Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2025

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Expenditure category	Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2025 ($ thousands)	Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2024 ($ thousands)	Variance ($ thousands)
Travel
Operational activities	$443.72	$448.78	-$5.06
Key stakeholders	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Internal governance	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Training	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Other	$1.42	$0.00	$1.42
A. Total travel	$445.14	$448.78	-$3.64
B. Hospitality	$0.62	$0.61	$0.01
C. Conference fees	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total [A+B+C]	$445.76	$449.39	-$3.63
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:

Compared to fiscal year 2023-24, departmental travel expenditures for operational activities decreased by $5,000. This decrease is primarily the result of the support provided for a record number of 163 conferences in 2024-25, demonstrating strong operational momentum while emphasizing cost efficiency. This involved selecting more cost-effective accommodations when available, securing early conference registrations to benefit from lower travel rates, and reducing team sizes for travel and events when appropriate. These strategic measures ensured high performance levels while maintaining sound financial management.

Hospitality:

Compared to fiscal year 2023-24, CICS’ hospitality expenses saw a slight increase of $100. Overall, expenditures remained in line with established practices, with costs largely associated with all-staff gatherings, National Public Service Week activities, the Executive retreat, and events held as part of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign.

Conference fees:

There were no expenditures relating to conference fees.