Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Environment and Climate Change Canada 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 Environment and Climate Change Canada 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:
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues. The Department addresses these issues through various actions including the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on clean growth and climate change; engaging with our strategic partners including provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples; monitoring; science-based research; policy and regulatory development; and, through the enforcement of environmental laws, The Department's programs focus on minimizing threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution; equipping Canadians to make informed decisions on weather, water and climate conditions; and conserving and restoring Canada's natural environment. Under the Department of the Environment Act, the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change extend to matters such as: the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality, and the coordination of the relevant policies and programs of the Government of Canada; renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna; meteorology; and the enforcement of rules and regulations. ECCC has authority under numerous pieces of legislation which affect how the department operates. Further information on the mandate, legislation, roles, priorities, responsibilities and strategic outcomes of Environment and Climate Change Canada can be found in Section I of ECCC's Reports on Plans and Priorities.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2017
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2017 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2016 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Public Servants |
$22,370.00 |
$21,534.00 |
$836.00 |
Non-public Servants |
$1,722.00 |
$1,728.00 |
$836.00 |
| A. Total travel | $24,092.00 |
$21,534.00 |
-$6.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $301.00 |
$310.00 |
-$9.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $591.00 |
$349.00 |
$242.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $24,984.00 |
$23,921.00 |
$1,063.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $140.00 |
$108.00 |
$32.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Public Servants: 22370 Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, departmental travel expenditures by public servants have increased by $836K or 3.9% ($22,370K - $21,534K). The increase is attributable to increased consultation and outreach across the country associated with the implementation of the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.;
Non-Public Servants: 1722 Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, departmental travel expenditures by non-public servants have decreased by $6K or 0.3% ($1,722K - $1,728K).
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, departmental hospitality expenditures have decreased by $9K or 2.9% ($301K - $310K).
Conference fees:
Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, departmental conference fees have increased by $242K or 69.3% ($591K - $349K). The increase is mainly attributable to higher conference participation for activities associated with the Clean Growth and Climate Change Initiative.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, departmental international travel expenditures by the Minister and her staff have increased by $32K or 29.6% ($140K - $108K). The increase is mainly due to the Minister’s participation in two meetings: Montreal Protocol and the General Assembly of the United Nations.