Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 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 Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 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:
In particular, for FedDev Ontario, this includes the delivery of core programs to Canadians that support economic growth and competitiveness in southern Ontario. To achieve its mandate in 2018–19, FedDev Ontario delivered three core transfer payment programs tailored to the specific opportunities and challenges of southern Ontario: the Southern Ontario Prosperity Initiatives (SOPI); the Advanced Manufacturing Fund (AMF); and the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP). Agency investments through these programs aligned with the priorities of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan (ISP). Budget 2018 called for a review of the regional development agencies’ (RDAs’) innovation programming, resulting in a new, consolidated program suite across all RDAs called Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program (REGI). The Agency transitioned to this new suite of innovation programming in December 2018. By working with partners and stakeholders across the region and responding to emerging opportunities and challenges, FedDev Ontario is able to achieve its strategic outcome of contributing to a competitive southern Ontario economy and supporting the Government’s economic priorities. Additional information on the Agency’s programs and program activities may be found on FedDev Ontario’s website and in its 2018–19 Departmental Plan.
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2019
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2019 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2018 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$355.00 |
$402.00 |
-$47.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$73.00 |
$23.00 |
$50.00 |
Internal governance |
$116.00 |
$77.00 |
$39.00 |
Training |
$84.00 |
$84.00 |
$0.00 |
Other |
$3.00 |
$4.00 |
-$1.00 |
| A. Total travel | $631.00 |
$590.00 |
$41.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $5.00 |
$3.00 |
$2.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $64.00 |
$52.00 |
$12.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $700.00 |
$645.00 |
$55.00 |
| 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:
Compared with fiscal year 2017-18, departmental travel expenditures increased by $55 thousand. This increase can be attributed to: • Greater participation by FedDev Ontario in outreach, engagement and networking activities to promote conditions for economic prosperity, innovation and competitive regional advantages. • Increased travel related to collaboration with key stakeholders, incubators and accelerators in preparation for the launch of the Agency's renewed mandate and new suite of programming in fiscal year 2019–20. Overall, expenditures on travel are consistent with the Agency’s long term trends.
Hospitality:
Compared with fiscal year 2017-18, departmental hospitality expenditures increased by $2 thousand due to engagement with key stakeholders in preparation for the launch of the Agency's renewed mandate.
Conference fees:
Compared with fiscal year 2017-18, departmental conference expenditures increased by $12 thousand. The increase is explained by conference attendance in support of outreach and stakeholder engagement activities.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
There were no international travel expenditures by the Minister and his staff for this reporting period.