Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 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 Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 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 Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (the Agency) will continue to deliver on its mandate to strengthen the capacity for innovation and clean, inclusive economic growth across southern Ontario. To support its mandate, the Agency is structured to deliver key activities and results along four main strategic objectives: advancing the competitiveness of the southern Ontario economy; supporting sustainable urban and rural economic development and diversification; promoting a fairer, more inclusive southern Ontario economy; and increasing Agency advocacy on behalf of the interests and priorities of southern Ontario stakeholders.
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2025
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2025 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2024 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$142.00 |
$251.00 |
-$109.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$77.00 |
$66.00 |
$11.00 |
Internal governance |
$12.00 |
$30.00 |
-$18.00 |
Training |
$22.00 |
$22.00 |
$0.00 |
Other |
$114.00 |
$101.00 |
$13.00 |
| A. Total travel | $367.00 |
$470.00 |
-$103.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $6.00 |
$4.00 |
$2.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $37.00 |
$61.00 |
-$24.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $410.00 |
$535.00 |
-$125.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $2.00 |
$0.00 |
$2.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2023-24, the Agency's travel expenditures for fiscal year 2024-25 decreased by $103,000. This decrease, partially offset by increased travel to support stakeholder engagement and ministerial project announcements, is due to concerted efforts to reduce travel spending through the Refocusing Government Spending initiative announced in Budget 2023.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2023-24, the Agency's hospitality expenditures for fiscal year 2024-25 increased by $2,000, due to increased in-person engagement with stakeholders.
Conference fees:
Compared to 2023-24, the Agency's conference fee expenditures for fiscal year 2024-25 decreased by $24,000. This decrease is due to concerted efforts to reduce conference attendance, and in-turn professional services spending, through the Refocusing Government Spending initiative announced in Budget 2023.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared to fiscal year 2023-24, the Agency's international travel expenditures by the Minister and their exempt staff for fiscal year 2024-25 increased by $2,000, which reflects costs associated with a cancelled trip.