Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Department of Justice Canada 2020 - 2021

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 Department of Justice Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

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:

Established in 1868, the Department of Justice Canada supports the dual roles of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Canada. Under the Department of Justice Act, the Minister is the legal advisor to Cabinet and ensures that the administration of public affairs is in accordance with the law. The Minister of Justice is responsible for matters connected with the administration of justice that fall within federal jurisdiction and fulfils this responsibility by developing policies, laws, and programs to strengthen the national framework. Under the Department of Justice Act, the Attorney General of Canada is the chief law officer of the Crown. The Attorney General provides legal services to the government and its departments and agencies. These services include the provision of legal advice, the conduct of litigation and the drafting of legislation and regulations. The Attorney General represents the Crown and not individual departments or agencies. Therefore, the Attorney General seeks to protect interests for the whole of government when providing legal advice and conducting litigation.

Department of Justice Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2021

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Expenditure category

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2021 ($ thousands)

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2020 ($ thousands)

Variance ($ thousands)

Travel

Operational activities

$434.00

$5,110.00

-$4,676.00

Key stakeholders

$6.00

$170.00

-$164.00

Internal governance

$5.00

$455.00

-$450.00

Training

$2.00

$1,247.00

-$1,245.00

Other

$60.00

$341.00

-$281.00

A. Total travel

$507.00

$7,323.00

-$6,816.00

B. Hospitality

$2.00

$217.00

-$215.00

C. Conference fees

$3.00

$44.00

-$41.00

Total [A+B+C]

$512.00

$7,584.00

-$7,072.00

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

$0.00

$12.00

-$12.00

Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year

Total travel:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, there was a significant decrease in departmental travel expenditures of $6.8 million (93%) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospitality:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, there was a significant decrease in departmental hospitality expenditures of $215 thousand (99%) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conference fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, there was a significant decrease in departmental conference fees of $41 thousand (92%) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:

There were no departmental expenditures for international travel in 2020-21 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.