Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Natural Resources Canada 2022 - 2023
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 Natural Resources Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.
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:
NRCan works to improve the quality of life of Canadians by ensuring that our natural resources are developed sustainably, providing a source of jobs, prosperity and opportunity, while preserving our environment and respecting our communities and Indigenous peoples.
The Minister of Natural Resources has responsibilities in relation to more than 30 acts of Parliament. The Minister’s core powers, duties and functions are set forth in the Department of Natural Resources Act, the Resources and Technical Surveys Act, the Forestry Act, the Energy Efficiency Act and the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act. The Department also works in areas of shared responsibilities with provinces, which includes the environment, public safety, economic development, science and technology, and consultations with Indigenous peoples. To fulfil its responsibilities, the Department relies on a number of instruments (e.g. policy, regulation, statutory transfers, grants and contributions) and key activities (e.g. science and technology, partnerships, and communications).
NRCan has offices and laboratories across the country. Employees work in regional offices from coast to coast to coast including: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Western and Pacific Regions, Northern Canada and the National Capital Region.
For more information on the Department’s organizational mandate letter commitments, see the Minister's Mandate letter.
Natural Resources Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2023
Expenditure category |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2023 ($ thousands) |
Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2022 ($ thousands) |
Variance ($ thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | |||
Operational activities |
$7,491.00 |
$2,062.00 |
$5,429.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$2,432.00 |
$139.00 |
$2,293.00 |
Internal governance |
$134.00 |
$30.00 |
$104.00 |
Training |
$664.00 |
$32.00 |
$632.00 |
Other |
$530.00 |
$672.00 |
-$142.00 |
| A. Total travel | $11,251.00 |
$2,935.00 |
$8,316.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $191.00 |
$9.00 |
$182.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $706.00 |
$163.00 |
$543.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $12,148.00 |
$3,107.00 |
$9,041.00 |
| International travel by minister and minister's staff (included in travel) | $118.00 |
$82.00 |
$36.00 |
Explanation of significant variances compared with previous fiscal year
Total travel:
Compared with fiscal year 2021-2022, departmental travel expenditures increased by $8.3 million, mainly due to the lifting of travel restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in a return to the regular travel requirements to support program delivery and in-person engagement meetings with stakeholders and partners, including Indigenous communities.
Hospitality:
Compared with fiscal year 2021-2022, departmental hospitality expenditures increased by $182 thousand, mainly due to the lifting of restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conference fees:
Compared with fiscal year 2021-2022, departmental conference fee expenditures increased by $543 thousand. The increase is mainly due to the lifting of restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
Compared with fiscal year 2021-2022, departmental international travel expenditures by the Minister and his staff increased by $36 thousand due to the return to normal levels of engagement activities following the lifting of restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.