Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures
Public Services and Procurement 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 Public Services and Procurement 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:
The Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) was established effective June 20, 1996, under the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act. As of November 4, 2015, PWGSC started operating as Public Services and Procurement Canada. PSPC plays an important role in the daily operations of the Government of Canada. It supports federal departments and agencies in the achievement of their mandated objectives as their central purchasing agent, real property manager, linguistic authority, treasurer, accountant, pay and pension administrator, and common service provider. The Department's vision is to excel in government operations. Our mission is to deliver high-quality, central programs and services that ensure sound stewardship on behalf of Canadians and meet the program needs of federal institutions.
Public Services and Procurement 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 |
$11,787.00 |
$7,756.00 |
$4,031.00 |
Key stakeholders |
$746.00 |
$205.00 |
$541.00 |
Internal governance |
$242.00 |
$39.00 |
$203.00 |
Training |
$436.00 |
$31.00 |
$405.00 |
Other |
$378.00 |
$148.00 |
$230.00 |
| A. Total travel | $13,589.00 |
$8,179.00 |
$5,410.00 |
| B. Hospitality | $141.00 |
$17.00 |
$124.00 |
| C. Conference fees | $382.00 |
$175.00 |
$207.00 |
| Total [A+B+C] | $14,112.00 |
$8,371.00 |
$5,741.00 |
| 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 to fiscal year 2021-2022, the total departmental travel expenditures increased by $5.4 million or 66%. The increase is mainly due to the lifting of public health measures related to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This led to a resumption of travel activities to support program delivery, in-person training, conference and meetings with industry and stakeholders that had previously been restricted. Particularly, travel for various projects to build and renew federal infrastructure across Canada for both PSPC and other government departments, governance activities for Defence and Marine Procurement projects resumed, and interpretation services requiring on-site presence increased.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2021-2022, hospitality expenditures increased by $124 thousand mainly due to the lifting of public health restrictions related to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the return to in-person events that were able to resume including the hosting of the International Network of Parliamentary Properties Conference, the visioning session for the Indigenous history month and other various Indigenous speaking events.
Conference fees:
Compared to fiscal year 2021-2022, conference expenses increased by $207 thousand mainly due to the lifting of public health restrictions related to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the return to in-person conferences and summits to support PSPC activities and programs including International Defence Conference, the Canadian Science Policy Conference, and the BOMA’S National Building Excellence Summit. Despite the increase in travel, hospitality and conference fees compared to last year, the amount spent remains well below pre-pandemic annual costs.Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:
There were no international travel expenditures by the Minister and Minister’s exempt staff funded by the departmental budget in the year ended March 31, 2023.