Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 2017 - 2018

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 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.

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:

As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on the total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. It also provides the variance explanations for the previous fiscal year in each of these areas.
This information is updated annually and does not contain information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.
SSHRC’s purpose is to promote and assist research and scholarship in the social sciences and humanities. Social sciences and humanities research builds knowledge about people in the past and present, with a view toward creating a better future.
By focusing on developing Talent, generating Insights and forging Connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that enhance our understanding of modern social, cultural, technological, environmental, economic and wellness issues. Further information on SSHRC’s mandate and program activities can be found in SSHRC’s 2017-18 Departmental Plan.
SSHRC’s program delivery is centered on a merit review model. External experts from across the country and around the world contribute their time and expertise to adjudicate grant proposals and scholarship and fellowship applications, with the aim of funding excellence for the benefit of Canada. The vast majority of SSHRC’s travel and hospitality expenses are to support this merit review process.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures for Year ending March 31, 2018

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Expenditure category

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2018 ($ thousands)

Expenditures for year ended March 31, 2017 Note 1 ($ thousands)

Variance ($ thousands)

Travel

Operational activities

$708.00

-

-

Key stakeholders

$169.00

-

-

Internal governance

$1.00

-

-

Training

$5.00

-

-

Other

$1.00

-

-

A. Total travel

$884.00

$895.00

-$11.00

B. Hospitality

$116.00

$89.00

$27.00

C. Conference fees

$131.00

$58.00

$73.00

Total [A+B+C]

$1,131.00

$1,042.00

$89.00

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:

Travel expenditures have decreased mainly due to an overall travel cost component reduction for the Agency’s peer review processes.


Hospitality:

Hospitality expenditures have increased mainly due to the incremental cost increases of meals provided to the volunteer peer reviewers of the Agency’s various grant competitions.

Conference fees:

The conferences fees expenditures have increased compared to fiscal year 2016-17, mainly due to increased training of staff through expert conferences and the Agency’s increased support to various science conferences such as the Canadian Science Policy conference and the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Minister and minister’s exempt staff - International travel:

-