Reports on annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences
As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on the annual expenditures for each of travel, hospitality and conference fees for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014. It also provides explanations for variances from 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.Expenditures on travel, hospitality and conference fees incurred by federal departments and agencies are related to activities that support a departmental or agency mandate and the government’s priorities.
The Agency works with businesses to help them become more competitive, innovative and productive. It works with communities to develop and diversify local economies, and it plays an important role in developing and supporting policies and programs that strengthen the region’s economy.
Descriptions of each of ACOA’s programs can be found in Section II of the Report on Plans and Priorities on the Agency’s website, at http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/eng/publications/ParliamentaryReports/Pages/RPP_2013-14_TOC.aspx.
Travel, hospitality and conference fees cover a range of activities and events. Costs associated with these activities support statutory or regulatory requirements to deliver services to Canadians and to meet government priorities and the Agency’s mandate. These expenses are related to working with other levels of government, industry or public interest groups, as well as to Agency business meetings and working sessions necessary to conduct government business and deliver on priorities.
As ACOA’s head office is located in Moncton, N.B., senior Agency officials are often called upon to attend meetings and briefings in the National Capital Region. They must also travel throughout Atlantic Canada and internationally to ensure that Atlantic Canada’s economic interests are well represented in the global marketplace. In addition, there are travel costs related to training and conferences for which the primary purpose is to enable participants to maintain or acquire skills or knowledge.
The Agency manages travel, hospitality and conference fees with prudence and probity, in a manner that maximizes effectiveness in meeting ACOA’s mandate and priorities. The most economical and efficient alternatives for travel, hospitality, conference fees and associated expenditures have been considered. These expenditures respect the Treasury Board guidelines.
Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(in thousands of dollars)
| Expenditure Category | Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2014 (a) |
Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2013 (b) |
Variance (a-b) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel – Public Servants | 2,017 | 2,694 | (677) |
| Travel – Non-Public Servants | 45 | 35 | 10 |
| International Travel by Minister and Minister’s Staff (1) | - | 22 | (22) |
| Total Travel | 2,062 | 2,751 | (689) |
| Hospitality | 50 | 101 | (51) |
| Conference Fees | 13 | 52 | (39) |
| TOTAL | 2,125 | 2,904 | (779) |
(1) Includes international travel that is part of a department’s program.
There is an overall reduction of expenditures in travel, hospitality and conferences from the previous fiscal year. The Agency continuously identifies ways to reduce operating costs in supporting the government’s ongoing commitment to cost containment.
Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year are explained below.
TRAVEL
Public Servants: Compared with fiscal year 2012-2013, the Agency’s travel expenditures for public servants decreased mainly due to:
- the establishment of an internal framework outlining the use of travel and incorporating the use of more economical travel alternatives such as increased use of teleconference and telepresence.
Non Public Servants: Compared with fiscal year 2012-2013, the Agency’s travel expenditures for non-public servants increased mainly due to:
- the hiring of consultants to roll out new IT technologies throughout the Agency.
HOSPITALITY: Compared with fiscal year 2012-2013, the Agency’s hospitality expenditures decreased mainly due to:
- strengthening internal guidelines and limiting the use of hospitality.
CONFERENCE FEES: Compared with fiscal year 2012-2013, the Agency’s conference fees expenditures decreased mainly due to:
- the establishment of an internal framework limiting the number of employees attending conferences.
MINISTER AND MINISTER'S STAFF: Compared with fiscal year 2012-2013, the Agency’s international travel expenditures for the minister and his staff decreased mainly due to:
- no international travel undertaken by the Minister and minister’s staff as part of the Agency’s programs during the fiscal year.