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, 2016. It also provides the variance explanations 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 https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/corporate/transparency/rpp-2015-16-toc.html

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 Agency business meetings and working sessions necessary to conduct government business and deliver on priorities. 

As ACOA head office is located in Moncton, New Brunswick 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 of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

(in thousands of dollars)

(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 is continuously identifying ways to reduce operating costs in supporting the government’s ongoing commitment to costs containment.

Significant Variances Compared to the Previous Fiscal Year

TRAVEL FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS AND NON-PUBLIC SERVANTS: Compared with fiscal year 2014-2015, the Agency’s travel expenditures decreased. This is the result of on-going efforts by the Agency to maximize the use of video-conferencing and in the use of other alternatives in lieu of travel where possible.

HOSPITALITY: Compared with fiscal year 2014-2015, the Agency’s hospitality expenditures decreased. The increase in 2014-15 hospitality expenditures was due to a unique hospitality event hosted by ACOA in November 2014 related to the Canada-France Regional Joint Cooperation Commission.

CONFERENCE FEES: Compared with fiscal year 2014-2015, the Agency’s conference fees expenditures decreased due to a reduction in conference attendance by ACOA’s employees.

MINISTER AND MINISTER'S STAFF: There was no international travel expenditures by the minister and his staff for both fiscal years.