Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

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 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 except for information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

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.

IRCC’s Mandate

IRCC selects and welcomes, as permanent and temporary residents, foreign nationals whose skills contribute to Canadian prosperity.

It also reunites family members and maintains Canada’s humanitarian tradition by welcoming refugees and other people in need of protection, thereby upholding its international obligations and reputation.

IRCC, in collaboration with its partners, conducts the screening of potential permanent and temporary residents to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians. IRCC is also responsible for the Canadian passport program and issuance of other travel documents that facilitate the travel of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons.

The Department builds a stronger Canada by helping all newcomers settle and integrate into Canadian society and the economy, and by encouraging, granting and providing proof of Canadian citizenship.

Lastly, IRCC provides evidence-based, results-based strategic policy advice on immigration, settlement and integration issues for Francophone immigrants; and through IRCC’s Action Plan for Official Languages.

Further details about authority, mandate and programs can be found in IRCC’s Departmental Results Report (DRR), Departmental Plan (DP) and other sources of relevant information located on IRCC’s Web site. 

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

IRCC works in a multi-faceted, rapidly changing policy environment. Canada is a nation built on immigration, which has always played an important economic role in meeting our labour market needs. International migration is increasingly complex, with the movement of people being closely linked to trade, global health, and security concerns. Even as we strengthen partnerships at home, we must also foster international partnerships to ensure well-managed, safe and secure international migration. 

Managing in a global environment dictates that IRCC must travel in order to ensure program integrity and to provide an oversight and monitoring of its national and international operations.

With the significant investments made by the government in the Immigration Programs in the past years, IRCC deployed resources for processing in its networks and to engage with various stakeholders. Such activities had an impact on overall travel requirements allowing the department to deliver on its mandate and commitments. Travel expenditures are required to face the growth in permanent and temporary residence applications, to deliver the right training for the department workforce, and to maintain and reinforce the necessary liaison with key partners and stakeholders for business delivery.

IRCC’s hospitality expenses are mainly derived from activities related to events and meetings with foreign dignitaries as well as with federal, provincial, and territorial stakeholders.

IRCC’s conference expenses include congress, convention, briefing seminars or other formal gatherings where participants debate or are informed of the status of a discipline.

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Year ended March 31, 2023

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year

Travel:

Departmental travel expenditures for 2022-23 have increased by $19.2 million (477%) in comparison to 2021-22. The 2022-23 total also represents an increase of $4.7M (26%) compared with the average expenditures of the 2 years (2018-19 & 2019-20) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The significant increase in spending is attributable to the return to pre-pandemic levels of regular operation travelling activities, along with increased travel for temporary processing officers to reduce processing backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, for specific travelling requirements for special coordination and operating activities while implementing Canada’s response to the Afghan and Ukrainian crises and general cost due to inflation.  Travel to accommodation sites by IRCC’s staff and services providers, in order to manage and operate the interim lodging sites, has also increase due to the increase volume of irregular migrants.

Hospitality:

Departmental hospitality expenditures for 2022-23 have increased by $196 thousand (530%) in comparison to 2021-22 and have decreased by $85 thousand (-27%) compared to the average expenditures for the two pre pandemic years (2018-19 & 2019-20). The 2022-23 increase is mainly attributable to the return to pre-pandemic levels of travel, along with increased travel to reduce processing backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation.

Conference fees:

Departmental conference expenditures for 2022-23 have increased by $352 thousand (57%) in comparison to 2021-22 and have increased by $176 thousand (22%) in comparison with the average expenditures for the two pre pandemic years (2018-19 & 2019-20). This is mainly attributable to the return of in-person attendance at events following the removal of all COVID-19 related travel restrictions. Due to this increase in in-person attendance, conference fees for exhibit booths, staff registrations and other conference costs increased accordingly.

Minister and minister’s exempt staff:

Departmental expenditures for international travel by the Minister and the Minister’s exempt staff have increase by $66 thousand in comparison to 2021-22. This increase is mainly attributable to the return to pre-pandemic levels of travel. Additionally, a change in IRCC’s Minister in October 2021 and the resulting change in ministerial priorities and stakeholders needs contributed to this increase in travel.

For further details on international travel, please visit the IRCC Proactive Disclosure web page.