For immediate release
November 24, 2010
Fact Sheet – Directive on the Management of Expenditures on Travel, Hospitality and Conferences
Ottawa – Today, the Government of Canada continued its action to ensure respect for taxpayers' dollars by strengthening the rules surrounding spending on travel, hospitality and conferences. The announcement was made in Ottawa by the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec).
"With the global economy still fragile, Canadian families are taking a hard look at their expenses, setting priorities and making tough choices. They expect their Government to do the same," said Minister Day. "This new action will ensure that money spent by Government employees on hospitality, travel and conferences is in the best interests of taxpayers."
Building on Canada's Economic Action Plan, in which the Government of Canada froze travel, hospitality and conference expenditures at 2008–2009 levels, this new action delivers increased accountability and tougher rules for spending of taxpayers' money including:
- ensuring that total departmental spending on travel, hospitality and conferences is reported to the public every year, in addition to the previous requirements for ministers, ministerial staff and senior Government officials to report on their travel and hospitality expenses;
- making sure that annual budgets for travel, hospitality and conferences are approved by deputy ministers, who will view spending through the lens of best value for taxpayers; and
- restricting all spending on alcohol to situations that are necessary for the rules for protocol, diplomacy or appropriate business with outside stakeholders.
"Controlling spending is an essential part of balancing a budget, whether for a government or a Canadian household," said Minister Lebel. "This action is part of our plan to eliminate waste, ensure the Government is living within its means and keep taxes low for hardworking Canadian families."
The directive will ensure that spending decisions in these areas are necessary and demonstrate value for money. Government organizations will also be required to systematically consider cost-saving measures around these expenses, including options to use teleconferencing or videoconferencing.
The new Treasury Board directive is available through the Treasury Board Secretariat website. Please refer to the attached fact sheet for more information.
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For more information, contact:
Jay Denney
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-952-5051
Jay.denney@tbs-sct.gc.ca
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
613-957-2640
media@tbs-sct.gc.ca
If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the electronic version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail.
TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090
November 24, 2010
Directive on the Management of Expenditures on Travel, Hospitality and Conferences
The directive is part of the Treasury Board policy renewal initiative under the Federal Accountability Action Plan. It also supports the Government of Canada's commitment made in the last two budgets to contain administrative costs by ensuring that the costs of travel, hospitality and conferences are reasonable and tied to Government priorities.
