2021-2022 Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures Report

Public Health Agency of 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 the Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, 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.

Mandate

The role of the Agency is to promote health, prevent and control chronic diseases and injuries, prevent and control infectious diseases, prepare for and respond to public health emergencies, serve as a central point for sharing Canada's expertise with the rest of the world, apply international research and development to Canada's public health programs, and strengthen intergovernmental collaboration on public health and facilitate national approaches to public health policy and planning.

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures - Public Health Agency of Canada

Year ended March 31, 2022

Expenditure Category	Expenditure Category Expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2022 ($ thousands)	Expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2021 ($ thousands) (Restated)Footnote *	Variance ($ thousands)
Travel
Operational activities	26,355	12,944	13,411
Key stakeholders	62	38	24
Internal governance	11	10	1
Training	121	27	94
Other	7	23	-16
A. Total travel	26,556	13,042	13,514
B. Hospitality	1	99	-98
C. Conference fees	144	170	-26
Total [A+B+C]	26,701	13,311	13,390
Differences may arise due to rounding. Footnote 1 2020-21 figures are re-classified within the travel category. Return to footnote * referrer

Significant variances compared with previous fiscal year

Travel:

For fiscal year 2021-22, the Agency spent $26.6 million in travel expenditures compared to $13.0 million in 2020-21. This represents an overall increase of $13.5 million, or 104% and is attributable to expenditures associated with the mandatory quarantine of travelers at borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuant to the borders and travel health measure and Section 7 in the Quarantine Act.

Hospitality:

For fiscal year 2021-22, the Agency spent $1,000 in hospitality expenditures compared to $99,000 in 2020-21. This represents an overall decrease of $98,000, or 99% and is attributable to fewer hospitality events taking place because of public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conference fees:

For fiscal year 2021-22, the Agency spent $144,000 in Conference fee expenditures compared to $170,000 for fiscal year 2020-21. This represents an overall decrease of $26,000, or 15% and is attributable to the Agency's reduced participation in conference events due to public health measures compared to pre-pandemic years.