Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences 2014-15

As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on the total annual expenditures for each of travel, hospitality and conference fees for the Department of Public Safety Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. It also provides the variance explanation 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 Public Safety Canada are in support of its mandate and Government priorities.

Public Safety Canada plays a key role in discharging the Government's fundamental responsibility for the safety and security of its citizens. Legislation governing the Department sets out two essential roles:

1. support the Minister's responsibility for all matters, except those assigned to another federal minister, related to public safety and emergency management including national leadership; and
2. coordinate the efforts of Public Safety Canada's Portfolio agencies as well as provide guidance on their strategic priorities.

The Department provides strategic policy advice on: national security, border strategies, countering crime, and emergency management. The Department also delivers a number of grant and contribution programs related to emergency management and community safety and national security.

For more detailed information on Public Safety Canada's mandate, including roles and responsibilities, please refer to the Department's 2014-15 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) and the 2014-15 Departmental Performance Report (DPR).

Annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences of Public Safety Canada are summarized below:

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year.

Overall, the travel, hospitality and conferences expenditures decreased by $274K or 8% compared to 2013-14.

Travel:

Departmental travel expenditures decreased by $260K or 8%. This decrease is in line with continued efforts to ensure that travel expenditures are managed in the most effective and economical manner by promoting the use of available technologies such as teleconferencing and videoconferencing.

International Travel by Minister and Minister's Staff

Compared to fiscal year 2013-14, departmental international travel expenditures, incurred by the Minister and his staff, increased by $51K. This variance is explained by the fact that a new Minister (Honourable Steven Blaney) was appointed in July 2013, which lessened the requirement for international travel and participation in international events for the Minister and Minister's staff in fiscal year 2013-14.

Hospitality:

Compared to fiscal year 2013-14, departmental hospitality expenditures increased by $22K or 13%. This increase is largely due to Public Safety Canada hosting the second Summit on Economics of Policing and Community Safety: Innovation and Partnerships in March 2015. Approximately 300 participants attended this meeting (ministers, national police associations, police leaders, Federal/Provincial/Territorial government representatives and international counterparts from U.S., Australia, and Europe).

Conference Fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2013-14, departmental conference expenditures have decreased by $36K or 35%. This decrease is in line with continued efforts to ensure that conference expenditures are managed in the most effective and economical manner.

Approved by the Chief Financial Officer

Mark Perlman, CPA, CMA,
Chief Financial Officer and
Assistant Deputy Minister,
Corporate Management Branch
Public Safety Canada
Ottawa, Canada

Date modified:

2016-01-25