Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences 2020-21

According to subsection 4.1.2 of the Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures of Treasury Board, departments are required to publicly disclose total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conference fees. This report provides information on these expenditures for the Department of Public Safety Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, except for information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Travel, hospitality and conference expenditures incurred by Public Safety Canada are in support of its mandate and the government’s priorities.

The Department's mandate is to keep Canada safe from a range of risks such as natural disasters, crime and terrorism. As such, Public Safety Canada collaborates with federal partners as well as other levels of government, non-government organizations, community groups, the private sector, foreign states, academia, communities and first responders on issues related to national security, border strategies, countering crime and emergency management. This cooperation supports a cohesive and integrated approach to Canada's safety and security.

In fiscal year 2020-21, the Department provided strategic policy advice and support to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on a range of issues including: national security, community safety and emergency management. The Department also delivers a number of grant and contribution programs related to these issues.

For more detailed information on Public Safety Canada’s mandate, including roles and responsibilities, please refer to the Department’s 2020-21 Departmental Plan (DP) and the 2020-21 Departmental Results Report (DRR).

Travel, Hospitality and Conferences (THC) expenditures by Significant Initiative in 2020-21

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, government travel, hospitality and conference activities were significantly reduced. As such, there were no significant initiatives that took place.

Significant Variances Compared With Previous Fiscal Year

Overall, the travel, hospitality and conferences expenditures decreased by $3,575 K or 99% compared to 2019-20, from $3,628K to $53K.

Travel:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, departmental travel expenditures decreased by $3,199K or 99%. This decrease is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the cancellation of all non-essential travel.

Hospitality:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, departmental hospitality expenditures decreased by $310K or 99%. This decrease is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the vast majority of in-person events being cancelled.

Conference Fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, departmental conference expenditures decreased by $66K or 80%. This decrease is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of conferences either being cancelled, or transitioned to a teleconference format.

Minister and Minister’s Staff:

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, departmental international travel expenditures by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and his staff decreased by $33K or 100%. This decrease is again related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compared to fiscal year 2019-20, departmental international travel expenditures by the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction and his staff decreased by $4K or 100%. This decrease is related to the elimination of this position following the federal election of 2019.

Approved by the Chief Financial Officer

Patrick Amyot, CPA, CMA
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management Branch,
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Security Officer
Ottawa (Canada)

Date signed: October 13, 2021

Date modified:

2022-02-07