Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences 2022-23

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, 2023, 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 and border security, crime prevention, community safety and emergency management. This cooperation supports a cohesive and integrated approach to Canada's safety and security.

In fiscal year 2022-23, the Department provided strategic policy advice and support to the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of 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 2022-23 Departmental Plan (DP) and the 2022-23 Departmental Results Report (DRR).

Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences of Public Safety Canada

Expenditure Category

Expenditures for the Year Ending March 31, 2023 (in thousands of dollars)

Expenditures for the Previous Year Ending March 31, 2022 (in thousands of dollars)

Variance $ (in thousands of dollars)

TravelFootnote 1

Operational activities

1,902.9

154.1

1,748.8

Key stakeholders

671.3

27.9

643.4

Internal governance

60.4

0.1

60.3

Training

133.4

2.7

130.7

Other

7.2

-

7.2

A. Total Travel

2,775.2

184.8

2,590.4

B. Hospitality

172.4

2.9

169.5

C. Conference Fees

92.7

21.8

70.9

Total [A+B+C]

3,040.3

209.5

2,830.8

International Travel by the Minister of Public Safety and Minister's StaffFootnote 2

42.4

16.2

26.2

International Travel by the Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister's StaffFootnote 2

-

0.2

(0.2)

Significant Variances Compared with Previous Fiscal Year

Overall, the travel, hospitality and conferences expenditures increased by $2,830.8K (1351%) compared to 2021-22. This increase is due to a gradual ongoing return to normal business operations post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel:

Compared to fiscal year 2021-22, departmental travel expenditures increased by $2,590.4K (1402%). This increase is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions being lifted and a gradual return to normal business operations in the post-pandemic era. Some of the significant initiatives that necessitated travel include: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Emergency Management Consultations, Five Country Ministerial, Counter Radicalization to Violence and Anti-Money Laundering Conference.

Hospitality:

Compared to fiscal year 2021-22, departmental hospitality expenditures increased by $169.5K (5845%). This increase is mainly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions being lifted, which allowed in-person events to resume.

Conference Fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2021-22, departmental conference expenditures increased by $70.9K (325%). This increase is mainly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions being lifted, which allowed in-person events to resume.

Minister and Minister's Staff:

Compared to fiscal year 2021-22, departmental international travel expenditures by the Minister of Public Safety and his staff increased by $26.2K (162%). This increase is again related to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions being lifted.

Approved by the Chief Financial Officer

Patrick Amyot, CPA
Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Financial Officer
Public Safety Canada, Government of Canada
Ottawa (Canada)
Date: October 19, 2023

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