Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences

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 conferences for the department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. It also provides the variance explanations 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 conferences incurred by NRCan support the Department’s mandate and the government’s priorities.

NRCan’s vision is to improve the quality of life of Canadians by creating a sustainable resource advantage. It seeks to achieve this vision by working to improve the competitiveness of the natural resource sectors, grow the contribution of responsible resource development to Canada’s economy, and use its knowledge and expertise of Canada’s landmass to support the safety and security of citizens.

In support and development of its programs, NRCan incurs travel, hospitality and conference expenses. In 2012-13, NRCan spent approximately $14 million on travel, conferences and hospitality.

For more information on NRCans Plans and Priorities, see the 2012-13 Report on Plans and Priorities.

Total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences of NRCan are summarized below:

(*) Includes international travel that is part of a department’s program.

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year.

TRAVEL:

1. Public Servants: Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, 2012-2013 departmental travel expenditures by public servants decreased by $2.291 million mainly due to:
    
   • NRCan reducing travel expenditures as a result of Budget 2012 Saving Measures and of reduced program funding. Maintained effort by management to prioritize and scrutinize travel requests to ensure value for money resulted in reducing the numbers of participants and exploring alternative ways of meeting with stakeholders and colleagues such as the use of tele/video conferencing. In addition, NRCan’s reduced involvement in the International Energy Agency Tasks and Annexes, non-cyclical field work not taking place in 2012-2013, fewer inspectors on strength and reduction in northern field activities due to the conclusion of Phase 1 of the Geomapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program also contributed to reduction in travel.
      
2. Non-Public Servants: Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, 2012-2013 departmental travel expenditures by non-public servants decreased by $508 thousand mainly due to:
    
   • a decrease in travel for public servants based on management’s efforts to better prioritize and scrutinize travel.
     
     Travel expenditures for non-public servants are paid by NRCan when programs are delivered in collaboration with various stakeholders and university partners. NRCan supports stakeholders in their field activities and for presentation of scientific and/or technical results at various key domestic and international meetings and workshops.
      
3. International Travel by Minister and Minister’s Staff: Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, 2012-2013 departmental international travel expenditures by the minister and his staff decreased by $29 thousand due to:
    
   • a decrease in the number of international trips for departmental purposes.

HOSPITALITY & CONFERENCE FEES: Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, 2012-2013 departmental hospitality and conference fees expenditures resulted in a net decrease of $75 thousand mainly due to:

• NRCan absorbing the impacts associated with the Budget 2012 Saving Measures where continued emphasis was put on reducing discretionary spending and ensuring value for money. Hospitality costs have further decreased from prior years and conferences fees maintained at similar level as the previous year.