Infrastructure Canada
Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences
2015-16

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 Infrastructure Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.  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 federal departments and agencies are related to supporting departmental mandates and the government's priorities.

Infrastructure Canada leads the Government of Canada's efforts in addressing Canada's public infrastructure challenges. This is accomplished through three main activities: investing in provincial, territorial and municipal assets; engaging in key partnerships with the provinces, territories, municipalities, municipal associations, not-for-profit organizations and the private sector; and developing and implementing sound policies.  Additionally, INFC is the project authority charged with delivering the New Champlain Bridge Corridor Project (NCBC) in Montreal, Quebec and is responsible for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. Infrastructure Canada has one regional office located in Montreal, Quebec, for members of the group responsible for the NCBC project.

Total Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences
Expenditure Category Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2016
(a)		 Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2015
(b)		 Variance
(a − b)
Travel – Public Servants 421,490 443,445 (21,955)
Travel – Non-Public Servants 82,311 42,508 39,803
International Travel by Minister and Minister's Staff 0 0 0
Total Travel 503,801 485,953 17,848
Hospitality 25,491 21,654 3,837
Conference Fees 13,809 34,251 (20,442)
TOTAL 543,101 541,858 1,243

Significant variances compared to the previous year

Total expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences were almost the same as last year. The expenditures are below the annual budget for travel, hospitality and conferences of $614,000 and the Department continues to make efforts to increase the use of teleconference and video conference in lieu of travel. Infrastructure Canada is committed to continuing its efforts to ensure the value for money in all of its operations through careful and thoughtful control of expenditures.

Travel:

  • Public Servants: Departmental travel expenditures by public servants decreased by 5% in comparison to fiscal year 2014-15. This is mainly due to the use of teleconference and video conference in lieu of travel.
  • Non-Public Servants: Departmental travel expenditures by non-public servants, representing almost 20% of overall travel expenditures, have increased by 91% in comparison to fiscal year 2014-15. The reason for the increase is due to the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Infrastructure Canada as well as Minister Office staff following the November 2015 elections.

Hospitality:

Departmental hospitality expenditures increased by 14% due mainly to Infrastructure Canada hosting a Gas Tax Fund workshop for partners and stakeholders as well as departmental all-staff meetings.

Conference Fees:

Departmental conference expenditures decreased by 43% due mainly to the fact that departmental officials attended fewer conferences than last year.

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