Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences for the Year Ending March 31, 2013

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 Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) 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 conference fees incurred by federal departments and agencies are for the most part directly related to supporting departmental mandates and the government's priorities.

CanNor works to help develop a diversified, sustainable and dynamic economy across Canada’s three territories, while contributing to Canada’s prosperity. CanNor fosters growth and development in the North by delivering economic development programs and by collaborating with and aligning the efforts of partners in northern and southern Canada to respond to economic challenges and opportunities in the North. The Agency also coordinates the activities of other federal departments to maximize their collective impact, particularly federal regulators in relation to major project development in the North, bringing insight, knowledge and partnerships together.

Fiscal year 2012-2013 represents CanNor’s third full year of operations across Canada’s North with its offices open in all three northern territorial capitals and a liaison office in Ottawa.

Total annual expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conference Fees of CanNor are summarized below:

Expenditure Category	Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2012 (Thousands of Dollars)	Expenditures for the Year Ending March 31, 2013 (Thousands of Dollars)	Variance (Thousands of Dollars)
Travel – Public Servants	921	1,060	139
Travel – Non-Public Servants	8	38	30
International Travel by Minister and Minister's Staff	0	0	0
Total Travel	929	1,098	169
Hospitality	8	7	(1)
Conference Fees	15	19	(4)
TOTAL	952	1,124	172

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year

Travel:

As a still relatively new organization, CanNor continues to develop and refine its business practices and procedures.  As a result, organizational travel requirements are still evolving and annual fluctuations are to be expected.

• Public Servants: When compared to fiscal year 2011-2012 travel expenditures by public servants increased mainly due to:
  
  
  • Increased Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO) involvement to advance responsible resource development projects across the North,
  • Increased travel related to staff training, and
  • The use of travel status for replacing employees on a short term basis, particularly for staff in Iqaluit.
• Non-Public Servants: Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental travel expenditures for non-public servants increased due to travel for contractors and for Ministerial activities related to the North.

Hospitality:

When compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental hospitality expenditures in fiscal year 2012-2013 remained consistent.

Conference Fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2011-2012, departmental conference fees expenditures increased slightly as a result of CanNor participation in trade functions.

Approved, in accordance with the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures: 

Ottawa, Canada
October 15, 2013