Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
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Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences for the Year Ending March 31, 2015

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, 2015. 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 2014-2015 represents CanNor’s sixth 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, 2014
(Thousands of Dollars)
Expenditures for the Year Ending March 31, 2015
(Thousands of Dollars)
Variance
(Thousands of Dollars)
Travel – Public Servants 594 591 (3)
Travel – Non-Public Servants 17 40 23
International Travel by Minister and Minister's Staff 0 0 0
Total Travel 611 631 20
Hospitality 11 4 (7)
Conference Fees 30 20 (10)
TOTAL 652 655 3

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.

1. Public Servants: When compared to fiscal year 2013-2014, travel expenditures by public servants remained constant.

2. Non-Public Servants: Compared to fiscal year 2013-2014, departmental travel expenditures for non-public servants increased as a result of both higher Ministerial travel and the requirement to bring in external program stakeholders and consultants at CanNor's expense to high level meetings and conferences.

Hospitality:

When compared to fiscal year 2013-2014, departmental hospitality expenditures in fiscal year 2014-2015 decreased due to ongoing efforts to reduce this type of spending.

Conference Fees:

Compared to fiscal year 2013-2014, departmental conference fees expenditures decreased as a result of CanNor reduced participation in trade functions.

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


____________________________________________
Janet King
President

____________________________________________
Yves Robineau
Chief Financial Officer

Ottawa, Canada
October 20, 2015