open Secondary menu

2016-17 Annual Report on Travel, Hospitality and Conferences Expenditures

As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on travel, hospitality and conferences expenditures for Elections Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, except for information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Travel, hospitality and conferences expenditures incurred by a federal department or agency relate to activities that support the department or agency's mandate and the government's priorities.

In particular, for Elections Canada, this includes:

  • be prepared to conduct a federal general election, by-election or referendum
  • administer the political financing provisions of the Canada Elections Act
  • monitor compliance with electoral legislation
  • conduct public information campaigns on voter registration, voting and becoming a candidate
  • conduct education programs for students on the electoral process
  • provide support to the independent commissions in charge of adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts following each decennial census
  • carry out studies on alternative voting methods and, with the approval of parliamentarians, test alternative voting processes for future use during electoral events
  • provide assistance and co-operation in electoral matters to electoral agencies in other countries or to international organizations

A summary description of the agency's programs can be found at 2017–18 Departmental Plan.

Travel by public servants and non–public servants, including election workers, across the country is required for Elections Canada to fulfill its mandate, whether in election readiness mode, in delivery mode or to support the 10 independent commissions when the adjustments to the boundaries of federal electoral districts take place. Elections Canada has local or regional offices only when electoral events are conducted. The delivery of the 42nd General Election, held on October 19th, 2015, had an impact on travel and hospitality expenditures.

Travel, Hospitality and Conferences Expenditures
Elections Canada
Year ended March 31, 2017
Expenditure category Expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2017
($ thousands)
Expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2016
($ thousands)
Variance
($ thousands)
Travel
Operational activities 455 4,719 (4,264)
Key stakeholders 179 319 (140)
Internal governance 55 9 46
Training 45 43 2
Other 3 49 (46)
A. Total travel 737 5,139 (4,402)
B. Hospitality 81 193 (112)
C. Conference fees 13 20 (7)
Total [A+B+C] 831 5,352 (4,521)
International travel by minister and minister's staff (also included in travel) n/a n/a n/a

Significant variances compared with the previous fiscal year

Compared with fiscal year 2015–2016, expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences have decreased by $4.5 million, mainly due to travel expenditures associated with the conduct of the general election held on October 19, 2015. These include travel by election workers within their electoral districts to provide services to electors.