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Report on the 2013–2014 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 Elections Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014. It also provides the variance explanations from the previous fiscal year.

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 for the most part directly related to supporting departmental or agency mandate and the government's priorities.

In particular, for Elections Canada, this includes the delivery of the following core programs and services to Canadians:

  • 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 and enforce electoral legislation
  • carry out investigations into allegations that would amount to offences under the Act
  • conduct voter education and information programs
  • 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 electronic voting processes for future use during electoral events

The mandate described above does not take into account amendments pursuant to Bill C-23 (Fair Elections Act), which received royal assent on June 19, 2014.

A summary description of the agency's programs can be found in its 2014–2015 Report on Plans and Priorities.

Travel by public and non–public servants 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 in charge of adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts. Elections Canada has local or regional offices only when electoral events are conducted.

Annual Expenditures

Total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences by Elections Canada are summarized below:

(in thousands of dollars)
Expenditure category Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2014
(a)
Expenditures for the previous year ending March 31, 2013
(b)
Variance
(a-b)
Travel – Public Servants 470 487 (17)
Travel – Non–Public Servants 440 649 (209)
Total Travel 910 1,136 (226)
Hospitality 84 75 9
Conference Fees 1 2 (1)
TOTAL 995 1,213 (218)
International Travel by Minister and Minister's Staff n/a n/a n/a

Significant variances compared with the previous fiscal year

The reduction of $209,000 in travel by non-public servants is largely due to the 10 independent commissions in charge of adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts having completed the bulk of their work in 2012–2013.