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Report on the 2015–2016 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, 2016. 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 related to activities that support a departmental or agency 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 2016–2017 Report on Plans and Priorities.

Travel by public 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 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 for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences of Elections Canada
Expenditure category Expenditures for the Year Ending March 31, 2016
($000)
Expenditures for the Previous Year Ending March 31, 2015
($000)
Change
($000)
Travel: Public Servants 1,053 708 345
Travel: Non–Public Servants 4,086 1,660 2,426
Total Travel 5,139 2,368 2,771
Hospitality 193 303 (110)
Conference Fees 20 1 19
Total 5,352 2,672 2,680
International Travel by Minister and Minister's Staff (also included in Non-Public Servant Travel) n/a n/a n/a

Significant Variances Compared With the Previous Fiscal Year

Compared with fiscal year 2014–2015, travel expenditures increased by $2.8 million mainly due to the conduct of the general election held on October 19, 2015. These include travel by election workers (classified as Non-Public Servants) required for the conduct of the election in 338 electoral districts across the country.