2018-19 Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences

As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Events Expenditures, this report provides information on travel, hospitality and conference expenditures for the Parks Canada Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, except for information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

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

Parks Canada Agency’s travel, hospitality and conference expenditures support the delivery of core programs and services to Canadians. In particular, this includes managing national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas on behalf of Canadians. Parks Canada is a proud steward of these heritage places and protects and presents them for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations of Canadians.

Parks Canada’s mandate and programs

Parks Canada has the mandate to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations.

The programs that support Parks Canada’s mandate include:

  • Heritage places establishment;
  • Heritage places conservation;
  • Heritage places promotion and public support;
  • Visitor experience; and,
  • Heritage canals, highways and townsites management.

Canada’s national urban park, national parks, national historic sites, heritage canals and national marine conservation areas, of which Parks Canada is the proud steward, offer Canadians opportunities to visit, experience and personally connect with these heritage places.

Further information on Parks Canada's mandate and programs can be found in the Departmental Plan (DP) and in the Departmental Results Report (DRR).

Annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences of Parks Canada

(Year ended March 31, 2019)
Expenditure category Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2019 ($ thousands) Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2018 ($ thousands) Variance ($ thousands)
Travel      
Operational activities $10,446 $11,906 $(1,460)
Key stakeholders $1,851 $1,156 $694
Internal governance $1,096 $769 $327
Training $2,551 $1,799 $752
Other $832 $656 $176
A. Total travel $16,776 $16,286 $490
B. Hospitality $526 $399 $127
C. Conference fees $221 $287 $(66)
Total [A+B+C] $17,523 $16,972 $551
International travel by minister and minister’s staff (included in travel) $0 $0 $0
Totals may differ due to rounding

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year

Travel

For fiscal year 2018-19, the Agency’s expenditures for travel increased by $490,000 or 3 percent. The increase in travel is primarily related to initiatives contributing to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and advancing conservation targets, as well as performing protection and recovery actions for species at risk.

Hospitality

For fiscal year 2018-19, the Agency’s expenditures for hospitality increased by $127,000 or 32 percent. This increase is primarily related to stakeholder engagement and outreach activities in line with the Agency’s mandate, including engagement with Indigenous peoples as partners in conservation of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and to share the stories of these treasured places.

Conference fees

For fiscal year 2018-2019, the Agency’s conferences fees expenditures have decreased by $66,000 or 23 percent due to non-cyclical nature and timing of the Parks Canada’s conference activities.

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