Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences 2016-2017
Polar Knowledge Canada
Report on 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 Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. It also provides information on the variances 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 conferences incurred by federal departments and agencies are related to supporting departmental mandate and the government’s priorities.
Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) was created pursuant to the Canadian High Arctic Research Act and came into force on June 1, 2015. The purpose of POLAR is to advance knowledge of the Canadian Arctic to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship and the quality of life of its residents and all other Canadians; promote the development and dissemination of knowledge of the other circumpolar regions, including the Antarctic; strengthen Canada’s leadership on Arctic issues, and establish a hub for scientific research in the Canadian Arctic.
Further details on POLAR’s mandate, program activities and legislation may be found in the Departmental Plans and the Departmental Results Reports.
Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences at POLAR
(in thousands)
Expenditure Category |
Expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2017 |
Expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2016 |
Variance |
|
(a) |
(b) |
(a-b) |
|
Travel – Public Servants |
$456 |
$421 |
$35 |
Travel – Non-Public Servants |
$67 |
$145 |
$78 |
Total Travel |
$523 |
$566 |
$43 |
Hospitality |
$27 |
$8 |
$19 |
Conference Fees |
$27 |
$29 |
$2 |
TOTAL |
$577 |
$603 |
$26 |
1The annual THC expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2016, relate to a partial year – June 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
2Travel expenses incurred for fiscal year 2015-16 for board members have been reclassified under “Travel - Public Servants” to enable comparison between the two years. Note that in future fiscal years, all travel for board members will be considered as “Travel - Public Servants”.
Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year
Although POLAR is providing information about variances, a portion can be attributed to the fact that the first year of operation, fiscal year 2015-16, was of only 10 months.
Travel:
1. Public Servants: Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, travel expenditures by public servants increased as a result of POLAR being in its first full year of operation as well as additional employees being on travel status.
2. Non-Public Servants: Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, travel expenditures for non-public servants decreased as a result of reduced expenditures for participants of program stakeholders and consultants.
Hospitality:
Compared to fiscal year 2015-16, hospitality expenditures increased as a result of additional hosting of workshops for outreach purposes as well as the organizational meetings for the Antarctica portion of our mandate.
Conference Fees:
Conference Fees expenditures in fiscal year 2016-17 are comparable to fiscal year 2015‑16.
Approved, in accordance with the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures:
__________________________ __________________________
David J. Scott, Ph.D. Martin Turpin
President & CEO Dirigeant principal des finances