Report on annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences 2021-22
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 Invest in Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.
Expenditures on travel, hospitality and conferences incurred by Invest in Canada are related to activities that support its mandate and the government's priorities.
As outlined in the Invest in Canada Act, for the purpose of supporting economic prosperity and stimulating innovation in Canada, Invest in Canada’s mandate is to:
As outlined in the Invest in Canada Act, for the purpose of supporting economic prosperity and stimulating innovation in Canada, IIC’s mandate is to:
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promote foreign direct investment in Canada and attract and facilitate that investment; and,
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coordinate the efforts of the government, the private sector and other stakeholders with respect to foreign direct investment in Canada.
Total Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences
| Expenditure Category | Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2022 | Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel - Public Servants | $259,764 | ($7,875) |
| Travel - Non-Public Servants | $6,363 | $9,899 |
| Total Travel | $266,127 | $2,024 |
| Hospitality | $106,681 | $4,189 |
| Conference Fees | $7,047 | $4,464 |
| Total hospitality & conferences | $113,728 | $8,653 |
Significant Variances compared to the previous year
The year-over-year variances on travel, hospitality and conferences indicated above are directly linked to restrictions on travel brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021-2022 restrictions lifted at different times throughout the year allowing Invest in Canada to return to attending in-person meetings and events, increasing the amount spent on these activities compared to the previous year, when strict travel restrictions limited in-person meeting and event activities.
Travel:
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Invest in Canada’s ability to attend events and attend in-person meetings with potential investors in 2020-2021. As a result, Invest in Canada leveraged virtual meetings and events to support its operations and fulfill its mandate. With travel restrictions lifting in the latter part of 2021-2022, Invest in Canada resumed in-person meetings and events and travel expenditures increased by $264,103 (13,049%) over the previous year, when there was minimal travel.
Hospitality:
Like travel, hospitality expenditures in 2020-21 were directly impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions. In 2021-2022, hospitality expenditures increased by $102,492 (2,447%) over the previous fiscal year as COVID-19 restrictions lifted in the latter part of the fiscal year and Invest in Canada resumed in-person promotional and meeting activities.
Conferences:
Conference expenditures were also directly impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020-2021, resulting in minimal expenditures in that fiscal year. In 2021-2022, conference expenditures increased by $2,583 (58%) over the previous fiscal year. As noted above the increase correlates to the COVID-19 restrictions being lifted and Invest in Canada’s ability to resume in-person conference activities.