Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences 2022-2023
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, 2023.
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:
-
promote foreign direct investment in Canada and attract and facilitate that investment; and,
-
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, 2023 | Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel - Public Servants | $1,166,060 | $259,764 |
| Travel - Non-Public Servants | - | $6,363 |
| Total Travel | $1,166,060 | $266,127 |
| Hospitality | $160,254 | $106,681 |
| Conference Fees | $32,594 | $7,047 |
| Total hospitality & conferences | $192,848 | $113,728 |
Significant Variances compared to the previous year
During the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, Invest in Canada’s travel, hospitality and conferences fees increased significantly compared to the prior year. The increase is related to the easing of pandemic-related restrictions throughout Canada and the world, allowing Invest in Canada to adapt to more in-person participation, while maintaining a hybrid approach to business meetings, site visits and domestic and international events.
Travel:
With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in the latter part of 2021-2022, Invest in Canada started resuming in-person business meetings, site visits and attending domestic and international events when virtual presence solutions such as teleconference, videoconference and other remote meeting solutions were not strong alternatives. In 2022-2023, in-person business activities continued and increased by $899,933.
Hospitality:
Like travel, hospitality expenditures were impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions in 20212022. In 2022-2023, hospitality expenditures increased by $53,573 over the previous fiscal year as Invest in Canada resumed in-person business events, site visits and domestic and international events.
Conferences:
Conference expenditures were also impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions in 2021-2022, resulting in conference expenditures only in the latter part of the fiscal year. In 2022-2023, conference expenditures increased by $25,547 over the previous fiscal year. The increase correlates to the COVID-19 restrictions being lifted and Invest in Canada’s ability to resume in-person conference activities.