2013–2014 Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences

As required by the Treasury Board Directive for the Management of Expenditures on Travel, Hospitality and Conferences, this report provides information on the total annual expenditures for each of travel, hospitality and conferences for the Public Health Agency of Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014. It also provides the variance explanations 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 for the most part directly related to supporting departmental mandate(s) and the government's priorities.

Public health involves the organized efforts of society to keep people healthy and to prevent injury, illness and premature death. It includes programs, services and policies that protect and promote the health of all Canadians. In Canada, public health is a responsibility that is shared by the three levels of government in collaboration with the private sector, non-government organizations, health professionals and the public.

In September 2004, the Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) was created within the federal Health Portfolio to deliver on the Government of Canada's commitment to increase its focus on public health in order to help protect and improve the health and safety of all Canadians and to contribute to strengthening the health care system.

The Agency has the responsibility to:

• contribute to the prevention of disease and injury, and to the promotion of health;
• enhance the quality and quantity of surveillance data and expand the knowledge of disease and injury in Canada;
• provide federal leadership and accountability in managing public health emergencies;
• serve as a central point for sharing Canada's expertise with the rest of the world and for applying international research and development to Canada's public health programs; and
• strengthen intergovernmental collaboration on public health and facilitate national approaches to public health policy and planning.

More information on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s activities, plans and performance are detailed in the Departmental Performance Report.

The Public Health Agency of Canada manages travel, hospitality, and conference activities / expenditures with prudence and probity so that they demonstrate value for money and use the most economical options to minimize costs whenever possible.

Total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences of the Public Health Agency of Canada are summarized below:

Significant variances compared to previous fiscal year

Compared to fiscal year 2012-2013, departmental expenditures in each of these areas decreased mainly due to:

Significant efforts within the Agency to reduce Travel, Hospitality and Conferences, including the use of more economical business practices (i.e. video conferencing).