Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences for 2011-12

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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 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. 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.

SSHRC’s purpose is to promote and assist research and scholarships in the social sciences and humanities.  Social sciences and humanities research builds knowledge about people in the past and present, with a view toward creating a better future, by:

• supporting postsecondary research and research training to enhance the economic, social and cultural development of Canada, its communities and regions; and
• contributing to key policies across government and society by funding a high standard of research on priority issues.

Further information on the SSHRC mandate and program activities can be found in Part II of the Main Estimates.

SSHRC’s program delivery is centered on a peer-review model. External experts from across the country and the world contribute their time and expertise to adjudicate grant proposals and scholarship applicants with the aim of funding excellence for the benefit of Canada. The vast majority of SSHRC’s travel and hospitality expenses are to support this peer-review process.

Total annual expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences of SSHRC are summarized below:

Expenditure Category	Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2012 (a)	Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2011 (b)	Variance (a-b)
	(in thousands of dollars)
Travel–Public Servants	246	278	-32
Travel–Non-Public Servants	630	741	-111
International Travel by Minister and Minister’s Staff*	0	0	0
Total Travel	876	1,019	-143
Hospitality	107	149	-42
Conference Fees	36	13	23
TOTAL	1,019	1,181	-162

(*) Includes international travel that is part of a department’s program.

Compared to fiscal year 2010-11, SSHRC’s total travel, hospitality and conference fees expenditures have decreased, mainly due to:

• The ability to negotiate better pricing with restaurants and hotels.
• Limiting the number of people attending a meeting or a conference.
• Booking flights more in advance.
• The use of teleconferencing and in-house meeting rooms.
• Increasing the accountability of budget holders.