Report on annual expenses for travel, hospitality and conferences 2021-2022

Pursuant to the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on the total annual expenses for travel, hospitality and conference expenses incurred by IDRC for the financial year ending 31 March 2022. This information is updated annually and does not contain information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Travel, hospitality, and conference expenses incurred by the Centre are related to activities that support IDRC’s mandate described in About IDRC.

IDRC invests in research to build evidence, inform decisions, and generate opportunities that promote an inclusive and sustainable world. As a Crown corporation and part of Canada’s global affairs and international development efforts, IDRC invests in high-quality research in developing countries, shares knowledge with researchers and policymakers for greater uptake and use, and mobilizes global alliances to build a more sustainable and inclusive world.

In carrying out its mandate, the Centre:

  • provides financial support to researchers in developing countries to address domestic development challenges and contribute to broader global solutions;
  • facilitates the use and uptake of research, and encourages dialogue and learning between researchers, policymakers, and private sector actors;
  • synthesizes and shares results from across its research investments to inform local, regional, and global agendas; 
  • engages, convenes, and collaborates with research organizations and funding partners throughout the innovation process; and
  • builds the evidence base to support people in developing countries have more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive economies with expanded, lasting, and high-quality economic opportunities for women and youth.

IDRC’s annual expenses for travel, hospitality and conferences are summarized below:

Expense category

Expenses for the year ending

31 March 2022

Expenses for the year ending

31 March 2021

Variances

 

(In thousands of dollars)

Travel

 

 

 

for operational activities

$92.3

$471.5

($379.2)

to meet key stakeholders (*)

($1.1)

–

($1.1)

for internal governance

$0.5

–

$0.5

for training (*)

($1.4)

–

($1.4)

for other purposes

–

–

–

A. Total travel

$90.3

$471.5

($381.2)

B. Hospitality

$0.4

$0.1

$0.3

C. Conference fees

$3.9

$5.9

($2.0)

Total [A+B+C]

$94.6

$477.5

($382.9)

International travel by Governors (included in travel)

–

–

–

(*) Amounts for airline credits received for trip cancellations due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

 

Significant variances relative to the previous financial year

The total expenses on travel, hospitality and conference fees decreased by $382.9 thousand in the financial year ended 31 March 2022 compared to the financial year ended 31 March 2021 as a result of travel restrictions and public health measures put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel

In comparison with the previous financial year, travel expenses went down in 2021-2022 by $381.2 thousand due to reduced travel consistent with COVID-19 travel restrictions and the absence of expenses linked to the repatriation of IDRC employees which were incurred in 2020-2021 as a result of the pandemic.

Hospitality

Negligeable hospitality expenses totaling $425 were incurred during the current financial year.

Conference fees

Conference expenses for 2021-2022 totaling $3,898 remained minimal, with a decrease of $2,000 compared to 2020-2021 due to the public health restrictions imposed by the pandemic and the Centre’s continuing efforts to minimize costs related to conference participation.

International travel by Governors

No international travel was undertaken by Governors in 2021-2022.