2017-2018 Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences

As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on travel, hospitality and conference expenditures for the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada (OIC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, except for information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Travel, hospitality and conference expenditures incurred by a federal department or agency relate to activities that support the department or agency’s mandate and the government’s priorities.

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada's travel, hospitality and conference expenditures support the delivery of the following core programs and services to Canadians:

The OIC is an independent public body created in 1983 under the Access to Information Act. The primary responsibility of the organization is to conduct efficient, fair and confidential investigations into complaints about federal institutions’ handling of access to information requests. The OIC strives to maximize compliance with the Act, while fostering disclosure of public sector information using the full range of tools, activities and powers at the Information Commissioner’s disposal. 

The OIC uses a variety of dispute resolution approaches to resolve complaints. In doing so, the OIC gives complainants, heads of institutions and all third parties affected by complaints a reasonable opportunity to make representations. The OIC encourages institutions to disclose information and to respect Canadians’ rights to receive information, in the name of transparency and accountability. It brings cases to the Federal Court to ensure the Act is properly applied and interpreted. 

The OIC also supports the Information Commissioner in her advisory role to Parliament and parliamentary committees on all matters pertaining to access to information. The OIC actively participates in activities and initiatives that promote the importance of the right to information in Canada, such as Right to Know Week and ongoing dialogue with Canadians, Parliament and federal institutions.

Detailed information on the Office’s authority, mandate and program activities can be found in its Departmental Plan, Departmental Result Report and Annual Report.

Travel, Hospitality and Conference Expenditures

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

Year ended March 31, 2108

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year

Hospitality: compared with fiscal year 2016-17, departmental hospitality  expenditures decreased mainly due to the international Transparency for the 21st Century Conference not hosted by the Office of the Information Commissioner in 2017-2018.