2020-21

Parks Canada Agency

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 Parks Canada Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, 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.

Parks Canada Agency’s travel, hospitality and conference expenditures support the delivery of core programs and services to Canadians. In particular, this includes managing national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas on behalf of Canadians. Parks Canada is a proud steward of these heritage places and protects and presents them for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Parks Canada’s mandate and programs

Parks Canada has the mandate to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations.

The programs that support Parks Canada’s mandate include:

• Heritage Places Establishment;
• Heritage Places Conservation;
• Heritage Places Promotion and Public Support;
• Visitor Experience; and
• Heritage Canals, Highways and Townsites Management.

Canada’s national historic sites, national urban park, national parks, heritage canals and national marine conservation areas, of which Parks Canada is the proud steward, offer Canadians opportunities to visit, experience and personally connect with these heritage places.

Further information on Parks Canada’s mandate and programs can be found in the Departmental Plan (DP) and in the Departmental Results Report (DRR).

Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences of Parks Canada

Significant variances compared to the previous fiscal year

Travel

For fiscal year 2020-21, the Agency’s expenditures for travel decreased by $14 million or eighty-six percent. The decrease in travel is primarily related to the COVID-19 pandemic that began at the end of fiscal year 2019-20. In March 2020, travel restrictions were put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions were in effect for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year, resulting in lower travel spending for fiscal year 2020-21.

Hospitality

For fiscal year 2020-21, the Agency’s expenditures for hospitality decreased by $471,000 or ninety-five percent. The decrease in hospitality is primarily related to the COVID-19 pandemic that began at the end of fiscal year 2019-20. In March 2020, public health measures were put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19. These measures remained in effect for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year, resulting in lower hospitality spending for fiscal year 2020-21.

Conference fees

For fiscal year 2020-21, the Agency’s conferences fees expenditures decreased by $179,000 or eighty-four percent. The decrease in Conference fees is primarily related to the COVID-19 pandemic that began at the end of fiscal year 2019-20. In March 2020, public health measures were put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19. These measures remained in effect for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year, resulting in lower conference fees spending for fiscal year 2020-21.