Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences for fiscal year 2024 to 2025

According to subsection 4.1.2 of the Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures of Treasury Board, departments are required to publicly disclose total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conference fees. This report provides information on these expenditures for the Department of Public Safety Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, except for information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Travel, hospitality and conference expenditures incurred by Public Safety Canada are in support of its mandate and the government's priorities.

The Department's mandate is to keep Canada safe from a range of risks such as natural disasters, crime and terrorism. As such, Public Safety Canada collaborates with federal partners as well as other orders of government, non-government organizations, community groups, the private sector, foreign states, academia, communities and first responders on issues related to national and border security, crime prevention, community safety and emergency management. This cooperation supports a cohesive and integrated approach to Canada's safety and security.

In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the Department provided strategic policy advice and support to the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of Emergency Preparedness on a range of issues including: national security, community safety and emergency management. The Department also delivers a number of grant and contribution programs related to these issues.

For more detailed information on Public Safety Canada's mandate, including roles and responsibilities, please refer to the Department's 2024-25 Departmental Plan (DP) and the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report (DRR).

Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences of Public Safety Canada

Significant Variances Compared with Previous Fiscal Year

Overall, travel, hospitality and conferences expenditures increased by $1,525.2K (39%) compared to 2023 to 2024. While hospitality and conference spending remained relatively stable, the rise in travel costs is primarily driven by increased domestic travel to support core mandate activities and stakeholder engagement. This growth reflects the department's increased operational presence and participation in key forums and outreach initiatives.

Travel

Compared to fiscal year 2023 to 2024, departmental travel expenditures increased by $1,573.6K (45%) in 2024 to 2025. This increase reflects travel requirements for new events this year, including Canada's G7 Presidency and the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Awards, as well as international engagements required under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy to strengthen cybersecurity and regional security partnerships. In addition, travel supported several recurring initiatives such as Counter Radicalization to Violence, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Hospitality

Compared to fiscal year 2023 to 2024, departmental hospitality expenditures decreased by $51.9K (17%) in 2024 to 2025. This reduction is mainly due to fewer hospitality events and scaled-back hospitality requirements at major conferences. For example, the Megaweek conference returned to its original model, with costs largely absorbed by partner organizations, the Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security was significantly smaller than last year, and the Cross-Border Crime Forum (CBCF) was hosted by the United-States this year (hosted by Canada every second year). Despite the overall decrease, Public Safety hosted two major international meetings - the National Security Transparency Advisory Group (NS-TAG) and the Five Eyes (O5) forum - which required hospitality arrangements to accommodate visiting delegations and manage event logistics. Hospitality was also provided for key annual events such as the Annual Anti-Money Laundering "Spin-Cycle Conference" and the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls initiative.

Conference fees

Compared to fiscal year 2023 to 2024, departmental conference expenditures increased by $3.5K (3%) in 2024 to 2025. This increase reflects a deliberate shift toward greater participation in climate and disaster resilience conferences, such as the BC Climate Resilience Summit 2025 and the Canadian Emergency Preparedness and Climate Adaptation Convention (CEPCA), driven by rising emergency response demands in Canada and the need to ensure departmental knowledge and capabilities remain current. Overall, conference attendance patterns changed, with some prior-year events not recurring, reduced costs for certain recurring conferences due to location changes, and increased speaking opportunities and in-person participation at key gatherings such as the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) conference.

Minister and Minister's staff

Compared to fiscal year 2023 to 2024, departmental international travel expenditures by Ministers and their staff increased by $40.6K (46%). This net increase reflects the addition of a new Minister of Emergency Preparedness to the Department of Public Safety and the related travel of the Minister and his staff.

Approved by the Chief Financial Officer

Karine Paré, CPA
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer
Public Safety Canada, Government of Canada
Date: December 18, 2025

Date modified:

2026-01-06