As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on the total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. It also provides the variance explanations for 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.

SSHRC’s purpose is to promote and assist research and scholarship 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 focusing on developing Talent, generating Insights and forging Connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that enhance our understanding of modern social, cultural, technological, environmental, economic and wellness issues. Further information on SSHRC’s mandate and program activities can be found in SSHRC’s 2016-17 Report on Plans and Priorities.

SSHRC’s program delivery is centred on a merit review model. External experts from across the country and around the world contribute their time and expertise to adjudicate grant proposals and scholarship and fellowship applications, 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 merit review process.

SSHRC’s total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences are summarized below:

Expenditure category	Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2017 (a)	Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2016 (b)	Variance (a-b)
	(in thousands of dollars)
Travel—Public servants	319	273	46
Travel—Non-public servants	576	596	-20
International Travel by Minister and Minister's Staff	0	0	0
Total travel	895	869	26
Hospitality	89	98	-9
Conference fees	58	79	-21
TOTAL	1,042	1,046	-4

SSHRC's travel expenditures for public servants have increased mainly as a result of a different approach to outreach activities to support SSHRC’s community engagement priority.

Compared with fiscal year 2015-16, SSHRC's travel expenditures by non-public servants and hospitality expenditures have decreased, mainly as a result of a reduction in the costs for peer reviewers for the Research Grants program being phased out.

The conferences fees expenditures have decreased compared to fiscal year 2015-16, mainly due to a reduced participation of staff in conferences.