Disclosure of Travel and Hospitality Expenses

On December 12, 2003 , the Prime Minister announced a new policy on the mandatory publication of travel and hospitality expenses for selected government officials.

This web site provides information on the travel and hospitality expenses incurred within Canadian Heritage by the Minister, the Minister of State (Multiculturalism) and their exempt staff, and by senior employees at the Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, and equivalent levels. The travel and hospitality expenses incurred by the Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Stephen Owen, and his exempt staff can be found on the Western Economic Diversification Canada site. The travel and hospitality expenses incurred by the previous Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Stan Keyes, and his exempt staff can be found on the Canada Revenue Agency site.

The rules and principles governing travel are outlined in the Guidelines for Ministers' Offices and in Treasury Board's Travel Directive and Special Travel Authorities . The purpose of these directives is to provide for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses necessarily incurred during travel on government business.

The Government of Canada extends hospitality in accordance with the rules and principles outlined in the Guidelines for Ministers' Offices and the Treasury Board Hospitality Policy . The objective of the policy is to ensure that hospitality is extended in an economical and affordable way when it facilitates government business or is considered desirable as a matter of courtesy and protocol.

The information on this web site will be updated every three months, beginning on March 31, 2004 .

Please note that information that would normally be withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act does not appear on this web site.