Effective: April 1, 2017
Applicable FAM Policies: 765 – Hospitality and Gifts
Applicability: GNWT Departments and Public Agencies

INTERPRETATION

Authorization and Payment for Hospitality and Gifts Extended by the Government

Only Ministers, Deputy Ministers and their duly authorized delegates or service contractors may have expenditure authority for hospitality and gifts.

An expense for hospitality or gift must be authorized in advance by the appropriate expenditure authority.

Every application for reimbursement of expenses for hospitality or a gift must be clearly identified as such and must identify the recipient(s) of the hospitality or gift for audit purposes.  A public officer shall not claim expenses for hospitality and a gift as any other type of reimbursable expense (e.g., duty travel).

Every contract to purchase goods and services for hospitality or gifts must be administrated in accordance with the Government Contract Regulations and all other applicable FAM policies.

Hospitality, Gifts and Token Gifts Extended to Public Officers

Hospitality extended by the Government or Public Agencies to public officers (as defined in the Financial Administration Act) on any occasion must be limited to individuals required to participate, unless it is in the public interest to invite others.

Extending Hospitality and Giving Gifts

The extension of hospitality should be limited to:

1. Significant public or internal Government occasions such as conferences, dedications, commemorations, award presentations, ceremonies and exhibitions; and,
2. Working circumstances in which it is appropriate to extend hospitality to participants.

Formal or elaborate meals, paid entertainment and gifts should not be provided unless very special hospitality or the giving of gifts is appropriate (e.g., at events involving senior government visitors or guests of honour)