March 20, 1997
(Development and Rural Renewal)

Minister announces changes to DITT

Charles J. Furey, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology, announced today that the department will be restructured in an effort to become more responsive to the business community. He said: "We have taken a close look at the way DITT operates and plan to strategically implement the changes necessary for us to become more responsive to clients we serve. In short, we must operate more like a business by working closer with business."

Under the new format, staff in the department will report directly to the deputy minister and one assistant deputy minister, reduced from the old structure of three assistant deputy ministers. He said that a new structure will empower front-line staff, giving them more authority and input in the decision-making process. He said: "The business community has been telling us that government needs to be more responsive to business, that feedback on specific projects were taking too long to move through the system. We are presently working on a strategy that will improve the productivity of government and at the same time support our long-term commitment to eliminate the burden on business by removing red tape."

Mr. Furey added that other changes affecting DITT include an elimination of the wage subsidy for the EDGE program and a new policy regarding how the department will handle trade shows, exhibitions and business missions in the future. He said the number of government- sponsored trade shows and exhibitions will be reduced and a cost recovery policy will be implemented for participation in those that remain.

Contact: John Doody, Director of Communications, (709) 729-0050.