Newfoundland and Labrador innovation wins Bronze

Community Accounts, the made-in-Newfoundland and Labrador information system that lets people know how their communities are doing socially and economically, has won a Bronze Award in a national competition that recognizes public service excellence.

Developed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency of the Department of Finance, the system is like no other in the country. It brings together information on a variety of topics including health, education, income and employment so that anyone with a computer and internet access can learn more about what is happening in their communities, regions and the province as a whole.

Winners of the IPAC Award for Innovative Management were announced at a ceremony in Toronto this week. Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners were honoured by the Institute of Public Administration for helping Canadians learn more about themselves and their country by making knowledge more accessible.

This year�s theme, In the Know, Managing Knowledge, highlighted government innovations in knowledge management that are directly benefitting students, investors, farmers, homeowners - Canadians in all kinds of situations.

Community Accounts was one of four finalists out of a field of 90 competitors representing federal, provincial and municipal civil service organizations from across the country. The information system was developed by the Department of Finance�s Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency, in partnership with Memorial University and the Strategic Social Plan.

The Web-based information system was built to support government�s commitment to measuring social progress when it launched the Strategic Social Plan in 1998 and is an important tool for the first ever Social Audit now underway

"It is wonderful to see a Newfoundland and Labrador innovation recognized in this way," said Premier Roger Grimes. "I am pleased to say that we have many outstanding and highly skilled people working in the public service, working to make a difference for our citizens."

Community Accounts team members include Dr. Doug May of Memorial University, Alton Hollett, director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency, and agency staff Terry Quinlan, Robert Reid, Greg Tucker and Peter Benoite. The team won a Public Service Award of Excellence earlier this year.

"I congratulate the Community Accounts team for this tremendous achievement. They certainly deserve this recognition," said Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services and lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan.. "The system has a wealth of information that helps us all learn more about ourselves and our communities."

Community Accounts was used to develop From the Ground Up, a look at social and economic well-being in Newfoundland and Labrador released earlier this spring as part of the province�s first-ever Social Audit.

Other winners of the IPAC Award for Innovative Management include Statistics Canada, who received the Gold Award for its Education Outreach program that offers up-to-date information and curriculum-based learning resources to students and teachers. Community Accounts tied for the Bronze Award with Alberta Agriculture for its Ropin� Knowledge and Herdin� Cats Project.

For more information on Community Accounts, you can go to  www.communityaccounts.ca To learn more the IPAC award for Innovative Management, visit www.ipaciapc.ca.

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-0175

2003 08 29                                       11:45 a.m.