Public Service Program Renewal

Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, says government will officially start a comprehensive review of all public service programs and services early in the new fiscal year. The process of renewal will see a fundamental re-assessment of government�s role in Newfoundland and Labrador society, reviewing all programs and services to ensure that they are relevant, effective, citizen-centered and affordable.

"It is government�s responsibility to ensure that public money is spent in the most efficient and effective manner, achieving maximum value and benefit," Minister Sullivan said. "The province is faced with a serious deficit, created by long-standing, systemic spending beyond the ability of the public purse to pay. The problem is structural, and the solution must be structural.

"Restructuring of public sector operations will pare away duplication of effort, modernize processes and refocus resources to those high-priority areas where government is best placed to deliver the services that benefit the province most," says the minister.

The process
The operational review at the heart of public service program renewal has already begun. The number of departments has been reduced from 18 to 13, and their activities have been realigned and streamlined. Government has also looked to key stakeholders for input: earlier this year, public employees were asked for help in identifying opportunities to make operations more efficient. More than 900 submissions have been received through a secure and anonymous on-line "suggestion box." Some suggestions are being implemented in Budget 2004; others are being evaluated for potential implementation throughout this year and in future years.

All government departments, agencies, boards and commissions have been tasked to review their programs and services. A Public Service Program Renewal Secretariat will be established to support the process and to identify cross-organizational themes and issues. It will also promote innovation, linkages between social and economic programming and meaningful consultation. Government intends to seek input from those who have direct knowledge of, and experience with, programs and services.

Ongoing communication with stakeholders (public employees as well as the public) will be crucial to the renewal process.

Proposals will be developed for consideration by the secretariat and a special Committee of Cabinet later this year. The Cabinet Committee will report to Cabinet in January 2005 to enable a review throughout February and March, concurrent with pre-budget consultations.

Budget 2005 will reflect both public consultation and internal operational review.

Minister Sullivan says, "Program renewal will ask a series of basic questions seeking to reaffirm core commitments. The tests for every program and service will be public good, appropriateness, efficiency, affordability and value. Public service renewal is intended to create a smarter, more efficient public sector - not just a cheaper one."

The goal of program renewal is to create a smart, efficient government structure, one that uses its resources strategically to provide the programs and services Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need and obtains the greatest possible value for every dollar of public money spent.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications (709) 729-6830

2004 03 30                                         3:20 p.m.