Executive Council
November 9, 2016

Shaping Our Future

Premier Officially Launches "The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador"

Today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, launched "The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador." The Vision will guide Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province's economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province. The document is available online at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf PDF.

"This Vision was developed from the feedback of residents, for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. It will hold government to a higher standard – one where success is not defined by the value of commodity prices, but by sound fiscal management, and actions defined by clear goals, timelines, and regular reporting. I encourage everyone to read the Vision, and appreciate how it provides the people of the province with a tangible path that will guide us to a stronger tomorrow."
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

In total, "The Way Forward" includes more than 50 initiatives, all of which contribute to achieving the fiscal target set in Budget 2016 to return to surplus within seven years while maintaining quality programs and services.

Phase one of the Vision encompasses the next six months, with a report card on progress to be delivered at the end of this phase. With the release of the phase one report card, phase two will begin, which includes initiatives that focus on reversing negative socio-economic indicators that impede economic growth and drive government spending.

QUICK FACTS

  • Premier Ball launched "The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador" today.
  • The Vision document is available at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf PDF.
  • Vision initiatives were developed from feedback received through 26 public consultations and more than 1,000 people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador between January and March, and refined with input from "The Way Forward" event.
  • The first report card regarding Vision initiatives will be delivered in six months.

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Media contact:

Michelle Cannizzaro
Media Relations Manager
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Overview of Vision Initiatives

Vision initiatives aimed at reducing spending during phase one include using a zero-based budgeting approach, reducing government's leased space, and achieving a flatter, leaner management structure.

The Provincial Government will also reduce the number of agencies, boards, and commissions in the province, as many of these boards can be merged or eliminated to achieve greater efficiency. Reduction efforts will not involve school districts or Regional Heath Authorities. The Vision includes a goal to reduce the number of boards in the province by 20 per cent by April 1, 2020.

Vision initiatives aimed at supporting a stronger economic foundation include making more land available for agriculture and more water area available for aquaculture so that provincial food security doubles and aquaculture production more than doubles.

The Provincial Government will also implement a Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan so that by 2020 the tourism industry will achieve its goal of doubling the resident and non-resident visitor spending over 2009 levels.

Mineral exploration and development activity will be increased by sharing core sample information digitally with more companies worldwide.

In addition, through a combination of promotional efforts and cooperation with federal and local partners, the Provincial Government will increase immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador to 1,700 immigrants annually by 2022 to grow the provincial labour force.

Service enhancements that will be carried out under the Vision include publishing client services standards for major government programs, including average timelines for decisions. In addition, a nighttime road construction pilot project will determine if traffic disruptions and other issues arising from road projects can be minimized, and a multi-year infrastructure plan will be released in advance of Budget. This plan will be updated annually so that contractors, construction workers, and the public all understand the progress and timelines for major projects.

The Vision also includes initiatives aimed at improving the province's performance in a number of areas. For example, the Vision sets long-term population health goals to promote healthier living throughout the province. Those goals will be achieved with initiatives that include implementing a "Health in All Policies" approach to public policy development. Government will build health considerations into all policy decisions, from infrastructure planning to labour market supports. This approach will enable the Provincial Government to make all of its decisions in a manner that focuses on achieving measurable improvements in provincial health status.

2016 11 09             2:20 p.m.