Executive Council
February 22, 2017
Achieving a More Efficient Public Sector
Government Structure Realigned to Enhance Program and Service Delivery and Achieve Greater Efficiency
The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced changes to the Provincial Government’s organizational structure today that will maintain a high standard of program and service delivery while supporting efforts to restore fiscal balance.
“The Way Forward vision was developed using the guiding principle of doing better with less. We are following that principle with these changes, as they will result in streamlined operations, reduced costs, and a new approach to delivering effective programs and services to residents and community and business leaders throughout the province.”
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The following is an overview of the changes being made:
Municipal Affairs and Environment: This department reflects the mutual responsibility the Provincial Government and municipal governments share regarding waste management and environmental protection. It will position the Provincial Government to work more effectively with municipalities and the Federal Government to achieve higher environmental standards and promote sustainable communities – places that can continually adjust to meet the social and economic needs of residents while also preserving the environment’s capacity to support that activity. The former Department of Municipal Affairs and the former Department of Environment and Climate Change were merged to form the department.
Fisheries and Land Resources: This new department unites all aspects of support provided to renewable resource industries, and better positions the Provincial Government to support economic development and growth in these areas. The Lands Branch within the former Department of Municipal Affairs, the Wildlife Division within the former Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice and Public Safety have been realigned within the former Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods to create the department. To maximize the benefits of realigning the Lands Branch, its offices will be relocated to Corner Brook to position it near the majority of agriculture and forestry activity within the province.
Tourism, Industry, and Innovation: The former Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development has been streamlined to achieve greater efficiency in fulfilling its mandate and renamed the Department of Tourism, Industry and Innovation. In addition, park operations within the former Department of Environment and Climate Change will be moved within the department in keeping with its mandate to advance tourism.
The Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs Secretariat and the Office of Labrador Affairs: The former Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Office has been reconfigured to better achieve its goals. The Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs Secretariat has been established by merging the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat with the former Aboriginal Affairs functions of the office. The move unifies the Provincial Government’s efforts to build intergovernmental relations with efforts to advance relationships with Indigenous Governments and Organizations. A separate Office of Labrador Affairs has been created to help address unique issues and advance social and economic development in the region. The responsibilities associated with both of these offices remain with the Premier.
The Office of Climate Change: Following the signing of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, the Office of Climate Change has been placed within Executive Council. This arrangement recognizes that climate change impacts programs and services across all departments and agencies.
Reducing Silos in Government Operations: In keeping with commitments made in The Way Forward vision, government marketing functions will be consolidated into the Communications and Public Engagement Branch, and engineering services will be consolidated within the Department of Transportation and Works. These shared services will result in increased efficiencies and effectiveness within government operations. In addition, the Office of French Services will be moved from the Human Resource Secretariat to Service NL to support government’s capacity to deliver services in French.
A list of Cabinet ministers assigned to new departments can be found in the Backgrounder below.
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Media contact:
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Michelle Cannizzaro Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Updated Appointments
Premier, President of Executive Council, Minister of Intergovernmental and Indigenous
Affairs and Minister of Labrador Affairs - The Honourable Dwight Ball
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials
Stewardship Board, and Registrar General - The Honourable Eddie Joyce
Minister of Service NL, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, Minister Responsible
for Climate Change, Minister Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency, and
Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL - The Honourable Perry Trimper
Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Innovation, and Minister Responsible for the Research
and Development Corporation - The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources - The Honourable Steve Crocker
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment - Graham Letto
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Innovation - Colin Holloway
2017 02 22 10:45 a.m.