NLIS 9
May 16, 2005
(Executive Council)
Government creates new Public
Service Secretariat and restructures Department of Finance
Moving forward to create efficiencies and to
better align government functions, Premier Danny Williams today announced
departmental restructuring affecting corporate operations in the areas of
financial and strategic human resource operations of government.
"We have made considerable strides since taking office in improving the
financial situation of the province and in moving forward with strategic human
resource planning," said Premier Williams. "It is now time to restructure
particular areas of government so that all corporate financial operations are
working within one department, and we have a renewed focus on strategic human
resource management.
"A new Public Service Secretariat (PSS) will be responsible for the strategic
human resource functions of the provincial government, and the Department of
Finance will now be responsible for all corporate financial operations," added
the premier.
Treasury Board Secretariat will be dissolved under the restructuring, and
functions currently performed by Treasury Board Secretariat will now fall under
either the new PSS or the Department of Finance. There will continue to be a
Treasury Board committee of Cabinet.
The premier said the new PSS is a signal to the public service and the general
public that the government will focus on the quality of human resources and the
contribution of its employees in the delivery of government programs. "We will
ensure the public service is equipped to thrive in a knowledge-based society,
and that the public service of Newfoundland and Labrador is regarded as an
exciting place to build a career," he said.
The new PSS will be responsible for the areas of collective bargaining,
strategic human resource planning, and classification, as well as the Opening
Doors Program, the Centre for Learning and Development and French Services. The
PSS will be headed by a Deputy Minister who will report to the Minister of
Finance.
Premier Williams announced that David Gale is appointed Deputy Minister of the
new PSS. "Mr. Gale has extensive experience in the strategic human resource
management function of the provincial government, and I know he will be a strong
asset as we move forward with the new PSS and strengthening the human resource
components of the provincial government," said the premier.
The premier stressed that the Public Service Commission (PSC) will continue to
operate as a separate entity. "The PSC will continue to safeguard the principles
of merit, fairness and transparency in the hiring of public service employees.
We recognize the strong role the commission plays in the hiring and promotion of
our employees," he said. "The new PSS and the PSC will build a solid working
relationship to ensure effective human resource management throughout the public
service."
The Department of Finance, in addition to maintaining all its current
operations, will now be responsible for the financial functions of the former
Treasury Board Secretariat. The divisions of budgeting and insurance and the
Office of Comptroller General will move to the Department of Finance, and Terry
Paddon will continue as Deputy Minister, reporting to the Minister of Finance.
"This change is about creating departments which are better aligned with the
priorities of government," said Premier Williams. "It is about creating
synergies and efficiencies and following through on our Blueprint commitments."
The changes are effective immediately. No job losses will be incurred under this
restructuring.
Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500, or
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Diane Keough, Finance, (709) 729-6830, 685-4401
BIOGRAPHY
David Gale
Mr. Gale began his career with the provincial public service in 1980 as Human
Resources Officer. He has held a variety of positions in the human resource and
collective bargaining areas of government including staff relations specialist,
CEO of the Provincial Information and Library Resources Board, and Executive
Director of Employee Relations. Most recently, Mr. Gale held the position of
Associate Secretary (Human Resources) to Treasury Board. Mr. Gale holds a
Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from Memorial
University of Newfoundland.
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