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.

2005 05 16                   4:00 p.m.
 


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