Cape Breton to Develop HR System

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is leading the way in the use of new technologies. With the assistance of a $175,000 grant from the provincial government, the municipality will develop a new computerized human resource management and payroll system.

In addition to serving the needs of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, the new system will be made available to other municipalities, as well as to potential users within the provincial government.

"This initiative illustrates the power and potential of intergovernmental partnerships," said Ray White, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. "Cape Breton Regional Municipality will obtain a cost-effective solution to an immediate information-management problem, while other municipalities will benefit from having access to a state-of-the-art human resource management and payroll system without having to incur heavy startup costs. This is a win-win proposition for all parties involved."

The municipality now relies on a local financial institution for payroll services. "This arrangement was put in place at the time of amalgamation and was intended to be an interim one," said Mayor David Muise. "A new in-house human resources management and payroll system will give staff much greater information management capability and will not increase the municipality's administrative costs."

Mayor Muise noted that other municipalities have expressed considerable interest in the software solutions already developed by Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

"Two municipalities are currently using our programs as well as our data centre on a trial basis, and discussions are ongoing with other municipalities," he said. "The development of a computerized human resources management and payroll system will enhance the attractiveness of our software solutions to other municipalities, as well as to provincial government agencies."