Access Nova Scotia Delivers Service

The doors to improved and more convenient government services are now open in Cape Breton. The Access Nova Scotia centre in Sydney, the newest location for one-stop government shopping, officially opened today at 380 Kings Rd.

"People want easier access to government programs and services," said Premier Russell MacLellan, on hand for the opening. "I'm proud that Nova Scotia has been a national leader in this area through our innovative, customer-friendly Access centres."

The Access Nova Scotia centre in Sydney, the fifth such centre in Nova Scotia, provides a full range of services such as Registry of Motor Vehicles, Registry of Joint Stocks, Information Services, and mediation and counselling services.

Robbie Harrison, Minister of Business and Consumer Services, said the province's efforts to improve service delivery are working. A 1998 customer study placed overall satisfaction with service delivery at more than 88 per cent. Seven out of 10 customers noted the level of service they received on their last visit was an improvement over their previous experience.

"We know how to increase customer satisfaction," said Mr. Harrison. "Access Nova Scotia gives us an exciting opportunity to achieve lasting improvements in public sector services, and we're making substantial gains by meeting and exceeding Nova Scotians' expectations."

The government's approach to providing multiple services under one roof has proven highly effective in the four other locations: Halifax, Dartmouth, Kentville and Antigonish.

The Department of Business and Consumer Services was created in 1996 to make doing business with the government more convenient and efficient for Nova Scotians. In response to increasing customer demands, the government designed the service centres to reflect a customer-driven focus. The Department of Business and Consumer Services accounts for 1.7 million or 90 per cent of all transactions between Nova Scotians and the provincial government.

The Access Nova Scotia centre in Sydney is another step in fulfilling the department's mandate of providing efficient and convenient services to Nova Scotians.