Reorganization Moves Ahead

The provincial government's reorganization of departments, which is designed to reduce government's overhead, eliminate duplication of services and create efficiencies, is moving ahead.

Ron Russell, the Minister responsible for Priorities and Planning Secretariat, announced today that several government operating units have, or will have, new homes within weeks. When complete, the reorganization will group similar government services and reduce the total complement of departments to 14 from the current 21.

"We need to get government working better for Nova Scotians," said Mr. Russell. "That is the purpose and objective of this reorganization."

Effective immediately government's purchasing branch has moved from the Department of Finance to the Department of Transportation and Public Works. Soon, all government "corporate" or internal services will be housed there.

Also effective immediately, the higher education marketing division has moved to Nova Scotia Economic Development from the Department of Education. The division markets Nova Scotia educational services and products internationally, and it will now have easier access to marketing, promotional and trade expertise available in the Economic Development department.

Effective July 1, the labour market development division will also move to Economic Development from Education. Labour market development tracks both the supply and demand side of the provincial labour market.

On August 1, the unit responsible for construction of schools will move from the Department of Education to Transportation and Public Works. Also, on August 1, the housing services branch of the current Department of Housing and Municipal Affairs will join the Department of Community Services.

All of government's print and publication services will become the responsibility of Communications Nova Scotia on August 1, and a plan to rationalize print services will be implemented.

Responsibility for water utilities will move from the Department of Environment to the Department of Transportation and Public Works, also on August 1.

In March, Premier John Hamm announced the most sweeping reorganization of the provincial government in decades. Much of the reorganization will be completed over the summer months. However, some elements will take up to a year to complete. The reorganization is being carefully phased-in, so that core services are not disrupted.