Alward makes structural changes

Premier Alward

New Brunswick's premier has reorganized the structure of the province's administration.

On March 1st, Premier David Alward announced a structural reorganization designed to streamline administration, improve performance and work to better align current resources with the goals of government renewal, set by the Alward administration.

Premier Alward has been committed to taking the views of New Brunswickers into consideration since the provincial election campaign of 2010. He says these changes reflect his government's willingness to listen to the people.

"New Brunswickers have told us they want the provincial government to deliver better services in a more efficient and effective way," Alward said in a press release published by Communications New Brunswick (CNB). "Our vision for change means focusing government efforts on core services, accountability, and continuous performance improvement."

Government Renewal was first established in 2011 to emphasize the need for the provincial government to provide services that are affordable and sustainable. Its goal is to continue to provide the most responsive services to the people of New Brunswick in the present and future.

New Brunswick's former Minister of Energy, Craig Leonard, has been relocated to a newly-formed Department of Government Services. This department's responsibility is to oversee the delivery of corporate services across the government, such as the New Brunswick Internal Services Agency and Service New Brunswick.

Craig Leonard

The department will also look after the tasks of procurement, printing, translation, and recording functions for the Department of Supply and Services, along with marketing, graphic design, web and event management functions for CNB.

The Executive Council Office will be responsible for government corporate communications. CNB staff who are assigned to departments will become employees in those areas.

Two departments, Environment and Local Government, have been combined. Bruce Fitch will be responsible for the new large department. The newly-merged Environment and Local Government Department will continue to be responsible for environmental stewardship and provision of a local government and service framework. The new department will also be overseeing Efficiency New Brunswick.

Bruce Fitch

Margaret-Ann Blaney, New Brunswick's Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, will be relocated. She will become Minister of Energy, and will remain in the position as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

Margaret-Ann Blaney

The departments of Tourism and Parks; and Wellness, Culture and Sport will be merged to form a new Department of Culture, Tourism and Healthy Living. Trevor Holder will continue to be minister of those areas. 

Trevor Holder

A new Economic Development department will be in charge of all economic development work. Business New Brunswick, the Regional Development Corporation and Invest NB will now be under the umbrella of Economic Development, and Paul Robichaud will continue to serve as the minister of that department. 

Paul Robichaud

The Department of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat will be combined into the Executive Council Office. Premier Alward will remain as minister of those portfolios. 

"This structural reorganization will allow us to streamline administration and reduce the number of deputy minister positions across the government by five to twenty three," Alward noted. 

The changes will be effective March 15th. 

With files from CNB