RESTIGOUCHE (GNB) – The provincial government announced today that Restigouche will be one of the four locations of government-operated contact centres. Consolidation work in that area has already begun.

“We have listened to New Brunswickers and understand they want a more efficient government focused on economic growth and job creation,” said Premier Brian Gallant.

The existing 74 government-operated contact centres across the province will be amalgamated into four regional business centres, known as Centres of Excellence, leading to an expected savings of about $12.9 million over five years.

Last week, the government announced Edmundston as one of the four locations of the Centres of Excellence.

“This consolidation will save money that we can then invest into education and health care,” said Gallant.

Twelve consolidations have been completed to-date in Dalhousie. Calls coming into contact centres throughout the province operated by Service New Brunswick, the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, and the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour are now being sent to Dalhousie. Call resolution rates are currently being measured at world-class levels.

A Request for Proposals will be released in order to select a facility location for the Restigouche centre.

“Through this consolidation project, we are taking full advantage of the provincial government’s contact centre experience in order to provide better service and achieve better value for taxpayers,” said Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty.

The project is part of a broader exercise under Strategic Program Review designed to reshape the civil service.