FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is moving forward with plans to consolidate and modernize the way services are delivered across government and to regional health authorities.
“If we are going to have the means to invest in job creation and make life more affordable for families, we must first right our fiscal ship,” said Health Minister Victor Boudreau, who is also minister responsible for Strategic Program Review. “The consolidation of common services is a great example of how government can do things better, smarter and more efficiently, all at a lower cost.”
Legislation will be introduced to create a new Crown corporation responsible for shared services including finance, information technology, and procurement.
Known as Service New Brunswick, the new corporation will absorb the functions of Service New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Internal Services Agency, the Department of Government Services and FacilicorpNB, while continuing to provide government services to the public.
“Service New Brunswick is a leader when it comes to the one-stop delivery of services to New Brunswickers,” said Government Services Minister Ed Doherty. “Extending their mandate to include the delivery of common services across government is a logical next step. I am confident their experience will translate into real savings for taxpayers.”
The consolidation of common services is estimated to save $30 million by 2020. Savings will be achieved primarily through the modernization of technology, automated systems and business processes and strategic procurement.
The new corporation will assume all existing agreements and contracts involving Service New Brunswick, the Department of Government Services, the New Brunswick Internal Services Agency and FacilicorpNB.
It is expected the new corporation will be operational in the fall.
28-05-15