New budgeting approach to enhance fiscal discipline

Government to begin comprehensive review of programs and services

Edmonton… The Alberta government will demonstrate its leadership in fiscal discipline by implementing results-based budgeting.

“Albertans expect their government to treat their tax dollars with the same care and respect they do,” said Premier Alison Redford. “This process is about making sure we are providing the right services at the right time in the right way to meet the needs of Albertans.”

Bill 1, the Results-Based Budgeting Act, will establish a new approach to government budgeting that emphasizes successful service delivery outcomes, following a comprehensive review of all programs and services to ensure they address Albertans’ priorities as effectively as possible.

Approximately one-third of government programs and services will be reviewed annually in a process, led by Treasury Board and based on outcomes and priorities identified with input from Albertans. The findings and recommendations of program reviews will be made public, and will form the basis of future budget and policy decisions.

“Our budget approach needs to evolve,” said President of Treasury Board and Enterprise Doug Horner. “We will scrutinize all costs, challenge automatic growth in spending, and invest funds where we know they are going to make a positive difference in the lives of Albertans and their communities.”

Media inquiries may be directed to:
John Tuckwell
Director of Communications
Treasury Board and Enterprise
780-643-6479

VICTORIA – British Columbia continues to face challenging global economic conditions, but fiscal prudence and a focus on a competitive economy that creates jobs and attracts international investment will help B.C. manage these risks, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon said in a speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade today.

In his address, Falcon reviewed the state of the 2011 provincial economy, the outlook for the coming year and discussed the importance of making British Columbia more competitive for job-creating businesses.

As part of ‘Canada Starts Here: the B.C. Jobs Plan’, the minister also announced the government has appointed an Expert Panel on Tax to provide analysis and recommendations to the Province on business tax competitiveness and administrative improvements to streamline the Provincial Sales Tax.

The panel will have the following members:

• · Chair: Sarah Morgan-Silvester – chancellor of the University of British Columbia.
• · Lindsay Hall – chief financial officer, Goldcorp.
• · Laura Jones – senior vice-president research, Economics & Western Canada, Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
• · Elio Luongo – Canadian managing partner, KPMG and vice-president of the Vancouver Board of Trade.
• · Fiona Macfarlane – managing partner, Western Canada and chief inclusiveness officer, Ernst & Young LLP
• · Grace Wong – senior advisor international, office of the provost and vice-president academic, University of British Columbia and former assistant dean international, Sauder school of business.
• · (Adjunct Member) Dale Wall – former deputy minister, Ministry of Community and Rural Development, Province of British Columbia.

The expert panel will consider the competitiveness of British Columbia’s tax environment for business and develop recommendations about which taxes most influence competitiveness and economic growth. It will also identify and develop recommendations for ways in which the Government of British Columbia could address tax avoidance within the business or personal taxation systems. A component of the review will also look at municipal property taxation of business.

The panel’s recommendations must respect the Province’s balanced-budget framework. The report will be submitted by Aug. 31, 2012.

Quick Facts:

• · Private sector forecasters currently expect B.C. real GDP to have increased by 2.3 per cent in 2011, and to average 2.1 per cent growth in 2012.
• · B.C. exports were up 14.5 per cent year-to-date to October, despite a sluggish US economy and an elevated currency, highlighting B.C.’s diversified trade portfolio.
• · Export gains were largely in energy products (25.4 per cent), forestry (10.9 per cent) and industrial and consumer goods (14.8 per cent).
  • o Softwood lumber exports to China were up 92.2 per cent in the first ten months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010.
  • · British Columbia’s low debt-to-GDP ratio — a key measure of affordability — forecast at 17.2 per cent for 2011-12. B.C. is one of only three provinces with a triple-A credit rating.

• · At 10 per cent, B.C. has the lowest general corporate income tax rate in Canada, along with Alberta and New Brunswick.
• · When all taxes are considered, British Columbians generally have one of the lowest tax burdens in the country.

Minister Clement Announces Open Government Consultation

Ottawa – The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor, today launched an online consultation on Open Government and invited Canadians to participate.

“We want to hear from Canadians on how we can advance the Open Government initiative in Canada,” said Minister Clement. “The valuable input we receive will help us develop an action plan for the International Open Government Partnership, and help make the Government of Canada more accessible to Canadians.”

The consultation will take place from December 6, 2011, to January 16, 2012, and can be accessed though the Open Government website. Participants can make their views known online, by email or by letter. A report on the findings from the consultation will be published in March 2012.

“In addition to the online consultations, I will be hosting a moderated tweet chat on Open Government on December 15, where I will welcome the questions of Canadians, providing an additional way to take part in this important discussion,” added Minister Clement.

In September 2011, Canada signalled its intent to join the International Open Government Partnership and plans to present its Open Government Action Plan in Brazil in April 2012.

“Canada is proud to be participating in this important partnership,” said Minister Clement. “We will share our country’s best practices on Open Government at the International Open Government Partnership forum, where countries from across the world will exchange ideas on this important and dynamic approach that modern governments are adopting.”

Information on the Open Government activities currently underway in Canada is available on the Open Government website.

The English tweet chat on Open Government will take place on December 15 from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. EST with a French chat occurring from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. EST. The hashtag for the English session is #opengovchat and #parlonsgouvert for the French session. The discussion will be hosted on the official Treasury Board Secretariat Twitter accounts @TBS_Canada (English) and @SCT_Canada (French).

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For more information, contact:

Sean Osmar
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor
613-957-2666

Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
613-957-2640

THRONE SPEECH KEEPS ELECTION COMMITMENTS AND KEEPS SASKATCHEWAN MOVING FORWARD

New legislation introduced today, Dec. 5, will ensure public sector organizations cannot use their funds to pay external lobbyists.

“We understand Nova Scotians are concerned about how public sector organizations spend their money,” said John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “This new act will increase accountability and ensure limited funds don’t go to external lobbyists.”

Under the Public Sector Lobbyists Act, organizations such as school boards, housing and health authorities can still lobby government directly through employees and officers.

“Lobbying is a legitimate democratic activity,” Mr. MacDonell said. “We’re being proactive so organizations and people involved in lobbying can focus their efforts appropriately.”

Nova Scotia was one of the first provinces to regulate lobbyists and increase transparency with the Registry of Lobbyists.

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today took part in a pre-budget roundtable discussion in Charlottetown with business, academic and sectoral leaders from across the country. The event marks the launch of a series of cross-Canada consultations on how best to ensure Canada’s economy continues to produce jobs and growth in a difficult global economy.

“Budget 2012 will maintain our focus on jobs and economic growth while reducing the deficit and returning to balance in the medium term,” said Minister Flaherty. “Today and in coming weeks, I want to hear from Canadians on how we can advance the next phase of our Economic Action Plan to continue to deliver results on these prioirities.”

Cross-country consultations with Minister Flaherty will continue into the New Year, with venues and details to be announced as they become available.

In order to ensure that all Canadians can participate in this process, the Government of Canada has also launched online pre-budget consultations.

New task force to cut red tape for small business

Edmonton… A new provincial task force aims to reduce the regulatory burden for small businesses in Alberta to help boost economic growth, competitiveness and innovation.

“Without small business, our province’s economic growth would simply not be possible,” said Premier Alison Redford. “Alberta has the largest number of small businesses per capita in Canada and we want to ensure that we have the right rules in place for health, safety and the environment while reducing the regulatory burden that gets in the way of business doing its job.”

The Red Tape Reduction Task Force is chaired by Ty Lund, MLA for Rocky Mountain House. Other task force members are:

• Robin Campbell, MLA for West Yellowhead;
• Dr. Neil Brown, Q.C. MLA for Calgary-Nose Hill;
• Kyle Fawcett, MLA for Calgary-North Hill; and,
• Art Johnston, MLA for Calgary-Hays.

The task force will work with small business leaders and associations from across Alberta during December and January to receive input about ways to improve the regulatory environment in which they operate. Following that input, the task force will provide a final report before the end of March 2012, with recommendations on actions for government.

More information on the Red Tape Reduction Task Force is available at www.alberta.ca/RedTapeReduction.cfm.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Premier appoints task force to ensure landowners heard

Edmonton… Premier Alison Redford has created a task force that will be asking Albertans for their concerns regarding property rights.

“We have heard concerns from landowners that their property rights need to be better respected,” said Redford. “We need to move towards a more common-sense approach when it comes to property rights.”

The task force will be chaired by Diana McQueen, Minister of Environment and Water, with Evan Berger, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, as the vice-chair.

Other members include Verlyn Olson, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Jeff Johnson, Minister of Infrastructure; Cal Dallas, Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations; Frank Oberle, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development; Raymond Prins, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka; and Arno Doerksen, MLA for Strathmore Brooks.

“We want to listen to Albertans and have a discussion about what property rights mean to them and what needs to be improved,” said McQueen.

In December, meetings will take place with stakeholders. In January, open houses will occur in several communities. To complement face-to-face efforts, a website will allow for written input from Albertans. Further details on how Albertans can participate will be released in the coming weeks.

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The 2011-12 speech from the throne sets out an agenda for the coming year that continues the work being done to change the culture of government.

This agenda includes targeted measures to invest in jobs; support healthy families and an enhanced quality of life; and ensure continuous government renewal.

Delivered by Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas today, the speech opened the second session of the 57th legislature.

“This throne speech marks the beginning of the legislative year and the continuation of your government’s work to support a stronger economy and enhanced quality of life while living within our means,” said Nicholas. “The last few years have seen significant and difficult changes which have impacted the people of New Brunswick. It is no longer business as usual.”

The speech focuses on plans to transform government by building a robust economy; promoting healthy families; reducing poverty and enhancing education; and improving the culture of government to focus on core services, accountability through performance measures and continuous performance improvement.

“Today’s speech from the throne lays out a new foundation for rebuilding our province,” Premier David Alward said. “This foundation will be built on an economic development strategy that will move our workers from ‘hope wanted’ to ‘help wanted,’ with investments in job opportunities. It will be built by supporting families with renewed programs and services to help overcome poverty, increase access to primary health care and provide quality education for our next generation. This foundation will be supported by a government that is innovative, equitable and sustainable.”

Following are highlights of the speech from the throne:

Investing in jobs

• A working group on innovation, including academic and private-sector leaders, will bring forward recommendations to improve innovation, research and development.
• A new procurement act will be introduced to enhance competitive opportunities for New Brunswick companies and to ensure maximum value for public funds is realized.
• An employment action plan for persons with a disability will be developed to increase the number of persons with disabilities in the labour market.
• The provincial government will proceed with its commitment to ensure predictable, multi-year funding for universities and predictable tuition for students.
• Planning is underway to introduce an online reservation system for New Brunswick’s provincial parks.
• Fleet rationalization to provide greater economic sustainability in the fishing industry will continue by finalizing purchase agreements in the ground fish fleet.
• The provincial government will continue to invest in the development of an integrated pest management framework and research on alternative products to manage and control sea lice.
• The Growing Forward 2 Multilateral Framework Agreement signed in July will be developed to help agriculture meet future challenges and opportunities. The delivery of farm fuel tax exemptions and rebates will be improved.
• A digital media incentive is being designed to encourage economic growth and job creation in this important sector.
• The provincial government will bring qualifying large industrial companies’ electricity costs in line with their Canadian competitors through a large industrial renewable energy purchase program.
• Policies will be developed and implemented to optimize the energy output from wood-based biomass resources.
• Minimum energy efficiency standards will be required for new building construction by adopting national standards through amendments to the New Brunswick Building Code Act.
• The provincial government will perform a comprehensive review of the Petroleum Products Pricing Act and regulations to ensure it continues to foster price stability.
• A full-time public energy advocate will be appointed to replace the ad-hoc appointments of public interveners as part of amendments to the Energy Utilities Board Act.
• The provincial government will review the natural gas rate structure and distribution network to achieve a more equitable rate structure and work to improve natural gas access throughout New Brunswick to help companies reduce their energy costs.
• The provincial government is developing a comprehensive action plan to ensure New Brunswick has a strong regulatory regime in place for oil and gas exploration that includes robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
• An environmental protection plan is being developed by a multi-disciplinary team of experts to protect individuals and their property as well as vital aspects of the environment.
• The provincial government will announce its 2012 Forest Management Strategy, taking into consideration the recommendations of both the private and Crown land task forces.
• The provincial government will reaffirm its commitment to the Canadian military and armed forces reservists in New Brunswick by enhancing existing leave for reservists’ rules under the Employment Standards Act.
• A smart regulation system will be developed to guide development of provincial regulations during the coming months.

Healthy families and an enhanced quality of life

• A strategic action plan for primary health care will be developed that will incorporate recommendations to come in 2012 from the Primary Health Care Steering Committee.
• Consultations will be held with New Brunswickers and stakeholders on the development of the next provincial health plan. The current one expires at the end of 2012.
• Following extensive consultations, changes to the Early Learning and Child Care Act will further advance New Brunswick as a leader in early childhood development.
• Following the current consultations on the entry point of early French immersion, the four-member task force on the issue will make recommendations to the provincial government in early 2012.
• The provincial government will announce a plan to address inclusion in the school system. This plan will help refocus the provincial government’s efforts to ensure a consistent approach in inclusion practices.
• A second phase of public dialogue sessions on learning will begin in January 2012.
• A new vision and dental program for children in low-income families will be implemented in the next year. A prescription drug program for non-insured New Brunswickers is being developed.
• A panel on seniors: living healthy, aging well will be created as a targeted advisory body to the premier and will provide advice on developing a progressive living healthy, aging well blueprint for seniors in New Brunswick.
• Amendments to the New Brunswick Building Code Act will be introduced to improve accessibility for New Brunswickers with disabilities.
• The provincial government will support the work of the special committee on the revision of the Official Languages Act to ensure New Brunswickers have the opportunity to offer their views and comments on amendments to the act.
• A new species at risk act will be introduced that will complement similar federal, provincial and territorial legislation in a national effort to prevent the loss of plants and animals due to human activities.
• A series of measures will be developed to assess and communicate better the risks of the effects of climate change under a 2012-20 climate action plan, including specific actions to flag flooding and storm surge risks.
• The provincial government will implement a wetlands management strategy encompassing longer-term actions to safeguard the natural environment in support of sustainable development.

Government renewal

• A balanced scorecard initiative is being developed to provide the provincial government with a tool to focus public-sector efforts toward achieving key performance outcomes and provide a clear vision of overall government direction, goals and targets.
• An improved culture of government will be focused on core services, accountability through performance measures and continuous performance improvement to ensure there is an alignment between affordable quality public services and public expectations.
• The feasibility of creating a single, independent financial services regulatory agency will be examined to bring consistent application of regulatory authority, reduced duplication and to provide for an independent hearing tribunal.
• A structural review of legal aid will be undertaken to provide greater efficiency and accessibility and better ensure access to justice for those who can least afford it.
• NB Liquor will introduce a comprehensive report on its mandate and future. The provincial government will begin implementing approved recommendations in early 2012.
• The provincial government is committed to completing a renewal of the 2002 Provincial Cultural Policy that will include public and stakeholder consultations.
• The provincial government will implement Jordan’s Principle on providing public services for Aboriginal children during the session.
• A healing-to-wellness court pilot project will be located at Elsipogtog First Nation. It will be the first of its kind in New Brunswick and will include First Nations practices and culture.
• A duty to consult policy will be brought forward to guide departments through the constitutional duty to consult with the province’s First Nation communities.
• The legislative assembly will consider changes to the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Act to ensure provincial ridings are as representative and equitable as possible for all electors. The number of electoral districts will be reduced as part of these amendments.
• The provincial government will introduce legislation to enable persons to vote on New Brunswick nominees for the Senate.
• Recommendations from Bernard Richard’s report on legislative officers will be considered and amendments to relevant legislation and operating procedures will be introduced.
• The legislative assembly will also review and consider new legislation governing the Office of the Auditor General to render this service more modern and effective.
• A multi-year capital budget plan will be tabled to reflect the ongoing funding required for projects already underway and the funding necessary to maintain existing infrastructure.
• Following extensive consultations, the provincial government will bring forward a local governance action plan that will create a new model for community-governed regional service delivery.

“Earlier this year, your government began its first steps towards changing the culture of government,” Nicholas said. “The results of these efforts will include a legislative and budgetary agenda to be considered by this Assembly that will lay a new foundation for rebuilding New Brunswick.”

The complete text of the speech from the throne and highlights are online.

LINK:

• Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick: www.gnb.ca/legis