‘Reform culture’ needed in public sector: report
All government-funded agencies should be examined, panel suggests
“Fundamental change” is key to transforming the Alberta government and public service into a well-oiled machine, according to a panel tasked with assessing Alberta’s finances.
“It’s time for government to take a deeper look at all the various programs and services it provides,” the panel wrote in its report, released Tuesday.
That includes assessing government priorities, focusing resources and thinking “more innovatively ” about the position of the public service.
The panel, chaired by Saskatchewan’s former finance minister Janice Mackinnon, isn’t talking about a small review.
It wants an all-encompassing, systematic approach that consults with the public service and stakeholders.
All ministries, programs, agencies, boards and commissions must be reviewed, the panel argued. Along with looking at programs, so too the government must delve into management-to-staff ratios, staffing levels, and how agencies, boards and commissions function.
“Incremental changes create incremental savings; substantial/ sustainable savings require transformation,” the panel wrote.
“The panel’s view is that the Alberta public service currently lacks a reform culture.”
Mackinnon’s panel urged the government to protect services for “the most vulnerable citizens,” except those services “not achieving intended results.”
This year, approvals for disability supports have been significantly delayed because of an application backlog, causing worry among the community that benefits from those services.
According to advocates, some families who recently submitted applications for assistance under the Persons with Developmental Disabilities program were told funding had been frozen, though Community and Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney said that’s not the case.
Finance Minister Travis Toews said decisions around potential reviews have not yet been made, but he believes they could save “hundreds of millions or billions of dollars” if conducted properly.
“We’re certainly not opposed to the concept of reviews where they make sense and where we believe they’ll be cost-effective,” he said.
He said the results of each review would be measured differently depending on the program or service under the microscope.
Vulnerable Albertans are a priority for his government, Toews said, but added every program must be examined if it’s to be delivered wisely and efficiently.
“We really have to take a look at every program. Not only at the funding level, but (at) what need are we looking to serve? And is this the best way to serve that need, or might there be a better approach?” he said.
“I think it’s incumbent upon government to always be asking those questions. You can bet that ministers in every department will be asking that question.”
Mackinnon said overspending was in issue in numerous departments.
“Every one we looked at — and we only looked at the big spenders — are spending more than other provinces,” she said at a Tuesday news conference in Calgary. “So across the piece the government has to look at the areas we looked at. Why are they spending more? What are their costs? What do we do to change it, to move Alberta closer to other provinces in its spending?”
In a report released last Thursday, Alberta’s auditor general urged the government to improve how it monitors performance and appointments.
“Alberta ministries are still not reporting as effectively as they could on what results are being delivered for the investment of taxpayers’ dollars,” Doug Wylie wrote.
The previous NDP government conducted a review of government ABC (Agencies, Boards and Commissions) which focused on salaries and benefits.
In a move aimed at saving $16 million, it decided to cut pay, abolish bonuses and remove perks for top executives at 23 agencies.
Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil Mcgowan said the panel recommendations are far-reaching for the public sector.
“It’s about completely reordering the way we approach key public services like health care and education,” he said. “Despite its soft and reassuring words, this is a radical document.”
Franco Terrazzano, Alberta director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said he believes all areas of government should be on the “chopping block” to reduce spending.
“We need constraints and we need to see the Alberta government stop overcharging taxpayers,” he said. “It’s tough — nobody likes to talk about cuts.”