April 11, 2013

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS TOWARD MORE MODERN, STREAMLINED SERVICE DELIVERY

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Regional Office Mergers, Efficiencies to Save Manitobans $1.49 million a Year: Struthers

The next steps of the provincial government’s plan to achieve more efficient, modern service delivery today through additional mergers of regional offices were announced today by Finance Minister Stan Struthers.  The changes affect all regions including the city of Winnipeg and will provide savings for Manitoba taxpayers of $1.49 million a year, he said.
“In this time of economic uncertainty we are committed to finding responsible ways to reduce spending by improving and modernizing service delivery,” said Struthers. “This is a part of the province’s balanced approach that focuses on what matters most to Manitoba families.”
The changes build on provincial office mergers previously announced by Struthers in November 2012.  The minister noted that as with the previous mergers, the province will continue ensuring critical front-line services that Manitobans count on will not be negatively affected.
Some offices will be consolidated while others will be restructured to use staff and existing office space more effectively, he said.
As part of modernizing operations, the government will also develop options for one-stop shop information and services through pilot projects in Boissevain, Beausejour and Grandview.  In Lundar, the West Interlake Conservation District will be sharing office space with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, reducing costs for both the conservation district and the province, as well as providing a single point of access to information and services.
Departments will also be developing more on-line applications, information and interactive tools, responding to increased demand for on-line services, Struthers said.
Departments affected immediately include:
Infrastructure and Transportation

• Minnedosa engineering – four positions move to Brandon and the maintenance yard will remain.
• Virden engineering – five positions move to Brandon and/or Birtle and the maintenance yard will remain.

Conservation and Water Stewardship

• Garland – two positions will be based out of nearby Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
• Ste. Anne – one position will be moved to Steinbach.
• Dugald – one position will be moved to Stonewall.
• Winnipeg – one office location will be eliminated and 17 staff at 155 Carlton St. will move to 123 Main St. and 1007 Century St.
• Shoal Lake – multiple offices will be merged into a single-point service office.
• Neepawa – multiple offices will be merged into single-point service office.
• Brandon – multiple offices will be merged into single-point service office.
• Hodgson – fire staff will be relocated to Gympsumville.
• Hadashville – staff will be merged with Beausejour and Falcon Lake and the fire suppression base will be maintained.

Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade

• Winnipeg – the 3338 Portage Ave. office will be merged with 111 Lombard Ave.
• Beausejour – staff will merge with Selkirk, Steinbach and Winnipeg and a pilot project for casual service will be co-located with Manitoba Family Services and Labour.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

• • Treherne – staff will be merged with Somerset and service will be provided from Somerset and Portage la Prairie.
  • Stonewall – staff will be merged with Teulon and service will be provided from Teulon and Beausejour. The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) office will remain.
  • Shoal Lake – staff will be merged with Russell Service and will be provided from Hamiota or Minnedosa.  The MASC office remains.
  • Neepawa – the office will be merged with Minnedosa and service will be provided from Carberry, Gladstone, and Minnedosa.  The MASC office will remain.
  • Boissevain – service will be provided from Killarney, Melita, Souris and Brandon.

“By using our offices more efficiently, consolidating government services and eliminating unnecessary and outdated funding, the government will be able to provide better services while saving taxpayers money,” said Struthers.

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