Alberta expects to save $35M by streamlining boards and commissions

Alberta's finance minister says the government willsave $35 million over the next three years by axing oramalgamatingat least 25 of its agencies, boards and commissions.

"It'll make us more nimble as a government, it will obviouslysave us money and it won't affect our long-term governance for theimportant things moving forward," Joe Ceci said Thursday.

Ceci declined to say which boards face the axe or will be nreconstituted. He said details are to be released in or around thebudget on April 14.

The decision comes after a review of 136 boards that includenheavy hitters such as Alberta Health Services, which has a$14-billion-a-year budget.

The government also reviewed the Alberta Energy Regulator, theAlberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, the Alberta Securities Commission, Alberta Treasury Branches, Alberta Transportation SafetyBoard, the Health Quality Council of Alberta, the Labour RelationsBoard, Municipal Government Board, Occupational Health and SafetyCouncil, the Public Service Pension Board and the Workers'Compensation Board.

It is the first of a three-stage review of all 301 agencies,boards and commissions across government.

Ceci said it's critical to find savings wherever possible giventhat low oil prices are blowing large holes in revenues.

"There's still more work to do, but I'm pleased with the resultsso far," he said.

"Albertans expect us to be prudent and be balanced in ourapproach because of this significant deficit."

Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark said he supports the move towardstreamlining, but urged the government not to pursue false economiesby curtailing the work of boards fostering research and innovation.

"If they're going to collapse that and jeopardize long-termresearch that is underway, that is a concern."

Progressive Conservative Leader Ric McIver said he doesn't wantto see cuts that save money but rob the province of valued advicedown the road.

"The boards were put there, every single one, to providevalue," said McIver.

"One thing the NDP government has been reckless about (is)insuring against unintended consequences."

Along with the review, Premier Rachel Notley's government plansto introduce legislation in the current sitting to update how theboards operate.

"It's going to look at improving public oversight andstewardship of the agencies boards and commissions ... in part to
bring compensation and accountability and transparency back intoline with the public service," said Ceci.

Late last year, the Notley government passed legislation thatwill soon make public the names of members of some agencies, boards,and commissions who receive more than $125,000 a year in totalcompensation.

The first such report is scheduled to be online June 30.