Quebec Announces Bill to Streamline Government Agencies
Quebec is taking bold steps to streamline its government operations by merging and abolishing several agencies. Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau unveiled Bill 7, titled “An Act for Efficiency and Accountability,” aimed at reducing bureaucracy and enhancing government effectiveness.
Duranceau emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “Today marks the beginning of a transformative journey towards progress and efficiency in our government operations.”
The proposed bill targets a cost savings of $35 million by 2029-2030 through the reduction of 220 full-time positions, with a notable focus on the healthcare sector.
Key changes include the consolidation of key healthcare institutions like the Institut national de santé publique du Québec and the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux into the newly formed Institut québécois en santé et services sociaux. Additionally, responsibilities such as organ donation and transplantation activities would be transferred to Héma-Québec from Transplant Québec.
The bill also aims to enhance the accountability of senior officials by including organizations like Hydro-Québec and Investissement Québec in regular appearances before the Commission de l’administration publique.
Moreover, the legislation proposes administrative changes, such as the inclusion of a probationary period for newly appointed state administrators and the authority to set compensation for senior officials within agencies like the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.
This move aligns with Premier François Legault’s recent emphasis on the necessity of modernizing government structures to deliver efficient services without bureaucratic hindrances.
Keyphrase: government efficiency reforms
