The B.C. government plans to conduct a core review, similar to one launched more than 10 years ago, with an expanded mandate to include schools, hospitals, colleges, universities, boards, commissions and Crown corporations.
One target of the review will be public-sector wage levels. It will also identify potential areas of privatization of services.
The first core review was done after former premier Gordon Campbell was elected in 2001. It focused on B.C. government ministries and their operations, with the goal of identifying waste, overlap and finding efficiencies.
The 2013-14 core review will be expanded to include a range of Crown corporations, schools, hospitals and other government-funded agencies.
One of the review's mandates will be to ensure public sector management wage levels are "appropriate." It will also identify core responsibilities and look for programs that could "provide better service at less cost through alternative service delivery."
A cabinet working group is expected to have recommendations before the end of fiscal year 2013-14, with the process completed by December 31, 2014.
"We made a promise to British Columbians that we would control spending, balance the budget and ensure we are structured for success," said Bill Bennett, minister of energy and mines, who has been appointed minister responsible for the review.
"We intend to leave no stone unturned. We know government has already done a good job of managing costs, but we also know more can always be done. This review is about putting the taxpayer and families at the forefront of our decision-making process."
The review is being applauded by the BC Chamber of Commerce.
"We think a core review with this mandate and scope promises substantive gains for B.C.'s taxpayers," said chamber president John Winter. "This initiative is great news for British Columbians and aligns directly with what our 36,000 represented B.C. businesses have been calling for.
"We're very pleased to see that the government is truly trying to put its house in order, including tackling areas of public concern such as B.C.'s Crown corporations. We also commend the government for emphasizing alternate service delivery models, which could bring private-sector efficiency to some government operations."
