Québec City, Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - "The quality of Quebecers’ lives depends on having a modern, efficient Government that is close to the people." This was one of the messages delivered by the Minister of State for Administration and the Public Service and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, Mr. Joseph Facal, on the occasion of the presentation of the 2003-2004 Expenditure Budget.
The Minister used the tabling of the Expenditure Budget as an opportunity to reaffirm the Québec Government’s commitment to simplify and streamline government structures. The work and reflection of the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor continues on this matter. Moreover, the dossier has been transmitted to the Cabinet for its analysis and appropriate follow-up. "The Québec government has opted not to reduce the public services it provides its citizens but rather to provide them with easier access to these services. What we want to achieve by 2005 is a streamlined, more efficient government, that is at its citizens’ service," the Minister declared.
The Minister also announced that in fiscal year 2003-2004, new steps will be taken to facilitate Internet access to government services. Therefore the Service québécois de changement d’adresse will soon be accessible in transactional mode.
The business starter kit, now available only on an informational basis, will evolve towards a transactional mode, which will greatly simplify the procedures an entrepreneur has to follow.
A one-stop public tenders centre, to give suppliers easy access to calls for tenders by government departments and public and parapublic agencies, will go into operation and serve as a gateway to an estimated $10 billion in contracts a year. Moreover, public service job searches will be facilitated by a new e-mail notification system.
A $30 million budget over three years will encourage departments and agencies to offer integrated online services and ensure the security of electronic data.
"Finally, the Minister emphasized the importance of the renewal of the public service currently under way. "Bringing young people into the public service gives us the benefit of their fresh views, knowledge at the cutting edge of the latest advances, and an enriching vitality," said the Minister, talking about the rejuvenation action plan.
"The two action plans on diversity, which I announced in February, will enable the public service to benefit from all the richness of Québec society, its cultural diversity and variety of experiences," he added.
Expenditure Budget documents will be accessible, after their tabling in the National Assembly, on the Web site of the Secrétariat of the Conseil du trésor, under "Expenditure Budget".
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