Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, released the Terms of Reference for the Core Review process July 31 with a focus on ensuring the best possible use of government resources and respect for the interests of taxpayers, according to a ministry press release.

The focus of the 2013-14 Core Review is different than the 2001-02 Core Review, given the cost saving and efficiency work completed by the government over the past 12 years. This work has involved ongoing reviews of regulations, executive compensation, public sector bargaining mandates and Crown corporations to help government achieve its budget targets.

Building on that work, the scope of the Core Review has been established to include the mandates and program delivery models of all ministries, boards, commissions, Crown agencies and the SUCH sector (schools, universities, colleges, and hospitals).

The objectives of the Core Review include:

* Ensuring ministry programs and activities are focused on achieving government’s vision of a strong economy and secure tomorrow.

* Confirming government’s core responsibilities and eliminating programs that could provide better service at less cost through alternative service delivery models.

* Ensuring public-sector management wage levels are appropriate.

The Cabinet Working Group for Core Review expects to have a plan approved by end of summer. The review will include targeted industry and stakeholder consultations with recommendations expected before the end of fiscal year 2013-14 and completion of the process by Dec. 31, 2014.

“We made a promise to British Columbians that we would control spending, balance the budget and ensure we are structured for success. This will be an exhaustive and comprehensive process, and we look forward to moving responsibly, prudently and quickly,” stated Bennett, Kootenay East MLA.

“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.”

More than 10 years have passed since the provincial government took a comprehensive mandate review to ensure that programs and services respond in an effective and efficient way to current service drivers, deliver results, and best position the province to achieve the goals of a strong economy and secure tomorrow, the ministry press release noted.

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