Treasury minister talks cuts with Halifax business community
Posted Aug 4, 2011 10:05:59 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tony Clement told members of the Halifax business community Thursday that deficits are bad for Canada and the government is going to review its departments and agencies in an effort to save $4 billion by next year.
The President of the Treasury Board explained 67 departments and agencies will be reviewed in an effort to find the savings.
Putting the review in a nutshell, Clement said organizations will be asked three questions.
“Are we spending on the right things and getting the intended results?” Clement said during an address, over breakfast, at the Halifax Club Thursday morning. “Is there a way we can do this better? Is there a way that we can deliver good services, excellent services to Canadians in a better way. And thirdly, is there a way that we can modernize how we business through the smart use of technology, for instances, or better processes.”
Clement said the effected organizations will be asked to provide two scenarios during the review; One showing the effects of a five per-cent budget cut and the second showing a 10 per-cent budget cut.
The Minister was met by a small band of protesters outside.
President of the Halifax, Dartmouth and District Labour Council, Kyle Buott, said the group is trying to raise awareness about Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s agenda.
Buott says the cuts will disproportionately affect Halifax as we have a large number of federal workers.
