Maximizing Government Efficiency: Minister Day Announces Elimination of Federal Appointment Positions

Backgrounder - Reduction of Governor in Council Positions

For immediate release
March 8, 2010

Ottawa – The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced the reduction of 245 Governor in Council appointments across the Government of Canada.

"This Government is committed to ensuring that all federal organizations make the best possible use of the resources afforded them by Canadian taxpayers," said Minister Day. "The reduction of 245 positions from various federal organizations will not affect the delivery of government services in any way. Rather, it will better address the current workload of these organizations and streamline their efficiency in delivering service to Canadians."

In Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government committed to reducing the number of Governor in Council appointments as part of its plan to improve efficiency and governance across federal departments and agencies. A task force reviewed nearly 2,700 positions in over 200 federal organizations across 24 ministerial portfolios and recommended eliminating 245 positions.

A vast majority of these positions—close to 90 per cent, in fact—are currently vacant and have been for some time. In streamlining these organizations, the Government is ensuring its resources are put to the best possible use for Canadians.

"This is an important part of our commitment to overall restraint and prudent fiscal management. Wherever inefficiencies can be identified, we are acting to make sure Canadians have access to the best possible service from their federal government," said Minister Day.

Governor in Council appointees are individuals appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Cabinet, to fill positions on various federal boards of directors, agencies, commissions and tribunals.

Please refer to the attached backgrounder for the list of Governor in Council positions being eliminated.

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For more information, contact:

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
(613) 952-5051

Pierre-Alain Bujold
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2640

If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the electronic version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail.

TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090

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Backgrounder

Reduction of Governor in Council Positions

Department / Agency	Organization	Current number of GiC positions	GiC positions reduced
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada	Canadian Grain Commission	9	6
	Farm Products Council of Canada	9	2
Canadian Heritage	Canadian Council on the Status of the Artist	12	12
	Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission	19	6
Citizenship and Immigration Canada	Canadian Race Relations Foundation and Investment Committee	24	11
Environment Canada	Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada	15	2
	National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy	26	8
Department of Finance Canada	Canada Development Investment Corporation	20	9
	Canadian International Trade Tribunal	9	2
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation - Advisory Committee	15	15
Foreign Affairs	Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada	7	2
	International Boundary Commission	1	1
	International Development Research Centre	21	3
	Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission	3	1
Health Canada	Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada	13	1
	Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse	7	1
	Canadian Institutes of Health Research	19	2
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada	Canada Employment Insurance Commission	4	2
	Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation	13	3
	Canada Pension Plan / Old Age Security: Review Tribunals	400	40
	Canada Pension Plan: Pensions Appeals Board	12	2
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada	First Nations Financial Management Board	12	2
	First Nations Statistical Institute	15	2
	National Aboriginal Economic Development Board	20	7
	Northern Flood Agreement	1	1
Industry Canada	Business Development Bank of Canada	15	2
	Canada Foundation for Innovation	7	1
	Canadian Space Agency	2	1
	Canadian Tourism Commission	25	14
	National Research Council of Canada	22	3
	Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council	22	3
	Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council	22	3
	Space Advisory Board	19	19
	Standards Council of Canada	13	2
International Trade	Export Development Canada	15	2
	NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section	1	1
Labour	Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety	41	18
National Defence	Military Police Complaints Commission	7	2
Natural Resources Canada	Alberta - British Columbia Boundary Commission	1	1
	Alberta - Northwest Territories Boundary Commission	1	1
	British Columbia - Yukon - Northwest Territories Boundary Commission	1	1
	Cape Breton Development Corporation	7	7
	Energy Supplies Allocation Board	1	1
	Manitoba - Saskatchewan Boundary Commission	1	1
	Saskatchewan - Northwest Territories Boundary Commission	1	1
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities	Intercolonial and P.E.I. Railways Employees Provident Fund	1	1
	Marine Atlantic Inc.	15	5
	Parc Downsview Park Inc.	13	4
	Via Rail Canada Inc.	17	4
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat	Canada School of Public Service	15	3
	Public Sector Pension Investment Board	12	1