Released on June 27, 1996
Lorne Calvert, minister responsible for the Public Service Commission,today announced a number of changes to the regulations governing the
employment of ministerial assistants within cabinet ministers' offices.
All changes are effective July 1, 1996.
Calvert said the maximum number of ministerial assistants permitted in
each minister's office will be reduced by one, from six to five, in
keeping with a promise made by the Premier in February of this year.
"This amendment brings the maximum number of ministerial assistants
permitted to work in ministers' offices down from 108 to 90," Calvert
said. "This is a reduction of more than 16 per cent compared to last
year and a 35 per cent reduction compared with the number of
ministerial assistants employed in the final full year of the previous
administration."
Calvert said this change will result in annual savings of approximately
$550,000.
"The provincial government is committed to ensuring that all public
services operate in the leanest, most efficient manner possible, and
ministerial staff are no exception."
Salaries for ministerial staff will also be frozen for a period of at
least one year, which will result in an additional savings of $104,300
this year.
Calvert said in addition to the Premier delivering on his commitment to
reduce ministerial staff and institute a salary freeze, the Premier has
also reduced the total staff and budget of his own department,
Executive Council. The Premier's department is now the smallest it has
been since 1982. This year 11 full-time positions were eliminated for
a savings of $285,000.
In addition, the regulations announced today will change the method of
severance for ministerial assistants to base it upon common law
principles. This is the same basis for severance offered to all other
public service employees.
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For more information, contact:
Office of the Minister
Legislative Building
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-3661