FINALISTS CHOSEN IN 4th ANNUAL CONTEST SEEKING CITIZENS' BEST IDEAS TO REDUCE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND BOOST PRODUCTIVITY
CONTACT: Fazil Mihlar
RELEASE DATE: January 18, 1995
MEDIA RELEASE
VANCOUVER>>> Fraser Institute Program Coordinator Fazil Mihlar announced today the selection of 17 finalists in the 1994-95 Fraser Institute Economy in Government Competition. "We had another enthusiastic response this year from all regions of the country," he said, "and the ideas range from technical aspects of government operation through to the entire range of government programs. In addition to proposals dealing with federal and provincial government programs, this year's Competition also produced several cost saving proposals on local government programs. We are confident that our finalists' ideas, once fully developed, will offer large savings to all of our local and provincial governments as well as to Ottawa."
Mr. Mihlar also announced that some of the ideas from the past Competitions' have been implemented. They include: "An Alternative Model School," by Dr. Joe Freedman; and
"Reducing the Cost of Administration of the Justice System," by Mr. Thomas Hadaller. He also noted that several other proposals are being reviewed by different government departments. They are: "Restructuring the Safety Net for Grain Farmers in Saskatchewan"; "Integrating the Guaranteed Income Supplement Application with Individual Income Tax Returns"; and "Replacing the One Cent Coin." "The adaptation and review of these money saving proposals by governments is very encouraging," said Mr. Mihlar.
The finalists, who have until March 17, 1995 to turn their short initial submission into detailed action plans are:
Mr. Joe McLinden of Peterborough, ON on "Revamping Pension Plans"
Ms. Tina MacDonald of Edmonton, AB on "Reducing Waste and Fraud in Income Security
Programs "
Prof. Colin Hoskins of Victoria, BC on "Cost Savings through Restructuring of CBC"
Mr. J.F. Godfrey of Langley, BC on "Challenge, Change and the Bottom Line"
Ms. Kate Arthur, John McLaughlin and Gary Woolgar of Toronto, ON on "Benchmarking
Municipal Government Services"
Mr. Bruce Anderson of Ottawa, ON on "Baby Bonus: Canada Saving Bonds"
Dr. Dennis Modry of Edmonton, AB on "Re-Engineering the Canadian Health Care System;
Ms. Amery Boyer of Halifax, NS on "Restructuring of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Organizations"
Mr. Barry Malmsten of Ajax, ON on "Cost Management in Government Operations"
Mr. Jean Sevigny of Orleans, ON "The Electronic Procurement and Settlement System"
Mr. Henry Crun of Ottawa, ON on "Making Politicians and Civil Servants Cut the Cost of Government or Pay the Price"
Mr. Terrence Hibbert of Montreal, PQ on "Automation of Student Loan Applications"
Mr. Noel Pellerin of Cap Rouge, PQ on "Health and Education Network Organization"
D.A. Lychalk of Surrey, BC on "Certified Professional Program"
Mr. Thomas Hadaller of Winnipeg, MB on "Fee-for-Service Judicial Functions"
Mr. Wayne Bernard of Surrey, BC on "Professional Fire Fighter Hiring Practices"
Mr. Michel Rochelle of Ste-Foy, PQ on "Computerized Electoral List."
For more information, or to get in touch with our finalists, please contact Fazil Mihlar at The Fraser Institute (604) 688-0221, ext. 542.