THE FINANCIAL POST JOINS THE FRASER INSTITUTE TO ELICIT PROPOSALS ON WAYS TO REDUCE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES
RELEASE DATE: September 12, 1995
NEWS RELEASE:
VANCOUVER, B.C.>>>> Fraser Institute Executive Director Dr. Michael Walker today announced that The Financial Post has joined The Fraser Institute in its quest to help reduce the cost of government services, and save billions of dollars for Canadian taxpayers. "The Financial Post's collaboration will help further popularize the 1995-96 Economy in Government Competition, and bring in hundreds of money-saving ideas," said Dr. Walker.
THE 1995-96 FRASER INSTITUTE/FINANCIAL POST ECONOMY IN GOVERNMENT COMPETITION: CALL FOR PROPOSALS
People from all across Canada are invited to submit proposals on ways to reduce the cost of federal, provincial, and/or local government programs through means such as restructuring, contracting-out, or privatization. The entries, however, must not propose the elimination of a particular government service and must not exceed 1500 words in length. The entries must also bear a postmark of December 15, 1995 or earlier. The finalists will be announced on February 9, 1996. These finalists will then be asked to develop considerably more detailed plans to be submitted to the panel of judges by March 29, 1996.
The entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges composed of academics and business leaders. The business advisory firm of Price Waterhouse will once again help in selecting the best proposals.
In addition to helping Canada address its fiscal problems, the winning entries will be published in The Financial Post, and by The Fraser Institute, and the overall grand prize winner will receive a life-time membership to The Fraser Institute. One year memberships to The Fraser Institute will also be awarded to the winning entries in each of the following categories: federal, provincial, and local government programs. So if you have an idea for improving productivity in government operations, please submit a proposal to the Competition.
GOVERNMENTS IMPLEMENT FRASER INSTITUTE PROPOSALS: Winning Entries in Economy in Government Competition find Widespread Acceptance
Dr. Walker also announced the publication of the Critical Issues Bulletin of Finalists' Proposals from the 1994-95 Fraser Institute Economy in Government Competition. "We are encouraged by the fact that many of the proposals from the Competition are either being implemented or are under serious consideration by various governments across the country," said Dr. Walker.
According to the Competition coordinator, Fazil Mihlar, "all levels of government have begun to consider and even implement several of the winning proposals from the Competition." Four proposals from the 1994-95 Competition have been adopted by various governments. "This development will help governments to reach their deficit reduction targets and also allow for tax cuts in the future," said Mr. Mihlar. He went on to explain that "limited fiscal flexibility now forces governments to be more receptive to proposals concerning cost control and improved efficiency than in the past."
This year's Overall Grand Prize Winner, "Reducing Waste and Fraud in Income Security Programs in Canada," by C.A. MacDonald and Associates is currently being considered for implementation.
The proposals adopted in 1994-95 by various governments across Canada include:
•"Reduce the Cost of Coin Production" by Mr. Bruce Anderson of Ottawa, Ontario, implemented by the government of Canada
•"State Enumeration to Voter Registration" by Ms. Jane Danielson of Halifax, Nova Scotia, implemented by the government of Newfoundland
•"A Break from Tradition: A New Budgeting Process" by Mr. Jim Godfrey of Langley, B.C., implemented by the City of Langley, British Columbia
•"Certified Professional Program" by Mr. Doug Lychak of Surrey, B.C., implemented by the City of Surrey, British Columbia
•"Firefighter Hiring: Re-engineering the Process" by Mr. Wayne Bernard of Surrey, B.C., implemented by the Surrey Fire Department, British Columbia
•"Strategic Cost Management" by Mr. Barry Malmsten of Ajax, Ontario, implemented by the City of Ajax, Ontario
For a more detailed description of the Competition and its conditions, and copies of The Fraser Institute 1995 Economy in Government Competition Finalists' Proposals, please contact Fazil Mihlar by phone at (604) 688-0221 ext. 542 or by fax at (604) 688-8539.