2002/03 Annual Service Plan Report Office of the Premier

Year-at-a-Glance Highlights

• The Premier's Provincial Congress: The 2nd Annual Provincial Congress was held on March 10, 2003. The Congress is one in a series of dialogues introduced in the Throne Speech of 2001. The Provincial Congress and various dialogues help to establish an understanding of British Columbia's issues so that all of the province's elected representatives can work together on a British Columbian Agenda that will meet the needs of all constituents. The Congress brings together all of British Columbia's Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament and Senators, mayors from our province's 15 largest cities, the presidents of the five regional municipal associations, the President of the Union of B.C. Municipalities, and Aboriginal Leaders. During 2002/03, the Premier also hosted dialogues focused on specific public policy issues including Members of the Legislative Assembly: Dialogue on Education (June 13, 2002), Dialogue on Transportation (September 10, 2002) and Meeting of Cabinet and the First Nations Summit (September 16, 2002).

• Federal Agenda: The Premier has worked tirelessly to advance British Columbia's interests with the federal government, attending the 2002 Annual Premiers' Conference, the January 2003 Premiers' meeting and the February 2003 First Ministers' meeting on Health Care Renewal.

• Core Services Review: The Core Services Review of all government ministries, agencies, boards and commissions was completed over the 2002/03 fiscal year. All ministries are well underway in implementing the changes resulting from this review. The new structures and service delivery mandates are reflected in the three-year ministry service plans. The Core Services Review for the major Crown corporations was 95 per cent completed over the past year; the remaining work will be completed in 2003/04.

• Communications: A new service delivery structure was implemented for government communications to ensure that government communicates more efficiently and effectively through a shared service approach that fosters flexibility, confidence, competence and cost-effectiveness at every level. By placing greater emphasis on generalist skills, supported by enhanced strategic planning and political direction, the organization is more flexible, as staff are assigned to ministries to assist with priority initiatives as they arise. In addition, through televised open cabinet meetings, the creation of new Web sites, updating the government Web site to include video streaming and a photo gallery, government now provides the public with the facts and information they need and want regarding new government initiatives and public policy changes (for example, health-care reform, forestry revitalization, educational reform, energy policy and fiscal reform).

• Accountability and Transparency: Nine Open Cabinet meetings were held in 2002/03 to ensure that major capital spending and land-use decisions involving the Agricultural Land Reserve, new parks, land claims and tenure reforms are decided by Cabinet in public. Cabinet has made policy decisions on such issues as revitalizing treaty negotiations, treaty-related measures, economic measures with First Nations, the creation of new parks, and the Central Coast Land Use Plan.

• Government Enterprise Portal: The implementation of the new government portal intended to improve the public's access to government and enhance electronic delivery of government services was delayed. The Chief Information Office was transferred to the Ministry of Management Services, which has been reorganized to provide all government shared services. The Enterprise Portal will be a key component of the new shared services delivery system.