Staff and spending cuts on the cards to contain provincial costs
Balancing act to fund increased demand for services within budget limits has kept provincial finances sustainable
The government is considering merging or closing provincial entities with duplicated functions and reducing nonessential administrative personnel to help contain costs. According to the 2019 Budget Review, provinces continue to balance rising costs and growing demand for services within tight budgets. Sound financial management by provincial treasuries, and national interventions where necessary, have ensured that provincial finances remain sustainable, the document states.
“Provinces continue to implement cost-containment measures agreed with the minister of finance in January 2016. These measures focus on improving revenue collection, merging or closing provincial entities with duplicated functions, and cutting spending on non-core goods and services,” the Budget Review states. The purchase of buildings under lease is also being considered. In addition, provinces have identified several new initiatives that can boost revenue, such as selling redundant vehicles. However, comp...
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