Executive Council

Elimination of Agencies, Boards And Commissions
Backgrounder



Government has eliminated or will eliminate a total of twenty-six (26) Boards, Commissions and Agencies. This action is part of an overall plan to "right size" Government to match our means to pay, while at the same time ensuring that essential public services continue to be provided to the people of the Province.

Of these twenty-six (26), approximately sixteen (16) are inactive, seven (7) are in the process of being eliminated; and three (3) are currently operating.

A list of the agencies, boards and commissions being eliminated is attached.

The three (3) committees currently operating are: the Newfoundland and Labrador Advisory Council on the Economy, the Newfoundland and Labrador Science and Technology Advisory Council, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. The functions of these three (3) organizations will be combined under a new consolidated Economic Advisory Council, so that government will continue to receive advice from the private sector on economic issues, but at far lower cost to the taxpayer.

Agencies, Boards and Commissions to be abolished

1. Economic Recovery Commission
  • Promoted economic development.
  • Was abolished and its functions rolled into the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.
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    2. Enterprise Newfoundland and Labrador Corporation
  • Performs a lending function to qualified persons, and an advisory service to small business.
  • Administratively, has been rolled under the mandate of the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.
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    3. Farm Development Loan Board
  • Performs a loan function for small scale primary farm production projects.
  • Has been rolled into Enterprise Newfoundland and Labrador which is now under the mandate of the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.
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    4. Fisheries Loan Board
  • Performs a loan and loan guarantee function for inshore fishermen.
  • Has been rolled into Enterprise Newfoundland and Labrador which is now under the mandate of the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.
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    5. Newfoundland and Labrador Education Communication Corporation
  • Was intended to deliver educational and cultural television programming.
  • No board was ever established.
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    6. Newfoundland and Labrador Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
  • Advised Government on sustainable development strategies. Its mandate expired on March 31, 1996 and is to be replaced by a new board combining.
  • the functions of the Advisory Council on the Economy and the Newfoundland and Labrador Science and Technology Advisory Council.
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    7. Newfoundland and Labrador Advisory Council on the Economy
  • Advised Government on provincial economic policy.
  • It is to be replaced by a new board combining the functions of the Newfoundland and Labrador Round Table on the Environment and the Economy and the Newfoundland and Labrador Science and Technology Advisory Council.
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    8. Mining Tax Review Board
  • Heard grievances related to mining taxes.
  • Board is no longer required. The Act has been amended such that grievances are now brought directly to the Minister of Finance.
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    9. Province of Newfoundland Pooled Pension Fund Board
  • invested pooled government pension funds in accordance with provincial legislation.
  • Replaced by Pensions Investment Committee.
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    10. Timber Users Appeals Advisory Board
  • Heard appeals.
  • Board lost its funding in 1991.
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    11. Automobile Dealers Advisory Committee
  • Advised Government on regulation of this industry.
  • Inactive.
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    12. Consumer Protection Advisory Committee
  • Advised on regulations concerning consumer credit protection.
  • Inactive.
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    13. Consumer Reporting Agencies Advisory Committee
  • Advised on regulation of this industry.
  • Inactive.
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    14. Financial Disclosure Advisory Board
  • Advised the Securities Commissioner concerning financial disclosure requirements of the Act.
  • Inactive.
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    15. Highway Safety Advisory Board
  • Had the authority to review legislation, conduct studies, hold public meetings, conduct investigations and advise Minister on aspects of highway safety.
  • Inactive for over four years.
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    16. Insurance Adjusters, Agents and Brokers Advisory Board
  • Assisted and advised the superintendent of insurance on insurance-related matters.
  • Inactive. The Department now meets with the various associations separately instead of having this Board represent their interests.
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    17. Lotteries Licensing Review Board Panels
  • Reviewed circumstances under which a person or organization has a license refused, suspended or revoked.
  • Inactive. Has not convened since the mid 1980s.
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    18. Private Investigations and Security Services Advisory Board
  • Reviewed the decisions of the administrator regarding licensing.
  • Inactive. Reviewed only one case.
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    19. Board of Directors - Newfoundland Hardwoods Limited
  • Oversaw the privatization process.
  • The Board of Directors has been replaced by a board consisting of government employees, and the assets of Newfoundland Hardwoods have been disposed of.
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    20. Newfoundland and Labrador Science and Technology Advisory Council
  • Advised the Province in the formulation of science and technology policies and programs and the development of strategies for utilization of science and technology for economic and social development.
  • Has been combined with the Advisory Council on the Economy and the Round Table on the Environment and the Economy.
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    21. Newfoundland and Labrador Petroleum Corporation
  • Was intended to be a vehicle for provincial enterprise in the oil and gas development field offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Has never been operational.
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    22. Offshore Petroleum Advisory Committee
  • Assisted the Executive Director of the Petroleum Directorate in overall coordination of Government's initiatives related to oil and gas activity.
  • Inactive. Committee has never met.
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    23. Fire Prevention Act Advisory Committee
  • Provided advice on matters related to the Act.
  • No longer exists.
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    24. Child Welfare Board
  • Considered questions related to child welfare and provided advice to the Director of Child Welfare.
  • Inactive.
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    25. Day Care and Homemaker Sciences Licensing Board
  • Rendered decisions regarding the issuance of licenses to day care and homemaker agencies and reviews existing licenses for re-licensing purposes. Board also acts as a first level of appeal.
  • A new Child Care Services Act is under development. This new Act delegates activities of the Board to the Director of Family and Rehabilitation Services. The Board will be disbanded upon proclamation of new Act.
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    26. Pesticides Advisory Board
  • Made recommendations on the Act and Regulations.
  • Was dissolved due to lack of funding and was replaced by an internal committee.
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