Ottawa office closed

Premier Kathy Dunderdale announced today, Jan. 10, 2012, she was closing the Newfoundland and Labrador office in Ottawa, effective immediately.

“This decision is in line with my government’s commitment to operate as efficiently as possible, while managing the affairs of our province in a responsible, effective and principled manner,” said Dunderdale. “Reducing the size of my Cabinet was one way to accomplish greater efficiencies, and closing this office is another. The mandate of our Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat includes dealings with the Federal Government. The secretariat is equipped to meet our requirements in that regard.”

The office was established in 2004 but the position of province’s representative has been vacant since 2010.

“I was considering candidates for the position in the Ottawa office,” said Dunderdale. “However, when looking at our priority to achieve efficiencies where we can, it made sense to have our Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat assume responsibility, over the long term, for the functions that would have been carried out through the Ottawa office.”

In 2010, responsibility for the office was assumed by the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat, which was recently changed to become the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat.