Province to Analyze Overall Government Spending

The province will analyze its overall spending and procurement to provide better value for Nova Scotians.

A request for proposals was issued today, Feb. 23, as part of the province's Expenditure Management Review, said Deputy Premier and Treasury Board Chair Frank Corbett.

"Nova Scotia spends roughly $1 billion procuring goods and services, everything from paper and pencils to oil, vehicles and office space," said Mr. Corbett. "Nova Scotians expect government to make smart purchases and this analysis will help find potential savings while improving the quality of goods and services for Nova Scotians."

The province will look at all departmental spending, and purchases by NSCC, school boards, and the Housing Development Corporation. The initiative will encourage sustainable development of the local economy.

Mr. Corbett said the province is interested in finding savings and government wants to ensure that businesses in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada continue to benefit from provincial procurement, and take even greater advantage of it.

This is the latest of a number of strategies by government to live within its means. Others include ending excessive end-of-year spending, holding the line on overall spending, reducing debt servicing costs, and implementing the change and innovation fund.