Province should slash communications budget, staff consultant says

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2017 (2960 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You talk too much, KPMG has effectively told the government of Premier Brian Pallister.

The consultant’s report on provincial finances has told Pallister he could find plenty to cut in a $28.5 million annual communications budget by taking measures such as eliminating print advertising, reducing communications staff and significantly cutting the number of government telephones — an employee doesn’t need both a landline and a cell, KPMG said.

KPMG submitted its value for money audit a year ago, but the provincial government only recently made the massive document public.

Basing its advice on two-year-old data, KPMG said the province doesn’t need the 60 full-time equivalent people working in communications.

The government should “immediately suspend all department paid advertising unless directed from central government and approved by treasury board. With significantly less government advertising, a reduction in positions in corporate communications should follow. A staff-reduction plan should be developed accordingly,” the report stated.

The financial consultant said the government spends $5 million for print media ads, $2.1 million for radio, $3.5 million in TV advertising and $1.1 million for website advertising, which could all be dropped and replaced by social media unless the treasury board signs off on a specific advertisement.

“Some print advertising may be required due to outdated legislation and/or regulation,” said KPMG.

The government has already started cutting, said Olivia Billson, press secretary to the premier.

“We’ve reduced 11 positions within communications services Manitoba. Advertising within core government has decreased by nearly $3 million. Other recommendations are still under consideration,” she said.

There has been speculation that Bill 41— on the government order paper but not yet introduced — would eliminate the historical requirement that government publish legal notices in the nearest newspaper to the area affected. Bill 41 is entitled The Government Notices Modernization Act (Various Acts Amended).

The government cannot discuss legislation that is not yet tabled, Billson said.

“A frequent comment in interviews was that the number of telephone landlines should be reduced in government. Many people have both a cell and a landline,” said KPMG. “Develop a directive to all departments to significantly reduce the number of landlines and limit mobile devices to those who require them.”

One source within government said many landlines are already gone, and some senior officials are frustrated by having to check for a staffer’s 10-digit cell number instead of pressing the traditional four numbers for an internal call.

KPMG also told the Tories they’re using too many envelopes and stamps.

“With a shift to more e-commerce, continue to reduce postal service costs,” the financial consultant urged.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca