Alward creates super-department in revamped cabinet

Premier David Alward is creating a super-department that will oversee a variety of government functions as a part of a government restructuring plan.

The Alward government is also recombining departments that were separated almost a decade ago in its revamped cabinet.

Craig Leonard is moving from the energy department to the new departmentof government services.

The new department will oversee Service New Brunswick, government procurement, shared services and parts of Communications New Brunswick, which will cease to exist.

Margaret-Ann Blaney is replacing Leonard as the province's energy minister.

Blaneyis leavingthe Department of Environment, whichis merging with the Department of Local Government.

Former premier Bernard Lord split up the departments of environment and local government in 2006.

Alward has said he plans to restructure how the provincial government delivers its services as a part of a plan to bring down the $471-million deficit.

"New Brunswickers have told us they want the provincial government to deliver better services in a more efficient and effective way," Alward said in a statement released on Thursday.

"Our vision for change means focusing government efforts on core services, accountability and continuous performance improvement."

Trevor Holder will now be the minister of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Healthy Living. Before he was the minister responsible for tourism and parks and the minister for wellness, culture and sport

Alward has also reduced the number of deputy ministers by five. There are now 23 deputy ministers.

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs has already taken over a new management board that was a part of the structural re-organization of the provincial government.

That change was announced in November. The board watches over budgeting, human resources, information management and accountability functions of the provincial government.