NDP launch review of 300 Alberta agencies, boards and commissions

The Alberta government expects to complete the first stage of a review into the province's 301 agencies, boards and commissions or ABCs by March 2016.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Thursday that 136 agencies will be examined in the first phase of the review. Another 141 agencies will be reviewed in the second stage, which will completed next summer.

The third stage will look at the boards of governors at Alberta's colleges and universities. An outside consultant will also review the compensation paid to board appointees. 

The role, mandate and governance practices of each ABC will be examined to determine whether they should be kept, dissolved or amalgamated. Responsibilities of these agencies could be returned to the ministry, Ceci said. 

Previous Progressive Conservative governments were criticized repeatedly for appointing high-profile party supporters to agencies, boards and commissions.

While Ceci didn't address the patronage issue, he said the NDP government wants future appointments to be based on merit.

"That's my primary goal, to make sure each agency, board and commission has the right complement of people it needs, that the boxes are checked off, and that the skill sets of all appointees complement the needs of that board," he said.

On Thursday, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley introduced Bill 5, legislation that would expand the salary "sunshine list" to include employees and board members of agencies, boards and commissions.

If the bill is passed, the salaries will be disclosed each year starting in June 2016.