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February 25, 2004
OTTAWA - The Honourable Denis Coderre, President of the Queen's Privy Council and minister
responsible for the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Reg Alcock,
President of the Treasury Board, announced today the immediate lifting of the reclassification freeze in the federal
public service, imposed on December 16, 2003.
"With the lifting of the freeze, a new framework based on accountability, increased transparency and policy
adherence will be implemented," stated Minister Coderre. "We have held informal discussions with our union partners on
this issue and will be consulting shortly with departments and agencies."
As part of the new framework, the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada will exercise central
oversight through regular government-wide reviews. In addition, to ensure transparency, each department will post
reclassification information on its Web site every three months. In this context, deputy heads will also be reminded of
their responsibility in exercising their delegated authority.
"When we took office, this Government took immediate steps to minimize disruptions during the transition," said
Minister Alcock. "The Government acted to make certain every public service employee was protected and treated fairly
during the transition of government announced on December 12, 2003. The lifting of the reclassification freeze
demonstrates our commitment to public service employees and our support of the invaluable work they do every day to
help Canadians."
The government restructuring announced on December 12, 2003 modified some existing departments and created new ones.
On December 16, 2003, the Government ordered a freeze on reclassification, as part of a series of measures to
facilitate a review of the current situation during the transition period. More stability and a clearer sense of
direction within departments and agencies were required before reclassification action could be resumed. Today, to help
support new organizational structures, classification action, including the reclassification of some positions, is
required.
Reclassification costs will continue to be funded from existing departmental budgets.
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For more information, contact:
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Lise Jolicoeur
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
and Minister responsible for the Canadian
Wheat Board
(613) 957-2666
Mario Baril
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391
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Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Queen's
Privy Council for Canada
(613) 943-1838
Chantal Scarlett
Media Relations and Parliamentary Affairs
Public Service Human Resources
Management Agency of Canada
(613) 952-3272
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IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE
ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.
TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090
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