About the CFIA > Reporting to Parliament > Federal Budget > Budget 2005  

Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) Initiatives

Backgrounder - Budget 2005 and Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) Initiatives

CFIA: Corporate Overhead and Agency Management Structure

Savings ($ Millions)

Description

Organizational and overhead efficiencies will be generated through a review of the Agency’s overall management structure and an examination of various HQ and regional roles and co-ordinating functions. The impact of the Agency’s involvement in the government-wide ERC initiatives such as shared services/systems, procurement and realty reform will also be factored into the review.

CFIA: Capital Accommodation / Consolidation

Savings ($ Millions)

Description

Savings will be realized by better matching physical space with Agency requirements. Under-used and outdated facilities will be phased out in favour of more cost efficient workspace, both from a service delivery and administrative perspective.

CFIA’s headquarters will also be consolidated from five locations in the National Capital Region to one HQ complex (jointly with the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food which will consolidate from 14 locations to the single complex).

Laboratory consolidation and closing of specific animal inspection/ quarantine stations will allow for savings in overhead costs as well as significant cost avoidance. This is the outcome of a review of laboratory requirements and the development of a long-term strategy to address requirements.

CFIA: Corporate and Administrative Management and Science-Related Economies/Efficiencies

Savings ($ Millions)

Description

Efficiencies will be generated through accelerated changes including electronic travel, fleet management, contracting process savings, modernized pay services, and other corporate initiatives.

The Agency has also identified a number of areas where its diagnostic testing/research and services can be delivered at reduced costs by taking full advantage of program efficiencies and technological development. These changes are internal efficiencies and will not compromise food safety.

The Agency will also make more effective use of Justice counsel rather than engaging more costly private sector Crown Agents.

CFIA: Modernize and Streamline Inspection Programs

Savings ($ Millions)

Description

The Agency has identified a number of areas where it can modernize and streamline CFIA inspection programs. This will result in savings while maintaining the integrity of inspection programs. The Agency’s core mandate of food safety, animal health and plant protection will be not be compromised.

Modernizing and streamlining inspection programs include changes to import/export programs in meat inspection, and the withdrawal from non health and safety related inspection activities. Changes also include the redesign of the fish inspection program, evaluation of CFIA’s role in the sensory inspection of imported fish products and adjusting current field inspection deployment in relation to a restructured fishing industry.

The Agency has also identified savings associated with the certification process for the export of live animals and their products.

• Budget 2005