For the first time, PEI public servants across three orders of government will gather to share ideas, best practices and innovations in the workplace. The Quality, Pride in Service Conference is a partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments in PEI. This learning forum is designed to offer professional development, to share information among public servants, and to celebrate the creativity and innovation of individuals and teams.
"This conference is a wonderful example of governments partnering to share information and to provide public servants with valuable learning opportunities," says Dave Lipton, Team Leader and Federal Coordinator of the Quality, Pride in Service project. "The conference is planned to demonstrate the successes of the public service in PEI and the commitment by three orders of government to continually improve service delivery."
The Quality, Pride in Service project mandate is to provide a mechanism for federal, provincial and municipal governments in PEI to enhance the quality and timeliness of services provided to Islanders.
Three one-day conferences will be hosted on June 14 and 15 in Charlottetown and on June 16 in Summerside. Each day will feature workshops, keynote speakers and a best practices awards ceremony to celebrate the innovations and achievements of public servants.
"There are outstanding accomplishments within the PEI public services that deserve recognition for the innovation of individual and team efforts ... the Public Service Excellence awards offer an opportunity to celebrate these efforts," says Mark Belfry, Provincial Coordinator. "This is our opportunity to celebrate the unsung heros of the public services who excel in their work and in their communities."
Two dynamic keynote speakers will highlight the events. The Honourable Marion Reid, former Lieutenant Governor of PEI, will share some of her experiences in the public service. Miriam Murray, from Communications Nova Scotia, will share her insights into cooperation between the three orders of government to coordinate the multilevel government operation response to the recent Swiss Air disaster.
The conference is hosted by the Knowledge Economy Partnership in collaboration with the Institute of Public Administration Canada (IPAC) and the PEI Federation of Municipalities.
"The PEI Federation of Municipalities is pleased to be on board to partner in this unique initiative," says Lisa Doyle-MacBain, Executive Director of the PEI Federation of Municipalities. "This is the first time that our members have had opportunities to participate in an event like this. We look forward to sharing ideas and best practices with our federal and provincial counterparts."
The Knowledge Economy Partnership is an initiative of the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College and private sector business. The partnership began in 1996 and is now part of the strategic plan for Prince Edward Island. The goal of the partnership is to advance the growth of the knowledge economy in Prince Edward Island by encouraging technological innovation and new approaches in public services, education and commercial enterprise in PEI.
For more information contact:
Jennifer Cormier, KEP Communications Coordinator, Provincial Treasury, 902/368-5829, E-mail: ecormier@gov.pe.ca
Doug Shackell, Communications Manager,
Revenue Canada, 902/628-4000, E-mail: doug.shackell@ms.rc.gc.ca