MIRAMICHI, NEW BRUNSWICK -- (Marketwire) -- 05/22/12 -- Today, Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced the opening of the new Public Service Pay Centre in Miramichi, New Brunswick and welcomed its first 145 employees.

"Our Government is focused on boosting economic growth and job creation. That's why we are pleased to announce the opening of the Public Service Pay Centre in Miramichi and I want to welcome its new employees. They are the first of many more that will come and join this skilled team of people" said MP O'Neill-Gordon.

The opening of the Public Service Pay Centre marks an important milestone in the Government's plan to modernize its 40-year-old pay system for public servants and consolidate pay services to a single centre of pay expertise.

"The Pay Centre not only ensures the sustainability and increased efficiency of pay services for the Government of Canada, but also generates savings for Canadian taxpayers and contributes to stimulating the regional economy," said Minister Ambrose.

The overall transformation of the government's pay system and services will create a total of 550 public service jobs in Miramichi by 2015 and save taxpayers millions of dollars.

This is part of the Government's ongoing commitment to increase the effectiveness of public service operations and eliminate unnecessary costs.

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BACKGROUNDER

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA OPENS THE NEW PAY CENTRE IN MIRAMICHI, NEW BRUNSWICK

As a part of the Government of Canada's overall initiative to increase the effectiveness of public service operations and eliminate unnecessary costs, Public Works and Government Services Canada is consolidating pay administration services for public servants into a single pay centre located in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

The pay services of 56 departments using the Government of Canada Human Resources Management System (PeopleSoft) will be gradually transferred over a five-year period, starting in May 2012.

The initiative, which also consists of replacing its outdated 40-year old pay system with more efficient and modern technology, will generate $78 million in annual savings starting in 2016-17.

The establishment of the new Pay Centre in Miramichi will create 550 public service jobs starting in 2012, reaching its full staff complement by 2015.

A total of 145 employees were successfully recruited and embarked on a professional training program in March 2012. The new employees will begin delivering pay services at the end of May when the first wave of departments will be gradually transferred.

The Pay Centre is temporarily located in the Miramichi Mall.

The presence of the Pay Centre in Miramichi will contribute to creating sustainable employment in the area, and will have a positive impact on the residents, businesses, and the regional economy as a whole.

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