Qualified Person ProgramThe Nova Scotia Environment Experience

Adrian Fuller & Christine PenneySeptember 29, 2008 ENVIRONMENT

Presentation Objectives

• Qualified Person Program Overview

• What Challenges was Nova Scotia facing?

• What Nova Scotia hoped to achieve?

• How did we decide Next Steps?

• How we moved from the current situation to

results?

• How are we doing now?

• Key Elements of the Success of the Program

• Current Challenges

• Questions

Qualified Person Program Overview•Onsite Sewage Applications supported by

selection/design by a Qualified Person (2000)

•Role previously carried out by NSE staff

•2 types of Qualified Persons – QP 1 & 2’s

•QP 2’s issued certificate of approval each year

•QP 1’s are engineers, licensing through APENS

The Challenges Nova Scotia faced in the 1990’s?

▫6,400 permits issued annually

▫Average waiting period of 4 to 6

weeks▫Staff compliment was significantly reduced

The Challenges Nova Scotia faced in the 1990’s?

▫Great regulatory responsibility/liability on the Department

▫Little Enforcement ability▫Heavy Supportive Structure – 23 Municipal Boards of Health

What Nova Scotia hoped to achieve?

Outcomes•Cultural Shift for

▫Inspection staff▫Industry

•Increase capacity▫Technical/Human

•Improved Client Service▫Turnaround times

Public Policy Consideration

•Review of instruments▫User fees

•Behavioural Conscientiousness▫Industry

•Compliance ▫Approvals and auditing

•Efficiencies▫Public, Government, Industry

Public Policy Consideration

•Review of instruments▫ User fees

•Behavioural Conscientiousness▫ Industry

•Compliance ▫ Approvals and auditing

•Efficiencies▫ Public, Government, Industry

The Move from Situation to Results•Administrative Changes Necessary

▫New Regulations -1997

▫Repealed Boards of Health

•New Approach

▫Private Sector Participation

▫Define private sector capabilities

The Move from Situation to Results•Increase staff capacity

▫50 (1997) to 72 (2008)

•Time to Transition

▫3 years for Phase 1

▫Still evolving

How are we doing now?

Enforcement required has decreased

How are we doing Now?

The number of Approvals issued since 2000 has decreased by 31% based on 2008 projections

How are we doing Now?

•Turnaround Times have Decreased by 92% since 2001

Turnaround times have decreased by 92% since 2000 and continue to do so

Keys Elements to the Programs Continued Success

•Setting Targets▫Business Plan▫Corporate Initiatives

Better Business Competitive & Compliance

•Continuous Improvement Model▫Constant Re-evaluation of the program

Keys Elements to the Programs Continued Success

•Demonstrated Commitment to

Industry

▫Annual Engagement Opportunity▫Memorandum of Understanding (2003)

with Waste Water Nova Scotia

Keys Elements to the Programs Continued Success

•Supportive Policies/Infrastructure

▫Update to guidelines 2000, 2004 & 2006▫Revisions to regulation in 2007▫EIMAS 2000

•Ensuring Compliance▫On-Site Services Advisory Board▫Streamlined approval and auditing

process

Current Challenges

•Continue to decrease Approval turnaround times

•Consistency in program delivery•Administrative Burden on Industry/Public/Staff

•Revising Performance Target

Thank you

QUESTIONS ?