1. Qualified Person Program
The Nova Scotia Environment Experience
Adrian Fuller & Christine Penney
September 29, 2008
ENVIRONMENT

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. What Nova Scotia hoped to achieve? Outcomes
Cultural Shift for
Inspection staff
Industry
Increase capacity
Technical/Human
Improved Client Service
Turnaround times

7. Public Policy Consideration
Review of instruments
User fees
Behavioural Conscientiousness
Industry
Compliance
Approvals and auditing
Efficiencies
Public, Government, Industry

8. Public Policy Consideration
Review of instruments
User fees
Behavioural Conscientiousness
Industry
Compliance
Approvals and auditing
Efficiencies
Public, Government, Industry

9. 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Repealed Boards of Health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

10. The Move from Situation to Results
Increase staff capacity
50 (1997) to 72 (2008)
Time to Transition
3 years for Phase 1
Still evolving

11. Enforcement required has decreased
How are we doing now?
Enforcement required has decreased

13. How are we doing Now?
The number of Approvals issued since 2000 has decreased by 31% based on 2008 projections

15. 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

17. 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

18. Keys Elements to the Programs Continued Success
Demonstrated Commitment to Industry
Annual Engagement Opportunity
Memorandum of Understanding (2003) with Waste Water Nova Scotia

19. 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

20. Current Challenges Continue to decrease Approval turnaround times
Consistency in program delivery
Administrative Burden on Industry/Public/Staff
Revising Performance Target

21. Thank you QUESTIONS ?