This included the regionalization of 8047 operations and brought decision making for CPP disability applications and reconsiderations closer to our clients throughout Canada. Roll out of the regional functions occurred on a schedule from November 1995 to June 1996. As a result, all applications for Canada pension plan disability benefits, except those for Quebec and Prince Edward Island, are received and processed in the regions. From January to the end of December 1996, Canada pension plan reveived 79,778 applications for disability benefits. It is a massive undertaking to move files, functions, technology and some staff from headquarters to 10 regions, and to train local personnel who will be performing new duties, all this while continuing to receive and process applications of the magnitude received by CPP on a daily basis.
Delays are inevitable during a breaking-in period.
We are in that period now. This adjustment period and the loss of some economies of scale subsequent to decentralization and the underestimation of resources have resulted in backlogs in some regions in the adjudication of disability applications. Presently, the average national time to process a disability application in the region is 59 working days. In some instances further information is required from medical specialists. These cases require additional time beyond the national average.