Red tape reduction initiative proceeding

Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, announced today the appointment of a red tape reduction task force consisting of government, business and labour representatives. The committee will identify inefficient regulatory and administrative red tape and recommend measures to remove barriers to business growth and job creation. This initiative is in keeping with government�s commitment to implement policies and programs that promote the development of small and medium-sized businesses.

�Most businesses in this province are small to medium-sized enterprises and are significant contributors to job creation, particularly in rural areas of the province,� Minister Dunderdale said. �Unnecessary government red tape can unintentionally impede the ability of businesses to develop and compete in a provincial and global marketplace. We hope to remove these barriers while continuing to maintain high standards such as protection of the environment, health and safety, and public and consumer protection.�

Minister Dunderdale stated that stakeholder input is vital to the success of the project. As part of the consultation process, input and suggestions will be sought from stakeholders including industry associations, business people, public employees and labour representatives. The committee will present a complete report to the minister by late fall 2005. Paul Oram, MHA for Terra Nova, will chair the committee.

�As an experienced business person, I am aware of the obstacles and frustrations business people can experience in trying to start up or expand a business,� said Mr. Oram. �I am confident that we will be able to address these issues, creating a positive effect on all stakeholders and providing a more friendly environment in which to do business.�

Red tape barriers can involve legislation, regulation fees, permits, licenses, paperwork, standards, processing time, guidelines, filing and certification requirements, reporting, investigation, inspection and enforcement practices, and any procedures which affect job creation and business growth.

The committee will be chaired by MHA Paul Oram, and include MHA Wally Young (St. Barbe), Brenda Way (Goose Bay), Cathy Bennett (St. John�s), Don Dicesare (Corner Brook) and Margie Hancock (St. John�s).

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-4570 or (709) 690-6290

 

Backgrounder
MANDATE OF THE RED TAPE REDUCTION TASK FORCE

• Examine regulations, government paperwork, irrelevant and cumbersome administrative and unnecessary regulatory burdens and identify regulatory �red tape� barriers to private sector job creation and business growth, especially for small and medium businesses.

• Implement a consultation process with external and internal stakeholders.

• Make recommendations on strategic opportunities to reduce, streamline or eliminate regulatory red tape barriers immediately and over the long term in order to strengthen the competitiveness and productivity of the economy.

• Make recommendations for monitoring, evaluating and reporting procedures to be used in the long term.

• Ensure recommendations maintain a level playing field for businesses, and do not compromise important public policy objectives, such as the environment, health and safety, public and consumer protection.

• Provide a report with recommendations by late fall

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Paul Oram, MHA for Terra Nova, is co-owner and operator of a personal care home and a funeral home, and a construction company. He has been an active member of the business community in the central region of the province.

Cathy Bennett is owner and operator of McDonald�s restaurants in St. John�s. She sits as a member of the Board of Directors of the St. John�s Board of Trade.

Donald Dicesare, P.Eng., is a professional engineer with extensive involvement in the business community. He is a member of the Corner Brook Business Industry and Tourism Board and Director of the Consulting Engineers of Newfoundland and Labrador. He served two terms as President of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce; eight years as Chair of the Western Regional Planning appeals board, and is a former member of the tourism commission and the economic development corporation.

Margie Hancock is Vice-President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour. She has worked to achieve progressive legislative changes to the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Act and the Labour Standards Act. Ms. Hancock serves as a steering committee member representing the labour caucus with the Strategic Partnership Initiative and is a member of the Safety Net Advisory Council.

Brenda Way has extensive involvement in several family-owned and operated small businesses in Goose Bay. She has knowledge of the many government processes required for the operation of small businesses such as propane licensing plant, construction permits, tractor and trailer licensing, occupational health issues, vehicle licensing, and dangerous goods transport. She has held positions with the Atlantic Building Supply Dealer Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, and the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce.

Wallace Young, MHA for St. Barbe, is co-owner of the Plum Point Motel, a family owned business. His background in the business community includes Past President of the Straits St. Barbe Chamber of Commerce, Past Director of the Viking Trail Tourism Association and the Red Ochre Regional Board. He was also a member of the Government Services Committee, and the former opposition critic for the Department of Government Services and Lands.

2005 02 02                       9:15 a.m.