Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to benefit from a decreased number of regulatory requirements as a result of government�s red tape reduction initiative. During the period from July 1 through December 31, 2006, a total of 4,295 regulatory requirements were removed from the system.

"Since the red tape reduction initiative began, we have removed a total of 21,205 regulatory requirements from the system," said the Honourable Kevin O�Brien, Minister of Business. "We are over one quarter of the way to achieving our goal of removing 78,129 regulatory requirements in three years."

Once the three-year red tape reduction program is completed, government will have reduced the number of regulatory requirements in the province by 25 per cent. The objective in the years following the program is to have a zero per cent increase in regulatory requirements thereafter.

"Government is committed to supporting a positive regulatory environment long after the red tape reduction program is completed," said Minister O�Brien. "We believe this program is not only about reducing numbers, but it is also about supporting a change for the better in the way government provides services to clients. The benefits of reducing red tape affect Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in their everyday lives, as well as the way business is conducted. We have made tremendous progress to date, and will continue this work in the future."

The following table outlines the progress to date:

The next update is anticipated July 2007, and will reflect the period from January 1 through June 30, 2007.

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Media contact:
Jennifer Dalton
Director of Communications
Department of Business
709-729-7628, 693-2655
jenniferdalton@gov.nl.ca

2007 03 01                                                        9:20 a.m.