Business
December 16, 2009
The following statement was given today in the
House of Assembly by the Honourable Ross Wiseman,
Minister of Business:
Newfoundland and Labrador a Leader
in Lowering Regulatory Burden
As members of this Honourable House know, our
government set out in 2006 with the bold objective to
reduce regulatory requirements by 25 per cent over three
years. Not only was that target hit, it was exceeded,
with an overall reduction of more than 27 per cent
across the Provincial Government.
Our commitment to reducing unnecessary red tape and
improving regulation is making a difference to those who
rely on government information, services and
legislation. Starting a new business, accessing career
planning, filling out salmon and moose license returns,
staking mineral claims, reserving a campsite,
registering your car, and many more processes and
requirements � it is all easier than it was before, and
this is a direct result of our efforts.
Newfoundland and Labrador is being recognized as a
leader in Canada for our ongoing work toward creating a
better regulatory environment.
A report just released by the Fraser Institute ranked
Newfoundland and Labrador number one among all provinces
for having the lowest cost of government regulation. Due
to keeping the regulatory burden and ease of compliance
in check, this province has one of the most positive
investment climates in Canada. This is important. As we
diversify our economy, bring more projects to fruition,
expand industries, and attract new investment from
outside the province, we must continue to demonstrate
that we are open and ready for business.
I am also pleased to report that Newfoundland and
Labrador�s progress was highlighted at recent
Federal-Provincial-Territorial meetings on regulatory
reform. Our government�s continuous assessment of all
new legislative and policy proposals through a
regulatory impact analysis is one example of our
leadership in this area.
We succeeded in meeting and surpassing our three-year
target. But don�t think for a minute that our
government�s commitment ends there. In fact, it
continues in full force. We are as diligent as ever in
ensuring that improvements are implemented, that
redundant and outdated legislation is repealed, and that
there is zero net growth in regulatory requirements on
an ongoing basis.
Building a better regulatory environment takes long-term
commitment. Through the work of dedicated public service
employees and the cooperation of stakeholders, that is
exactly what our government is demonstrating.
2009 12 16
2:20 p.m.
