Service NL
January 28, 2014

Responsible Decisions to Reduce Red Tape
Supports the Business Environment

Reducing Red Tape Remains High Priority for Provincial Government

The Provincial Government maintains its commitment to make government requirements for businesses and individuals as simple as possible as it serves the public interest.

“The interests of the business community in our province are a priority of the Regulatory Reform Initiative in place in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is disappointing that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has decreased its assessment of the province’s efforts in its annual report card released today despite the significant work we have done over the years to reduce red tape. One of their reasons is that we do not have legislation in place for regulatory reform but in our view, a new law on regulatory reform would be counterproductive as it would mean adding regulations in order to reduce the regulatory burden. Our preference is to instead focus on tangible improvements for businesses and citizens.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Service NL

The CFIB has assessed Newfoundland and Labrador at a C+ down from a B. This is despite the Provincial Government making responsible decisions through the Regulatory Reform Initiative to strengthen the business environment by achieving zero net growth in regulatory requirements. Approximately 80,000 requirements have been eliminated since 2006.

In addition, in 2012, the Provincial Government introduced a new Accountability Framework for Regulatory Reform which ensures government departments recognize the importance of developing programs and policies that are easily understood and accessible by the general public. Departments are now required to provide three-year regulatory improvement plans and the first reports on these plans are due shortly after the end of this fiscal year, March 31, 2014.

“Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to regulatory reform into the future. It is unfortunate that the CFIB have decided to reduce their assessment of this province before our first yearly cycle of the Accountability Framework is complete. I can assure the public that we will report publicly on these departmental plans once they are assessed and I am confident that the framework in place will lead to tangible and accountable progress for businesses and citizens.”
- Minister Crummell

Through sound fiscal management and responsible decisions, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is strengthening the business environment, encouraging the development of innovative industries and building a vibrant economy.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government continues to maintain its commitment to reducing red tape for the business community in Newfoundland and Labrador with a number of initiatives.
• The Provincial Government has achieved zero net growth in regulatory requirements with approximately 80,000 requirements being eliminated since 2006.
• The Accountability Framework requires departments to provide regular plans and reports to ensure regulations are necessary, easy to understand and accessible by the average citizen.
• British Columbia and Saskatchewan are the only jurisdictions in Canada to put in place legislation for regulatory reform.

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Media contact:

Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Service NL
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

2014 01 28                                              2:10 p.m.