Feds unveil red tape reduction plan to help small businesses
October 9, 2012
By Manufacturing AUTOMATION
The Government of Canada has launched an ambitious plan to cut red tape to free up businesses to invest in jobs and growth.
The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board, unveiled the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, at a press conference.
“Cutting red tape and making the regulatory process as pain-free as possible is one of the most important initiatives our Government can undertake to help business thrive,” said Clement. “In today’s world of global economic uncertainty, we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to support jobs and investment.”
The Government’s Red Tape Reduction Action Plan is one of the most ambitious red tape cutting exercises in the world today, and is designed to strengthen Canada’s leading global position as a transparent and predictable place to invest.
The Action Plan introduces six systemic changes that will reduce administrative burden on business, make it easier to do business with regulators, and improve service and predictability. These government-wide changes are supported by 90 department-specific reforms—common sense solutions to business irritants in areas ranging from tax and payroll, to labour, licences and permits, transport and cross-border trade. The vast majority of these reforms will be implemented over the next three years.
“The Government’s plan will make Canada a global leader in addressing and controlling red tape,” said Laura Jones, executive vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) in a statement. “More importantly, elements of the plan have the potential to actually make a difference in the lives of entrepreneurs who struggle daily with government red tape.”
“We heard from businesses and Canadians from across the country about what we can do to make it easier for them to deal with government,” Clement said. “Today’s Action Plan will allow business to focus on what they do best while continuing to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians.”
The Action Plan is the Government’s response to the Recommendations Report of the Red Tape Reduction Commission. This Commission, chaired by the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), was created through Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2010. The Recommendations Report was received by Minister Clement in January 2012 on behalf of the Government of Canada.
For more information on the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, please visit: the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan website located at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/redtape.
