SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan government announced red tape awareness week on Monday to highlight past accomplishments made to the province’s business landscape.
According to the Wall government, a number of initiatives were undertaken in 2013 to ensure provincial regulations are effective, efficient and relevant.
“Throughout the past year, over 100 regulations, policies and procedures have been updated to make our regulatory system more relevant, efficient and effective,” said Bill Boyd, Saskatchewan’s economy minister.
In 2013, Saskatchewan became the second Canadian jurisdiction to legislate The Regulatory Modernization and Accountability Act.
This legislation came into effect last fall and mandates annual reporting from ministries and agencies in regards to regulatory modernization activities.
Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations and ministry of labour relations and workplace safety have also made some changes.
Regulatory modernization highlights include: liquor law changes, The Saskatchewan Employment Act eliminating certain work permits, SGI shortening repair time, flat rates for a number of SaskPower services and advanced meter readings via SaskEnergy.
Saskatchewan is the only province to join forces with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) to bring red tape issues to its government’s attention.
“Often red tape initiatives are here today and gone tomorrow, so we commend the provincial government for legislating red tape measurement/reporting and making regulatory reform permanent,” said Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB’s vice-president, Prairie & Agri-business.
The fifth annual red tape awareness week runs until Friday.
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