National Red Tape Report Card reveals mixed results

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BC leads the way on regulatory reform; Manitoba scores "F" second year in row

Winnipeg, January 17, 2012 - As part of its third annual Red Tape Awareness Week^TM, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released its annual Red Tape Report Card today. While several governments took steps forward on red tape reform, the grades show Manitoba has much room to improve.

The report card evaluates federal and provincial governments' progress to date on regulatory reform. It looks at measurement, political leadership, constraints on regulators and a permanent commitment to report. "Without a commitment in these areas, red tape initiatives are doomed to fail," said Marilyn Braun-Pollon, Vice President, Prairie and Agri-business.

British Columbia earns top marks for its leadership. In addition to measuring the red tape burden for a decade, it recently passed first-of-its-kind legislation requiring an annual report on regulation. "We've seen red tape initiatives come and go in other provinces as governments change or new priorities come along," added Braun-Pollon. "Making reforms permanent is the key to long-term success."

Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Northwest Territories all received a failing grade for making little or no progress. "Manitoba has largely focused its regulatory reform efforts on its expansion of BizPaL and the introduction of programs like BizPaS and AccessManitoba. While these are certainly welcomed measures, Manitoba should legislate annual measuring, reducing, tracking and reporting of its regulatory burden.," noted Braun-Pollon.

Manitoba scored much lower than neighbouring Saskatchewan which improved its grade to a B- this year because of Premier Wall's election commitment to legislate red tape accountability measures, public reporting and targets for red tape reduction in 2012. 

"In a time of economic uncertainty, one of the best, low-cost stimulus measures governments can undertake is cutting red tape," concluded Braun-Pollon. "It's also a way to help boost productivity - an area where Manitoba currently lags."

To arrange an interview with Marilyn Braun-Pollon, contact 204 982-0817, 1 888-234-2232 or msman@cfib.ca. What does 'Red Tape' mean to you? Check out CFIB's video on what it looks like to small business owners: http://cfib.ca/a3621e The table below displays the grades from 2011 and the new 2012 rankings.

Red Tape Awareness Week^TM, conducted annually, is trade-marked by the CFIB. As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs^TM. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 108,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.