NS Tory leader commits to introduce red tape accountability legislation

CFIB has fought to get governments to recognize that red tape hurts businesses. Nova Scotia was a leader in red tape reform, successfully reducing the paperwork burden by 20 per cent from 2005 to 2010. The past year shows how quickly progress can be eroded without a meaningful, ongoing commitment to measure and report the red tape burden. For its lack of progress, CFIB gave Nova Scotia a grade of "D" in its annual Red Tape Report Card.

The good news is that government recently announced a "Better Business" plan to reduce red tape and hopefully get Nova Scotia back on track. Further, the leader of the Progressive Conservative party has committed to introduce red tape reduction legislation when the legislature resumes sitting in the Spring. As well, the Leader of the Opposition acknowledged the burden of red tape. We know that making reforms permanent is the key to long-term success and we'll be working with all three parties to make sure Nova Scotia makes real progress in reducing red tape in 2012.