Government red tape is a hidden tax affecting Canada’s small businesses much more than larger firms. CFIB estimates the annual cost of all regulations on businesses is pegged at $37 billion per year, with one-third of that ($11 billion) considered unnecessary red tape. In Saskatchewan, all federal, provincial and municipal regulations cost businesses $1.1 billion per year, $330 million of which is considered red tape.
That’s why eight years ago CFIB launched Canada’s Red Tape Awareness Week (RTAW), which looks at the governments making progress and the ones lagging when it comes to reducing unnecessary rules and red tape on entrepreneurs.
Red Tape Awareness Week proclaimed in Sask; 8th year in a row: The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed January 23-27, 2017 asRed Tape Awareness Week in the province to highlight the province’s ongoing efforts to reduce red tape burdens for Saskatchewan businesses and consumers. This will mark the 8th year in a row the Ministry of the Economy has partnered with CFIB to proclaim RTAW in Saskatchewan.
What is the Government of Saskatchewan doing to reduce red tape?
Saskatchewan legislates regulatory accountability through The Regulatory Modernization and Accountability Act. This legislation mandates public reporting of regulatory modernization activities to be tabled in the provincial legislature at the end of every fiscal year. The aim is to achieve better regulation with efficient compliance and maintain regulatory integrity—without any compromise to the environment, public safety or worker protection measures.
Results to date: The government’s 2015-2016 Regulatory Modernization Progress Report identified $15.5 million achieved in red tape cost savings, as part of its Red Tape Reduction Action Plan for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 fiscal years. This includes activities from across government ministries, agencies and crown corporations.
We’ve seen red tape initiatives come and go in other provinces, but we are pleased the Government of Saskatchewan continues to make regulatory accountability a top priority. We are also pleased the Ministry of the Economy identified $15.5 million in red tape cost savings using the Regulatory Cost Model (RCM), exceeding its $5 million annual savings target.
Next Steps: While we like the plan to reduce red tape by 25 per cent by 2020, we are recommending the government complete their baseline count before 2023, so relief can be provided to entrepreneurs sooner.
Have a red tape headache? Please contact Business Resources at 1-888-234-2232 or email [email protected].
Not a member of CFIB yet? JOIN CFIB today for more help and information.