St. John’s, January 29, 2026 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says Newfoundland and Labrador has a significant opportunity to become one of Canada’s most improved provinces on red tape reduction, following today's release of CFIB’s 2026 Red Tape Report Card.
While Newfoundland and Labrador received a ‘no grade’ this year due to the transition to a new government, CFIB says the province is now well placed to make major gains. Following consecutive years of receiving an “F” on the CFIB Red Tape Report Card, the Government pledged in its platform to strengthening regulatory accountability by achieving an “A” grade in future report cards. This need for action is reinforced by CFIB’s January Business Barometer ®, which shows that 67% of CFIB members in Newfoundland and Labrador identify tax and regulatory costs as their top concern.
“Newfoundland and Labrador is at a turning point,” said Jonathan Galgay, Director of Legislative Affairs, CFIB Newfoundland and Labrador. “The province has an opportunity to reset its approach to regulation, rebuild accountability, and create a more competitive environment for entrepreneurs. We welcome the new government’s commitment to red tape reduction and look forward to quick and bold actions in the years ahead.”
CFIB recommendations for Newfoundland and Labrador for a clear path to an “A”:
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Reinstate and strengthen the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act, which expired under the previous government, and remove the sunset clause.
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Create an Office of Service Efficiency: Mirror the structure and mandate of Nova Scotia’s Office of Service Efficiency and empower this office to review and inform all cabinet decisions that relate to regulation impacting businesses and citizens.
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Regulatory Accountability: Release an annual report on the government’s red tape and regulatory modernization strategy and accomplishments, legislate the release of this report under the new Act.
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Political Leadership: Designate a minister responsible for red tape reduction, service efficiency and the new Act, and include red tape reduction in all ministerial mandate letters with a whole of government approach.
CFIB provided to the transition team and to the new government a full list of recommended actions it should undertake, considering the commitment in its election platform.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Galgay
Director of Legislative Affairs, Newfoundland and Labrador
709-743-6069
Jonathan.galgay@cfib.ca
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region, including 1,700 in Newfoundland and Labrador. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.
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