Toronto, January 30, 2026 – As part of its 17th annual Red Tape Awareness Week™, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) today awarded Ministers Khanjin and Fedeli with “One to Watch” Golden Scissors Awards for outstanding red tape reduction efforts.
The Honourable Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction, received the award for REGi (Regulatory Intelligence). Launched last year, REGi is the first AI-powered tool in North America to leverage a Large Language Model for regulatory compliance identification, positioning Ontario as a national leader in AI-driven burden reduction.
REGi is synced with Ontario’s e-Laws to scan and analyze government requirements across the province’s 3,500+ statutes and regulations, allowing it to identify red tape instantly and consistently. At full maturity, it will be truly transformative, immediately pinpointing outdated, duplicative, complex and overly prescriptive rules across all provincial laws, regulations, policies, and forms.
“We congratulate Minister Khanjin and the Ontario government for leading the nation in red tape reduction innovation,” said Angela Drennan, CFIB’s Ontario Vice-President of Legislative Affairs. “We look forward to seeing the fruits of REGi’s labour in future Spring and Fall Red Tape Reduction packages.”
“Being recognized as ‘One to Watch’ is a testament to Ontario’s leadership in innovation and regulatory modernization,” said Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “Our new AI-powered tool, REGi – Regulatory Intelligence – is the first real-life AI application in Ontario’s regulatory space. REGi will support policymakers in identifying and eliminating burdensome regulations to keep Ontario competitive and innovative.”
The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, received the award for Ontario’s role in the Committee on Internal Trade’s Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA) on the Sale of Goods signed on November 19, 2025 by the federal government and all provinces and territories, except the Yukon and Nunavut. The CMRA will allow goods in one province to be sold in other provinces without having to meet additional testing, certification or other requirements – unless a government has identified a specific requirement it will retain. Ontario listed no applicable requirements in the CMRA, a true example of internal free trade.
For Ontario, the CMRA will take effect on the same date as the regulation under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025. Consultations on this regulation about Ontario’s proposed mutual recognition model were extended to February 12, 2026. CFIB participated and provided a written submission.
“We commend Minister Fedeli and the Ontario government for their leadership on removing internal trade barriers at a time when new and expanded markets are so desperately needed,” said Julie Kwiecinski, CFIB’s Ontario Director of Provincial Affairs. “All provinces must continue to work together to quickly knock down these costly, invisible walls.”
“The Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement is a reflection of Ontario's ongoing leadership in supporting free trade across Canada and eliminating barriers that have cost Canada’s economy up to $200 billion every year,” said Hon. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Our government is proud to be recognized for its role in this consequential agreement, and we look forward to further delivering on our plan to protect Ontario workers and businesses by building a strong, competitive and self-reliant national economy."
For media inquiries or interviews, please contact:
Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, CFIB
647-464-2814
public.affairs@cfib.ca
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with over 100,000 members across every industry and region, including over 39,000 in Ontario. 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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