Red Tape Awareness Week

Pushing for real action on your regulatory burden

It never fails: anytime we ask what issues seriously concern you, red tape comes out near the top of the list.

But it doesn’t always show up on governments’ radars. That’s why we created Red Tape Awareness Week: to drive decision makers to cut unnecessary regulations. Over the course of the week, we show how regulatory burdens from all three levels of government impede your ability to run a successful business and hurt the country’s economy.

The 10th year anniversary of Red Tape Awareness Week will be held from January 21-25, 2019.

The worst of the worst

We want your horror stories. The 2019 Paperweight Awards will be given out to the most egregious stories of regulatory overreach. Previous ‘winners’ include a fees for a children’s lemonade stand and a ban on cutting hair.

Nominate an awful regulation today

Celebrating red tape warriors

We’re looking for a true champion of small business! The 2019 Golden Scissors Awards will recognize people and departments that have led the fight against red tape by cutting regulations that hinder the success of small businesses.

Nominate a crusader

Regulations don’t just take up your time. They’re taking billions out of the Canadian economy.

Read the report

If you think you’ve got it worse than others, here’s your chance to find out. The Red Tape Report Card gives each provincial and territorial government a letter grade based on their progress in cutting the red tape.

Who's passing—and who's failing?

The annual Red Tape Challenge encourages provinces to take concrete action to reduce red tape – and they’re starting to listen.

Read this year's challenge

Check out our recent publications on regulation and red tape

Actions speak louder than words

Here are just some of the results we’ve seen from past Red Tape Awareness Weeks:

2017: A big win for businesses in Manitoba! The provincial government took up our one-for-one challenge, agreeing to throw out an old regulation for every new one. British Columbia and Quebec earned top marks for their efforts to get rid of barriers to your success.

2016: Ontario answered our challenge to develop an online tool where you can point out duplicated regulations that cause you headaches, while Saskatchewan announced that its red tape reduction strategy had saved businesses $12 million! Plus, four provinces and two municipalities officially proclaimed Red Tape Awareness Week.

2015: We found that the regulatory burden costs Canada’s entrepreneurs $37.1 billion! But there were some bright spots: British Columbia got an A grade for extending its one-for-one rule through 2019, and the Minister of National Revenue won the Golden Scissors Award for cutting a huge amount of paperwork when you remit payroll taxes!

Red Tape Awareness Week™

Pushing for real action on your regulatory burden

Check out our recent publications on regulation and red tape

Canadian free trade is here—but there is still work to do

Canadian free trade is here—but there is still work to do

Mandate: cast your vote on CFIB’s positions today

Mandate: cast your vote on CFIB’s positions today

How we’re fighting against red tape to make it easier to do business

How we’re fighting against red tape to make it easier to do business

Red tape putting greater squeeze on Canadian farmers

Red tape putting greater squeeze on Canadian farmers

The Red Tape Report Card: Grading governments' progress

The Red Tape Report Card: Grading governments' progress

Legalizing marijuana properly—and cautiously

Legalizing marijuana properly—and cautiously

Canada’s Anti-Spam Law: Clearing up a muddy law

Canada’s Anti-Spam Law: Clearing up a muddy law

CFIA rules cost Canadian farmers $657 million a year

CFIA rules cost Canadian farmers $657 million a year

Actions speak louder than words

Red Tape Awareness Week^™