British Columbia is continuing to make it easier for small businesses to do business by extending its commitment to a net zero increase of regulatory requirements to 2019.

A net zero increase means eliminating one existing requirement when a new requirement is needed up to 2019. The commitment was announced during the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s (CFIB) annual Red Tape Awareness Week. CFIB’s national campaign raises public awareness about the burden of excessive regulations on small business and citizens and recognizes government’s efforts to cut red tape.

Over the past year, B.C. has worked with the small business community on five priority projects to reduce red tape. They are:

• WorkSafeBC making it easier for businesses to register for workplace insurance.
• A new online guide for starting a restaurant.
• A two-page RFP form for government procurement contracts under $250,000 to make it easier for small business to do business with government.
• Consolidated provincial websites to make it easier for British Columbians to find information on government services.
• Investigated options to renew B.C.’s approach to regulatory reform, resulting in the extension of the net zero increase, including red tape reduction in the evaluation criteria for IT investments, and identifying options for further business sector streamlining initiatives.

The province’s continuing leadership in regulatory reform has been recognized by the CFIB, including receiving an "A" grade this year for cutting red tape. This is the fourth year running that B.C. has received an “A” grade. The CFIB will unveil its Annual Red Tape Report Card rating all provinces and territories tomorrow.

Quotes:

Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto -

“It is wonderful to receive an “A” grade from the CFIB for the fourth year in a row. Onerous regulations cost small businesses both time and money. That’s why we are continuing to keep up our efforts to streamline regulations and have committed to extending a net zero increase in regulatory requirements for the next four years.”

CFIB executive vice-president Laura Jones -

“The BC government is one of the only governments in Canada willing to make red tape easier to fight by measuring regulatory requirements, reporting the measures publicly and setting a one-in-one-out target, which has now been extended to 2019. The Province continues to set the gold standard for accountability and push for new ways to improve on its red tape reduction record. British Columbia deserves its top “A” grade on our report card.”

Quick Facts:

• In the past 13 years, there has been a 42% total reduction in regulatory requirements on citizens and businesses - that is nearly 154,000 requirements off the books!
• Since 2006, the Province has completed more than 200 streamlining initiatives to reduce the time and cost for businesses looking to access government services.

Learn More:

To learn more about Red Tape Awareness Week, please visit: www.cfib-fcei.ca/english/article/4659-red-tape-awareness-week-2014.html

To find out more about Regulatory Reform in B.C., please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/regulatoryreform

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799