Vancouver - Finance Minister Kevin Falcon has won the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Golden Scissors award for cutting red tape for small business by more than 40% and entrenching systemic and unprecedented reforms through the Regulatory Reporting Act. The new annual award recognizes an individual who has successfully motivated or demonstrated leadership and courage, and produced meaningful and positive results in cutting red tape for small business.

A panel of judges, comprised of four senior-level CFIB employees representing different region of the country and one small business member, chose the winner from dozens of nominations from across Canada.

B.C. is the only jurisdiction in Canada to enact regulatory reform legislation and regulations. Since 2001, the Province has reduced regulatory requirements by more than 42 per cent.

Under the Regulatory Reporting Act, enacted in November 2011, the Province is required to publish annual reports on its regulatory reform progress no later than June of each year. This legislation ensures government meets high standards of accountability and keeps the British Columbia at the leading edge of regulatory reform.