Red tape costs businesses over $30 billion a year: CFIB supportive of federal action plan to reduce red tape burden Français
TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomed today's announcement of the federal government's red tape reduction plans, based upon the Red Tape Reduction Commission recommendations that were released in January.
"Today's announcement is a great start on the part of the government and great news for hard-working entrepreneurs all across Canada," said CFIB's executive vice president Laura Jones. "Small business owners should be growing the economy and creating jobs, not filling out useless paperwork, wading through cumbersome government processes and struggling to understand incomprehensible bureaucratic language."
A number of government ministers announced specific regulatory reforms in their departments today demonstrating a commitment across government to reducing red tape. CFIB believes the government's set of systemic recommendations to cut red tape will make the biggest difference. More specifically, CFIB is particularly excited about three recommendations:
- Requiring all regulatory departments and agencies to benchmark service standards, set goals for service improvement, and report on their progress in meeting these standards;
- Getting departments and agencies to measure the amount of paperwork on business, and take measures to reduce the administrative burden through the one-for-one rule; and
- Keeping the Auditor General informed on the progress made in reducing the regulatory administrative burden.
" Measuring the burden, setting service standards and implementing a system of ongoing oversight and accountability are key factors that can make a difference to small business owners, and it demonstrates an unprecedented level of engagement on the part of this government," added Jones. "Obviously, we want to see how all of this goes, but it's clear this government is serious about reducing red tape and making things easier for small business."
A 2010 CFIB study, Prosperity Restricted by Red Tape, found that red tape at all levels of government costs businesses about $30.5 billion a year, or 1.9 per cent of Canada's Gross Domestic Product.
As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs™. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 109,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.
SOURCE: CANADIAN FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS
To arrange an interview with Laura Jones, or for further information, please contact Gisele Lumsden at 416 222 8022 or email [email protected].
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