Minister of State Bernier Announces Relief for Small Businesses
Montréal, Quebec, October 1, 2012—The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today announced good news for small businesses as part of the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, the Harper Government's ambitious and far-reaching plan to cut red tape and support businesses in their efforts to create jobs, stimulate growth and invest in the future.
"As Chair of the Government's Red Tape Reduction Commission, it is an honour to be taking part in the announcement of an action plan that will benefit Canadian small and medium-sized businesses across the country," said Minister of State Bernier. "We are delivering on our promise to reduce the burden of red tape on entrepreneurs and small business owners so that they can continue to do what they do best: create jobs and economic growth in our communities."
Cutting red tape and ensuring that the regulatory process is transparent and responsive is one of the most important initiatives government can undertake to help businesses thrive. These reforms set a higher standard for reducing regulatory burden and cement Canada's international reputation as one of the best places in the world to do business.
"The reforms that the Government will implement under the Action Plan are a game-changer for doing business in Canada," said Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and lead minister for the Action Plan. "Regulation must continue to protect the health, safety and environment of all Canadians. But we can do this while freeing business from frustrating red tape that hurts economic growth."
The Red Tape Reduction Action Plan is the product of business community input into a year-long commission. It includes 90 department-specific reforms, which target specific irritants to business, as well as six whole-of-government systemic changes. The reforms target three main areas: reducing administrative burden on business, making it easier to do business with regulators, and improving service and predictability. The vast majority of these reforms will be implemented in the next three years.
"The Government's plan will make Canada a global leader in addressing and controlling red tape," said Laura Jones, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). "More importantly, elements of the plan have the potential to actually make a difference in the lives of entrepreneurs who struggle daily with government red tape."
For more information on the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, please visit http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/redtape.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Scott French
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
613-943-6183
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
For information about the Government's overall approach to reducing regulatory red tape, please contact:
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
613-957-2640
media@tbs-sct.gc.ca
