Red tape reduction: The government of Quebec’s efforts have tangible results

Québec City, January 22, 2018. – For the 9^th Red Tape Awareness Week—organized by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and held from January 22 to 26—Stéphane Billette, Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development, is celebrating Quebec’s successful red tape reduction reported by the CFIB.

Minister Billette pointed out that the modifications to the government policy on red tape reduction ratified by Cabinet in September 2017 will help us move even further forward, saving Quebec business owners more time and money.

Quote:

The CFIB’s numbers reflect the Quebec government’s efforts over the past few years to reduce red tape. For example, when it comes to the cost of paperwork, Quebec went from spending $8.4 billion to $6.9 million between 2014 and 2017, a drop of 18% compared to the 6.2% reduction nationwide. With the recent revision of the government policy on red tape reduction, our government tried new methods to promote intelligent regulations and lessen the burden on businesses. This contributes to maintaining a business environment that favours their development.

– Stéphane Billette, Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development

Key facts:

From April 1, 2014, to September 30, 2017, government action hinged on the following key components:

• The work of the Comité-conseil sur l’allègement réglementaire et administratif, including a broad consultation with the business community in 2015;
• The adoption of the 2016–2018 Regulatory and Administrative Streamlining Plan – Building the business environment of tomorrow, unveiled in September 2016;
• The reduction of the cost of administrative formalities imposed on businesses;
• The finalization of the implementation of the Rapport du Groupe de travail sur la simplification réglementaire et administrative (Audet report);
• Regulatory cooperation with other governments;
• The launch of a commission for red tape reduction in the retail sector in 2017;
• The application and revision of the government policy on red tape reduction.

The modifications to the government policy on red tape reduction are the following:

• Starting to require the one-for-one rule;
• Consulting the business community, especially for the creation of new forms;
• Standardizing the principles of good regulations;
• Improving analyses on regulatory impacts;
• Changing the name of the government policy to the Politique gouvernementale sur l’allègement réglementaire et administratif – Pour une réglementation intelligente.

Related links:

To learn more about the Government of Quebec’s actions with regard to red tape reduction, visit

http://www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/fr/objectifs/informer/allegement-reglementaire-et-administratif (in French only).