Louis-Philippe Gauthier is the senior director of legislative affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in Atlantic Canada. (Image: CFIB)
The New Brunswick government is being recognized for its efforts to reduce red tape for businesses.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has given the province a B+ in its annual report card.
The grade is an improvement from the C- grade New Brunswick received in 2018.
Louis-Philippe Gauthier, the director of provincial affairs for New Brunswick and P.E.I., said the province has made big strides in red tape reduction.
“From top-down in government, from the premier’s office all the way to the civil service for all departments that are dealing with businesses,” said Gauthier.
Gauthier said there are several reasons for the improvement, from the appointment of a new chief regulatory office to the $14-million target for red tape reduction by March 2021.
He also commended the government for rolling out a business navigation service in 2019.
“Businesses can call this 1-800 number and have somebody hold their hand essentially through the process and guide them through the regulation,” said Gauthier.
Red Tape Report Card: Governments getting good grades for accountability—now it’s time to reduce the burden. https://t.co/N7tK3KMysO
— Dan Kelly (@CFIB) January 21, 2020
Gauthier said once the government meets its red tape reduction target, it should commit to a multi-year plan with annual targets and release annual reports as required by the regulatory accountability legislation.
He said it must also continue to strengthen efforts on regulatory alignment in the Atlantic region.
“We’ll be looking forward over the months and year to government revealing how they’re performing toward their target and what initiatives that they’ve accomplished during that time,” said Gauthier.
Mary Wilson, the minister of economic development and small business, said red tape reduction is a priority for the premier and government as a whole.
“We will continue to take an aggressive approach to removing barriers to growth, like red tape, to ensure that anyone who wants to own and operate a business in this province will be doing so in one of the most competitive environments for private sector growth in the country,” said Wilson in a statement.
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