Alberta’s economy has momentum and the government is focused on even more job creation and diversification as Alberta continues to be the economic engine of Canada.

According to its 2021-22 Red Tape Reduction Annual Report, the Government of Alberta has eliminated more than 27 per cent of its regulatory requirements since 2019, saving Albertans and Alberta businesses an estimated $2.1 billion.

“We’re proud to be a national leader in cutting red tape because it cuts costs and improves outcomes for job creators, taxpayers and their families, supports economic growth and diversification, and delivers better government services for Albertans. That is a win for everyone.”

Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has ranked Alberta among the leaders in Canada for the past two years and the government looks forward to seeing how the organization scores the province this year.

“The formula for reducing red tape has three essential components: strong political leadership, measurement to ensure accountability, and a regulatory budget or reduction target. The Alberta government has consistently included all three into its work on red tape reduction, which is reflected today with the release of the 2021-22 Red Tape Reduction Annual Report.”

Annie Dormuth, Alberta provincial affairs director, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

“The St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce supports all initiatives that reduce ‘red tape’ and would like to congratulate the Alberta government on their progress to date. We would encourage them to continue as a leader in this endeavour, and we lend our support.”

Mike Howes, chair, St. Albert Chamber of Commerce

The province will continue to engage Albertans and industry, including emerging and growing industries like the tech sector, to generate fresh ideas to keep Alberta’s regulatory landscape lean and effective.

Alberta’s government will continue to build on a culture shift where all new initiatives are reviewed through a red tape lens during development, regulating only as much as is necessary.

Key 2021-22 red tape reduction initiatives

  • Launching an online Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) tool to make the OHS Act, regulation and code available as a searchable document that allows workplace health and safety professionals to more easily identify and apply pertinent workplace rules.
  • Passing legislation to establish a ‘regulatory sandbox’ for Alberta financial services and fintech companies to have a safe space where innovative products and services can be tested without immediately meeting all existing regulatory requirements.
  • Launching the Women’s Hub, an online directory that provides a one-stop location to search for opportunities and government supports to help women succeed at work, at home and in the community.
  • Accepting the use of digital signatures more widely across government ministries, allowing more program applications to be completed online.
  • Making changes to the Municipal Government Act to support local economic development and small business growth by allowing municipalities to establish intermunicipal business licences.
  • Updating legislation to give property owners the ability to return damage deposits and other documentation electronically to tenants, using modern methods such as e-transfer, when agreed to in writing by both the property owner and tenant. 
  • Shifting to multi-year funding agreements for programs including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Service Networks and Family and Community Support Services – so service providers spend less time submitting and reporting on yearly grants and more time helping clients.
  • Updating the Provincial Parks Act and the Public Lands Act to allow government to tailor public land use rules to specific regions, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach so that Albertans accessing remote areas with limited public use are not required to follow unnecessary rules that are more appropriate for busier regions in Alberta.
  • Amending the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act to allow municipalities to establish entertainment districts through bylaws, allowing liquor to be consumed openly outside of a licensed establishment, giving Albertans and visitors more options to socialize in a responsible manner.
  • Amending the Mineral Resource Development Act to give the Alberta Energy Regulator sole regulatory authority over mineral exploration and production in the province to create a more certain and regulatory environment for investors.

Quick facts

  • Since 2019, the government has undertaken thorough reviews of its legislation, regulations, policies and forms that have reduced red tape by more than 27 per cent.
  • The government has implemented more than 575 red tape reduction initiatives, with 100 more planned for 2023.
  • Since 2019, the government has amended 59 pieces of legislation through six red tape reduction bills.