Alberta gets an A for red tape reduction

As part of Red Tape Awareness Week, the CFIB has recognized Alberta as the most improved province on their annual Red Tape Report Card. Since the Associate Ministry of Red Tape Reduction was formed in June 2019, thousands of regulatory requirements have been eliminated across government.

“The CFIB, as representatives of Canada’s job creators, has done an amazing job at motivating governments across our country to address the stifling effects of red tape. Red tape is a silent killer of jobs and economic growth and has no place in a 21st century economy. As a former businessman, I know first-hand the monumental cost of red tape. It has been an honour to bring Alberta from a grade of F to an A in our government’s fight to get out of the way of our job creators. We still have mountains to climb but I take my hat off to our hard-working team.”

“It’s great to see the Alberta government stand out as most improved moving from an F grade just few years ago to joining the A club this year. Over a short period of time, the Alberta government has taken significant steps toward regulatory accountability, including releasing its comprehensive measure in November. We encourage the government to build on this work and continue to make red tape reduction a priority, which is more important now than ever as governments plan for economic recovery.”

A number of initiatives this past year focused on cutting red tape during the COVID-19 pandemic and include:

• Allowing liquor to be sold through takeout and delivery, including cocktails.
• Clarifying that liquor manufacturers can produce hand sanitizers.
• Amending nursing home regulations to allow nurse practitioners to act as primary care providers in nursing homes.
• Introducing virtual doctor visits.

To date, Alberta has made progress cutting red tape by more than nine per cent and has saved Albertans more than $476 million. Ongoing red tape reduction efforts are being driven by advice from key leaders in Alberta through panels including small business, oil and gas, and tourism and hospitality.

Quick facts

• The CFIB estimates that in 2020, the cost for businesses in Alberta to comply with regulations was about $4.6 billion.
• Alberta received a grade of B-minus in 2020, and an F in each of the previous three years.
• Between May 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, Alberta’s government cut red tape by more than six per cent, exceeding the five per cent target for that year.