Alberta reduces red tape by more than 27 per cent

by Webmaster | Jan 31, 2023 | Economy

Alberta’s government has reduced red tape by more than 27 per cent, according to the 2021-22 Red Tape Reduction Annual Report.

Since 2019, nearly a third of all regulatory requirements have been eliminated, saving both Albertans and businesses around the province 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,” said Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction in a government release.

These efforts have resulted in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) ranking Alberta as a leader in eliminating red tape in the country.

Some of the key initiatives undertaken by the government impacting those who live and work in Red Deer-North and in the province include:

• Launching an online Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) tool to make the OHS Act, regulation and labour 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 (MGA) 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.

Constituents of Red Deer-North with questions, concerns, or comments on the provincial government’s efforts to reduce red tape can contact the Constituency Office via the contact form.

View the original press release on the Government of Alberta website here.