The provincial government will see a zero net increase in regulations through 2012.
June 10, 2008
VANCOUVER – The provincial government will see a zero net increase in regulations through 2012, announced Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Regulatory Reform, today.
"In partnership with British Columbians, our government has drastically reduced costly, unnecessary red tape because we know less bureaucracy is the catalyst for more jobs and increased prosperity,” said Thorpe. “Moving forward, for every new regulation added over the next four years, one or more existing regulations will be eliminated. Our goal is to ensure any new regulations will be straightforward and easy to understand.”
Thorpe made the zero net increase announcement while unveiling a progress report on the Province’s regulatory reform program, along with its strategic vision – Straightforward BC: Regulation, Clear and Simple. Since British Columbia’s regulatory reform program was introduced in 2001, 42.6 per cent – or more than 163,000 regulations – have been cut, far exceeding the original goal of cutting red tape by one third over three years.
“Simple, straightforward regulatory requirements make it easier for small businesses to succeed by saving owners and operators valuable time, energy and expense,” said Laura Jones, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ vice-president for Western Canada. “The commitment to a zero net increase in regulations through 2012 demonstrates this government’s recognition of the importance of regulatory reform to British Columbia’s business community.”
“Reducing red tape is one of the keys to growing our economy, but it also helps anyone dealing with government rules and regulations,” said Thorpe. “Its all about saving people time, while ensuring the continued protection of public health, safety and the environment.”
For more details on Straightforward BC: Regulation, Clear and Simple go to:
www.straightforwardbc.gov.bc.ca.
