News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

January 23, 2018

Manitoba Receives Recognition as Most Improved Province on Regulatory Accountability

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Canadian Federation for Independent Business Awards Manitoba an `A' in National Red Tape Report Card

The Manitoba government was awarded the top grade in Canada in an annual evaluation by the Canadian Federation for Independent Business (CFIB), which assesses all provinces and territories on leadership and accountability in cutting red tape, Deputy Premier Heather Stefanson announced today.

“Our government is committed to improving regulatory accountability in our province and reducing red tape that impedes local governments, businesses, non-profits and citizens,” said Stefanson.  “We are pleased to see our early efforts on red tape reduction being recognized for the impact they are having on Manitobans.  While we have made significant progress, we look forward to accomplishing even more by continuing to eliminate barriers to growth in our economy.”

“Manitoba is now the one to watch as it is making good on its goal of being the most improved province for regulatory accountability by 2020,” said Laura Jones, executive vice-president, CFIB.  “We commend the province for its innovative leadership in reducing red tape for Manitoba’s entrepreneurs.  This success starts with political leadership.  Without that, any red tape reduction stalls before it starts.”

Manitoba shared the honours of head of the class this year with British Columbia and Quebec, whose efforts were also recognized with an ‘A’.  Manitoba had the biggest improvement among all provinces moving to a top grade from a ‘D+’ the previous year.

“We are committed to making Manitoba the most improved province in Canada and this recognition by CFIB is another example of how we’re making significant progress on that goal,” added Stefanson.

Statistics provided by CFIB this week revealed that Manitoba has seen a decrease of more than $80 million in the amount entrepreneurs have spent complying with government paperwork.

In June 2017, Manitoba passed The Regulatory Accountability Act, which created the most comprehensive framework for managing regulatory requirements in North America.  The act requires government to keep track of how many regulatory requirements exist and where they are located.  The first annual survey identified over 906,824 different regulatory requirements being placed on non-profits, local governments, businesses and private citizens.  Manitoba also established The Red Tape Reduction and Government Efficiency Bill, which provides provincial departments a vehicle to tweak legislation to remove red tape.

More information about CFIB and its 2018 Red Tape Report Card is available at:
www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/advocacy/red-tape-report-card.

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