Legislation to Cut Red Tape

The Nova Scotia government is taking another step to cut red tape.

Labour Minister Russell MacKinnon, on behalf of Business and Consumer Services Minister Keith Colwell, introduced the Business Efficiency Act in the legislature today. The act is designed to bring existing legislation up-to-date by addressing items that are a burden to business.

"We are committed to making it easier for businesses to do business with government," said Mr. MacKinnon. "The legislation will do away with unnecessary regulations and streamline the process to create a more efficient system for both business and government."

The new act repeals three acts, and amends 11 others, primarily focusing on changes to existing licences, permits, registrations and certificates. Most notably, it eliminates five licences that are deemed no longer necessary and increases the renewal interval for six licenses from one year to three years.

Mr. MacKinnon said the act will introduce a process that will enable government departments to make minor amendments to existing legislation in order to bring it up-to-date. For example, under the current legislation, tax discounters are required to be licensed provincially even though they are already licensed federally.

"There may have been a time when some of these requirements made sense, but that time is gone," said Mr. MacKinnon. "The Business Efficiency Act will eliminate and update the parts of legislation that make it cumbersome for business to meet government requirements."

In April 1997, the task force on licences, permits and approvals began the red tape cutting process and released its report and recommendations to simplify obtaining, renewing and administering government licences, permits, registrations and certifications.

Last December, the legislature passed the Licences, Permits, Registrations and Certificates Act which created a framework to ensure that new provincial Licences, Permits, Registrations and Certificates meet common standards.

The Business Efficiency Act is the latest step in the government's commitment to reduce red tape. Earlier this month, the government signed an agreement with Revenue Canada that lays the groundwork to further improve and expand revenue services and enhance economic efficiencies. "This means more efficient and effective service for all Nova Scotians," said Mr. MacKinnon.

<b>Text of Business Efficiency (1998) Act (Bill No. 52)</b>