Meetings to Discuss Red Tape

The province of Nova Scotia wants to ease the red tape burden on business and is looking to the public for input on how to accomplish that goal.

From Sept. 5 to Sept. 21, the Red Tape Reduction Task Force will seek public input at a series of meetings throughout the province.

"What we want to see are common-sense, business-friendly regulations," said David Grace, chair of the task force. "We want to lessen the burdens of businesses, especially small businesses where everything from bookkeeping to sales is done by one, maybe two people. Protecting small business owners, employees and the public is very important during this process."

Red tape means unnecessary or redundant regulations that impact business, including requirements that create extra costs, more paperwork and filing procedures.

In May, Premier John Hamm formed the Red Tape Reduction Task Force to create fair and user-friendly regulations that protect the public and promote economic prosperity.

Joining Mr. Grace as task force members are MLAs Barry Barnet, Jon Carey, Bill Dooks, David Morse and Richard Hurlburt. All have experience in business.

Over the next two years, the task force will conduct wide public consultations to determine which regulations should be eliminated or revised. It will also develop guidelines for an ongoing review of regulations that impact business. The task force's first report will be delivered to Ron Russell, Chair of the Priorities and Planning Committee, by the end of September.

In addition to public meetings, written submissions will be accepted via the website at www.gov.ns.ca/cutRedTape ; by fax to 902-424-7638; or by mail to David Grace, chair, Red Tape Reduction Task Force, 5th floor, One Government Place, 1700 Granville St., P.O. Box 1617, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2Y3.

The Red Tape Reduction Task Force will make stops throughout the province. The meetings will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 5 in Church Point and Sydney; Sept. 6 in Port Hawkesbury and Yarmouth; Sept. 7 in Shelburne and Antigonish; Sept. 11 in New Glasgow and Liverpool; Sept. 12 in Bridgewater; Sept. 13 in Kentville; Sept. 14 in Digby; Sept. 18 in Halifax; Sept. 19 in Dartmouth; Sept. 20 in Truro; and Sept. 21 in Amherst.

For more information on the task force and public meetings, please call 1-866-346-7179, or e-mail [email protected] .

amc August 18, 2000 10 a.m.