New Legislation to Drive Economic Growth, Reduce Red Tape

New legislation introduced today, September 24, will drive economic growth and attract investment by reducing red tape and improving service.

The Making Business Easier Act builds on Nova Scotia’s national leadership in red tape reduction while positioning the province to compete globally in sectors such as critical minerals and clean energy.

“Nova Scotia is open for business,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Service Efficiency. “Since 2021, government has helped save businesses over $21 million by cutting red tape, removing regulatory burden and improving service for Nova Scotians. This legislation will build on that success.”

Key elements of the legislation include:

• streamlined processes and regulations for the natural resource sector – particularly mining – to improve efficiency and attract investment while maintaining existing protections for the environment, health and safety
• improvements to permitting and licensing, including the elimination of several low-risk permits, and the introduction of service standards to save Nova Scotians valuable time and money
• practical changes that repeal or modernize outdated acts to provide better clarity and improve service.

By making it easier and faster to move mining projects forward, Nova Scotia expects to build stronger supply chains, grow exports, increase revenues and create more jobs, especially in rural areas.

The legislation is expected to save businesses and Nova Scotians more than $800,000 annually.

These changes mark the first step in a broader effort to improve permitting and regulatory processes across government. More initiatives are planned in the lead-up to Red Tape Awareness Week in January as part of the Province’s ongoing commitment to regulatory modernization and service efficiency.

Quotes:

“Nearly nine in 10 small businesses cite red tape as a significant impact to their business. With this act, Nova Scotia is continuing to lead the way cutting red tape and making it easier to do business in our province and doing so through an act that removes red tape across government. CFIB looks forward to the implementation of all permit improvements by Red Tape Awareness Week and encourages provinces across Atlantic Canada to follow Nova Scotia’s lead.”
— Duncan Robertson, Director, Legislative Affairs, Nova Scotia, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

“We need to cut red tape, while maintaining the highest environmental standards, in order to take advantage of our mineral potential and create more jobs for Nova Scotians. These proposed changes to permitting for the mineral sector are an important step in the right direction.”
— Sean Kirby, Executive Director, Mining Association of Nova Scotia

Additional Resources:

Bills tabled in the legislature are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-65-session-1

Charter of Governing Principles for Regulation and Service Efficiency: https://support.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/docs/premiers-charter-governing-principles-for-regulation.pdf

Nova Scotians can share their feedback on red tape at: https://beta.novascotia.ca/share-feedback-red-tape