New Red Tape Reduction Targets, Services to Help Nova Scotia Businesses Grow

Government will reduce regulatory burden to business by an additional $10 million by end of 2020, start an inspection navigator service and expand its work by setting Canada’s first target to save people time.

The Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness announced the new targets today, June 27.

“Since we created the office, the team has worked hard to improve the business environment in our province and make Nova Scotia a national leader in regulatory efficiency,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “The office is getting results, and will build on that momentum over the next year to help even more businesses and expand its work to benefit the public and non-profit organizations.”

The office was created to lead government’s efforts, in partnership with departments, to improve the regulatory environment to support business and economic growth.

“The office has become a leading force in Canada, modernizing how government interacts with business,” said Jordi Morgan, vice-president Atlantic, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “By driving the principles of efficiency, better customer service, measurement and accountability, the office has improved government’s regulatory system.”

Government exceeded its goal of $25 million in annual savings for businesses, reaching $34 million by the end of 2018. The new $10 million target means, when achieved, government would have reduced overall regulatory burden on businesses by nearly $45 million annually between 2017 to 2020.

Working with the Department of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, the office will also expand red tape reduction efforts beyond businesses to reduce the time citizens and non-profit organizations spend on government forms and processes by 50,000 hours by 2020.

“As a first-time entrepreneur, the business navigator service was a great benefit,” said Joe Tinney, owner of Open Book Coffee in Halifax. “Knowing that I had someone to help me through each step of the regulation process allowed me to put my mind at ease and focus on other aspects of my business.”

Inspired by the success of its business navigator service, the office will pilot an inspection navigator service, a first in Canada. The inspection navigator will work with small businesses and entrepreneurs during their startup period to guide them through the various inspections required for their businesses.

Other priorities for the coming year include:

• continue work on eliminating trade barriers in the region and throughout the country
• partner with municipalities in Cape Breton to further align regulation between levels of government
• remove outdated rules and regulations across government

The annual report is available at https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/report.asp .