Inspection Navigator Service to Help New Businesses
A new service will help businesses, particularly startups, prepare for and schedule inspections required by municipal and provincial governments.
The Inspection Navigator Service is a partnership between the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness and Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), and will serve businesses across the province.
“Our government has made improving the business environment in our province a priority and this new service reflects that commitment,” said Premier Stephen McNeil, who is also Minister responsible for the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness. “Knowing what inspections are needed and how to prepare for them can take a lot of time for a business owner — time we want them to spend on their business. This new service will help make it easier for them to do just that.”
The Inspection Navigator Service will help business owners understand the inspections that are needed. The new service is closely linked to the Business Navigator Service, launched in 2017, that helps businesses navigate the province’s regulatory system. To date, navigators have responded to 5,000 requests for support and have saved owners an average of 10 hours each, allowing them to focus on running their business.
The Inspection Navigator Service will also develop customer service training, specifically for inspectors.
Quotes:
“Inspections can be a challenge for small business. We are pleased that Nova Scotia is the first to recognize and work to improve this area and that it’s doing so in partnership with HRM. If other jurisdictions aren’t watching and learning, they should.”
– Jordi Morgan, vice-president Atlantic, Canadian Federation of Independent Business
“Knowing what inspections you need and which level of government does them, in addition to scheduling and preparing for them, takes a lot of time and a lot of work, particularly for small businesses. Government can and should help with this.”
– HRM Mayor Mike Savage
“The business navigators were a huge help while I was working to get The Tare Shop open. They provided me with lots of information and were always quick to respond. I’m excited about the new Inspection Navigator Service that they will be offering — it is definitely needed!”
– Kate Pepler, owner of The Tare Shop, HRM
Quick Facts:
- reducing red tape is part of the mandate of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness
- the mandate of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness was formally renewed by Premier McNeil on Oct. 25, 2019
- the Canadian Federation of Independent Business releases a Red Tape Report Card that grades provincial governments on their progress tackling excessive regulation. For the second year in a row, Nova Scotia received an A
Additional Resources:
More information on the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness and its work is available at: https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/
More information on CFIB and the 11th annual Red Tape Awareness Week can be found at https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en