by MorinvilleNews.com Staff
As part of their Red Tape Awareness Week, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has released its 14th Annual Red Tape Report Card, awarding Alberta the top spot for the second year in a row. Alberta and Nova Scotia were the only two provinces awarded an A grade by the business advocacy group. Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island received the lowest grade of D.
The symbolic award graded provincial governments in three categories of regulatory performance: regulatory accountability, the burden of regulation, and political priority of reducing red tape.
“After years of failing grades, the Alberta government has slowly climbed up the rankings and found itself in the top spot last year while maintaining its ranking this year,” said Annie Dormuth, provincial affairs director. “The government has demonstrated that with strong political leadership, progress can be made to reduce red tape for small businesses and all Albertans. While the government has made significant progress, we further challenge them to make red tape reduction part of the solution in other areas like healthcare and housing affordability.”
Below is the 2024 Red Tape Report Card grades:
Earlier in the week, the Government of Alberta held a press conference in St. Albert, updating the media on its goal of cutting one-third of red tape to “save Albertans time and money while simplifying procedures within government.”
To that end, the government says it has completed 700 red tape reduction initiatives since 2019, including form redesigns and program updates.
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, was pleased with the second number one position.
“Last year, we were honoured to be ranked No. 1 in Canada with an A-minus in red tape reduction. This year, our commitment continues to pay off, as CFIB has awarded Alberta an A, making us a leader among the provinces for the fourth year in a row,” Nally said in a media release Wednesday afternoon. “Albertans continue to benefit from our government’s laser-like focus on removing administrative burden. We have cut over 200,000 pieces of red tape and saved job creators and Albertans $2.75 billion. Our goal of being the best place to live, work and start a business is coming to fruition. Congratulations, Alberta!”
