Red tape reductions: Alberta cut 27 per cent of regulations since 2019

EDMONTON — The Government of Alberta claims it has saved Albertans and Alberta Businesses $2.1 billion thanks to extensive red tape cuts since 2019.

According to the Province’s 2021-2022 Red Tape Reduction Annual Report, 27 per cent of its regulatory requirements have been cut since 2019.

Key red tape reduction initiatives include launching an online Occupational Health and Safety tool, establishing a regulatory sandbox for financial services and fintech companies, launching the Women’s Hub, accepting the use of digital signatures across ministries, supports for local economic development in the Municipal Government Act among others, states a news release.

“The formula for reducing red tape has three essential components: strong political leadership, measurement to ensure accountability and a regulatory budget or reduction target,” said Annie Dormuth, Alberta affairs director with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

“The Alberta Government has consistently included all three into its work on red tape reduction,” she said.

More than 575 red tape reduction initiatives have been implemented with 100 more planned this year.

The government has amended 59 pieces of legislation through six red tape reduction bills since 2019, states the release.