Sask Minister of Trade and Export Development receives Honourable Mention for 2nd time
Regina, January 23, 2020 – Alberta’s Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction, Quebec’s Minister of Public Security, and the Government of Manitoba have been awarded the 2020 Golden Scissors by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) as part of the 11th annual Red Tape Awareness Week™.
“This year’s Golden Scissors winners show how much governments can accomplish when they listen. Manitoba has modernized the way it does business in a big way, while Alberta is acting swiftly on direct red tape feedback from local small business owners and Albertans. As for Quebec, they were on our list for worst regulation in the country just last year, and they took the criticism to heart and fixed the issue,” said Laura Jones, Executive Vice-President at CFIB. “This is the kind of transparency and accountability from our governments that Canadians deserve.”
The 2020 Golden Scissors winners are being recognized for the following accomplishments:
- Alberta Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction Grant Hunter, who directs the province’s list of red tape initiatives and invites citizens and businesses to submit their red tape headaches to the Cut Red Tape website to be reviewed and addressed.
- The Government of Manitoba and Premier Brian Pallister, for their major overhaul of government systems, increasing accountability and transparency for citizens and breaking down silos between government departments.
- Quebec’s Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Guilbault, for eliminating Quebec’s redundant permit requirements for bowling alleys and amusement equipment in response to receiving a Paperweight “Award” in 2019.
CFIB also awarded two Golden Scissors honourable mentions:
- Saskatchewan Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison, for creating a “Help Cut Red Tape” web portal that lets business owners fast-track their red tape concerns.
- Ontario Deputy Minister, Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Giles Gherson and the Business Relief Unit, which investigates red tape issues submitted to its “Cutting Red Tape” web portal and works directly with lawmakers to address them.
“We congratulate the Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison for earning an Honourable Mention as a result of introducing Saskatchewan’s ‘Help Cut Red Tape’ Web Portal, which lets business owners fast-track their red tape concerns,” said Jennifer Henshaw, CFIB’s Senior Policy Analyst, Prairie. “This is another clear example the government is serious about cutting red tape. The web portal is an easy, practical way for entrepreneurs to submit their red tape headaches. Now, rather than waiting for government consultations, all Saskatchewanians can instantly report red tape irritants, 24-7, directly to the government through the web portal.”
Since its launch during Red Tape Awareness Week 2019, the site has received strong responses from business and the public and 36 red tape headaches which have already been fixed. This is the second time that Minister Harrison has earned an Honourable Mention for his continued leadership on red tape reduction.
“The ‘Help Cut Red Tape’ web page has been a notable addition in our government’s efforts to identify and address red tape for our province’s citizens and businesses,” said Saskatchewan Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison. “By creating an accessible platform that all Saskatchewan residents can use to provide their feedback, our government can effectively address the red tape irritants that our province’s businesses are facing.”
“Cutting red tape isn’t sexy and it often goes unnoticed,” added Jones. “We want to change that and recognize the good work that is being done across the country.”
The full list of the 2020 Golden Scissors honourees and more details on their achievements is available at cfib.ca/GoldenScissors.
CFIB’s 11th annual Red Tape Awareness Week™ encourages governments across the country to take the initiative and launch their own red tape reduction strategies. Regulations cost small businesses $36.2 billion annually, $10 billion of which is unnecessary red tape, according to CFIB’s research. To learn more visit CFIB.ca/redtape and follow #redtape.
To arrange an interview with Jennifer Henshaw, CFIB’s Senior Policy Analyst, Prairie, please call (306) 757-0000 or email mssask@cfib.ca. You may follow CFIB Saskatchewan on Twitter @cfibsk.
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 110,000 members (5,250 in Saskatchewan) across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.