The provincial government has launched a new multi-stage initiative it says will help reduce regulatory burdens as part of the Red Tape Reduction Act.
The first two industry-leader panels of the initiative – one for the hospitality industry and the other for the oil and gas industry – will start work this month by looking for ways to support the government’s plan to reduce red tape by one-third.
Whether the initiative will end up saving companies and taxpayers money in the long run remains to be seen. What is known is that any reductions in regulations should only be made if there can be solid assurances that such cutbacks won’t endanger workers, the environment or the public at large.
For his part, Grant Hunter, associate minister of red tape reduction, says the new panels will help him fulfil his mandate.
“Cutting red tape is beneficial for every Albertan,” says Hunter. “Reducing regulatory burden and unnecessary processes encourages economic growth and job creation, which is of the utmost importance to our government.
“I am looking forward to meeting with the industry panel attendees and gaining valuable insight into each sector of Alberta’s economy. Identifying opportunities to improve how our province does business is a big win for our families and future.”
Additional panels will be launched over the coming months, including for small business, agriculture/agri-food/bio-industrial, forestry, construction, manufacturing, and non-profit.
While it remains to be seen what the various panels will find and recommend following their respective deliberations, the big question is what the Kenney government will do with the findings once they are presented to Minister Hunter.
Hopefully the government will use the findings to reduce or eliminate truly unnecessary regulatory burdens. That would be in everyone’s best interest and a prudent move on the part of the UCP.
What would be far less welcome would be a scenario where the government cherry-picks the findings and uses them as an excuse to cut costs at the expense of environmental protection or the safety of workers and the public at large.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
