The provincial government in British Columbia announced that it is proposing new legislation that will require annual reports on regulatory accountability, as it aims to streamline regulation in the province.
B.C.’s finance minister, Kevin Falcon, announced that new legislation will enshrine in law a commitment to publish annual reports, which must be made public by June 30th of each year.
The reports will identify government regulatory reform goals and objectives; report the current regulatory count and explain the methodology of the count; and, provide an assessment of what the government has done over the year to simplify and streamline regulatory requirements.
The government says that the new legislation demonstrates its commitment to reducing red tape on citizens and small businesses. And, it says it makes B.C. the leader in regulatory reform as it would be the first jurisdiction to enshrine in law a commitment to publish annual reports on regulatory reform.
“We are committed to making it as easy as possible for small businesses to focus more time on their business and less time dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy. This legislation will send a signal to business and other governments that British Columbia continues to lead in opening its doors to economic growth,” said Falcon.
The government reports that, since 2001, it has reduced regulatory requirements by more than 42%. It has also committed to a zero net increase in regulations out to 2015.