Province launches red tape reduction consultations

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is inviting businesses, organizations, communities and residents to provide feedback on ways to reduce red tape and make government services easier and faster to access.

The province-wide consultations begin November 1 and are intended to identify unnecessary administrative barriers, improve government processes and make it easier for businesses to start, grow and expand.

The government says feedback will help identify areas where permit applications, government programs, regulatory requirements and other services can be simplified.

Residents and organizations can participate by completing an online questionnaire through engageNL. Participants must create an account to submit feedback.

Those who prefer to make a written submission or require an alternate format can email redtapereduction@gov.nl.ca. Submissions can also be mailed to the Department of Government Services, P.O. Box 8700, Confederation Building, St. John's, NL, A1B 4J6.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 20. A What We Heard report will be released following the consultations.

In-person stakeholder sessions will also take place throughout the province in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Board of Trade, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador.

Several initiatives are already underway, including the creation of a dedicated Red Tape Reduction Office, the appointment of a standalone minister responsible for red tape reduction and the introduction of Bill 23, the Regulatory Improvement and Efficiency Act.

Other changes highlighted by the government include simplifying fish processing licence applications, streamlining applications for home repair and accessibility programs, launching online driver's licence photo renewals through MyGovNL and advancing a One Project, One Review approach to environmental assessments with the federal government.