From: newsroom@ontario.ca
Date: June 30, 2016 at 08:12AM
 |  | | | | News Release June 30, 2016 Ontario Surpasses Four-Year, $100 Million Burden Reduction Goal Ontario has released the 2016 Burden Reduction Report, featuring 26 initiatives across government, including 13 new projects that resulted in $47 million in cost savings, and an additional $24 million saved through 13 previously announced projects with ongoing impact. Since 2011, burden reduction initiatives have saved businesses a total of $122.3 million and 5.4 million hours, surpassing the province's goal to save businesses $100 million by 2017. The province is committed to continuing its aggressive approach to cutting red tape to provide cost and time savings for businesses. The 2016 Burden Reduction Report profiles the strong actions taken to save businesses time and money through increased online services, simplified administrative processes and modernized regulations. Initiatives include: - BizPal, an online tool that provides a customized list of all permits, licences and requirements needed to register a business in Ontario, saving entrepreneurs $27 million and 700,000 hours over four years.
- Automating Clearance Certificates for construction contractors, saving contractors and their employers $13 million and 545,000 hours over five years.
- Simplifying vendor reporting and registration under the Assistive Devices Program, saving businesses $2 million and 70,400 hours over one year.
Ontario's five-year, $400-million Business Growth Initiative is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies scale-up and modernizing regulations for businesses. Reducing regulatory burden is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement. |
QUICK FACTS - The 2016 Burden Reduction Report builds on more than $50 million in cost savings to businesses from 22 burden reduction projects profiled in 2014 and 2015.
- The Burden Reduction Act was introduced in June 2016, proposing changes to 50 different statutes that would reduce regulatory burdens and practices that cost businesses time and money, while protecting environmental and health standards and enhancing worker safety.
- In recognition of the province's efforts to reduce red tape, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) awarded the province a B+ grade — the second highest grade in Canada — as part of its annual Red Tape Awareness Week.
- Ontario's innovative online platform, the Red Tape Challenge, was launched in March to help identify and eliminate unnecessary regulatory practices, shorten response times and make it easier for businesses and citizens to interact with government. The second round of consultations, focusing on food processing companies, will launch August 2.
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QUOTES "Our government is working hard to break down barriers impacting Ontario's business climate — and surpassing our goal is proof of this commitment. Today's report highlights our progress so far and demonstrates our commitment to continue streamlining regulatory and administrative processes to help Ontario businesses grow and innovate, create jobs, and build stronger communities across the province."
— Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Growth
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CONTACTS Andreas Kyprianou
Communications Branch
416-325-2479
andreas.kyprianou@ontario.ca
Jessica Hume
Minister's Office
416-325-7569
jessica.hume@ontario.ca
Ministry of Economic Development and Growth
http://ift.tt/LHdJsT |
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