Sask. government claims 10 years of 'red tape reduction' saved businesses $680M
![Saskatchewan Legislative Building The Saskatchewan Legislative Building can be seen in this file photo. (David Prisciak/CTV News)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/4/2/saskatchewan-legislative-building-1-6830847-1712090432256.jpg)
The Government of Saskatchewan is touting its red tape reduction committee has saved businesses in the province more than $680 million in the past decade.
The province recognized the committee’s 10 year milestone on Tuesday. Saskatchewan remains the only provincial government with a dedicated cabinet committee focused on reducing red tape and leading regulatory reviews.
“This demonstrates our government's commitment to cutting red tape and eliminating unnecessary compliance requirements for businesses and residents, streamlining approval processes, and reducing barriers across government," committee chair and MLA Laura Ross said in a news release.
In the past decade, the committee reported cumulative red tape savings of $682.41 million, the review of 249 business related regulations and 21,046 compliance regulations.
“This is a testament to Saskatchewan's strategic leadership, as government and organizations work in parallel to improve the lives of citizens and enhance Saskatchewan's economic landscape,” the government’s statement read.
The province reiterated the committee’s goal in its announcement — to identify and address inefficiencies across government agencies, monitor the costs and savings associated with regulation changes and to develop solutions to help Saskatchewan’s economic competiveness.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) gave Saskatchewan a grade of 7.8 or "B" on its most recent red tape report card — a "good" grade according to the CFIB.
The province lost marks by not having its rules and policies downloadable in a simple data format.
Compared to other provinces, Saskatchewan ranked seventh in overall score. Alberta ranked the highest in the nation with a score of 8.8 or "A-minus."
The CFIB represents over 97,000 businesses from across Canada.
CTV News reached out to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce for comment on the province’s red tape reduction efforts but did not hear back by the time of publishing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
DEVELOPING Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
A fast-moving wildfire has hit Jasper, Alberta, destroying buildings and chasing some wildland firefighters away with dangerously poor air quality.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.