Regulatory Reform
British Columbia is a leader in regulatory reform. Government again exceeded its multi-year target of a zero net increase
in regulatory requirements by decreasing regulatory requirements an additional 1.2 per cent as of December 31, 2006, compared
to a year earlier, and 5.9 per cent from the June 2004 baseline. Since the implementation of the Regulatory Reform Initiative
in 2001, British Columbia has cumulatively reduced the regulatory burden by 41.3 per cent. Newfoundland and Labrador have
adopted the British Columbia model for regulatory reform and established a 25 per cent reduction target. The Mayor of Winnipeg
has committed to adopt the British Columbia model and reduce its regulatory burden by 15 per cent.
The Regulatory Reform Initiative continues to build an effective and efficient regulatory system encouraging economic opportunities,
innovation, and prosperity while preserving and protecting the public interest. The government is committed to maintaining
a zero net increase through 2008, and will continue to identify further regulatory reduction and reform opportunities.
Through a focused and responsible approach to regulatory reform, government is moving toward a modern regulatory system that
increases British Columbia's economic and business competitiveness.
Building on our success, government is committed to continuous improvement through Citizen-Centred Regulatory Reform. Every
ministry has undertaken a project to streamline how citizens, business, and industry interact with government. Whether streamlining
the processes for permit applications, providing accessible government databases, or delivering consistent service across
government, the objective of these projects is to save time and ultimately reduce the cost of interacting with government.
Major achievements include:
- Implementing a small business lens recommended by the permanent Small Business Roundtable, to ensure all proposed laws and
regulations meet British Columbia's regulatory reform goals and to consider their potential impact on small business.
- The British Columbia-Alberta Trade, Investment, and Labour Mobility Agreement was signed in April 2006. The two provinces
are working to reconcile standards and regulations — creating a more open competitive economy in which goods, services, investment,
and workers can move freely.
- Transportation legislation and regulations have been modernized and streamlined, while maintaining safety and protecting
and improving transportation services. A more results-based transportation regulatory system contributes to British Columbia's
economic and business competitiveness.