Ont. introduces the ‘Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act’ to try and help businesses grow

TORONTO — On Apr. 3, the Ontario government introduced the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023 which, if passed, would try and create better services, help Ontario businesses grow, and save people time.

“Reducing red tape is a key part of building a stronger economy and improving services for Ontarians. That’s why our government is continuing to bring forward burden reduction packages that are saving businesses nearly $700 million each year in compliance costs,” said Parm Gill, Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “Our Spring 2023 Red Tape Reduction Package adds to our strong track record of improving access to government services and making it easier to invest and build in Ontario.”

Ontario’s Spring 2023 Red Tape Reduction Package includes 42 new initiatives that, when fully implemented, are hoping to save businesses, not-for-profits, and the broader public sector $119 million in net annual regulatory compliance costs. Key items from the package include:

• Amending the Building Broadband Faster Act to help speed up the delivery of high-speed internet access to every community by the end of 2025.
• Strengthening occupational health and safety in the mining sector by changing regulations to reflect modern technology and better protect workers.
• Enabling the next phases of carbon storage innovation by piloting technology that has the potential to store 30 years’ worth of carbon emissions.
• Implementing the Hague Convention on International Recovery of Child Support, reducing frustration for families involved in the province’s child and spousal support orders system by enabling enforcement of support orders in more than 55 countries.
• Improving safety on Ontario’s roads by updating the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit drivers from overtaking a working snow plow unless a full lane is available.