Regulatory Reform Initiative

Engagement Summary

Regulatory Reform BC champions the development of a modern, efficient regulatory regime where every single regulatory requirement in the province is necessary and serves a purpose. The Branch plays a corporate role in supporting ministries, agencies and other partners to streamline processes and enhance access to critical services for citizens and businesses.
 
To help achieve this goal, the Province launched a joint project with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) to identify key priorities for cutting red tape that will have a positive impact on small businesses and the jobs they create. Ideas and feedback were invited through Twitter Town Hall and an online survey.
 

Timeframe:

September 27 to October 25, 2013
 

Input Received:

More than 140 British Columbians participated in the lunch hour Twitter Town Hall on September 27, 2013 which included 535 tweets during the conversation, and over 376,000 accounts reached by the #BCBizChat hashtag. The online survey ran from September 27 to October 25, 2013 and received 41 responses from small business owners across the province.
 

Input leads to action:

As a result of the Twitter Town Hall and the online survey, the B.C. government undertook five red tape reduction projects. These included:

• A project to make starting a restaurant in B.C. easier by mapping the entire process from the potential restaurateur’s perspective. An online checklist and process map are now available.
• A simplified procurement process for small business was implemented with the introduction of a two-page Request for Proposal (RFP) form
• The B.C. government consolidated its web presence to provide a user-friendly web experience
• WorkSafeBC updated and redesigned its correspondence and website to reduce complexity.
• Regulatory Reform undertook a comprehensive review which resulted in a revised Regulatory Reform policy framework, the establishment of Red Tape Reduction Day each March, the inclusion of red tape reduction principles in the Taxpayer Accountability Principles and Information Management/Information Technology investments, and an online public engagement where citizens or businesses could suggest their ideas to Help Cut Red Tape.