The Alberta government has taken the latest steps to reduce bureaucratic bureaucracy, including streamlining access to human rights commissions and updating policies governing the recreation sector to boost local businesses. It states that it targets the problem.
Bill 80, the 2021 bureaucratic formalism implementation law (No. 2), states that it aims to revitalize the economy and provide better access to services 5 of the United Conservative Party’s plan. This is the second installment payment.
Tanya Fir, Deputy Minister of Reduction of Bureaucracy in Alberta, said that the state’s efforts to date have reduced bureaucracy by more than 18% with the goal of reducing one-third of the total. I am.
“This means we’ve eliminated about 122,000 regulatory requirements and saved Albertan and its businesses by more than $ 1.2 billion,” she said on November 4.
Krystle Wittevrongel, a public policy analyst at the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), a free market think tank, states that Alberta is a major state working to reduce bureaucratic processes.
In an interview with The Epoch Times, she said, “Reducing bureaucratic formalism is of widespread and significant benefit to all Canadians, not just Alberts,” for economic recovery in the context of COVID. It’s a really small action that can be brought about. “
The opposition NDP said state government efforts should be directed at “cutting off bureaucratic formalism that keeps COVID-19 emergency financial support out of the hands of SMEs.” Chris Nielsen, a critic of the NDP’s reduction of bureaucracy, said the Minister of Health said that changes made to health law under bureaucratic reduction efforts would not lead to the introduction of health insurance premiums. He added that it should be guaranteed.
The Epoch Times contacted the NDP for further comments on their request, but did not receive a response by the issue time.
Changes to be introduced
One of the nine measures contained in Bill 80 is aimed at facilitating access to the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Momi said the body needs to respond to complaints more quickly.
“The Commission plays an important role in ensuring that all Albertans are treated fairly and equitably. Making it easier and faster for Albertians to identify and uphold their human rights. The time has come, “she said.
Other amendments brought about by the bill relate to improving the clarity of Alberta’s health insurance plan and facilitating government control of mineral resources by facilitating the replacement of designated representatives. doing.
The bill also includes measures for the recreation sector. As a countermeasure, local governments can create entertainment districts where alcohol can be consumed outside the office in order to increase local income.
Puneeta McBryan, Managing Director of Edmonton’s Downtown Business Association, welcomes the new bill, but signals that the state government should stay away from local issues.
This proposal “is a great opportunity to increase tourists to Edmonton and increase visitor traffic and spending within smaller, specific entertainment-focused areas within areas such as our downtown. It could be, “she told The Epoch Times.
However, she added: “It is important that these decisions are made at the local level between BIAs. [Business Improvement Areas] And because it’s a municipality, it’s important that people know GOA [Government of Alberta] It does not really determine where these districts are. “
Another entertainment amendment will include the ability to serve homemade beer, wine and cider at private events not for sale, such as weddings and family reunions. However, making moonshine remains illegal.
Also, if you want to share red wine, there is still some bureaucratic formalism. The new draft rule states, “We will serve alcohol at events approved by a special event license and will not sell alcohol at events.”
Rationalization of qualification information processing
In an opinion piece Release At Calgary Herald on November 1, Vittevrongel focuses on one aspect of reducing Alberta’s bureaucratic hurdles, which may be important in the context of labor shortages.
She mentions Bill 49, a labor movement law introduced on October 25, and authorities have up to 40 days to process workers’ qualifications already certified elsewhere in Canada. It is stipulated that there is.
“The bill is expected to attract skilled workers by streamlining and standardizing these processes,” she writes.
Wittevrongel also said that the processing times and regulatory hurdles faced by skilled workers increase migration costs, which “eventually act as trade barriers between states” and “remove trade barriers.” Is an unmanageable achievement for all states to choose. ” Economic recovery.
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Noé Chartier is a Montreal-based Epoch Times reporter.
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