Changes

* The design of the rule provides the government with flexibility to carve out regulations from its application. This year, seven regulations were carved out<ref>More detailed information on carve-out requirements is available in [[Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule#Carve-Outs|section 9, "Carve-Outs," of ''Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule'']]. See Appendix B for a full list of regulations that received a carve-out exemption.</ref> from the rule. Of those carve-outs, one was due to a unique or exceptional situation, four were non-discretionary obligations (e.g., sanctions), and two were related to tax or tax administration.

* The design of the rule provides the government with flexibility to carve out regulations from its application. This year, seven regulations were carved out<ref>More detailed information on carve-out requirements is available in [[Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule#Carve-Outs|section 9, "Carve-Outs," of ''Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule'']]. See Appendix B for a full list of regulations that received a carve-out exemption.</ref> from the rule. Of those carve-outs, one was due to a unique or exceptional situation, four were non-discretionary obligations (e.g., sanctions), and two were related to tax or tax administration.

* Regulators demonstrated a high level of compliance with TBS guidance for the one-for-one rule,<ref>See [[Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule#Element B: Removing a Regulation When a New Regulation Imposes Administrative Burden on Business|section 7.2 of ''Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule'']].</ref> and all have remained in compliance with the requirement to offset new administrative burden or brand new regulations within 24 months (see Appendix B).

* Regulators demonstrated a high level of compliance with TBS guidance for the one-for-one rule,<ref>See [[Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule#Element B: Removing a Regulation When a New Regulation Imposes Administrative Burden on Business|section 7.2 of ''Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule'']].</ref> and all have remained in compliance with the requirement to offset new administrative burden or brand new regulations within 24 months (see Appendix B).

* However, as was noted in last year’s scorecard, regulators need to describe more consistently the assumptions underlying their calculation of administrative costs in the RIAS so that stakeholders can challenge the accuracy of the calculations. Similarly, consideration should be given to the merits of providing more robust descriptions in the RIAS of the rationale for applying or not applying the rule.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">'''Looking Ahead to 2014‒15''' In January 2014, the government introduced Bill C-21, the ''Red Tape Reduction Act'', which is currently before Parliament. If the bill receives Royal Assent, Canada will be the first country to give the one-for-one rule the weight of law.

* However, as was noted in last year’s scorecard, regulators need to describe more consistently the assumptions underlying their calculation of administrative costs in the RIAS so that stakeholders can challenge the accuracy of the calculations. Similarly, consideration should be given to the merits of providing more robust descriptions in the RIAS of the rationale for applying or not applying the rule.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">'''Looking Ahead to 2014‒15'''   In January 2014, the government introduced Bill C-21, the ''Red Tape Reduction Act'', which is currently before Parliament. If the bill receives Royal Assent, Canada will be the first country to give the one-for-one rule the weight of law.

===Red Tape Reduction Action Plan Reform: The Small Business Lens===

===Red Tape Reduction Action Plan Reform: The Small Business Lens===

Small businesses account for nearly 98 per cent of all Canadian businesses. The [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/laws/developing-improving-federal-regulations/requirements-developing-managing-reviewing-regulations/small-business-lens.html small business lens], introduced on February 1, 2012, is designed to “hard-wire” sensitivity to small business realities as regulations are being developed.

Small businesses account for nearly 98 per cent of all Canadian businesses. The [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/laws/developing-improving-federal-regulations/requirements-developing-managing-reviewing-regulations/small-business-lens.html small business lens], introduced on February 1, 2012, is designed to “hard-wire” sensitivity to small business realities as regulations are being developed.

*In 2013‒14, the lens began to show its intended effect, with '''five regulations triggering the lens'''. Four were pre-published in the ''Canada Gazette'', Part I, and one advanced to final approval in the ''Canada Gazette'', Part II.<ref>Appendix D details published regulations that applied the small business lens in 2013‒14.</ref>

*In 2013‒14, the lens began to show its intended effect, with '''five regulations triggering the lens'''. Four were pre-published in the ''Canada Gazette'', Part I, and one advanced to final approval in the ''Canada Gazette'', Part II.<ref>Appendix D details published regulations that applied the small business lens in 2013‒14.</ref>

*The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s ''[http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-02-26/html/sor-dors23-eng.php Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations]'' represents the first regulation that applied the lens to receive final approval in the

*The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s ''[http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-02-26/html/sor-dors23-eng.php Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations]'' represents the first regulation that applied the lens to receive final approval in the

*''Canada Gazette'', Part II. The application of the lens to this proposal resulted in '''$75 million and over 15,000 hours'''<ref>These hours reflect the reduction in administrative costs only.</ref> (annually) saved for over 5,000 small businesses in Canada.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">Livestock traceability is important for consumer safety and industry competitiveness. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA's) ''[http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-02-26/html/sor-dors23-eng.php Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations]'' require pig farmers to keep records and report movements of pigs, from birth or import to slaughter or export. The application of the lens resulted in a regulatory change that helps protect the safety of Canada's food system, while considering the needs of small businesses. Following analysis and consultation, a flexible option was chosen. Instead of a traceability system based on individual pig identification and tagging (with an estimated total annualized cost to business of nearly $77 million, or $13,079 per business), CFIA adopted a system based on group/drove identification and movement reporting, which substantially reduced projected costs to business. This system is estimated to have an annualized cost of $1.6 million, or $295 per business for over 5,000 small businesses nationwide, a $75-million annual saving.For the five proposals that applied the lens in 2013‒14, four recommended a flexible option that reduces costs to small business. These options would save burden in terms of, for example, the frequency of inspections, filling out of repetitive forms, and reporting requirements. A list of these proposals is found in Appendix C.

*''Canada Gazette'', Part II. The application of the lens to this proposal resulted in '''$75 million and over 15,000 hours'''<ref>These hours reflect the reduction in administrative costs only.</ref> (annually) saved for over 5,000 small businesses in Canada.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">Livestock traceability is important for consumer safety and industry competitiveness. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA's) ''[http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-02-26/html/sor-dors23-eng.php Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations]'' require pig farmers to keep records and report movements of pigs, from birth or import to slaughter or export. The application of the lens resulted in a regulatory change that helps protect the safety of Canada's food system, while considering the needs of small businesses. Following analysis and consultation, a flexible option was chosen. Instead of a traceability system based on individual pig identification and tagging (with an estimated total annualized cost to business of nearly $77 million, or $13,079 per business), CFIA adopted a system based on group/drove identification and movement reporting, which substantially reduced projected costs to business. This system is estimated to have an annualized cost of $1.6 million, or $295 per business for over 5,000 small businesses nationwide, a $75-million annual saving. For the five proposals that applied the lens in 2013‒14, four recommended a flexible option that reduces costs to small business. These options would save burden in terms of, for example, the frequency of inspections, filling out of repetitive forms, and reporting requirements. A list of these proposals is found in Appendix C.

====In Their Own Words: Canada Revenue Agency Game Plan to Reduce Red Tape====

====In Their Own Words: Canada Revenue Agency Game Plan to Reduce Red Tape====

In response to the Government of Canada’s Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) implemented a bold, new, organization-wide strategy, above and beyond the mandated systemic reforms. This strategy was developed as a “whole-of-agency” framework to maximize burden reduction for small and medium-sized businesses, improve service delivery, and meet small and medium-sized businesses’ needs.

In response to the Government of Canada’s Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) implemented a bold, new, organization-wide strategy, above and beyond the mandated systemic reforms. This strategy was developed as a “whole-of-agency” framework to maximize burden reduction for small and medium-sized businesses, improve service delivery, and meet small and medium-sized businesses’ needs.

*The majority of portfolios met TBS guidance requirements in 2013‒14. Some regulators will need to invest more effort in describing processes and information requirements using plain language, supported with documentation (e.g., links to application forms).

*The majority of portfolios met TBS guidance requirements in 2013‒14. Some regulators will need to invest more effort in describing processes and information requirements using plain language, supported with documentation (e.g., links to application forms).

* There may be an opportunity to make current performance targets even more ambitious as service performance is tracked and as experience builds, demonstrating that regulators are continually working to meet and improve their service delivery in a consistent and timely manner.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">'''Looking Ahead to 2014‒15'''

* There may be an opportunity to make current performance targets even more ambitious as service performance is tracked and as experience builds, demonstrating that regulators are continually working to meet and improve their service delivery in a consistent and timely manner.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">'''Looking Ahead to 2014‒15'''

* Regulators will continue to publish new service standards below 1,000 transactions per year in March 2015 and March 2016.

* Regulators will continue to publish new service standards below 1,000 transactions per year in March 2015 and March 2016.

*Service standard performance will be assessed and reported on in the ''2014‒15 Scorecard Report''.

*Service standard performance will be assessed and reported on in the ''2014‒15 Scorecard Report.''

===Red Tape Reduction Action Plan Reform: Forward Regulatory Plans===

===Red Tape Reduction Action Plan Reform: Forward Regulatory Plans===

By introducing [https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/federal-regulatory-management/government-wide-forward-regulatory-plans.html forward regulatory plans], the government increased regulatory transparency and predictability for business and Canadians. Regulators post these plans each spring, with updates posted in the fall.

By introducing [https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/federal-regulatory-management/government-wide-forward-regulatory-plans.html forward regulatory plans], the government increased regulatory transparency and predictability for business and Canadians. Regulators post these plans each spring, with updates posted in the fall.

* This was also the first year that regulators were required to post a mid-year update. Although the vast majority posted a '''mid-year update''', seven did not post an update by October 1, 2013, and two posted updates that contained some outdated information.

* This was also the first year that regulators were required to post a mid-year update. Although the vast majority posted a '''mid-year update''', seven did not post an update by October 1, 2013, and two posted updates that contained some outdated information.

*Although the introduction of the forward regulatory planning infrastructure is a significant achievement, it is too early to gauge the grassroots positive impact that these plans are having for business. The Regulatory Advisory Committee’s consultations this year confirm that there is an opportunity for the government to raise industry’s awareness of the purpose and availability of forward plans. This would help ensure that their utility is maximized by both industry and government in the future.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">'''Forward Regulatory Plans Highlights'''

*Although the introduction of the forward regulatory planning infrastructure is a significant achievement, it is too early to gauge the grassroots positive impact that these plans are having for business. The Regulatory Advisory Committee’s consultations this year confirm that there is an opportunity for the government to raise industry’s awareness of the purpose and availability of forward plans. This would help ensure that their utility is maximized by both industry and government in the future.<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">'''Forward Regulatory Plans Highlights'''

*Number of forward regulatory plans: 40

*Number of forward regulatory plans: 40

*Number of posted initiatives: 455

*Number of posted initiatives: 455