Difference between revisions of "2015-2016 Annual report: reducing regulatory administrative burden and improving service and predictability"

 
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As the Minister responsible for federal regulatory policy, I am pleased to provide Canadians with an update on the implementation of federal government initiatives to reduce regulatory administrative burden and improve service and predictability. Overall, Canada’s federal regulatory regime is now more open and transparent, which benefits everyone.
 
As the Minister responsible for federal regulatory policy, I am pleased to provide Canadians with an update on the implementation of federal government initiatives to reduce regulatory administrative burden and improve service and predictability. Overall, Canada’s federal regulatory regime is now more open and transparent, which benefits everyone.
  
The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management, the cornerstone of Canada’s regulatory regime, is undergoing a review, and this process presents a unique opportunity to consider improvements to the federal regulatory policy framework that advance and protect the public interest. We are starting from a strong foundation as noted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which scores Canada as above the OECD average for all OECD indicators of regulatory policy and governance.<sup>1</sup>
+
The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management, the cornerstone of Canada’s regulatory regime, is undergoing a review, and this process presents a unique opportunity to consider improvements to the federal regulatory policy framework that advance and protect the public interest. We are starting from a strong foundation as noted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which scores Canada as above the OECD average for all OECD indicators of regulatory policy and governance.<ref>OECD (2015). [https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/governance/oecd-regulatory-policy-outlook-2015_9789264238770-en OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook 2015], “Indicators of regulatory policy and governance, Canada,” p. 149, OECD Publishing, Paris.</ref>
  
 
This is an ambitious and challenging agenda but one that I am confident will realize benefits for all Canadians.
 
This is an ambitious and challenging agenda but one that I am confident will realize benefits for all Canadians.
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The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board
 
The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board
 
==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
This is the fourth annual report on reducing regulatory administrative burden and improving service and predictability; the previous three annual reports were referred to as the Annual Scorecard Report. This report also meets the legislative annual reporting requirement of the Red Tape Reduction Act. It covers six initiatives that have been implemented over the years:
+
This is the [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/laws/developing-improving-federal-regulations/regulatory-evaluation-results/annual-scorecard-reports.html fourth annual report] on reducing regulatory administrative burden and improving service and predictability; the previous three annual reports were referred to as the Annual Scorecard Report. This report also meets the legislative annual reporting requirement of the Red Tape Reduction Act. It covers six initiatives that have been implemented over the years:
  
*the One-for-One Rule, which seeks to control the growth of regulatory administrative burden on business arising from regulations
+
*the [[Controlling Administrative Burden That Regulations Impose on Business: Guide for the 'One-for-One' Rule|One-for-One Rule]], which seeks to control the growth of regulatory administrative burden on business arising from regulations
*the small business lens, which requires a sensitivity to small business impacts in the design of regulations
+
*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], which requires a sensitivity to small business impacts in the design of regulations
*service standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations and public reporting on regulators’ performance against those standards
+
*Service Standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations and public reporting on regulators’ performance against those standards
*forward regulatory plans, where departments and agencies post regulatory proposals expected over the next 24-month period, as well as opportunities for stakeholders to engage regulators on the proposed initiatives
+
*Forward Regulatory plans, where departments and agencies post regulatory proposals expected over the next 24-month period, as well as opportunities for stakeholders to engage regulators on the proposed initiatives
*interpretation policies, which give businesses clarity on how regulators interpret regulations
+
*Interpretation Policies, which give businesses clarity on how regulators interpret regulations
*an Administrative Burden Baseline, which counts and discloses the total number of administrative requirements imposed by regulations on businesses
+
*an [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/laws/developing-improving-federal-regulations/requirements-developing-managing-reviewing-regulations/administrative-burden-baseline.html Administrative Burden Baseline], which counts and discloses the total number of administrative requirements imposed by regulations on businesses
  
 
==One-for-one Rule==
 
==One-for-one Rule==
Line 1,032: Line 1,032:
 
----
 
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===Footnotes ===
+
==Footnotes ==
 
+
<references />
#OECD (2015). OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook 2015, “Indicators of regulatory policy and governance, Canada,” p. 149, OECD Publishing, Paris.
 
 
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Latest revision as of 16:07, 12 July 2022


We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

You can use it for research or reference. Consult our Cabinet Directive on Regulations: Policies, guidance and tools web page for the policy instruments and guidance in effect.


Minister's Message

As the Minister responsible for federal regulatory policy, I am pleased to provide Canadians with an update on the implementation of federal government initiatives to reduce regulatory administrative burden and improve service and predictability. Overall, Canada’s federal regulatory regime is now more open and transparent, which benefits everyone.

The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management, the cornerstone of Canada’s regulatory regime, is undergoing a review, and this process presents a unique opportunity to consider improvements to the federal regulatory policy framework that advance and protect the public interest. We are starting from a strong foundation as noted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which scores Canada as above the OECD average for all OECD indicators of regulatory policy and governance.[1]

This is an ambitious and challenging agenda but one that I am confident will realize benefits for all Canadians.

Original signed by:


The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

Introduction

This is the fourth annual report on reducing regulatory administrative burden and improving service and predictability; the previous three annual reports were referred to as the Annual Scorecard Report. This report also meets the legislative annual reporting requirement of the Red Tape Reduction Act. It covers six initiatives that have been implemented over the years:

  • the One-for-One Rule, which seeks to control the growth of regulatory administrative burden on business arising from regulations
  • the Small Business Lens, which requires a sensitivity to small business impacts in the design of regulations
  • Service Standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations and public reporting on regulators’ performance against those standards
  • Forward Regulatory plans, where departments and agencies post regulatory proposals expected over the next 24-month period, as well as opportunities for stakeholders to engage regulators on the proposed initiatives
  • Interpretation Policies, which give businesses clarity on how regulators interpret regulations
  • an Administrative Burden Baseline, which counts and discloses the total number of administrative requirements imposed by regulations on businesses

One-for-one Rule

The One-for-One Rule (the Rule) seeks to control the growth of administrative burden on business arising from regulations. When a new or amended regulation increases the administrative burden on business, the Rule requires regulators to offset an equal amount of administrative burden cost. As well, the Rule also requires regulators to remove an existing regulation each time they introduce a new regulation that imposes new administrative burden on business.

The Rule applies to all regulatory changes that impose new administrative burden costs on business. There are, however, three circumstances where the Treasury Board may exempt regulations from the application of the Rule:

  1. regulations related to tax or tax administration
  2. regulations where Her Majesty in right of Canada has no discretion regarding the requirements that must be included in the regulation due to international or legal obligations, including the imposition of international sanctions or the implementation of Supreme Court of Canada decisions
  3. regulations in emergency, unique or exceptional circumstances, including if compliance with the Rule’s requirements would compromise public health, public safety or the Canadian economy

In 2014, the Red Tape Reduction Act gave the One-for-One Rule the force of law. The act and its associated regulations also require that an annual report on the application of the One-for-One Rule be published.

The main findings on changes in administrative regulatory burden and the overall number of regulations for the current reporting year (2015 to 2016) are as follows:

  • 88% of final regulatory changes that were approved by the Governor in Council and non-Governor in Council authorities published in the Canada Gazette either reduced or did not impose any new administrative burden on business
  • annual net administrative burden to business was reduced by approximately $6.3 million
  • 13 regulations were repealed, resulting in a total net reduction of 12 regulations from the stock of federal regulations

Since the 2012 to 2013 fiscal year, the year the One-for-One Rule was introduced, there are 32 fewer net regulations and approximately a $30 million decrease in net administrative burden.

Although the statistics cover the period that the Rule has been in place (that is, since the 2012 to 2013 fiscal year), it is difficult to determine what proportion of the savings realized and the net reduction in regulations can be directly attributed to the Rule’s application. This is because departments and agencies were already engaging in burden and/or regulatory title reduction efforts.

Details of the findings on the application of the One-for-One Rule in the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year are provided in Appendix A. A one-page summary of the findings is found in Appendix B.

Other Reforms

In addition to the One-for-One Rule, the following reform areas are assessed annually. An overview of the results achieved for each reform area for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year are provided in snapshot format in Appendices C to G. Assessment results by federal portfolio or entity are provided in Appendix H.

Small business lens

The purpose of the small business lens is to require sensitivity to small business impacts in the regulatory development process. Consultation and analysis help develop a clear understanding of business realities at the earliest stages of regulatory design.

The lens applies to regulatory proposals that impact small business and have nationwide cost impacts of over $1 million annually. The key statistical summary findings are in Appendix C.

Service standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations

Service standards provide businesses with a clear indication of how long it will normally take to obtain a decision from a regulator, allowing stakeholders to factor these timelines into their planning. Departments and agencies are required to post service standards and service performance for high-volume regulatory authorizations on their acts and regulations web pages.

In addition to timeliness standards and service targets, regulators are required to establish a feedback mechanism so that Canadians can raise service issues if expectations have not been met. Providing feedback on the service that businesses receive when they apply for an authorization can help regulators improve service and recalibrate their timeliness commitments over time.

Over the years, the threshold for developing and publishing service standards has shifted. It now requires that regulators publish service standards for a much larger number of regulatory authorizations. Departments and agencies must also keep their public lists of service standards up to date. The key statistical summary findings are in Appendix D.

Administrative Burden Baseline

The Administrative Burden Baseline (ABB) provides Canadians with a metric on the total number of requirements in federal regulations and associated forms that impose administrative burden on business. The baseline is to be updated annually, contributing to the openness and transparency of the federal regulatory system.

The ABB was introduced in the 2014 to 2015 fiscal year and now provides Canadians with information on 38 departments and agencies. The key statistical summary findings are in Appendix E.

Forward regulatory plans

Forward regulatory plans describe anticipated regulatory changes or proposals that a department or agency intends to bring forward over the next 24-month period. Federal departments and agencies make their forward regulatory plans publicly available on their acts and regulations web pages, giving businesses and other stakeholders a notice of upcoming regulations that impact them and an opportunity to engage regulators on regulatory design and plan for implementation.

This information is updated by departments and agencies every six months. The key statistical summary findings are in Appendix F.

Interpretation policies

Interpretation policies help make regulations and compliance requirements easier to understand by outlining the commitments, practices and tools to be applied by regulators when providing Canadians and businesses with information and guidance on regulatory obligations to be met. This helps reduce administrative burden on Canadians and businesses in particular, who might otherwise expend additional time and resources to interpret regulatory requirements.

As of March 31, 2015, departments and agencies have been required to post improvement priorities, based on consultations with their stakeholders. This year, departments and agencies were assessed on their state of readiness to meet the deadline of March 31, 2017, which requires them to update Canadians on progress achieved in implementing improvement priorities. The key statistical summary findings are in Appendix G.

Appendix A: detailed findings on the application of the One-for One Rule

Table A: list of final regulatory changes with administrative burden implications under the One-for-One Rule published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

Portfolio Regulation Publication Date Net in ($) Net out ($)
Employment and Social Development Policy Committees, Work Place Committees and Health and Safety Representatives Regulations, SOR/2015-164 July 1, 2015 N/A $756,532
Employment and Social Development Regulations Amending the On Board Trains Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/2015-143 July 1, 2015 $72,304 N/A
Employment and Climate Change Regulations Amending the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations and Other Regulations Made Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, SOR/2015-186 July 29, 2015 $5,534 N/A
Environment and Climate Change Regulations Amending the Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations, SOR/2015-187 July 29, 2015 $67,698 N/A
Fisheries and Oceans Aquaculture Activities Regulations, SOR/2015-177 (ministerial regulation) July 15, 2015 $409,513 N/A
Health Regulations Amending the Narcotic Control Regulations and the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (Communication of Information), SOR/2015-132 June 17, 2015 $1,465 N/A
Health Potable Water on Board Trains, Vessels, Aircraft and Buses Regulations, SOR/2016-43 March 23, 2016 $29,000 N/A
Health Order Amending Schedule I to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Tapentadol), SOR/2015-190 July 29, 2015 $4,787 N/A
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Regulations Amending the Canada Small Business Financing Regulations, SOR/2016-018 March 9, 2016 N/A $19,087
Natural Resources Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015, SOR/2015-145 July 1, 2015 N/A $33,973
Public Safety Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Customs Act, SOR/2015-90 May 6, 2015 N/A $8,000,000
Public Safety Regulations Amending the Passenger Information (Customs) Regulations, SOR/2016-035 March 23, 2016 $2,293,297 N/A
Public Safety Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2016-037 March 23, 2016 $224,311 N/A
Transport Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 (Enhanced Access Controls), SOR/2016-039 July 29, 2015 $2,869 N/A
Transport Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Parts I, VI and VII: Flight Attendants and Emergency Evacuation), SOR/2015-127 June 17, 2015 $2,688 N/A
Transport Regulations Amending the Vessels Registry Fees Tariff and the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations, SOR/2015-99 May 20, 2015 N/A $572,046
Total $3,113,466 $9,381,638
Administrative burden balance for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year -$ 6,268,172

Table B: new regulatory titles and repealed regulations in the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

Portfolio Regulation Net impact on regulatory stock
New regulatory titles that have administrative burden
Fisheries and Oceans Aquaculture Activities Regulations

(SOR/2015-177)

1
Subtotal 1
Repealed regulations
Agriculture and Agri-Food The Regulations Amending and Repealing Certain Regulations Made Under the Health of Animals Act (SOR/2015-142)1 repealed the following regulations:
  • The Prairie Dog and Certain Other Rodents Importation Prohibition Regulations
  • The Honeybee Importation Prohibition Regulations, 2004

The Regulations Repealing Certain Regulations Made Under the Farm Income Protection Act (Miscellaneous Program) (SOR/2015-72) repealed the following regulations:

  • The 1985 Potatoes Stabilization Regulations
  • The Apple Stabilization 1977 Regulations
  • The Apple Stabilization Regulations, 1980
  • The Apple Stabilization Regulations, 1982-83
  • The Apple Stabilization Regulations, 1983 and 1984
  • The Apricot Stabilization Regulations, 1977
  • The Apricot Stabilization Regulations, 1982
  • The Barley 1987 Period Stabilization Regulations
  • The Barley Stabilization Regulations, 1977-78
  • The Beef Calf Stabilization Regulations
(12)
Indigenous and Northern Affairs The First Nations Rates and Expenditure Laws Timing Regulations2 (1)
Subtotal (13)
Total net impact on regulatory stock for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year (12)
New regulations that simultaneously repealed and replaced existing regulations
Health The Potable Water on Board Trains, Aircrafts and Buses Regulations (SOR/2016-043) replaced the Potable Water Regulations for Common Carriers 0
Employment and Social Development The Policy Committees, Work Place Committees and Health and Safety Representatives Regulations (SOR/2015-164) replaced the Safety and Health Committees Regulations. 0
Natural Resources The Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2014 (SOR-2014-145) replaced the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations 0
Total net impact on regulatory stock for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year 0
1This is a ministerial regulation made by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, pursuant to sections 14 and 55 of the Health of Animals Act.
2This regulation was repealed by the Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (SOR/2016-29).

Table C: regulatory changes exempted from the One-for-One Rule and published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

Portfolio Regulations Statutory orders and regulations numbers Publication date Exemption type
Canada Revenue Agency Regulations Amending the Income Tax Regulations (Mandatory Electronic Filing: Prescribed Information Returns) SOR/2015-140 July 1, 2015 Tax or tax administration
Canada Revenue Agency Regulations Amending the Income Tax Regulations (Withholding of Income Tax on Payments from Registered Disability Savings Plans) SOR/2016-30 March 9, 2016 Tax or tax administration
Environment and Climate Change Regulations Amending the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations SOR/2015-81 April 22, 2015 Non-discretionary obligations
Finance Regulations Amending the Income Tax Regulations (Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for Facilities Used to Liquefy Natural Gas) SOR/2015-117 June 17, 2015 Tax or tax administration
Global Affairs Regulations Amending the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials (Tunisia and Egypt) Regulations SOR/2015-152 July 1, 2015 Unique, exceptional circumstances
Global Affairs Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations SOR/2015-179 July 15, 2015 Unique, exceptional circumstances
Global Affairs Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolution on South Sudan SOR/2015-165 July 1, 2015 Non-discretionary obligations
Global Affairs Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations SOR/2015-178 July 15, 2015 Unique, exceptional circumstances
Global Affairs Regulations Amending the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Iran SOR/2016-14 February 24, 2016 Non-discretionary obligations
Global Affairs Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations SOR/2016-15 February 24, 2016 Unique, exceptional circumstances
Public Safety Regulations Amending the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities SOR/2015-175 June 29, 2015 Unique, exceptional circumstances

Appendix B: summary findings on the One-for-One Rule

 
Appendix C: summary findings on the small business lens - Text version


This chart summarizes the assessment findings for the One-for-One Rule

Title:

Snapshot of the One-for-One Rule for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

First row:

Scope

Assessment of the One-for-One Rule: 11 portfolios, 43 regulations

  • Canada Revenue Agency
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Employment and Social Development Canada
  • Finance Portfolio
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Health Canada
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Public Safety Canada
  • Transport Canada

Second row:

Regulatory activities

12 fewer regulations in the regulatory stock

11 exemptions to the One-for-One RuleFootnote*

11 regulations increased burden

5 regulations decreased burden

Repeals/new regulations

13 regulations repealed

1 new regulation added

Types of exemptions

5 exceptional circumstances

3 tax and tax administration

3 non-discretionary obligations

Net reduction in administrative burden costs: $6,268,172

Burden increase (Ins): $3,113,466

Burden decrease (Outs): $9,381,638

Third row:

Assessment results

[green light rating]

10 out of 11 (91%) of portfolios were in full compliance

Key Findings

  • general compliance with the One-for-One reporting and reconciliation requirements
  • compliance with reconciliation requirements: one case of non-compliance since 2012
  • issues: stating assumptions and describing consultation activities on burden cost estimates

[yellow with green up-arrow rating]

Generally in compliance; minor corrective actions are required:

Transport Canada


*Administrative burden costs from exemptions: not calculated and not included

Appendix C: summary findings on the small business lens

 
This chart summarizes the assessment findings for the small business lens

This chart summarizes the assessment findings for the small business lens

Title:

Snapshot of the small business lens for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

First row:

Scope

Small business lens assessment: 4 federal portfolios were evaluated on 11 proposed and final regulations

  • Employment and Social Development Portfolio
  • Health Portfolio
  • Public Safety Portfolio
  • Transport Portfolio

Second row:

Regulatory activities

181 regulations in-scope for application of the small business lens

89% did not result in increased administrative or compliance costs for small business

Of those regulations that did not result increased administrative or compliance costs for small business:

41% were not directly related to business operations

20% were cost-neutral

14% resulted in cost savings for business

13% impacted only medium or large businesses

11% resulted in increased administrative or compliance costs for small business

Of those that did result in increased administrative or compliance costs for small business

7% expected to impose annual national costs of less than $1 million

4% applied the small business lens

Third Row:

Assessment results

[green light rating]

Full compliance with requirements

  • Employment and Social Development
  • Health
  • Public Safety

Key Findings

  • The small business lens was 6 times for 7 final regulations.*
  • One third of those applications implemented flexible options that resulted in cost reductions for small business
  • Approximately $15 million in net annualized costs were avoided by using flexible option
  • 100% of small business lens applications consulted small business prior to publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and all final regulations took their concerns into account

[yellow with up green arrow rating]

Generally in compliance; minor corrective actions are required:

Transport Canada


*Two regulations applied the small business lens in a joint regulatory impact analysis statement

Appendix D: summary findings on service standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations

 
This chart summarizes the assessment findings for service standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations

This chart summarizes the assessment findings for service standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations

Title:

Snapshot of service standards for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

First row:

Scope

Small business lens assessment: 4 federal portfolios were evaluated on 11 proposed and final regulations

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food
  • Atlantic Pilotage Authority
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Canadian Heritage
  • Canadian Transportation Agency
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Finance Portfolio
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Health Portfolio
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Parks Canada
  • Public Safety
  • Public Services and Procurement
  • Transport Canada

Second row:

Regulatory activities

Approximately 500 service standards are publicly available

14 new service standards for 11 high-volume authorizations were added during the previous fiscal year

The new requirement to post performance on all service standards (including previously existing ones that were not posted) resulted in the posting and assessment of over 450 standards for 185 regulatory authorizations

Third Row:

Assessment results

[green light rating]

72% of portfolios were in full compliance

Key Findings

  • 80% of publicly available service standards have a business impact
  • 78% of all service standards posted by April 1, 2014, also reported on performance in meeting the service standard
  • Of those, 86% met or exceeded performance targets

[yellow with up green arrow rating]

28% of portfolios had some compliance; moderate corrective actions are required

Appendix E: summary findings on the Administrative Burden Baseline

 
This chart summarizes the assessment findings for the administrative burden baseline

This chart summarizes the assessment findings for the administrative burden baseline

Title:

Snapshot of the Administrative Burden Baseline for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

First row:

Scope

The Administrative Burden Baseline (ABB) assessment: 38 departments/agencies reporting under 21 portfolios

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food
  • Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Canadian Heritage
  • Canada Revenue Agency
  • Canadian Transportation Agency
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Employment and Social Development Portfolio
  • Finance Portfolio
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Health Portfolio
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Parks Canada
  • Public Services and Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Transport Canada
  • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Second row:

Regulatory activities

Top 5 changes in ABB

  • Transport Canada: an increase of 563 requirements (mostly changes to various safety-related railway regulations)
  • Employment and Social Development Canada: an increase of 465 requirements (mostly changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program)
  • Health Portfolio: an increase of  296 requirements (mostly new forms included in the Blood Regulations)
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development: an increase of 211 (changes to the Investment Canada Regulations)
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada: an increase of 114 (2 new regulations, amendments to 5 regulations and repeal of 2 regulations)

Third Row:

Assessment results

[green light rating]

100% of portfolios were in full compliance with the reporting requirements

24 out of 38 departments/agencies reported no change in their ABB from the previous year’s count

Key results

574 regulations with administrative burden

Total number of requirements in 2014: 129,860

Total number of requirements in 2015: 131,754

Net increase in number of requirements: 1,894

Appendix F: summary findings on forward regulatory plans

 
This chart summarizes the assessment findings for forward regulatory plans

This chart summarizes the assessment findings for forward regulatory plans

Title:

Snapshot of forward regulatory planning for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

First row:

Scope

Forward regulatory plan assessment: 25 portfolios, 39 forward regulatory plans, almost 500 regulatory initiatives

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food
  • Atlantic Pilotage Authority
  • Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Canadian Heritage
  • Canada Revenue Agency
  • Canadian Transportation Agency
  • Justice Canada
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Employment and Social Development Portfolio
  • Finance Portfolio
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Health Portfolio
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Parks Canada
  • Public Services and Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Service Commission
  • Transport Canada
  • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
  • Veterans Affairs

Second row:

Regulatory activities

Since the 2012 to 2013 fiscal year, amendments to existing regulations have consistently made up the majority of initiatives listed in departmental and agency forward regulatory plans.

Over 70% of initiatives are not likely to have business impacts.

Approximately 55% of regulatory initiatives on forward regulatory plans were posted prior to pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I.

Pre-publication had been completed in almost 10% of initiatives.

The remainder of the initiatives did not specify Canada Gazette pre-publication or indicated that the proposal will go directly to the Canada Gazette, Part II, in many cases following publication of a notice to stakeholders or some alternative form of consultation.

Third Row:

Assessment results

[green light rating]

87% of portfolios were in full compliance

Excellence compliance overall

Suggested areas for improvement:

  • increased use of plain language to describe the initiatives
  • greater clarity on the approach to upcoming consultations, including anticipated timelines
  • better compliance with deadlines specified in guidance

[yellow with up green arrow rating]

12% of portfolios were generally compliant

Appendix G: summary findings on interpretation policies

 
This chart summarizes the assessment findings for interpretation policies


This chart summarizes the assessment findings for forward regulatory plans

Title:

Snapshot of interpretation policies for the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year

First row:

Scope

Entities assessed (number in parentheses indicates number of interpretation policies assessed for that portfolio)

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food (4)
  • Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Canadian Heritage
  • Canada Revenue Agency
  • Canadian Transportation Agency
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Employment and Social Development Portfolio (2)
  • Finance Portfolio (1)
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Health Portfolio (3)
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development (3)
  • Natural Resources Canada (3)
  • Parks Canada
  • Public Safety (2)
  • Public Services and Procurement
  • Transport Canada
  • Veterans Affairs

Second row:

Assessment process

Readiness assessment process

Objective: monitor status of departmental interpretation policies and degree of readiness in meeting the March 31, 2017, deadline

Requirement: by March 31, 2017, departments and agencies are to post their update to Canadians on outcomes in implementing the priorities against the identified metrics on their website, with a link from their Interpretation Policy page

Readiness assessment questionnaire

Q1: Has your department or agency posted improvement priorities?

Q2: Has your department or agency posted metrics related to the implementation of your improvement priorities?

Q3: Has your department or agency established accountability for implementation of improvement priorities?

Q4: What stages have your department or agency completed with respect to addressing improvement priorities?

Third Row:

Assessment results

Posted improvement priorities?

90% did

10% did not

Posted metrics?

75% did

25% did not

Established accountability?

97% did

3% did not

Overall assessment ratings:

Low readiness: 1 portfolio

Medium readiness: 4 portfolios

High readiness: 16 portfolios

Appendix H: portfolio ratings (all reforms areas)

Rating explanation

  Full compliance demonstrated for most or all commitments and guidance requirements
  Generally in compliance with commitments and guidance requirements; minor corrective actions are required
  Some compliance demonstrated with commitments and guidance requirements; moderate corrective actions are required
  Significant compliance issues evident with commitments and guidance requirements; major corrective actions are required
  Inadequate compliance demonstrated with commitments and guidance requirements
Regulatory portfolio/ entity assessed Regulatory reforms: ratings
One-for-One Rule Small business lens Forward regulatory plan Service standards Administrative Burden Baseline Interpretation policies
Agriculture and Agri-Food Portfolio N/A N/A       High
Canada Revenue Agency   N/A   N/A   High
Canadian Heritage N/A N/A       High
Public Service Commission of Canada* N/A N/A   N/A N/A N/A
Environment and Climate Change Canada   N/A       High
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency* N/A N/A   N/A   High
Parks Canada N/A N/A       High
Department of Justice Canada N/A N/A   N/A N/A N/A
Finance Portfolio   N/A       High
Fisheries and Oceans Canada   N/A       High
Global Affairs Canada   N/A       High
Health Portfolio           High
Canadian Food Inspection Agency N/A N/A       Medium
Employment and Social Development Portfolio       N/A   High
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada N/A N/A       High
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada N/A N/A       Low
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Portfolio   N/A       High
Natural Resources Portfolio   N/A       Medium
Public Safety Portfolio           Medium
Public Services and Procurement Canada N/A N/A       High
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat N/A N/A   N/A   N/A
Transport Canada           Medium
Atlantic Pilotage Authority Canada* N/A N/A     N/A N/A
Canadian Transportation Agency N/A N/A N/A     High
Veterans Affairs Canada N/A N/A   N/A N/A High
*Denotes a Government of Canada institution that was assessed separately from its governing organization and was assigned its own rating, at the request of the pertinent minister

Footnotes

  1. OECD (2015). OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook 2015, “Indicators of regulatory policy and governance, Canada,” p. 149, OECD Publishing, Paris.