Small Business Lens Checklist

Français

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.

1. Name of the sponsoring regulatory organization:
2. Title of the regulatory proposal (should match the RIAS title):
3. Is the checklist submitted with a RIAS for the Canada Gazette, Part I or Part II? Note: Checklists should be submitted to TBS-RAS along with the RIAS for the Canada Gazette, Part I, when seeking TBS-RAS approval. If the small business lens is applicable to a proposal that is exempted from prepublication in the Canada Gazette, the checklist is to be submitted along with the RIAS for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
4. Date finalized copy received by TBS-RAS (DD/MM/YYYY):

If the answer to any of the questions is no or N/A, please include a short justification in the box below the question.

Alternative Version PDF Version (50 kb)

A. Small Business Regulatory Design

I Communication and Transparency	Yes	No	N/A
1. Are the proposed regulations or requirements easily understandable in everyday language? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
2. Is there a clear connection between the requirements and the purpose (or intent) of the proposed regulation? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
3. Will there be an implementation plan that includes communications and compliance promotion activities, that informs small business of a regulatory change and guides them on how to comply with it (e.g., information sessions, sample assessments, toolkits, websites, etc.)? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
4. If new forms, reports or processes are introduced, are they consistent in appearance and format with other relevant government forms, reports or processes? Justification if answer is no or N/A:

II Simplification and Streamlining	Yes	No	N/A
1. Will streamlined processes be put in place (e.g., through BizPaL, Canada Border Services Agency single window) to collect information from small businesses where possible? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
2. Have opportunities to align with other obligations imposed on business by federal, provincial, municipal or international or multinational regulatory bodies been assessed? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
3. Has the impact of the proposed regulation on international or interprovincial trade been assessed? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
4. If the data or information, other than personal information, required to comply with the proposed regulation is already collected by another department or jurisdiction, will this information be obtained from that department or jurisdiction instead of requesting the same information from small businesses or other stakeholders? (The collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal of personal information are all subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act. Any questions with respect to compliance with the Privacy Act should be referred to the department's or agency's ATIP office or legal services unit.) Justification if answer is no or N/A:
5. Will forms be pre-populated with information or data already available to the department to reduce the time and cost necessary to complete them? (Example: When a business completes an online application for a licence, upon entering an identifier or a name, the system pre-populates the application with the applicant's personal particulars such as contact information, date, etc. when that information is already available to the department.) Justification if answer is no or N/A:
6. Will electronic reporting and data collection be used, including electronic validation and confirmation of receipt of reports where appropriate? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
7. Will reporting, if required by the proposed regulation, be aligned with generally used business processes or international standards if possible? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
8. If additional forms are required, can they be streamlined with existing forms that must be completed for other government information requirements? Justification if answer is no or N/A:

III Implementation, Compliance and Service Standards	Yes	No	N/A
1. Has consideration been given to small businesses in remote areas, with special consideration to those that do not have access to high-speed (broadband) Internet? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
2. If regulatory authorizations (e.g., licences, permits or certifications) are introduced, will service standards addressing timeliness of decision making be developed that are inclusive of complaints about poor service? Justification if answer is no or N/A:
3. Is there a clearly identified contact point or help desk for small businesses and other stakeholders? Justification if answer is no or N/A:

B. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Reverse Onus

IV Regulatory Flexibility Analysis	Yes	No	N/A
1. Does the RIAS identify at least one flexible option that has lower compliance or administrative costs for small businesses in the small business lens section? Examples of flexible options to minimize costs are as follows: Longer time periods to comply with the requirements, longer transition periods or temporary exemptions; Performance-based standards; Partial or complete exemptions from compliance, especially for firms that have good track records (legal advice should be sought when considering such an option); Reduced compliance costs; Reduced fees or other charges or penalties; Use of market incentives; A range of options to comply with requirements, including lower-cost options; Simplified and less frequent reporting obligations and inspections; and Licences granted on a permanent basis or renewed less frequently. Justification if answer is no or N/A:
2. Does the RIAS include, as part of the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Statement, quantified and monetized compliance and administrative costs for small businesses associated with the initial option assessed, as well as the flexible, lower-cost option? Use the Regulatory Cost Calculator to quantify and monetize administrative and compliance costs and include the completed calculator in your submission to TBS-RAS. Justification if answer is no or N/A:
3. Does the RIAS include, as part of the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Statement, a consideration of the risks associated with the flexible option? (Minimizing administrative or compliance costs for small business cannot be at the expense of greater health, security, safety or environmental risks for Canadians.) Justification if answer is no or N/A:
4. Does the RIAS include a summary of feedback provided by small business during consultations? Justification if answer is no or N/A:

V Reverse Onus	Yes	No	N/A
1. If the recommended option is not the lower-cost option for small business in terms of administrative or compliance costs, is a reasonable justification provided in the RIAS? Justification if answer is no or N/A:

The regulatory organization should send one finalized Word copy of the small business lens to TBS-RAS for approval (analyst level).

Checklists, including associated justifications, are to be included in the submission to the Treasury Board and made publicly available as an annex to the RIAS in the Canada Gazette.