Nova Scotia government touts efforts to reduce red tape

Nova Scotia released its red tape accountability report Monday. (Communications Nova Scotia photo)

By Rick Conrad

Reducing the time doctors spend on things like sick notes is one example of how red tape is being reduced in Nova Scotia, Premier Tim Houston said Monday.

To mark Red Tape Awareness Week, organized by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the government released its annual report on smoothing services and reducing regulations for Nova Scotia businesses and citizens.

“This common-sense solution allows government to be more efficient, focused and effective, especially in our healthcare system where we’re actively identifying red tape and getting rid of it,” Houston said in a news release.

The province’s Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness produced the report. It employs about 15 people.

The report said that by the end of 2023, doctors saved 250,000 hours because government reduced unnecessary paperwork, like changing requirements for sick notes and complex insurance forms. The government’s goal is to reduce 400,000 hours of red tape for doctors by the end of 2024

The report also touted the government’s controversial decision to take more control over housing development in the Halifax area. 

Co-operating with other provincial governments to standardize things like construction codes, energy standards and safety requirements also helped reduce red tape.

The full report can be found here. Nova Scotians can give their feedback on how to reduce red tape here. 

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com