Minister Clement Highlights Importance of Cutting Red Tape

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - March 22, 2012) - The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor, today delivered a speech on red tape reduction and Open Government to members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and other representatives of the Halifax business community.

"Last year, businesses in Halifax told the Red Tape Reduction Commission that red tape is preventing them from creating jobs and growth in Nova Scotia," Minister Clement said. "We will continue our work to cut red tape because we recognize that this contributes directly to innovation and increased productivity."

In January 2012, Minister Clement received the Red Tape Reduction Commission's Recommendations Report. The Report provides specific advice to departments and agencies on how to reduce unnecessary burden on business. It also proposes that the Government change the way it regulates businesses while ensuring that the environment and the health and safety of Canadians are not compromised. The Government has already announced action on red tape: the "One-for-One" Rule. An action plan to respond to the Commission's recommendations will be released in the coming months.

During his address, Minister Clement also highlighted the Government of Canada's Open Government initiative, which fosters innovation and knowledge sharing, and explores how federal organizations can better consult Canadians by making effective use of new tools such as social media. The Guideline for External Use of Web 2.0 is designed to provide specific guidance to federal organizations on the use of public Web 2.0 tools and services to facilitate communications between government and Canadians.

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