The federal government has announced that it has identified nearly 500 measures to reduce regulatory burdens, streamline processes, and lower costs following a 60-day red tape review.
Departments and agencies across the government submitted reports outlining reforms ranging from easing rules for travellers in transit through Canada to allowing the transport of low-risk dangerous goods by drones. The Department of National Defence has pledged to simplify the grievance system for Canadian Armed Forces personnel, while the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has committed to re-engineering its review process to ensure major projects receive federal approvals in two years or less.
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, who spearheaded the initiative, said the effort aims to modernize government operations, speed up approvals, and foster economic growth. “Reduced red tape will support Government of Canada priorities, like more efficient reviews of projects to drive economic growth, and greater collaboration with trading partners to reduce barriers and help get products to market faster,” Ali stated.
A newly established Red Tape Reduction Office within the Treasury Board Secretariat will coordinate the implementation of these measures, track progress, and engage with stakeholders, provinces, and territories. Ali noted that horizontal reviews are planned to address barriers that span multiple sectors.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who pledged regulatory reform during the last federal election, reiterated the government’s intention to cut costs and unlock private investment. “It’s time to make government more efficient, make its processes more effective, and catalyze more private capital so we can build the strongest economy in the G7,” Carney said.
While business groups have welcomed the move, some experts have expressed concern. Goldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of Canada, said regulatory duplication is stifling investment and job creation, calling reform “essential to growth.” Conversely, Bruce Campbell, an adjunct professor at York University and former executive director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, warned that reducing regulations may risk public safety. “Government efforts to root out so-called red tape regulations have a long history. This deregulation trajectory has often compromised public safety — at times with catastrophic consequences,” Campbell wrote in a recent analysis.
The review comes alongside broader fiscal measures, including directives for most federal departments to cut program spending by 15 per cent. Critics argue this context raises questions about whether regulatory streamlining may also lead to reduced oversight and weakened protections.
Despite differing views, the government insists the reforms will deliver practical benefits for Canadians, including faster drug approvals, streamlined infrastructure projects, and more efficient service delivery, while maintaining safety and accountability standards.