Baillie to introduce red tape reduction legislation during 2012 spring sitting

HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie says Nova Scotia employers are being forced to spend too much time navigating needless government red tape and it is killing jobs and stifling growth.

“Money drained on regulatory paperwork is hurting Nova Scotia’s job creators but the NDP simply aren’t listening to their concerns,” said Baillie. “The NDP keeps heaping on new burdens.”

In a report issued today, the CFIB drastically downgraded Nova Scotia’s red tape report card grade, going from a respectable B in 2011 to a D in 2012. The CFIB says that Nova Scotia had been a leader in red tape reform in the past.

“As a parent, I know if my children came home with such a drastic shift in their report card, there would be major changes - not only to restore the grade, but better it,” said Baillie. “Unfortunately, the NDP is going in the wrong direction.”

Baillie will introduce the Red Tape Reduction Act this spring which will, for the first time in Nova Scotia, give a member of Cabinet the responsibility to reduce needless and costly government regulations.

“The NDP don't understand the connection between excessive red tape and fewer jobs,” said Baillie. “An advocate at the Cabinet table who is committed to cutting red tape will benefit Nova Scotia by ensuring that lens is applied to any government policy or program. This will save time and money that can be better invested in job creation.”

Baillie says a PC government will encourage job creation by getting the fundamentals right: balancing the budget, lowering taxes, eliminating unnecessary regulation and adopting an energy plan that integrates economic and environmental needs.

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