Policy
Proposed Burden Reduction Directive
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Policy
Bill or Act:
N/A
Summary of Proposal:
The Government of Ontario is committed to developing better, well-designed policy instruments (i.e., legislation, regulation, policies and forms) issued by Ontario Ministries that reduce burden, promote economic growth, innovation, and industrial competitiveness, while maintaining or enhancing public health, safety, and environmental protection.
The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade (MEDJCT) Small Business and Red Tape Reduction (SBRTR) is doing this by creating better policy development processes and requirements that incentivize ministries to regulate for the best outcome at the lowest cost to businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and the Broader Public Sector.
The proposed Burden Reduction Directive will solidify the government's burden reduction policy in a single document, regarding the development, maintenance, and reform of legislation, regulation, policies, and forms issued by Ontario Ministries. The proposed Directive will house requirements that currently apply to Ontario ministries under various authorities, and will include:
1. Complying with the Modernizing Ontario for People and Businesses Act, 2020;
2. Publicly consulting on the Regulatory Registry for 45-days for stakeholder feedback, including publishing the direct compliance costs and benefits associated;
3. Ensuring new policy instruments that affect business come into force January 1st or July 1st of each year, to afford businesses more certainty and predictability associated with new regulations or regulatory amendments;
4. Responding to information requests from MEDJCT concerning burden reduction activities within the timeline provided;
5. Providing regular reporting, at the intervals and in the format requested by the MEDJCT, on ministry progress towards existing Burden Reduction Targets.
6. Reviewing all new or amended regulations filed after January 1, 2014
a. Every 10 years of filing, or another reasonable timeline in specific circumstances (i.e., coordination with broader program reviews, coordination with other jurisdictions etc.) for regulations that impose a significant burden to regulated entities;
b. Every 10-15 years of filling or another reasonable timeline in specific circumstances (i.e., coordination with broader program reviews, coordination with other jurisdictions etc.) for regulations that impose a lower-impact burden to regulated entities; and
7. Ensuring provincial policy instruments issued by Ontario Ministries are designed to be least trade restrictive and are written in plain language, so they are easily understood.
In addition to the existing requirements above, there is one new component associated with the proposed Directive and will require ministries to respond to information requests from MEDJCT concerning burden reduction activities.
The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade (MEDJCT) Small Business and Red Tape Reduction (SBRTR) is doing this by creating better policy development processes and requirements that incentivize ministries to regulate for the best outcome at the lowest cost to businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and the Broader Public Sector.
The proposed Burden Reduction Directive will solidify the government's burden reduction policy in a single document, regarding the development, maintenance, and reform of legislation, regulation, policies, and forms issued by Ontario Ministries. The proposed Directive will house requirements that currently apply to Ontario ministries under various authorities, and will include:
1. Complying with the Modernizing Ontario for People and Businesses Act, 2020;
2. Publicly consulting on the Regulatory Registry for 45-days for stakeholder feedback, including publishing the direct compliance costs and benefits associated;
3. Ensuring new policy instruments that affect business come into force January 1st or July 1st of each year, to afford businesses more certainty and predictability associated with new regulations or regulatory amendments;
4. Responding to information requests from MEDJCT concerning burden reduction activities within the timeline provided;
5. Providing regular reporting, at the intervals and in the format requested by the MEDJCT, on ministry progress towards existing Burden Reduction Targets.
6. Reviewing all new or amended regulations filed after January 1, 2014
a. Every 10 years of filing, or another reasonable timeline in specific circumstances (i.e., coordination with broader program reviews, coordination with other jurisdictions etc.) for regulations that impose a significant burden to regulated entities;
b. Every 10-15 years of filling or another reasonable timeline in specific circumstances (i.e., coordination with broader program reviews, coordination with other jurisdictions etc.) for regulations that impose a lower-impact burden to regulated entities; and
7. Ensuring provincial policy instruments issued by Ontario Ministries are designed to be least trade restrictive and are written in plain language, so they are easily understood.
In addition to the existing requirements above, there is one new component associated with the proposed Directive and will require ministries to respond to information requests from MEDJCT concerning burden reduction activities.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed Directive will only apply to ministries within the Ontario government and will impose no compliance costs on for-profit corporations, not-for-profit organizations, or the broader public sector.
The proposed Directive is designed to help reduce regulatory burden in Ontario, making it easier for businesses and not-for-profit organizations alike to succeed and help Ontario become more competitive. They are also intended to support more effective, transparent and accountable regulatory processes.
The proposed Directive is designed to help reduce regulatory burden in Ontario, making it easier for businesses and not-for-profit organizations alike to succeed and help Ontario become more competitive. They are also intended to support more effective, transparent and accountable regulatory processes.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
21-MEDJCT017
Posting Date:
October 12, 2021
Comments Due Date:
October 31, 2021
Contact Address:
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Policy Planning and Development Unit
2 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 3G7
Policy Planning and Development Unit
2 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 3G7