Cutting The Red Tape

Friday, 25 January 2019 07:13

Ernie Hardeman announced a proposal to reduce government red tape, which is negatively impacting farming communities and preventing business growth and job creation.

NORWICH - Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman made an appearance at the Doan and Family Turkey Farm yesterday to make an announcement on the region's agricultural sector.

Hardeman announced a proposal to reduce government red tape, which is negatively impacting farming communities and preventing business growth and job creation.

"We went to the farmers to talk about reducing red tape and try and help them become more efficient, spend less time filling out government paperwork and more time being able to run their business and be profitable."

The announcement to reduce red tape is a part of the Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act.

Hardemen says it will be much faster for farmers to register their business.

"The announcement yesterday was about registration, the farm registration numbers. It has to be done by mail, mailing in and then the receipts mailed back. We're changing that so it will go to Agricorp and it will be online registration so it will make it much simpler. Just go into your computer in your office and punch it in and next thing you know your membership is in."

Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Todd Smith says by reducing red tape, it makes it easier and cheaper to do business in the province.

"Our government is working hard to reduce the regulatory burden facing Ontario's job creators. It is not simply about reducing the number of regulations, it is about making it faster, easier and cheaper to do business in Ontario. Our proposals to make it simpler to register a farm business will reduce paperwork and save farmers time and money."

The proposed changes are part of the government's multi-year Ontario Open for Business Action Plan, which is tackling the red tape that's driving jobs and investment out of the province. The plan includes a target to reduce regulatory red tape affecting businesses by 25 per cent.

If the proposal gets approved, the Farm Business Registration Program would become modernized through electronic delivery and a simplified registration process, which would save time and paperwork for farmers.