Nova Scotia gets an ‘A’ in business report card

Nova Scotia has earned an A for its efforts to reduce red tape, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s annual Red Tape Report Card.

The report card urges decision makers to change excessive regulations on small businesses that cost them time and money. As part of the process, the CFIB grades the government on three measures: taking political leadership, measuring the burden and reducing regulations.

“In Nova Scotia they’ve managed to do all of the things that are required in each of the areas, and they’re not small things, they’re actually really big things,” said Kate Allen, a policy analyst with CFIB in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia has improved its record each year, according to CFIB. The province received a D- in 2015, a C+ in 2016, a B in 2017 and an A- in 2018.

Premier Stephen McNeil and Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Mike Savage have been nominated for a joint CFIB Golden Scissors Award, a national award that honours efforts to cut red tape. Nova Scotia Minister of Business Geoff MacLellan has also been nominated as an individual.

“Premier McNeil is very serious about these issues and has been his entire time in office. The things they’ve been able to accomplish in the past three years are pretty spectacular,” said Allen.

The winner will be announced Thursday.