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By Chris Brown

Province keeps cutting red tape in its sights

Nov 16, 2020 | 4:09 PM

The Alberta government is proposing 12 changes across eight ministries that it says will save money and time for job creators.

Bill 48, the Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020 (No. 2) is aimed at speeding up approvals and reducing wait times.

“These common-sense red tape reduction initiatives show how committed our entire government is to our goal of reducing red tape and making Alberta the freest, fastest moving economy in North America,” says Grant Hunter, associate minister of red tape reduction in a release.

If passed, the province says changes to the Municipal Government Act will support economic growth and job creation by:

• Speeding up timelines for subdivision and development permit approvals.
• Creating greater certainty for developers by removing the ability of municipalities to take additional reserve land (beyond the standard amount) from developers for municipal purposes.
• Strengthening accountability and transparency on off-site levies, resulting in less money and time spent on litigation.
• Supporting unrelated seniors who want to live in the same household by implementing a platform commitment known as the “Golden Girls.”
• Expanding jurisdiction of the newly formed Land and Property Rights Tribunal and will be better suited to respond to property rights issues.

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“I feel the most compassionate thing we can do at this time is create jobs for Albertans. The proposed changes to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) will support economic growth and job creation. These changes further our commitment to red tape reduction across our communities,” Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard says.

Scott Fash, executive director of the BILD Alberta Association says the changes and regulations will address challenges and facilitate the development of fair and transparent off-site levies.

“The clarity in rules will reduce red tape and greatly assist industry’s continued partnerships with municipal governments across the province,” he says. “The land development and residential construction industry is a key driver for Alberta’s economic recovery and the improved certainty these changes provide will only help to increase activity and create more jobs.”

Also on Monday, the province tabled its first red tape reduction report. It claims that between May 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, Alberta’s government cut more than six per cent of red tape, saving $476 million.