Yukon Party Fails to Reduce Red Tape

15-Jan-2010

Whitehorse – A recent report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is more proof the Yukon Party government can’t be trusted to keep its promises, charges the Official Opposition Critic for Economic Development, Gary McRobb.

The CFIB’s report declared the Yukon to be a “laggard” in reducing government red tape. The report, “Prosperity Restricted by Red Tape,” identified the Yukon as a jurisdiction that overburdens businesses with government regulations, and said “it is time to make a commitment to be more accountable to the public.”

“In seven-plus years, the Yukon Party government hasn’t lived up to its commitment to diminish red tape and be open and accountable despite repeated promises to the contrary,” said McRobb.

In 2002, the Yukon Party election platform promised a “Red Tape Review” to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses. The Yukon Party re-pledged the promise to “reduce red tape” in 2006.

“This independent report from the CFIB now proves this government’s product has fallen woefully short of its rhetoric. Those promises obviously weren’t kept and consequently local business owners are over-pressured by the regulatory burden. Red tape is also a known deterrent to new business start-ups,” added McRobb.

“Furthermore, the CFIB has identified the Yukon as falling behind nationally on regulatory reform, and suggested real change will require political leadership from the Premier himself,” McRobb noted.

“After seven long years, time has run out for this Premier and it’ll take a change in government before Yukoners see real change. A Yukon Liberal government would make it a priority to reduce needless regulations for Yukon businesses,” concluded the MLA for Kluane.

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Sheena Smart 667-5081