Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Red Tape Review Progress Report

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Red Tape Review Progress Report

Context

As a regulator, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) plays a key role in enhancing the productivity and global competitiveness of Canadian industry, contributing to the economic and social prosperity of Canadians. ISED's regulatory framework includes managing the country's radio spectrum; protecting consumers and preventing anti-competitive practices in the marketplace; ensuring foreign investments benefit the Canadian economy; overseeing systems related to bankruptcy, incorporation and intellectual property; ensuring measurement accuracy; and promoting the effective use of standards.

To keep pace with rapidly changing global trends and economic challenges, the Government of Canada is working to modernize the federal regulatory system through the Red Tape Review. The review seeks to eliminate outdated, duplicative and inefficient rules that impede investment and slow economic growth.

Led by the President of the Treasury Board and overseen by the Red Tape Reduction Office, this initiative aims to streamline regulatory practices across government departments to support a more efficient and growth-oriented economy. The review aims to create a more efficient regulatory environment, enhance service effectiveness, and attract private investment to strengthen the Canadian economy.

To support this initiative, ISED reviewed the department's regulatory framework—from legislative text to service delivery—and compiled the Red Tape Review Progress Report. ISED's report identifies the actions that have been completed or are under way to help cut red tape from the department's regulatory system.

While the scope of the Red Tape Review is focused on federal regulations, the department continues to advance complimentary efforts to build a strong and resilient One Canadian Economy. For example, the ISED portfolio removed all remaining federal party-specific exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement ISED continues to support efforts to implement the Free Trade and Labour Mobility Act. To further reduce red tape, ISED is working to modernize the department's grants and contributions programs, including the Strategic Innovation Fund, to work faster and more efficiently, for example by simplifying the application process. Taken together, these efforts and those of other departments, will help reduce burden for Canadian businesses and strengthen the Canadian economy.

Executive summary

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has undertaken a comprehensive Red Tape Review to modernize its regulatory framework, streamline processes, and reduce administrative burdens that hinder economic growth and innovation. This initiative aligns with the Government of Canada's broader effort to eliminate outdated, duplicative and inefficient regulations across federal departments.

The report outlines ISED's progress in identifying and implementing reforms across its regulatory domains, including intellectual property, competition, corporate governance, foreign investment, small business support, telecommunications, and measurement standards. In total, the report includes 43 initiatives across the ISED portfolio. A total of 6 initiatives are completed or ongoing, 8 are expected to be completed in the short term (61 days to 6 months), 9 in the medium term (6 to 12 months) and 20 over the long term (more than 12 months). Collectively, these efforts are expected to strengthen Canada's competitiveness, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and improve the overall business environment.

Examples of initiatives covered in the report include:

Completed or ongoing initiatives

Spectrum Allocation Tool - The Spectrum Allocation Tool is an online public-facing search tool designed to help users easily search both the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations and associated relevant ISED documentation, such as applicable technical standards at specified frequency ranges
Non-Competitive Local Licensing Tool - A world leading fully automated spectrum licensing system that makes it easier and faster for industries, innovators, and small businesses to access spectrum and grow their businesses in targeted areas like farms, factories, campuses, and rural communities
Competition Bureau Advocacy Program – Supports stakeholders in identifying and addressing regulatory barriers and promoting reforms that enhance market competitiveness and reduce red tape
Ongoing support for standards development – The Standards Council of Canada is supporting regulators in developing modern, harmonized standards that reduce regulatory duplication, enable innovation and support alignment across jurisdictions
Reducing administrative burden for minor submarine cable licensing actions – Delegating authority for taking minor actions to speed up processes

Short-term initiatives (within 6 months)

Beta launch of the expanded BizPaL services - Integrates federal and British Columbia regulations to help businesses more easily navigate compliance requirements and reduce regulatory burden. Regulations for additional jurisdictions will be added in the future
Online spectrum licence renewal enhancements – Enabling real-time electronic cancellations and payments
Streamlined framework for auctioning residual spectrum licences – Reducing time and costs for accessing unused spectrum
Formalization of One-Member Patent Appeal Board Panel – Streamlining patent appeal reviews to improve efficiency
Fast-track options for industrial designs and trademarks – Expediting examination in specific cases to reduce delays

Medium-term initiatives (6 to 12 months)

Pilot use of remote access for device recertification – Supporting businesses in remote areas through digital inspections
Facilitating notice-and-access for Corporations Canada – Reducing paperwork by enabling electronic shareholder communications
Modernized radio operator certificate process – Digitizing amateur radio certification to reduce manual processing
Amendments to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Regulations – Aligning rules across provinces and enabling digital document handling

Long-term initiatives (more than 12 months)

Canadian Intellectual Property Office fee review – Simplifying and modernizing intellectual property fee structures
Reviewing financial thresholds for not-for-profit corporations – Consider changes to financial thresholds for organizations that receive smaller amounts of public funds, under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, to lower compliance costs and administrative burden for organizations
Modernizing key business frameworks – To reduce duplication, enable the use of digital tools, and simplify regulatory processes related to corporate and insolvency legislation
Explore possibilities for modernizing the Radiocommunication Act – To streamline and automate processes, better leverage modern tools and strengthen service delivery in a rapidly evolving wireless landscape
Modernizing trade measurement legislation - to streamline device inspections and marketplace oversight, and approaches for a scalable, flexible approach for regulatory requirements

For information on recently completed or ongoing initiatives or on short-, medium- or long-term initiatives, see below.