QUESTION PERIOD — Treasury Board
Red Tape Reduction Office
June 9, 2026
Senator Moreau, I would like to ask about the Treasury Board’s Red Tape Reduction Office, which was created to make our regulatory system more efficient, reduce barriers to investment and lower costs for businesses.
Building on the Red Tape Review from last year, the Treasury Board Secretariat consulted stakeholders and regulated entities between December 2025 and February 2026 on practical ways to reduce red tape in five key areas.
Can you share some of the findings from those consultations? What were the main concerns and recommendations raised by the stakeholders, and what opportunities were identified to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens, support economic growth and make it easier for Canadian businesses to compete, invest and innovate?
Thank you for the question. The government has heard a consistent message from businesses and stakeholders. They want regulatory processes that are faster, more predictable and easier to navigate. Stakeholders highlighted opportunities to reduce duplication across jurisdictions, improve regulatory service standards, accelerate approvals and make greater use of digital tools to simplify interaction with the government.
There have already been some success stories, like with Health Canada, which is now leveraging trusted international partners to speed up approvals, helping certain drug reviews reach Canadians quicker. And the Canada Energy Regulator has reduced timelines for routine applications from 191 days to just 79 days.
Thank you for that answer. Two weeks ago, the President of the Treasury Board and Ontario’s Minister of Red Tape Reduction co-hosted the first-ever meeting of ministers responsible for reducing red tape. Ministers discussed how AI could help modernize government services and reduce regulatory burdens.
How is the government exploring the use of AI to speed up decision making, improve compliance and deliver more efficient services, while maintaining strong safeguards and public trust?
Thank you. The government objective is to harness its benefits while maintaining the trust and confidence of Canadians, just as I answered Senator Martin’s questions. Artificial intelligence presents a significant opportunity to improve the public sector, reduce administrative burdens and help government deliver services more effectively to Canadians. The government is already using AI to support administrative decision making and continues on that path as well.
