Principal Issues: What is the Red Tape Reduction Commission?
Position: The Red Tape Reduction Commission (RTRC) was announced by the Government of Canada in January 2011. Its mandate was to identify irritants to small businesses that result from federal government rules and regulations. In January 2012, the RTRC released its final report in which it provided recommendations on how government departments and agencies could address the irritants identified by small businesses on a long-term basis.
The CRA is now holding consultation sessions to gain feedback and information from accountants and bookkeepers, small business owners that do their own books and use electronic services, small business owners that do their own books and don't use electronic tools, and small businesses that have recently been audited.
2012 CTF Atlantic Conference
November 9-10, 2012
Question 1 - Red Tape Reduction
What is the Red Tape Reduction Commission?
Response by CRA
The Red Tape Reduction Commission (RTRC) was announced by the Government of Canada in January 2011. Its mandate was to identify irritants to small businesses that result from federal government rules and regulations. The Commission solicited feedback through consultations and 12 roundtable sessions with Canadians and businesses between January and March 2011. During the consultation process, the Commission compiled a list of approximately 2,300 irritants, which it included in its "What Was Heard" Report in September 2011. In January 2012, the RTRC released its final report in which it provided recommendations on how government departments and agencies could address the irritants identified by small businesses on a long-term basis.
The RTRC provided the CRA with over 1,100 irritants identified by businesses during the consultations. The CRA analyzed and grouped the 1,100 irritants into 12 overarching "issues" and developed action plans to reduce or eliminate the compliance burden imposed by each irritant.
CRA will consult with specific small businesses to tailor its action plans to meet the most pressing needs of small businesses. The goal of the consultation sessions will be to gain feedback and information from accountants and bookkeepers, small business owners that do their own books and use electronic services, small business owners that do their own books and don't use electronic tools, and small businesses that have recently been audited.
For more information, please consult our website entitled "The Red Tape Reduction Commission" available at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/rdtprdctn/menu-eng.html.
For specific questions regarding the Red Tape Reduction Commission, please contact Tara Martel of the Public Affairs Branch at (613) 941-3084.
Michel Gauthier
2012-046825
November 9, 2012