Cut Red Tape: Share Your Ideas to Simplify Government Processes

Official title: Cut Red Tape engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Economy & Jobs Housing & Communities
Alberta asked residents to flag government rules that are too complex, slow, or wasteful. The goal? Cut unnecessary red tape by one-third. This consultation ran from 2019 to 2022 and led to hundreds of changes across construction, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, and everyday government services.

Why This Matters

Ever waited weeks for a permit that should take days? Filled out the same form twice? This was your chance to tell the government what's broken. The changes affect everything from building your home to getting disaster relief funds faster.

What Could Change

Hundreds of rules have already changed. Building permits are now processed online. Evacuees can get emergency funds via e-transfer instead of waiting in line. Ranchers got 20-year leases instead of short-term uncertainty. Students under 18 have a lower minimum wage to encourage hiring.

Key Issues

  • Which government forms and processes are unnecessarily complex or duplicative?
  • What regulations should be improved, kept, or scrapped entirely?
  • How can changes reduce costs for Albertans and create jobs?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation is now closed. Review the outcomes in the Red Tape Reduction Annual Reports to see what changed.

What Happened

The consultation ran from 2019 to November 2020. Albertans submitted ideas for reducing red tape, and each was evaluated on whether it would reduce costs, create jobs, or improve lives. The government implemented changes across multiple sectors including construction (streamlined permits, online safety codes), oil and gas (simplified regulations, harmonized standards), tourism (longer leases, relaxed liquor rules), agriculture (faster appeals, longer grazing leases), and government services (automatic AISH-to-seniors enrollment, online disaster payments, digital proof of insurance).