Success Stories
From 2006 to 2009, many tangible steps have been taken across the Provincial
Government to ensure less red tape, less paperwork, more online information and
service, better regulation, and more efficient services for clients.
Numerous departments, agencies, boards and commissions undertook
comprehensive reviews of forms and policies to streamline processes and
eliminate unnecessary red tape.
Small Business
- BizPaL has been introduced to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Stephenville and St.
John’s, with other municipalities to come. BizPal is a federal/provincial/local
partnership that reduces paperwork and red tape that small business owners
encounter by providing easy online access to all permitting, inspection and
licensing requirements for business set-up and expansion.
- Various business funding program forms and the system for processing these
were reviewed to simplify, eliminate duplication and make processing more
effective and consistent for clients and staff.
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Workers, Employers and Clients of Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation
System
- The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) streamlined or eliminated various policies, procedures and processes to simply these for clients and staff and ensure documentation is up to date. For example:
- A new, simpler procedure was developed for expenses related to labour market re-entry (LMR) and workplace modifications and assistive devices to better serve injured workers who are participating in early and safe return to work or LMR programs.
- Policies for small to medium-sized employers under the employer incentive program, PRIME, were revised to eliminate unnecessary processes and correspondence.
- The tendering process no longer requires contractors to submit a certificate of clearance as this is available within WHSCC records.
- The process for making a request for occupational health and safety research funding has been simplified, so that a single process is now applied for both research and promotion/education funding.
- WHSCC has simplified or eliminated forms to reduce red tape for clients and staff. For example:
- Form 13: Authorized Representative Form and the Request for Internal Review
Form were simplified to exclude unnecessary information.
- LMR reports have been streamlined and combined into one form with multiple
uses.
- Employers are no longer required to submit a Form 9: Employer’s Subsequent
Report when an injured worker returns to work as the information is reported
elsewhere through other processes.
- The WHSCC Employer Payroll Statement (EPS) was streamlined to remove
unnecessary information, and changes were made to allow automated processing of
the EPS which increased efficiency.
- OH&S Advisors and Ergonomists are no longer required to provide detailed
comments on each audit question during Health and Safety Audit and Ergonomic
Assessments. Audit summary comments are now used for easier reference.
- Web-based services have been implemented and expanded to improve efficiency
and effectiveness of client services. Online services include Certificates of
Clearance, employer account information, PRIME status and health care cost
reports, employer sub-contractor lists, and submission of OH&S committee minutes
for a piloted group of employers.
- Early and safe return to work (ESRTW) facilitators have improved service
delivery in small to medium-sized workplaces by providing feedback and assisting
workplace parties in identifying creative solutions to challenges.
- WHSCC opened a permanent client service office in March 2008 to investigate
and facilitate resolution of client service concerns, identify system-wide
issues, and recommend service improvements.
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Municipalities
- Municipal Operating Grants are now issued twice annually, instead of four times, meaning that municipalities receive them earlier.
- Processes have been simplified to allow municipalities to access capital works funding easier and quicker. More specifically:
- The municipal capital works funding process was streamlined, providing cash
advances, avoiding accumulation of interest, and resulting in significant cost
savings to municipalities.
- The application review process has been accelerated to ensure commitments are
made early in the year to take full advantage of the construction season.
- Moving to multi-year commitments for capital projects permits larger projects
to proceed in accordance with construction schedules.
- A new engineering design initiative enables preliminary design work to begin
while the environmental assessment and federal approval processes are ongoing.
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Mineral Exploration
- The Mineral Rights Administration Database (MIRIAD) uses the internet and e-commerce to provide clients with a state-of-the-art system for mineral claim staking, allowing real-time acquisition of licences from anywhere in the world. MIRIAD saves the private sector time and money and makes the province more competitive for exploration companies.
- Legislative changes to the Mineral Act
- Several guidelines were reviewed and improved, including: Mining Act Guidelines; Mineral Development, Rehabilitation/Closure Guidelines; Junior Exploration Assistance Guidelines; Prospectors Assistance Guidelines; Quarry Assessment Report Guidelines; and Mineral Property Assessment Report Guidelines
- A number of forms were updated:
- Junior Exploration Assistance Applications For Assistance
- Prospectors Assistance Application For Prospectors Grant
- Prospectors Assistance Prospecting Report Form
- Map Request Form
- Quarry Lease Application
- Peat Harvesting Application
- Offshore and Onshore Drilling and Production Conservation Regulations have been modernized.
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Tourism Industry
- Cut paperwork for tourism operators by combining redundant forms and moving
to a modern, efficient online Tourism Destination Management System. Operators
are also able to update their tourism information online for the annual travel
guide and the website.
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Fishing Industry
- Some species production reports are now provided weekly instead of daily,
significantly reducing the frequency with which operators are required to submit
data to government.
- Electronic systems have been modified to customize primary data collection
from industry.
- Implemented a ticketing system that will make the payment of fines for minor
offences less onerous and allow operators to avoid court appearances and legal
fees.
- The Fish Inspection Act and Regulations were updated and modernized, including
the elimination of duplication with federal regulations and the removal of
redundant clauses.
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Apprentices and their Employers
- Changes to the provincial Apprenticeship Registration System greatly
improve the ability of apprentices to obtain journeyperson certification.
Apprentices can now receive credit for on-the-job training they log in Alberta
and continue to access federal support as registered apprentices.
- Restrictive journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio requirements have been revised,
giving employers greater flexibility and allowing more apprentices to gain
valuable worksite training. The change permits an additional final year
apprentice to be hired for every 1:1 ratio an employer currently has.
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Income Support Clients
- HRLE has taken an aggressive approach to streamline processes, decrease
administrative burden, and introduce technological advancements to improve
service. New measures, including telephone application, have been introduced to
increase efficiency and shift people and resources away from administrative
tasks to working directly with clients. For example:
- A Working Income Supplementation Unit was opened in Marystown with
responsibility for working Income Support clients across the province to ease
the monthly reporting of earnings.
- A pilot program was implemented that allowed working Income Support clients to
report their earnings through The Online Mailback System (TOMS).
- Direct deposit was promoted, resulting in approximately 400 people signing on
from August to December 2008.
- The department partnered with the Metro Business Opportunities Corporation to
help support Income Support clients who are self-employed by providing business
plan guidance and counseling.
- A Client Automated Payment System (CAPS) was implemented, which has created an
integrated, electronic file as opposed to a separate paper file and financial
assistance computer system. This allows the client to received services from
anywhere in the province.
- HRLE is ensuring services are more accessible, effective and efficient for people. This includes the availability of toll-free telephone services, text telephone, and forms in Braille.
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Seekers of Career and Employment Information
- Up-to-date information on career and employment planning can be accessed
with ease in several ways through the “Click, Call or Come In” network: online
at www.LMIWorks.nl.ca, by toll-free phone, or by dropping in to one of the
several Career Work Centres across the province.
- A redesigned wage subsidy program with a single application makes it easier
for employers to secure financial support and for individuals looking for work
experience to receive the services they require.
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Newcomers
- Applicant fees under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were lowered,
increasing accessibility.
- An early screening process was adopted for PNP applications to assess
completeness and conduct follow-up, which has reduced average processing time
and eliminated backlogs.
- A provincial immigration portal was developed that brings together accurate,
current and consistent online information, tools and services for immigrants,
foreign workers and international students.
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Public Utilities and Consumers
- Alternative Dispute Resolution employed by the PUB has streamlined the
regulatory process and costs, benefiting both the utilities and consumers.
- The processes for both insurance category 2 filings and utility capital
budgets have been refined to provide clarity and consistency in making and
review of applications.
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Hunters and Fishers
- Excessive requirements on salmon and big game licences and returns were
eliminated, reducing effort for clients and improving administrative timelines.
- Continued enhancements have been made to the Wildlife Information Management
System by reducing client application time and improving accessibility to and
understanding of the computerized big game licensing process.
- Curriculum was redesigned and delivery of hunter and trapper training courses
was enhanced by streamlining the registration process and reducing student
registration redundancies.
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Tour Boat Operators
- A new Tour Boat Policy was developed in cooperation with operators which
clarifies and streamlines business operating procedures, addresses licensing and
reporting procedures and outlines requirements in one policy document.
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Less Paperwork
Free Textbooks for Students
- Providing free textbooks for students throughout the province has
eliminated the vast majority of documentation previously required each year for
ordering.
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Green Fund
- The application process was streamlined and made available online for the
convenience of participants.
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Water Resources
- By harmonizing the permitting system under the Water Resources Act, a
proponent now completes and submits a single application rather than one for
each type of permit.
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Timber Purchasers
- The Timber Purchase Licence was modified from an individual district
application to a single provincial application. This has resulted in significant
cost and time savings for applicants.
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Special Education Programming
- Delivery of special education programming was reviewed as part of the ISSP/Pathways Commission and required documentation was significantly reduced.
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Public Housing Users
- The application streams for rental of public housing were condensed into
one application for the entire province, and the length of the application was
halved, increasing ease of completion for clients and more efficient
administration for NLHC.
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More Online and Telephone Services
Increased access to e-government and tele-service is increasing accessibility
of information and services.
Registry of Companies and Deeds Users
- Use of the Companies and Deeds Online system has risen.
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Car Owners
- On top of reduced vehicle registration fees, a 10 per cent discount
encourages online registration.
- Improved access to information through tele-service at the Motor Registration
Division is resulting in improved customer service. Approximately 70% of
customers have their calls handled directly by the agent who answers with the
remainder referred to various program areas for more specialized service
requirements.
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Campers
- Advanced reservations for provincial campsites can now be made online and
through a 1-800 toll free phone service, which increases convenience for
customers and reduces administrative functions.
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Better Regulation and Legislation
Numerous statutes have been improved or eliminated by removing redundant
legislation and making many statutes more modern.
Occupational Health and Safety
- Amendments in 2006 to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
provide flexibility and allow employers to choose first-aid providers.
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Labour Relations
- Government, together with business and labour groups, initiated a
comprehensive review of collective bargaining legislation, with a view to
enhancing the labour relations framework and providing an employment relations
climate conducive to economic growth.
- Several amendments have been made to the Labour Relations Act, the Public
Service Collective Bargaining Act and the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining
Act, which has improved Newfoundland and Labrador’s employment relations
framework, with respect to the operations, rules and procedures of the Labour
Relations Board.
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Self-Regulating Professions
- A number of outdated acts for self-regulating occupations were replaced
with new legislation improving management of the profession and providing
greater consumer protection (including architects, engineers and geoscientists,
chartered accountants certified general accountants and certified management
accountants, and embalmers and funeral directors).
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Borrowers
- A new Cost of Credit Disclosure Act was introduced and harmonized with the
federal Bank Act, providing consumers with standardized and transparent
disclosure for the cost of borrowing.
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Voluntary and Non-profit Sector
- Changes to Collections Regulations have eliminated licence requirements for
non-profit and charitable organizations.
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Securities Regulation
- Through the Securities Passport System, which harmonizes legislation with
other provinces, there has been a significant reduction in red tape as
businesses only have to register with a principle jurisdiction, providing a
single window of access to Canadian capital markets.
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Other
- A number of antiquated acts were repealed, including the Bulk Sales Act,
Corporations Guarantees Act, Lodgers Goods and Protection Act, Trust and Loan
Corporations Licensing Act, Security Deposit Interest Regulations under the
Residential Tenancies Act and three Orders under the Trustee Act.
- Redundant licensing requirements that duplicated provisions in other Acts have
been removed. e.g. Salvage Dealers Licensing Act; Automobile Dealers Act.
- Changes to the Private Investigators and Security Services Act and regulations
eliminated the requirement to licence individual security guards, reducing red
tape and regulatory process for industry and government.
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Fewer Fees
- A Fees Review resulted in reduction or elimination of more than 170 fees, resulting in approximately $30 million in fee reductions since 2007-08.
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Other
Suppliers
- A new, complete procurement system will enable users to collect and analyze
critical data and information, assist in maximizing use of local vendors,
improve turnaround times, as well as allow suppliers to register their
businesses and commodities online, update their system profile as needed and
submit bids electronically, thereby reducing paperwork.
- The Tender Award and Reporting System (TARS) for filing information on notices
and award of public tenders has provided government with an efficient reporting
method.
- The Project Management and Design Administration (PMDA) Manual, through TW,
was revised to reduce overlap with professional associations, and was placed
online to facilitate public tendering.
- A Master Specification Guide for work on public funded buildings was adopted
by industry users.
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Justice and Corrections
- The Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre implemented videoconferencing,
which is reducing travel time and risk for clients associated with otherwise
having to be transported during inclement weather to appear in court.
- A secure Web Portal improves accessibility of the Support Enforcement Program
and information sharing with other provinces and territories.
- The RNC Public Complaints Commission has simplified forms, ensured updated
information on its website, and made more information accessible online.
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MMSB
- The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board cut down on paper documentation
associated with client requests under Waste Management Regulations, moving to
more electronic and telephone delivery.
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Northern Residents
- The Air Foodlift Subsidy rate was raised to 80 per cent, resulting in an
average increase of 10 per cent for participating communities, further lowering
costs to consumers.
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