Question Period Note: Red Tape Reductions

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KEY MESSAGES
• The Health Portfolio is committed to protecting the health, safety, and security of people in Canada without imposing unnecessary regulatory burden.
• In recent years, we have reduced red tape through targeted regulatory reviews of the health and biosciences, and the agri-food and aquaculture sectors.
• In response to my colleague’s request to launch a review of regulatory stock over summer 2025, the Health Portfolio published its Red Tape Review progress report identifying further areas of oversight where burden on regulated parties can be reduced.
• We remain committed to implementing the initiatives identified that will improve service delivery, streamline regulations, reduce trade barriers, support access to key products, and enable innovation.
IF PRESSED
Q1: If pressed on the ambition of the initiatives to review red tape
A1:
• The Health Portfolio is creating a regulatory environment that balances robust public health protection with economic competitiveness and innovation.
• We are building upon the progress achieved through past regulatory reviews but are taking a broader approach to red tape review that considers regulatory and non-regulatory opportunities to enhance efficiency, streamline processes and build a modern, risk-based regulatory system.
• New initiatives focus on key areas, such as international alignment and trade barriers, improving the stakeholder experience and service delivery, and enabling innovation.
Q2: If pressed on the ‘2-plus years’ completion timeline for some initiatives
A2:
• The Health Portfolio’s red tape review represents its commitment to evaluate and improve on regulations and processes, while maintaining the health and safety of people in Canada.
• Some initiatives will require more time than others so that we can consult with stakeholders on implementation to ensure we get it right.
• For example, Health Canada plans to reduce unnecessary red tape in the framework for clinical trials by replacing the one-size-fits-all approach with risk-based regulations and new trial types and designs. Public consultations and collaboration with foreign regulators will be crucial in doing this successfully.
Q3: If pressed on Health Canada and PHAC’s engagement of stakeholders on the Red Tape Review initiatives
A3:
• This report is only the beginning of the process. The Health Portfolio remains committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes and regulatory approach not just at this time but on an ongoing basis.
• The Health Portfolio consistently relies on feedback from stakeholders to inform its regulatory plans, including feedback on industry challenges such as duplicative requirements, complex processes, and lengthy approval timelines.
• The majority of the initiatives included in the report are informed by stakeholder feedback, reflecting the Government’s commitment to addressing stakeholder concerns.
• For example, to address stakeholder concerns that the regulations for food and health products involve redundant reporting and outdated regulatory requirements, Health Canada plans to streamline drug labelling and food pre-approval processes and harmonize record retention periods.
• Where regulatory changes are required, the Government will adhere to the stakeholder consultation process set out in the Treasury Board’s Cabinet Directive on Regulation.

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KEY STATS
• Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are responsible for 47 acts and 167 regulations, which together account for about 12% of the total federal regulatory burden on regulated entities.

• A joint report by Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada has identified 42 key initiatives as part of our red tape review. This includes 25 regulatory actions, such as streamlining regulatory requirements, and 17 non-regulatory actions, such as simplifying processes and improving service delivery.

• Given its dual role in supporting the health and agriculture portfolios, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency developed its own progress report that is posted on its website.