Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Conservatives will take blue scissors to red tape

Statement from Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna–Mission, on CFIB’s Red Tape Awareness Week 


During CFIB’s Red Tape Awareness Week, small businesses across British Columbia are looking for real action, not more perfunctory lip service. 

More than 98 percent of businesses in British Columbia are small businesses, creating 55% of all private-sector jobs. When small business struggles, the entire economy feels it. British Columbia has consistently recorded some of the weakest small-business confidence in Canada, and we are facing generationally high youth unemployment. 

That should make red-tape reduction a pressing priority, not something pushed to the back burner. For many entrepreneurs, regulatory burden is as much of a drag on growth as taxes, even sometimes worse, as it consumes time, energy, and attention that could otherwise be spent serving customers and creating jobs and opportunities. 

The NDP pay lip service to ease of doing business while shutting down things that would make a difference. This government has shown an ongoing reluctance to listen to the people doing the hiring, paying the bills, and taking the risks. 

The NDP sidelined the Small Business Roundtable after last convening it in February 2024, despite the Roundtable’s long track record of serious work, including a major 2018 report and other practical recommendations to remove real, fixable barriers. 

After nearly two years of silence, Minister Kahlon formally shut down the Roundtable on December 30, 2025. In a letter, he told members it had been replaced by the Trade and Economic Security Task Force, which he claimed would provide a timely and strong voice with government. That task force was quietly disbanded in August 2025. 

Minister Kahlon’s letter also cites his government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative, which is little more than a glorified Google form. Instead of acting on countless warnings and recommendations, the government has leaned on a generic submission portal that cuts out experienced partners like Chambers of Commerce and business associations that have been doing the hard work on red-tape reduction for decades. 

This was a choice, not an accident. Replacing structured dialogue with a digital suggestion box is not engagement. This is why business associations and structured tables matter: they do the hard work of synthesis, turning scattered and time-constrained feedback into clear, actionable advice government can use. 

“Small businesses don’t need another inbox; they need a seat at the table and a government that listens. We will bring back the Small Business Roundtable, give it teeth, and act on its recommendations so entrepreneurs can spend less time fighting red tape and more time creating jobs.” ~~ Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna–Mission 

Small businesses are not asking for special treatment. They’re asking for respect for their time, genuine engagement, and a government that understands red tape can be just as damaging as higher taxes. Red tape is real. Small businesses deserve a government that takes it seriously, and acts to make it better.  

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper to step down for Conservative Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a by-election

Deputy Whip and MLA Reann Gasper has informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia of her decision to step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, creating an opportunity for Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek the seat in a forthcoming by-election. Gasper said the decision was made carefully and deliberately, with the future of British Columbia firmly in mind. Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper “This is a decision I have made after a great deal of careful consideration, and I believe it is the right decision for me, for our Party, and for the work ahead,” said MLA Gasper. “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.” “I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Sits on $61 Million With No Start Date for Burnaby Hospital

Phase 2 of Burnaby Hospital redevelopment  was green lit to go ahead in September 2023 The NDP spent $45 million on the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, cancelled the second phase, and now has another $61 million listed for the project in the province’s Public Accounts, with no start date for construction. If the NDP cancelled the project, what is happening to the $61 million set aside for it? The Phase 2 project was expected to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion and was intended to expand the hospital’s capacity. With Burnaby’s population growing and residents struggling to access healthcare, the government should be investing in healthcare capacity, not leaving millions of dollars tied up in limbo. “The NDP spent $45 million on this project before cancelling it, and now $61 million remains listed for it in the Public Accounts,” said MLA Misty Van Popta, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure. “If the government isn’t going to build the hospital expansion, it should explain whe...
Post a Comment
Read more

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more