Local business owners—and as of tonight’s council meeting here, town councillors and administration— have been invited to attend a meeting with Ontario’s Red Tape Commission co-chair Frank Sheehan when he comes to the district next week.
Sheehan will meet with local business owners and other members of the community in Fort Frances, Emo, and Stratton on Sept. 4 to hear their concerns.
The Red Tape Commission, established in 1995, consults with businesses to help resolve problems regarding unnecessary rules, redundant paperwork, and other forms of red tape to improve the general business climate in Ontario.
The commission also reviews all new regulations and policies to prevent the creation of new red tape.
“Really, the commission’s job is to work with all ministries, and work with the private sector and other groups like municipalities and figure out a streamlined method to maybe take a few minutes off your day when you’re filling out paperwork,” said Tannis Drysdale, president of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce.
“We as business owners like to sit around and talk about all the unnecessary regulations and red tape in the government, but until we actually take that to the government and say, ‘No, we can’t do it,’ in fact we’re wasting our time.
It’s an important first step.
“There are some regulations that may have made sense 20 years ago or may make sense in downtown Toronto but really don’t translate well here,” she said. “It’s incumbent upon us in the business community to show up for lunch and tell them about it.”^The commission can also intervene in individual cases, as well as review general policy and procedures.
Some of the results of red tape reduction include changes in the Ontario Building Code regarding the manufacture of log homes, and the elimination of annual tourism licenses for some establishments.
Sheehan will listen to concerns at a luncheon at La Place Rendez- Vous on Sept. 4 from 11:30 a.m.
to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Contact the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce at 574-5773 if you would like to attend.
Sheehan will also meet with the Northwestern Ontario Tourism Association in Emo at 2:30 p.m., and with the Rainy River District Municipal Association in Stratton at 3:30 p.m.
Other business at Monday night’s council meeting, which starts at 6:20 p.m. at the Civic Centre, will include:
•a verbal report from Mayor Glenn Witherspoon on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario annual general meeting;
•a request from West End Motors to blacktop boulevard along Holmes Avenue;
•a request from the Town of Penetanguishene to support a motion requesting the Province of Ontario increase the payment in lieu of taxes paid to municipalities where hospitals and provincial correctional facilities are located;
•a request to waive fee from David Lovisa;
•an invitation for applications from community agencies for Grant Programs from the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Victim Services and Office for the Victims of Crime;
•a request from the Borderland Thunder for financial assistance;
•a request from Sunset Country Travel Association for a Letter of Interest from members.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
