EXTERNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SMART REGULATION RELEASES ITS REPORT "SMART REGULATION FOR CANADA"

OTTAWA, September 23, 2004 - The External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation (EACSR) today released its report, Smart Regulation: A Regulatory Strategy for Canada. The report outlines the Committee's recommendations based on 15 months of extensive research, consultations and meetings on the state of Canada's regulatory system. The federal government established the EACSR in May 2003 to gain an external perspective and expert advice on redesigning Canada's regulatory approach for the 21^st century.

Regulation is a key tool used by governments to safeguard our health and safety, protect our environment, and govern how business is conducted within our borders and with our trading partners. In the past, Canada's regulatory system served us well, but today's environment of rapid change, evolving global markets and high citizen expectations signals a need for change.

Smart Regulation is about finding better, more effective ways to provide a high level of protection to Canadians, promote the transition to sustainable development and foster an economic climate that is dynamic and conducive to innovation and investment. It must exist in a system that sets clear policy objectives and is timely, transparent and predictable - one that builds public trust in the quality of Canadian regulation and the integrity of the process. The recommendations contained in the EACSR's report provide guidance on how to achieve these goals.

Key among the Committee's findings was the need for increased cooperation among federal, provincial and territorial governments, industry and citizens. In addition, the Committee observed strong support for immediate action on regulatory reform throughout its consultation process. Various stakeholders showed a high level of interest in moving forward. "Their interest and collaborative spirit showed us that cooperation is not only possible, but essential to our vision for a new regulatory strategy for Canada," said EACSR Chair, Mr. Gaëtan Lussier.

"Our report is essentially a call to action. It represents our best advice to modernize Canada's regulatory approach so that the social, environmental and economic benefits associated with effective regulation can be fully realized," added Mr. Lussier. "The federal government will need to consider our recommendations, establish priorities and proceed to build on the momentum for change that currently exists."

Background information on the Committee's key recommendations and a list of EACSR members are attached. Smart Regulation for Canada is available on the EACSR's web site at www.smartregulation.gc.ca.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. France Pégeot
Executive Director, External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation
Tel: (613) 944-5778
Fax: (613) 943-5071

Members of the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation

Chair

Mr. Gaëtan Lussier
Corporate Director
Brossard, Quebec

Members

Ms. Rita Burak
Chair, Hydro One Inc.
Toronto, Ontario

Mr. Bernd S. Christmas
Chief Executive Officer, Membertou First Nation
Membertou, Nova Scotia

Dr. Robert B. Church
Professor Emeritus, Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
Airdrie, Alberta

Mr. Richard Drouin
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Abitibi Consolidated
Québec City, Quebec

Mr. Scott H. Jacobs
Managing Director, Jacobs and Associates Inc.
Former Head of the OECD Programme on Regulatory Reform
Washington, D.C.

Ms. Louise Rozon
Director, Option Consommateurs
Candiac, Quebec

Mr. David Runnalls
President, International Institute for Sustainable Development
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Mr. Raymond I. Woods
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Mr. Robert J. Wright, C.M., Q.C.
Deputy Chairman, Teck Cominco Limited
Toronto, Ontario