September 23, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

NEWS RELEASE

Prime Minister Paul Martin today received the report of the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulations Smart Regulation: A Regulatory Strategy for Canada. The Prime Minister acknowledged and thanked the chair, Mr. Gaëtan Lussier, and the other members of the External Advisory Committee for their hard work, commitment and insights.

“Our objective is to modernize regulation to enhance conditions for an innovative economy while finding improved ways to meet high standards of social and environmental protection,” said the Prime Minister. The work of the Committee will inform that effort.

The Committee was established in May 2003 to provide the government with an external perspective and expert advice on the best way to improve the government’s regulatory system to better meet the needs of Canadians and Canada in the 21st century. The report was informed by consultations with non-governmental organizations, business associations and academics, as well as federal, provincial and territorial government officials.

This report is about finding improved ways to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the environment, while at the same time making the system less complex, more responsive and effective.

The Prime Minister has requested that the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Reg Alcock, in his role as the Minister responsible for the Government of Canada Regulatory Policy, lead the development of a regulatory governance framework designed for the 21st century. Other Ministers will collaborate to improve and modernize regulation in areas such as natural resources, environmental protection, biotechnology, health, food safety and transportation.

“Cooperation is essential,” said Minister Alcock. “The government looks forward to working in partnership with stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments, industry, civil society representatives, and citizens to ensure that Canadians are served by a world-class regulatory system.”

For further information, please see the External Advisory Committee’s web site at: http://www.smartregulation.gc.ca.

Government Backgrounder on EACSR

September 23, 2004

The External Advisory Committee and Its Mandate

The federal government established the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation (EACSR) in May 2003. Members were appointed based on their knowledge of regulatory issues and their commitment to the public interest. They brought with them a diversity of personal, professional and regional experience and did not represent a specific constituency or particular interest.

The Committee and its Chair, Mr. Gaëtan Lussier, were asked to provide external advice to the federal government on how it could redesign its regulatory system to better serve the needs of Canadians and Canada in the 21st century. The Committee was given a 12-15 month mandate to study and review the regulatory system and make recommendations.

The Committee was not given a deregulation mandate. Smart regulation is both protecting and enabling. It involves using the regulatory system to generate social and environmental benefits while enhancing the conditions for an innovative economy. The Committee was asked to propose ways to improve and modernize the regulatory system in light of evolving needs, demands and challenges of the 21st century and to identify priority areas for government action.

The Committee’s mandate, which was based on ensuring benefits for all Canadians, had three elements:

• To develop a regulatory strategy designed for the 21st century;
  
• To identify sectors and areas requiring regulatory reform in order to give Canada a strategic advantage; and
  
• To review and provide an external perspective on specific issues identified by departments and stakeholders.