Harper unveils red-tape-cutting plan

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is taking the scissors to the red tape he says is plaguing Canadian small businesses.

He announced Thursday in Toronto the launch of the the Red Tape Reduction Commission. It’s a group that will consult with business owners to identify factors that prevent their growth and profitability.

Harper is calling red tape a hidden tax and silent killer of jobs. “This commission will travel from coast to coast to coast, to hear from entrepreneurs who deal with red tape and speak on how its impact on their own business can be reduced.”

“After a first meeting today their first public consultation will take place on Wednesday in Kamloops and the commission will release its preliminary report this spring and its final report this fall.”

The commission will be chaired by Rob Moore, the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism. Business owners and several Conservative MPs will also be involved.