New N.L. red tape reduction portfolio could work, if resourced right, says political scientist

Cameron Kilfoy · CBC News

· Posted: Aug 21, 2026 12:54 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 21

Thursday’s surprise cabinet shuffle came with a new portfolio — red tape reduction — and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham says it's to show the government is there to assist businesses with developments instead of getting in the way.

Memorial University political scientist Elizabeth Schwartz said that messaging signals the Progressive Conservatives believe the government gets in the way of these processes.

“They are not saying ‘We are going to make these services more effective,’” Schwartz told CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show.

“They’re saying ‘We’re going to make them more efficient and faster, we think we are the problem’… in terms of the way we fill out forms, as opposed to the way we fund things.”

Red tape is a phrase often used by businesses to describe complicated bureaucratic procedures that can sometimes slow down project development. Reducing red tape barriers has long been a promise from Wakeham, dating back to his time in opposition. Funding was even included in this year's budget to establish a red tape reduction office.

“We wanted to put someone directly in charge of red tape reduction… as we move into development on all of these major [Churchill Falls] projects, we’ll have a key focus on that,” Wakeham told reporters following the shuffle on Aug. 20.

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The red tape portfolio will be overseen by Minister Lloyd Parrott, who is minister of government services, the minister of labour and minister responsible for Workplace N.L., minister of energy and mines as well as government house leader.

Wakeham said those files position Parrott to move forward on the challenges facing businesses.

Schwartz said there can be benefit to stacking portfolios because it sometimes shows what portfolios government believes are linked and by having one person in charge they have a better understanding of topics.

“I think it’s a good thing that the minister in charge of government services is also in charge of this red tape office because if it is about streamlining government services it makes a lot of sense,” said Schwartz.

Schwartz said the creation of the file could just be a political move, and in a way it does create more bureaucracy to get rid of bureaucracy. But if done right, in the long term it could lead to a reduction in "unnecessary bureaucracy.”

“It could be a good thing, if it is really true… that they’ll give this department the mandate and authority to tackle this problem, it could work,” said Schwartz. 

She said the office can only set out to do what it intends if the government resources it properly. She hopes it isn’t just a title but an efficient, functioning department.

Hopes for new portfolio

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce sees the newly created portfolio as a positive first step for making it easier to do business in the province. In a statement, president Rhonda Tulk-Lane said “excessive regulation and administrative burden” has been the number one barrier for businesses looking to grow across N.L.

Now, with a dedicated minister, Tulk-Lane says it shows government is serious about addressing the problem.

“Premier Wakeham has spoken about moving Newfoundland and Labrador from leading the country in red tape to leading it in red tape reduction. Assigning this responsibility to a dedicated minister gives that commitment the focus and accountability it needs," she said.

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