Project ART – Addressing Red Tape Sector Roundtable · Project ART – Tourism Sector Roundtable...

Project ART – Addressing Red Tape

Sector RoundtableAnnual Report

In Partnership with:

• TourismIndustryAssociationofPrinceEdwardIsland;

• PEIChapteroftheNationalFarmersUnionand PrinceEdwardIslandFederationofAgriculture;and

• CanadianFederationofIndependentBusiness

Message from the Minister

In2013,theGovernmentofPrinceEdwardIslandmadeacommitmenttoaddresstheconcernsofthepublic,industry,andstakeholders,asitpertainstoregulatoryburden,commonlyreferredtoasredtape.Thereasonforthisgovernment-widemovementistocreateastreamlinedandmodernregulatoryenvironmentthatallowscitizensandbusinessestooperateasefficientlyandeffectivelyaspossible.

Formany,thisisyourfirstintroductiontoProjectAddressingRedTape,referredtohereinasProjectART.Itismyhopethattheawarenessof thisgovernment-widemovementbuildswitheachsmallstepwetaketowardsrealizingourregulatoryvisionswhichwillincreasePEI’seconomicandbusinesscompetitivenesswithoutcompromisingpublichealth,safety,orthenaturalenvironment.

TheProjectARTSectorRoundtablesareengagementexercisesthatbringtogetherindustryandgovernmenttorecognize,understand,andsolveunnecessaryburdensimposedonbusinessesbyGovernment,ofwhich,threewillberesolved.ThestructureoftheRoundtablesallowsindustrytoconsultonandputforwardkeypriorityirritantsthattheyencounterwhendoingbusinesswithGovernmentandcollaborativelyGovernmentwilladdressthem.

IwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothanktheTourismIndustryAssociationofPrinceEdwardIsland,thePEIFederationofAgriculture,theNationalFarmersUnion,andtheCanadianFederationofIndependentBusinessforparticipatinginoursectorroundtableinitiatives.ThestaffoftheseorganizationsworkedcohesivelywiththeirmembershipandGovernmenttomakeourSectorRoundtablesasuccess.

TheGovernmentofPrinceEdwardIslandiscommittedtoredtapereductionandwelookforwardtointroducingyoutoadditionalinitiativesofProjectARTasweworkalongsideourstakeholderstoimproveservicestocitizensandbusinessowners.

HonourableJ.HeathMacDonaldMinister,EconomicDevelopmentandTourism

Table of Contents

IntroductiontoProjectART............................................................................................................................. 1 AboutProjectART Vision GuidingPrinciples

IntroductiontoSectorRoundtables................................................................................................................ 2

SectorRoundtableCriteria............................................................................................................................... 3

Agriculture IndustryOverview...................................................................................................................................... 4 AbouttheNFUandPEIFA......................................................................................................................... 4

AgriculturePriorityIrritantsandGovernment’sResponse...................................................................... 6

SmallandMediumBusiness IndustryOverview...................................................................................................................................... 9

AbouttheCanadianFederationofIndependentBusiness...................................................................... 9 CFIBPriorityIrritantsandGovernment’sResponse...............................................................................10

Tourism IndustryOverview.................................................................................................................................... 14 AbouttheTourismIndustryAssociationofPEI..................................................................................... 14

TourismPriorityIrritantsandGovernment’sResponse......................................................................... 15

InConclusion................................................................................................................................................. 17

Project ART – Tourism Sector Roundtable |1

Introduction to Project ART About Project ART

ProjectAddressingRedTape(ART)isagovernment-wideinitiativeoftheProvinceofPrinceEdwardIslandthatstreamlinesprocessestosupporteconomicandbusinesscompetitiveinterests,includingto:

Developcollaborativerelationshipsbetween Governmentandkeybusinessstakeholders;

Initiateacitizen-centeredregulatoryreformprocess;

Reduceduplicationthroughbundlingofinformation;

Developaregulator’scodeofpractice;and

Worktoimprovecustomerservicebyeliminating unnecessaryrules,processes,andnon-essentialsteps.

Vision Amodern,stream-linedregulatoryenvironmentthatincreasesPEI’seconomicandbusinesscompetitivenesswithoutcompromisingpublichealth,safetyorthenaturalenvironment.

Guiding Principles • TosupporteconomiccompetitivenessandgrowthinPEI.

• Toprovidesuperiorclientservice.

• Tochampionsmallandmediumbusiness.

• Tocreatestreamlinedandsmartergovernment-to-businessservicesandregulations.

• Toprotectthepublicinterest.

• Toencouragegreaterproductivityandinnovationacross/withingovernmentministries.

• Toencourageconsiderationforregulatoryalternatives.

“Government is committed to having stream-lined regulatory processes that enable our economic and business competitiveness interests, without compromising public health, safety or the natural environment.”

Speech from the Throne Fall 2013



Introduction to Sector RoundtablesOneof thewaysProjectART is improving relationshipswithbusiness is throughSectorRoundtables,whichestablishopendialogueandcollaborativerelationshipsbetweenGovernmentandbusinessstakeholders.

Sector representatives are asked to identify sixprioritiesunder the jurisdictionof theprovincial governmentthatwouldstrengthentheirsector’ssuccess,ifaddressed.Governmenthastwomonthstoaddressthreeofthesepriorities,orexplainwhytheycannotbeaddressedanddeliveralternativesolutions.ThisjointunderstandingofprioritiesallowsGovernmentandthebusinesssectortoworktogether,moreeffectively,togenerateeconomicgrowth,createjobs,andprotectthepublicinterest.

ProjectARTisresponsibleforworkingwiththeministriestoensureprogressandresolutionofeachsector’sissueswithinappropriatetimelines.

Project ART has introduced the Sector Roundtables initiative to:

• EstablishopendialogueandcollaborativerelationshipsbetweenGovernmentdecision-makersandkeybusinessstakeholders;

• ImproveawarenessofthemonetaryandtimeimpactsonbusinessoperatorswhencomplyingwithGovernmentregulations;

• MakequickandresponsiveadjustmentstoGovernmentprocessesandtoeliminateburdentobusinessandtoimprovetheclientexperience;

• MinimizeburdensonIslandbusinesses;

• Identifysolutions;

• Promotesmarterregulatorypractices;and

• Encouragebusinesstogovernmentconnections.In2015–16,ProjectARTworkedonthreeSectorRoundtableswiththefollowingindustriesandrepresentingorganizations:

Industry Partnering Organization(s)

Tourism TourismIndustryAssociationofPEI

FarmingPEIChapteroftheNationalFarmersUnion,PrinceEdwardIslandFederationofAgriculture

SmallandMediumBusiness CanadianFederationofIndependentBusiness


Sector Roundtable CriteriaSectorsareaskedtoconsiderirritantsthatcomplywithfourpiecesofcriteria:

1. Zero Financial Cost to Government AcentralguidelineoftheSectorRoundtableisthatallsolutionsmustresultinzeronewcosttoGovernment.ThefocusshouldbeonchangingthewayGovernmentdoesbusinessandinteractswiththesector,ratherthanchangestofundingortaxregimes.

2. Program and Process Focus Generally,anypriorityrequestswhichrequirelegislativechangesareconsideredoutofscopeinordertorespondwithinthe60dayperiod;however,changestoprovincialprogramsandprocessestoreduceburdensandbarriersareencouraged.

3. Feasibility in 60 days The60daytimelineensuresGovernmentrespondsasquicklyaspossible.

4. Must be Within Provincial Jurisdiction AllprioritiesputforwardbythesectormustbeunderthejurisdictionoftheprovinceofPrinceEdwardIsland.Opportunitiesforfurtherdiscussiononhowtheprovincemayassistinissues/irritantsthatfalloutsidetheirjurisdictioncanbearranged.


Agriculture RoundtableIndustry OverviewTheGovernmentofPrinceEdwardIslandwaspleasedtoworkcollaborativelywiththeagriculturesectorthroughthePEIChapteroftheNationalFarmersUnion(NFU),andthePrinceEdwardIslandFederationofAgriculture(PEIFA)toremoveburdensandtoimprovetheclientinteractionandexperience.

Theagricultureandagri-foodindustryonPrinceEdwardIslandisfacinganexcitingfuture.Thesuccessof‘buylocal’initiatives;thegrowingpopularityofPEIasaculinarydestination;andtheexpansionofproductsintonewAsianmarkets,havepresentedthesectorwithsignificantopportunitiesforgrowth.Atthesametime,thesectorfacesanumberofchallenges—attractingandmaintainingskilledlabour,diversifyingintospecialtymarkets,acquiringcapital,andadaptingtoclimatechange.

Government’spriorityistocontinueworkingwiththefarmsectortogrowtheindustry,andindoingso,influencethecontributionthatagriculture,agri-food,andagri-processingcanhaveontheprovincialGrossDomesticProduct.

AgricultureonPrinceEdward Islandoperates in a complex environmentofdemographic changes,newconsumerexpectations,andexpandingcompetitionfrominternationalmarkets.RecentdataindicatesthatPEIismeetingthesechallengesandgrowing:

• Realizednetincomeincreasedby24percentbetween2012and2013;

• Theseededareaofoilseedsincreased85percentbetween2005and2014;

• Farmcash receiptswerevaluedat$497.0million in2013,an increaseof3.0percentandanall-time high;

• Thevalueofagri-foodexportsincreasedby22percentfrom2013to2014;farmproductsand seafoodwerethemajorcomponents;

• TheDepartmentofAgricultureandFisherieshaspartneredwiththePEIWatershedAllianceon aModelWatershedPilotProjectdesignedtobetterprotectourenvironmentalassets;

• ToenhancePEI’sreputationasasourceforpremiumfoodproductsandadestinationforculinary excellence;governmentdepartmentsandindustrystakeholdersarecollaboratingonthedevelopmentof aFoodInnovationStrategy;and

• Finally,farmingenterprisesonPrinceEdwardIslandaregeneratinggrowthinourlocaleconomy. In2013,3,800peoplewereemployedintheagricultureindustry.

MaintainingaprofitableagricultureindustryonPrinceEdwardIslandremainsakeygoal,andtheProvincewillcontinuetocollaboratewithindustryandGovernmentpartnerstosupporttheagricultureandagri-foodindustrytobecomethemostcompetitiveandproductiveintheworld.

Partnering OrganizationsThe National Farmers UnionTheNationalFarmersUnionisadirect-membershiporganizationmadeupofCanadianfarmfamilieswhosharecommongoals.Everymemberofthefarmfamily—includingchildrenages14to21—arefullvotingmembersoftheUnion.Thisstructurerecognizesthateveryfamilymembercontributestothefarmbyworkingonitdirectlyorindirectlythroughoff-farmemployment.

Member families of theUnion believe that through an organization that represents all commoditiesproducedinCanada,itispossibletopromotethefamilyfarmasthemostappropriateandefficientmeansofagriculturalproduction.Ourgoalistoworktogethertoachieveagriculturalpolicieswhichwillensuredignityandsecurityofincomeforfarmfamilieswhileenhancingthelandforfuturegenerations.


Associatemembers are also a valued part of theNational FarmersUnion family. Associatemembersarenon-farmerswhounderstandthatfoodissuesareeveryone’sconcern,andwhowanttohelpfamilyfarmersbuildasustainableandnutritiousfoodsysteminCanada.

The PEI Federation of AgricultureThePEIFAisanon-profit,democraticorganizationofIslandfarmers,workingtogetherforthebettermentofprimaryproducers.Theorganizationspeakstoissuesthatarenotcommodity-specific,butaffectallIslandfarmers.

TheBoardofDirectorsoftheFederationiscomprisedofonerepresentativefromeachofthecommodityandagricultureorganizations.TheFederationalsoelects, totheBoard, twofarmersfromeachcountywhoarenon-organizationalrepresentatives.TheFederationBoardtacklespolicyissuesthatimpactthecompetitiveandsustainablenatureoftheindustryandtakesanactiveroleinadvancingtheneedsofPEI’sagriculturalcommunityatthelocal,regional,andnationallevels.

TheFederationhasatrainedandcompetentstaffthatisdedicatedtoofferingmembersservicesthathelpthembe competitive in today’s tough economic climate. ThePEIFA is the largest general agriculturalorganizationinPEIwithamembershipofover80percentofallregisteredproducers,drawnfromallcommodities.


Agriculture Irritants and Solutions

Policy Changes

1“When policy changes are being contemplated which will affect farmers, there needs to be consultation with both farm organizations. If a change in policy or legislation is to be made, all bona fide farmers must be notified of the change by means of a letter mailed to them.”

Industry ImpactIttakestimeforafarmowner/operatortoremaininformedofpolicy,legislationandanychangestothese,astheymayarise.Thesechangesmayrequirepreparationand/orchangestoexistingprocessestoremaincompliant.Policyand legislationchanges can result inadditional cost andoperation time forowner/operatorsandadvancenoticeofthesechangesprovidesthefarmerwithleadtimetoprepare.

Government’s ResponseFromthisdateforward,theDepartmentofAgricultureandFisherieswillissueastatementtotheNFUandPEIFA,fordistributiontotheirmembership,explainingchange(s)toprograms,processes,orpiecesoflegislationthatfallunderthejurisdictionofsaiddepartment,andthatsignificantlyimpactagriculture,agri-food,oragri-processingbusinessesoperatedbybonafidePEIfarmers.ThisinformationwillalsobemadeavailableontheDepartment’swebsite,www.peifarm.ca.

Application for Marked Gasoline and/or Marked Diesel Oil Permit and Status as a Bona Fide Farmer

2 “Streamlining the application for renewing Marked Fuel Permit.”

FurtherdiscussionwiththePEIFArevealedthatthisirritantpertainedexplicitlytotheMarked Gasoline and/or Marked Diesel Oil Permit,andStatus as a Bona Fide Farmer applicationform.

Industry ImpactFarmersfoundittimeconsumingandarduoustoprovidetheincometaxdocumentationthatisrequiredtoverifyafarmer’sfinancialstatus.

Government’s ResponseBasedontherecommendationofthePEIFA,theDepartmentofFinancehasupdatedtheMarked Gasoline and/or Marked Diesel Oil Permit,andStatus as a Bona Fide Farmer application,whichwillallowafarmer’saccountant,withaprofessionalaccountingdesignation,toverifythefarmer’sfinancialstatus.Thiswilleliminatethedemandonthefarmertosubmittheir incometaxdocumentation,whichwasoriginallyrequiredtoverifyfinancialstatus.


Grassed Headland

3 “Streamline the renewal for grassed headland or exemption permits.”

ThePEIFAaddedthatfarmersfeltthatifnothinghadchangedontheirfarmthatthere-applicationprocessshouldbeshortened;itwassuggestedthattherebeaprocesstosimplyconfirmthatnochangeshavebeenmadetothefarm.ItwastheunderstandingofthePEIFAthatthevarianceandexemptionpermitsweresubjecttorandomaudits,whichwouldinvestigateanychanges.

Industry ImpactThePEIFAexpressedthatthefarmerowner/operatorsfoundtheprocessesofrenewingtheGrass Headland Variances and Exemptions to be excessively time consuming and would often require a Governmentrepresentativetomakemultipletripstothefarm,oradditionaltripstotheDepartmentofCommunities,LandandEnvironmentwererequiredbythefarmer,whichcouldbeeliminatedwithanimprovedprocess.

Government’s ResponseThe Environment Land Management (ELM) division of the Department of Communities, Land andEnvironmenthasconfirmedthatthisprocessdidchangeinearly2015,inanefforttosimplifybusinessforthefarmer.

The Watercourse, Wetland and Buffer Zone Alteration Program staffareresponsibleforissuingGrass Headland Variances and Exemptions.Inthepast,aminimumofthree(3)separatemeetingswererequiredbetweenstaffandthefarmertofinalizedetailsaroundfieldlocation,landownersignatures,andtoproducethenecessarymaps.Thisprocesswasvery timeconsuming forbothparties.Themethodof issuing theseapprovalshasnowbeensimplified,andallowstheon-siteissuanceofapermitinonevisit.

Atpresent,Grass Headland Variances and Exemptionsareissuedforfour(4)yearsandtwo(2)yearsforpotatocrops.Exemptionrenewalsareverysimple;theproducerneedonlycalltheDepartmentofCommunities,LandandEnvironmenttoprovidethefield’spropertynumberwherethevarianceorexemptionistoberenewed.ThisallowsstafftobringtheGrass Headland Variance or Exemption formtotheproducerfortheapprovingsignature,uponwhichtheprocessiscomplete.

In order to provide the farming communitywithmore informationon theGrassHeadland approvalprocess,ELMhasaddedawebpagedevotedtoGrass Headland Variances and Exemptionsonthedepartmentalwebsiteandasaresult,farmersarenowabletodirectlyaccessinformationpertainingtothepermit.


Securing Round Bales - ClarificationTheNFUsubmittedan irritantpertaining tosecuringroundbales,anduponreviewandconsultationwith theDepartmentof Transportation, Infrastructure andEnergy and theHighway Traffic Act, itwasdetermined that this was due to a misunderstanding in the interpretation of the regulations. Thismisunderstanding can result inadditional time investedby the farmer toachieve compliance, and incaseswhere tie-downs arenecessarybutnot implemented, it can result innon-compliance.Althoughthisisamatterofmisunderstandingratherthananeligibleirritant,theProvincewouldliketotakethisopportunitytoclarifythismatter.

4 The NFU has concerns regarding “wagon loads of round bales which being hauled by a tractor and did not need to be tied down a few short years ago, according to employees of the Transportation Dept. at that time. Apparently this has been changed with no information being sent to farmers.”

Government’s ResponseWhenatractorishaulingroundbales,wherethebalesaresecuredwithsafetybarriersatthefrontandrearofthewagon,thereisnorequirementforthebalestobetied-down.Onlydoestheabsenceofthesesafetybarriersnecessitatetheuseoftie-downs,andsecuritymeasuresareimplementedindirectrelationtothespeedatwhichthesevehiclestravelonthehighway.Belowisanexcerptfromsection4oftheCommercial Vehicle (Cargo Securement) Regulations,pertainingtotheHighway Traffic Act.

Following the resolution of the Agriculture Sector Roundtable, the Highway Safety Division of theDepartment of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy looks forward to a conversation with theNFUon these safety requirementsand to clarify expectationsand improveon the communicationofthese expectations. TheHighway SafetyDivisionwill follow-upwith theNFU tomake thenecessaryarrangements.Fromthisdateforward,theDepartmentofTransportation,InfrastructureandEnergywillissueastatementtotheNFUandPEIFA,fordistributiontotheirmembership,explainingchange(s)toprograms,processes,orpiecesoflegislationthatfallunderthejurisdictionofsaiddepartment,andthatsignificantlyimpactagriculture,agri-food,oragri-processingbusinessesoperatedbybonafidePEIfarmers.

Excerpt from the Commercial Vehicle Regulations (section 4) pertaining to the Highways Traffic Act

(4)Nocarriershallpermitadriver tooperateacommercialvehicleonahighwayfor thecarrier if thecommercialvehicleistransportingroundbalesthatareloadedinasingletierofoneortworowsofroundbalesunlessthecommercialvehicleisfittedwith:

(a)aliftontheouteredgeofeachsideofthecommercialvehiclethathas,ataminimum,aheightofatleast3.5inchesandthatslantstheroundbalestowardthecenterofthebedofthecommercialvehicle;and

(b)frontandrearstructuresthathave,ataminimum,aheightequalto40percentoftheheightoftheroundbales,asloadedonthecommercialvehicle.


Small and Medium BusinessIndustry OverviewTheeconomicprosperityofPrinceEdwardIslandisdirectlyrelatedtothesuccessofsmallandmediumbusinesses.TheProvincehashadalongstandinghistoryofsupportingandcelebratingthesebusinessesasmanyarefamilyownedandprovideessentialservicesandproductstoIslandcommunities.ThesebusinessesareoftencrucialfortheeconomicsustainabilityofruralareasandprovidehighqualityjobsforIslanders.PrinceEdward Island’seconomy isdrivenbysmallandmediumenterprises(SMEs)more thananyotherprovinceinCanada.Inanincreasinglycompetitiveworld,Islandbusiness,especiallySMEsmustlookfornewopportunitiestocompeteonaprovincial,national,andglobalscale.

Government provides extensive supports to the business community that aims to inspire, incubate, andaccelerateSMEs.Thecreationofwealthandnewjobsiscontingentonahealthyandvibrantbusinesseco-system.

Small andmedium sized business confidence on PEI has never been higher. According to theCanadianFederationof Independent Business’May 2015barometer index, amark above 50means the number ofbusinessesinanareaexpectingastrongyearlyperformanceoutnumberthoseexpectingaweakerperformance,andanindexbetween65and70showsthatthearea’seconomyismeetingitspotential.TheindexonPrinceEdwardIslandiscurrentlyat75,thehighestmarksincetheendoftherecessionin2009.

PrinceEdwardisaclosethirdinthecategoryofmostSMEs,relativetotheworkingagepopulation(15yearsandabove).However,SMEsonPrinceEdward Islandmustalsonavigate thechallengesassociatedwithadecreasingworkingagepopulation.Theprovince,likeothers,isexperiencingnegativedemographictrends,anagingpopulationandsmallerfamilies.Manyyoungpeopleareleavingtheprovincetofurthertheireducationor enter theworkforce elsewhere. Future net population growthmust come from equal combinations ofretention,repatriation,andimmigrationefforts,whileplacingparticularemphasisonbuildingjobexperienceopportunitiesforyoungIslandersandnewentrantstothelabormarket.

Partnering Organization – Canadian Federation of Independent BusinessWith membership in excess of 109,000 small businessowners from coast-to-coast, the Canadian Federationof Independent Business (CFIB) is the big voice for smallbusinesses.Forover40years,theCFIBhasrepresentedtheinterestsofthesmallbusinesscommunitytoallthreelevelsof government in their fight for tax fairness, reasonablelabourlaws,andthereductionofregulatorypaperburden.

TheCFIBhastheirfingeronthepulseofanyissuesaffectingthe full rangeof enterprises inCanada, fromone-person,home-based businesses, to firms employing hundreds ofpeople. Through regular polling ofmembership, they areprivytoanup-to-date,firsthandperspectiveregardingthestateof theeconomy,aswellas their feedbackconcerningwhatchangesneedtobemadetogovernmentpolicies.


CFIB Irritants and SolutionsOne Prominent Online Location for all Government Forms

1Given that paperwork is perhaps the single most common interaction that businesses have with the provincial government, making forms easy to find and access will save significant time for business owners. We recommend creating one prominent “Forms” link on Government’s main page which lists and links to all forms sorted into basic categories, preferable in either the top or left-side menus.”

Industry Impact CFIBindicatedthatasGovernmenthas,inmanycases,stoppedsendingoutformstobusinessesforrenewalofpermitsandlicenseswhichhasresultedinanincreasedneedtolocateformsonlineinasimpleandtimelymanner. Unfortunately, these forms are difficult to locate unless you understandGovernment’s internalstructure,whichhasresultedinadditionaltimeburdensonbusinessoperators.

Government’s ResponseThe new Provincial Government Website, launched in June 2016, includes an area, accessible from theGovernmentofPrinceEdwardIsland’shomepage,whereallformsareeasilyaccessed.Formsarenowalsoseparatedbytopicareasforsimpleandeffectiveaccess.FordirectaccesstoallGovernmentforms,pleasevisitwww.princeedwardisland.ca

Easier Electronic forms and electronic submission

2 ”… Recommend that Government take steps to improve electronic forms. This could be as simple as converting existing PDF forms into fillable PDF forms…” CFIB would prioritize the following forms for either web-based or fillable-PDF forms and ask that Government act on at least five of the forms listed below:

• Application for Building/Development Permit;

• Application to Operate a Food Service/LicensedPremise;

• Application for Pesticide Applicator Certificate;

• Electrical Inspection Permit;

• SkillsPEI Workforce Development Fund–EmployerApplication;

• SkillsPEI Graduate Mentorship Program –EmployerApplication;and

• SkillsPEI Employ PEI–EmployerApplication.

Industry ImpactTheCFIBreceivedpositivefeedbackfromitsmembershipforaccesstoonlineGovernmentfunctions,suchastheonlineMotorVehicleRegistrationprocessandassuch,suggeststhatadditionalservicesbemadeavailableonline.Onlineservicesresult inavaluabletimesavingsforclientsbyeliminatingtheneedfortraveltoaGovernmentofficeandbyprovidingthebusinessoperatorwith24-houradayaccesstoservices.

APDFfillableformallowsthebusinessoperatortosavetimebycompletedorpartiallycompletedforms,which eliminates theneed toduplicate efforts fillingout the same formmore thanonce, or altering thecompletedformforfutureuse.Theformmayalsobesimplyreprintedwhentheneedarises.


Government’s ResponseTheProvinceconsultedwithbothinternalandexternalstakeholderswhendevelopingthePEIWebStrategy,aplanformovingforwardthedevelopmentanddeliveryofthenewProvincialwebsite.Duringthisprocess,theneedforimprovementswassubstantiated,whilethedemandforotherserviceswasbroughttolight.Oneoftheseitemswastheneedtooffertrueonlinetransactions.

Thenewprovincialwebsiteaddressesthisneedbydevelopingthenecessaryfunctionalitytoofferreal-timetransactionalservices.Thefirstformsdevelopedwiththisfunctionalityare:

• ApplicationtoOperateaFoodService/LicensedPremise;

• ElectricalInspectionapplication;

• FreedomofInformationandProtectionofPrivacyrequests;

• EnvironmentalTaxRemittance;

• InnovationPEIfundingrequests;and

• SeniorsandFamilyHousingProgramapplication.

TheabovelistwillcontinuetogrowastheProvincecontinuestoon-boardmoretrueonlinetransactionalservices.Meanwhile,theSectorRoundtablehasupdatedtheformsbelowtobePDF-fillable,inanefforttoeliminateburdenonbusinessowners,theyinclude:

• Application to Operate a Food Service /Licensedpremise;

• SkillsPEI Graduate Mentorship Program –EmployerApplication;and

• SkillsPEI Employ PEI–EmployerApplication.

ItshouldbenotedthattheSkills PEI Workforce Development FundwasdiscontinuedwiththeimplementationoftheCanadaJobFundAgreement.

Publication of service standards and processing times

3 “… Where ever possible, Government should clearly communicate its service standards. This could range from adding processing times to applications… to auto-replied emails.”

We would recommend Government publish service standards on forms and on program web pages for at least five of the following programs or applications:

• ApplicationforBuilding/DevelopmentPermit;

• ApplicationtoOperateaFoodService/Licensedpremise;

• ApplicationforLiquorLicense;

• ApplicationforPesticideApplicatorCertificate;

• InnovationPEIWebPresenceProgram;

• InnovationPEIMarketingSupportprograms;

• InnovationPEIPilot&DiscoveryFund;

• SkillsPEIGraduateMentorshipProgram–EmployerApplication;and

• SkillsPEIEmployPEI–EmployerApplication.


Industry ImpactEstablishingservicestandardsprovidesclientswithaminimumexpectationwhenrequestinggovernmentprogramsandservices,whichallows for improvedbusinessand financialplanning. Itwasexpressed thatitmanycases,simplyprovidingtheclientwithageneralprocessingtimemitigatesunnecessaryfrustrationaroundperceivedwaittimes.

Government’s ResponseGovernment established the following Service Standards for the above requested program/service areas,whicharealsoavailableonlineandonapplications:

ApplicationforLiquorLicense:Theapplicantmustsupplyallinformationrequiredinitsfinalformbeforeanyapplicationisconsideredforlicensing.Oncefullycompleted,anapplicationforapermitoralicensetypicallytakesaboutoneweektobeapproved.

Innovation PEI Web Presence Program:FollowingInnovationPEI’sreceiptofacompletedapplication,applicantswillbeadvisedofInnovationPEI’sdecisionwithinten(10)totwenty(20)businessdays.

Marketing Support Program: FollowingInnovationPEI’sreceiptofacompletedapplication,applicantswillbeadvisedofInnovationPEI’sdecisionwithintwenty(20)tothirty(30)businessdays.

SkillsPEI Graduate Mentorship Program–Employer Application: TheDepartmentwill provide a funding decisionwithin two (2) to three (3)weeks of submission of anapplication,providedallrequireddocumentationhasbeensatisfactorilysubmittedandanindividualmeetingtheeligibilitycriteriahasbeenidentifiedforhiring.

SkillsPEI Employ PEI–Employer Application:TheDepartmentwill provide a funding decisionwithin two (2) to three (3)weeks of submission of anapplication,providedallrequireddocumentationhasbeensatisfactorilysubmittedandanindividualmeetingtheeligibilitycriteriahasbeenidentifiedforhiring.

Weekly Fuel Price Adjustments - ClarificationTheCFIB brought forward unscheduled fuel price adjustments as an irritant to doing business, citing thatunder thecurrentsystem, the IslandRegulatoryandAppealsCommissions(IRAC)typicallysets fuelpricesonthe1stand15thofeverymonth;however,fromtimetotimethereareunscheduledadjustments,whichcanbeparticularlytroublesomeforsmallerretailerswiththinprofitmargins.Thismayresultintheseretailerspurchasingalargevolumeoffuelfromtheirwholesalersatapricethatishigherthantheyareabletorecoupfromtheircustomers.

4”In order to improve predictability for independent fuel retailers and help them to time their fuel purchases, we recommend that IRAC analyze the prospect of reviewing and setting fuel prices on a weekly basis and thereby eliminating the need for unscheduled adjustments. Should there be no discernible impacts identified for consumers, we would ask that IRAC adopt the practice of setting fuel prices weekly.”


IRAC’s ResponseThe IslandRegulatory andAppealsCommission—through thePetroleum Products Act—has supervisionovermotor fuelpricingand is responsible toensurea justandreasonableprice tobothconsumersand licensedsuppliersalike.PetroleumpricesinPEIaresetonthe1stand15thofeachmonth(sinceOctober2004).Fuelpricesarecommodity-basedanddependentprimarilyonthechangeoverthepriorpricingperiod—includingbeingsubjecttointerruptionduringtimesofextremefluctuationinthemarket.

TheCommissionassessespricingfrequencyfromtime-to-time,withthemostrecentreviewoccurringinOctober2015.Thatreviewconfirmedthatbi-weeklypricesettingreducesvolatilityandcreatesstableandmoreconsistentpricinginthePEImarket,whilestillmaintainingpricesequivalentto,orbetterthan,ourneighbors.

Specifically, IRAC’s review collecteddata from January2013 toOctober 2015 and comparedPEI’s twice-monthlypricingwithweeklypricinginbothHalifaxandMonctonforgasolineproducts.Duringtheperiod,Halifaxexperienced145gaspricesettingscomparedto74forPEIand,onaverage,PEIgaspumppriceswereonparwithHalifaxandMoncton.During2014–15,PEIexperiencedsixperiodswherepriceswereinterruptedduetoextremechangesinthemarket.Ofthosesixchanges,tworesultedinincreasedpricesandfourweredecreases.

Average Yearly Pump Price(Cents Per Litre)

Location 2014 2015YTD

Halifax 130.8 108.3

Charlottetown 130.5 107.3

Moncton 128.7 106.8

Petroleumproductsintoday’seconomicenvironmentareinconstantandinfluencedbymanyfactorssuchasmarket speculation, globalactivity, refinery capability, extremeweather, and theCanadiandollar.TheCommissionismindfulofthissensitivityand,asaresult,willcontinuetoreviewitspricingprocesses.IRACalsowelcomesconstructiveinputfromconsumersandindustryinordertocontinuetoimproveitspractices.

IRACis inclosecontactwith fuel retailerson the Islandandhasnot receivedanyrequests fromPEI fuelretailerstochangefrombi-weeklytoweeklypricing.


Tourism RoundtableIndustry OverviewPrinceEdwardIslandisoneofCanada’sfavouritevacationandtouringdestinations.IthastwicebeennamedthenumberoneislandinNorthAmericabyreadersofTravel+Leisuremagazine,andhasbeenvotedamongthetopthreetemperateislandsintheworldaspartofCondéNast’srecentReaders’ChoiceAwardsinTraveler magazine.

ThetourismindustryisextremelyimportanttotheoveralleconomicwellbeingofPrinceEdwardIsland.Intotal,itaccountsforapproximatelysevenpercentofGDP,thehighestofanyCanadianprovince,andabout$400millionindirecteconomicimpactannually.

Theindustryisalsoasignificantemployer.Theindustryaccountsforapproximately7,000fulltimeequivalentpositions.Thereareapproximately1,100accommodationoperatorsintheprovinceandthousandsofsmallbusinesseswhobenefitfromvisitors.

2014wasarecordyearfortheindustry.LastyeartheindustrybenefittedfromrecordnumbersforovernightstaysandtravelersthroughtheCharlottetownAirport.Approximately1.3milliontravelersvisitedPrinceEdwardIsland.

Partnering Organization – Tourism Industry Association of PEITheTourismIndustryAssociationofPrinceEdwardIsland(TIAPEI)wasofficiallyformedin1980.TIAPEIisanot-forprofit,membershipbasedorganization,dedicatedtothepromotionandadvancementofPrinceEdwardIsland’stourismindustry.Thegoalsare:topromoteandadvancethetourismindustryinPrinceEdwardIsland;tostriveforcontinueddevelopmentandimprovementofthetourismfacilitiesandservicesofferedtothepublic;andtocreateawiderinterestinandappreciationofthetourismindustryamongthegeneralpublicinPrinceEdwardIsland.

ThemandateoftheTIAPEIBoardistoprovideguidanceonstrategicdirections,financialaccountability,transparency,communications,performanceandsignificantissues,actasambassadorsoftourisminPEI,andadvocateonbehalfofindustry.

TIAPEI,theprovincialorganization,providesaforumtolobbyalllevelsofgovernmentonindustryissues,proactivelyworksonqualityassuranceissuessuchaslicensedaccommodations,highwaysignage,andindustryprofessionaldevelopment,anddevelopsanddeliversprogramandprojectstobenefittheindustryandgrowtourism.


Tourism Priority Irritants and SolutionsChanges in Quality Inspection and Licensing

1“Constant changes in rules and costs for QTS and licensing – some are rarely inspected and others are inspected to the point of harassment and seen purely as money grab. Rules are arbitrary and penalize the best properties while turning a blind eye to “grandfathered” properties that are derelict. Testing, etc. that is ridiculously detailed and it is not even monitored.”

Industry ImpactAlltourismaccommodationpropertiesmustbeinspectedannuallytomeettherequirementoftheTourism Industry Act and Regulations.InspectionsarecarriedoutbyQualityTourismServices(QTS)onbehalfoftheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandTourism.QTSisanon-profitorganizationthatisdedicatedtoqualityassuranceinthetourismindustry.InrecentyearstherehavebeenchangestothemanagementandstaffofQTSwhichmayhaveresultedinoperatorsexperiencinginspectionsofunequalrigor,asnewinspectorsmayindividuallyinterprettherequirementsofinspections.

Government ResponseToaddressinconsistenciesininspectionservicerequirements,theDepartmentandQTShavecooperativelydevelopedanewtrainingprogramforalltourismaccommodationinspectors(TourismStandardsOfficers).Theobjectiveofthistrainingistoclarifytherequirementsofinspectionandtoensureconsistencyintheinspectionprocess.TrainingisdeliveredbytheManagerofProductDevelopmentandtheSeniorComplianceOfficeroftheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandTourismandtheExecutiveDirectorofQTS.AnewbusinessmodelhasbeenimplementedforthedeliveryofinspectionswhichimprovestheDepartment’sabilitytobetterrespondtotheneedforinspections.Thismodelalsoensuresthatinspectionsarecompletedonatimelierbasis.

Simplifying Renewals on Annual Forms

2“Simplify renewal paperwork for Visitor Guide registration and listings. It is ridiculous to fill out paper based applications with similar info every year. Simplify renewal applications for food and pool licenses by allowing a “no change” box and a signature. Ideally, these could be included in an online portal for tourism operators that also process tourism renewals. The vast number of VG display ads are renewals as well.”

Industry ImpactInyearspast,attherequestofindustry,formsweredevelopedtosimplifyhowoperatorsorderandpayforgovernmentservices.Asadditionalserviceswereoffereditbecamenecessaryfortheformtoevolve.Atpresent,tourismaccommodationoperatorscompletetwoforms,whileattractionoperatorscompleteoneformpertainingtotheservicestheyrequire.

Government Response

TheDepartmenthasrespondedtoindustry’srequestwithnewforms,availableinprintandonline,whichincludea“checkhere”boxifthetombstoneinformationforaVisitor Guide listingistoremainthesameasthepreviousyear’slisting.Asecond”checkhere”boxhasbeenincludedtoelectifthepurchaseoflicensesandservicesistoremainthesameasthepreviousyear.The“checkhere”boxeswillresultinasignificanttimesavingsforoperators.Allformsforoperatorscannowbecompletedonline.


Delays in Water Test Results

3“The Tourism Industry Act and Regulations require tourism accommodation establishments test their water every three months during operating periods. This requirement has been supported by industry and in place for many years. A few years ago the Department of Environment began the transition to a new software program and industry was promised that the new software would allow tourism compliance staff to access

operator’s water test results.”

Industry ImpactInaccordancewiththeTourism Industry Actand Regulations,operatorsoftourismaccommodationsarerequiredtosubmitawatersamplefortestingtotheDepartmentofCommunities,LandandEnvironment(CLE)everythreemonthsduringtheiroperatingseason.Eachsampleisaccompaniedbyaformwhichincludesa“checkhere”boxtoindicateifthewatersampleisforatourismaccommodation.Ifthesamplebelongstoatourismoperatorandtheappropriateboxischeckedthenthetestingonthatsamplewillbeexpedited.Insomecasesthe“checkhere”boxisoverlookedandleftblankortheinformationassubmittedontheformmaybeincompleteorinconsistentwithpreviousrecords.Forexample:providingtheincompletenameoftheoperationortheowner.Theseoversightsmaycreateadelayintesting,adelayinresultsordifficultytrackingsamples.

Government’s ResponseAnewprotocolprovidestheTourismStandardsOfficerswithrestrictedaccesstothePEIAnalyticalLab’sLaboratoryInformationManagementSystem(LIMS)databaseforinformationpertainingonlytoself-identifiedtourismclients.Thisnewprotocolwasinplaceforthe2015tourismseasonandprovedverysuccessfulintimesavingsforoperatorsandstaff.

TheDepartmentofCommunities,LandandEnvironmenthasgrantedtheManagerofProductDevelopmentandtheSeniorComplianceOfficeroftheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandTourismfullaccesstotheLIMSsystemintheinterestofmoreefficientandeffectiveservicetotourismaccommodationoperators.


In ConclusionOver the courseof2015–16, theGovernmentofPrinceEdward Islandwas able todeliver viable solutionsand affect real change to government services andprocesses, by removing irritants that are experiencedbythetourismandagricultureindustriesinPEI,aswellassmallandmediumbusinessowner/operatorswhenengaginginbusinesswiththeProvince.Asaresult,ProjectARTsolvednineindustryirritantsandbroughtaboutawarenessandgooddiscussionaroundotherareasforimprovementandconsideration.

TheSectorRoundtableexerciseisavaluableexperienceandhelpedtodemonstratehowgovernmentprocessesmustbeconsideredfromtheperspectiveoftheclient,therebyimprovingservice,eliminatingredtape,allowingforthebetteruseofbusinessresources,andimprovingtheircompetitivenessandprofitability.CollaboratingwithoursectorpartnersattheTourismIndustryAssociationofPEI,thePEIChapteroftheNationalFarmersUnion,thePEIFederationofAgriculture,andtheCanadianFederationofIndependentBusinesshasallowedGovernmenttobetterunderstandthemanychallengesandredtapeinvolvedinbusiness-to-provinceinteractions,andhasprovideduswithareliableandcollaborativeprocessthatallowsustoworktogethertoachievesystemsandprocessesthatperformwell,andwithoutcomplication,forourclientsandforthoseprovidingtheservice.

TheSectorRoundtableshavebeenasuccessfulendeavorthathaschallengedGovernmenttobemorenimbleandresponsivetothebusinessneedsofourclients.

Thankyoutoourpartneringindustryorganizationsfortheirthoughtfulandgoodspiritedefforts.TheirindustryperspectivehasresultedinsoundrecommendationstoprovincialservicesthathaveresultedinamoreeffectiveGovernmentthatprovidesmoreefficientservicestoitsclients—thiswouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheinputofindustryandsupportofitsseniormanagement.

Project ART – Addressing Red Tape Sector Roundtable · Project ART – Tourism Sector Roundtable...

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