The expansion of “red tape” reduction efforts to a specific entity within cabinet responsibilities is getting full marks from the business community.

Premier Tony Wakeham last week named Energy Minister Lloyd Parrott as the one who is also now responsible for reducing the regulatory burden on people and companies.

That profile has occupied a separate profile within government before – beginning with Danny Williams some 20 years ago, yet the Canadian Federation of Independent Business continually gives Newfoundland and Labrador an F grade when it comes to red tape.

Executive director Jonathan Galgay says the extra time and work required to have anything go through government is costly to the business community.

He gives an example of a small business owner in central Newfoundland who has a personal care home and is saddled with red tape, and another on the Southern Shore who has to apply for three liquor licenses to be within one establishment.