Canada Introduces Bill S-7 to Cut Red Tape Across 31 Federal Laws
The Government of Canada introduced Bill S-7 on October 7, 2026, proposing amendments to 31 pieces of legislation across 11 federal departments. The bill addresses 11 of roughly 500 measures identified in a cross-departmental regulatory review and is estimated to generate $264 million in savings over a decade.
On October 7, 2026, the Government of Canada introduced Bill S-7, the Cutting Red Tape for all Canadians Act. The legislation proposes targeted amendments to 31 individual pieces of legislation administered by 11 federal departments and agencies.
The bill follows a cross-departmental review of all federal regulations ordered by Prime Minister Mark Carney in July 2025. That same year, the President of the Treasury Board established the Red Tape Reduction Office and launched the first Red Tape Review. In September 2025, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali stated that the initiative resulted in departments identifying hundreds of ways to cut red tape.
Senior government officials indicated that only 11 of the approximately 500 measures identified during the review are being addressed through Bill S-7. The government estimates the changes outlined in the legislation could result in $264 million worth of savings over 10 years for both the government and the private sector.
The proposed amendments cover a range of topics, including fertilizer regulations, bankruptcy procedures, Canadian Dairy Commission appointments, animal waste management, and the adoption of electronic tools. The measures aim to streamline processes in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, mining, telecommunications, transport, and the digital economy. Additional intended outcomes include improved access to financing for farmers, faster pre-market assessments for agricultural products, simpler bankruptcy and restructuring procedures for small businesses, modernized regulatory frameworks reflecting technological realities, and the elimination of duplicative reporting requirements.
A media technical briefing regarding the red tape reduction effort was held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 5:15 pm at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa.