Legislation to reduce the regulatory burden on Canadians is set to be studied by a range of Senate committees after completing second reading.

Bill S-6 proposes common sense changes to a range of regulatory laws to address outdated, inconsistent and inflexible requirements.

Specifically, it would modify 29 acts through 46 amendments, and it applies to 12 departments and agencies, explained Senator Yuen Pau Woo, sponsor of the bill.

“While the immediate impact of each proposal is relatively modest, all the proposals aim to eliminate legislative irritants and to reduce the overall administrative burden that have become barriers to innovation and economic growth,” he said during his second reading speech.

“What’s more, all of the proposals are cost-neutral and the associated risks are low to non-existent. Taken together, these amendments represent meaningful change to the federal regulatory system and the need for continued commitment to its modernization.”

After completing second reading on April 28, the legislation was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce for further study.

Additionally, five other committees were tasked with studying certain elements in the bill:

• the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (elements contained in Parts 2 and 3);
• the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (elements contained in Parts 4, 5 and 6);
• the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (elements contained in Part 7);
• the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (elements contained in Part 8);
• the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (elements contained in Part 9); and
• the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (elements contained in Part 10).

Each of the five committees are to submit their final reports to the Senate no later than May 30. The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce can take these reports into consideration during its study.