Ministry of Red Tape Reduction
Norfolk County is committed to delivering efficient, cost-effective services, but increasingly complex provincial requirements consume valuable staff time and municipal resources without improving outcomes for residents.
Where we’re at
Outdated technology, duplicate reporting, inconsistent grant processes, frequent legislative changes, and delayed provincial decisions create unnecessary administrative costs, make budgeting and long-term planning more difficult, and delay project delivery.
Examples include:
- OPP billing: The 2027 billing statement has not yet been released, making it difficult to finalize budgets and requiring estimates to be used
- Child care and Education Finance Information System (EFIS): EFIS provides limited access, with only certain staff able to submit information. Reporting capabilities are limited, making it difficult to obtain the information needed for budget planning and to respond to questions
Norfolk asks that the Province
- Reduce administrative burden on municipalities by streamlining legislation, modernizing provincial systems, and creating consistent, predictable processes for funding, reporting, and regulatory requirements
- Help municipalities eliminate duplicate reporting that needs to be discussed in Council and requires Council resolution
- Amend the Municipal Act to allow municipalities to roll unpaid fines onto tax rolls regardless of property ownership
- Eliminate the requirement for Council resolutions to apply for or accept routine provincial grants
- Standardize grant application, reporting, and funding timelines
- Reduce duplicate reporting requirements and simplify compliance processes
Norfolk is ready.
We can grow Ontario, together.