By Tim Banks, CEO of APM Group
Prince Edward Island is at a crossroads. We have the opportunity to foster sustainable business growth that creates jobs, builds a stronger tax base, and funds the social programs Islanders rely on. But instead of seizing this opportunity, we are being held back—by a culture of bureaucracy and red tape that stifles innovation, investment, and progress. And we are falling behind.
While other Maritime provinces take decisive steps to attract business and streamline development, PEI remains mired in inefficiency. The permitting process for housing and commercial development is slow and unpredictable. Administrative barriers in health care make it harder for Islanders to access the services they need. Entrepreneurs and established businesses alike face a regulatory environment that seems more focused on maintaining outdated processes than fostering growth.
The problem isn’t unique to PEI, and there is a precedent in Ontario for how to take action. But because we are small, the impact here is particularly severe. Our economy relies on agility, creativity, and investment to stay competitive. As we enter a period of uncertainty—facing potential economic disruption from the U.S. and a federal election on the horizon—PEI cannot afford to be held back by excessive bureaucracy.
The Cost of Inaction
Red tape doesn’t just frustrate businesses; it has real economic consequences. Every delay in a development project means fewer homes built and fewer jobs created. Every unnecessary administrative hurdle in health care means longer wait times and increased pressure on overburdened providers. Every regulatory roadblock to business expansion means lost opportunities for investment, employment, and economic diversification.
Consider this: in nearby communities like Truro, business-friendly policies are attracting new investment and fueling growth. Meanwhile, in PEI, developers and business owners struggle with inconsistent regulations, slow approvals, and shifting goalposts that make long-term planning nearly impossible. The message this sends to investors is clear—PEI is not open for business.
A Solution: A Public ‘Red Tape Review’
To tackle this issue head-on, I am calling for a public, independent Red Tape Review. As mentioned above, the Doug Ford Government in Ontario is leading by creating an entire Ministry to address red tape and inefficiencies. Even the name is straightforward and clear: The Ministry of Red Tape Reduction. Its mission is something we should all be able to agree with: To improve services for people, reduce costs for businesses, and make it easier to work with government.
We urgently need this kind of focus brought to PEI, to identify and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic barriers in three key areas:
- Planning and Development Approvals – Streamline the permitting and approval process for housing and commercial projects to support faster, more sustainable development.
- Health Care Accessibility – Reduce administrative burdens that delay patient care and divert resources away from frontline services. And have an honest conversation about how private providers can complement the public system we all cherish.
- Everyday Challenges for Islanders – Simplify processes that impact businesses and residents, from starting a business to accessing government programs.
This review must be more than just another report that sits on a shelf. It needs to engage businesses, community leaders, and everyday Islanders who deal with these barriers firsthand. It must result in concrete, actionable recommendations that the government will commit to implementing.
A More Prosperous Future for PEI
Reducing red tape isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about building a smarter, more responsive government that works with businesses, not against them. It’s about ensuring that PEI is a place where entrepreneurs can thrive, where families can find housing without unnecessary delays, and where the public sector operates efficiently to serve its citizens.
By streamlining our processes, we can:
- Accelerate business development and job creation by making it easier for companies to invest in PEI.
- Strengthen our communities by ensuring that housing and infrastructure projects move forward without unnecessary obstacles.
- Enhance public trust in government by demonstrating a commitment to efficiency, fairness, and results.
PEI has limitless potential. But to unlock it, we need a government that recognizes the cost of red tape and takes meaningful action to remove it. I urge our leaders to make this a priority in the 2025-2026 budget and beyond. The time to act is now—before we fall even further behind.