Departments and agencies are responsible for the ongoing management of regulations and their associated programs and activities to improve the effectiveness of regulatory programs in setting and meeting their objectives.
Regulatory program activities could include: compliance and enforcement, inspections and licensing, compliance promotion activities and outreach, data gathering, measuring performance, and providing clear and transparent information and service to Canadians on regulations, and regulatory and legal responsibilities.
To encourage compliance with regulations, it is important for departments and agencies to provide the public and regulatees with all relevant information on what is expected of them in a format that is easy to understand.
6.1 Enhancing predictability
Departments and agencies are responsible for developing, publishing, and reviewing service standards for High Volume Regulatory Transactions that promote the timeliness of decision-making and provide Canadians with clear information on expectations for interactions and service.
Departments and agencies are also responsible for developing and publishing guidelines for the public to help clarify regulatory requirements for stakeholders and improve information sharing between the regulator and regulated stakeholders.
6.2 Compliance and enforcement
Departments and agencies are responsible for promoting the effectiveness of their regulations through the development and implementation of compliance and enforcement strategies and programs. These strategies and programs should:
- Consider the use of risk-based approaches in the design and enforcement of compliance strategies;
- Ensure resources are allocated to address the most significant risks;
- Engage with the regulated communities on a proactive basis with a view to improving compliance rates, as appropriate; and,
- Provide clear guidance on compliance with regulations, when appropriate.