By Apna News
SURREY, B.C. - Nearly half of Surrey and White Rock businesses spend at least six hours a week on government compliance, more than 300 hours a year, according to the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade’s 2026 Red Tape Survey.
The survey, released October 30, 2026, found 68% of respondents reported a moderate or major impact from regulatory compliance. Forty-six percent spend at least six hours a week on compliance, including 16% who spend more than 20 hours a week. Forty-one percent were unsure whether they had to report the same information to multiple government departments or agencies.
The leading compliance burdens were understanding requirements, cited by 60% of respondents, completing forms at 58% and gathering documents at 56%.
What businesses want, according to the survey, starts with faster municipal approval timelines, a priority for 75% of respondents. Seventy-two percent want consolidated forms across provincial and federal government, 69% want fewer duplicate reporting requirements, and 67% want better communication between departments.
In Surrey, the top municipal red tape concerns were building permits at 50%, development and amenity cost charges at 48%, and engineering services and development applications at 46% each. In White Rock, building permits ranked highest at 46%.
“Government processes should be clear, coordinated and predictable, allowing businesses to focus on productivity, investment and growth,” said Joslyn Young, chief executive officer of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade.
The board is calling for clearer guidance, faster and more predictable approvals, simplified online services, fewer duplicate reporting requirements and better coordination across departments and governments, and says it will take the findings to municipal, provincial and federal decision makers.
(Source: Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade, October 30, 2026)
