Ten more B.C. municipalities are making it easier to start and run a business thanks to BizPaL, an online business permit and licence service that saves entrepreneurs time and money. In total, 110 B.C. communities now offer BizPaL.

The new municipalities are Central Saanich, Delta, Langford, Mackenzie, Nelson, New Westminster, Port Moody, Sechelt, Smithers and Valemount.

Today, Federal Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) Maxime Bernier and Provincial Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell, along with municipal representatives, celebrated the launch of the newest communities that now offer BizPaL in British Columbia.

BizPaL is an innovative service that reduces a process that in the past took a full business day, to 20 or 30 minutes. It provides business owners with online, simplified access to information about the permits and licences they need to establish and run their businesses.

BizPaL is the result of a unique partnership among federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments, which cuts through the paperwork burden and red tape that small business owners encounter, helping them focus on business growth and job creation.

Quotes:

Maxime Bernier, Minister of State, Small Business and Tourism -

"Our government is committed to creating the right conditions for entrepreneurs to succeed and to create jobs and wealth for our country."

"BizPaL is a useful tool that is part of our efforts to decrease the amount of red tape for small- and medium-sized businesses. I am pleased to announce it is now available in these communities."

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"BizPaL is the result of three levels of government working together to help make life easier for B.C.'s small businesses. Innovation and job creation trump time spent navigating through red tape. BizPaL allows entrepreneurs to focus on what's important - growing their businesses."

George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC -

"At Small Business BC we provide critical information and a range of products, services and education that help entrepreneurs across the province increase their opportunity to become successful. By providing easy access to government permits and licenses through one single source, BizPaL has proven to be a highly effective cost and time-saving resource for business owners."

Learn More:

Area business owners and entrepreneurs can access the service by visiting the provincial website at: www.bcbizpal.ca

Or, the Government of Canada website at: http://www.bizpal.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104

Industry Canada
Media Relations
613 943-2502

BACKGROUNDER

April 20, 2012 Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

Industry Canada

What is BizPaL?

BizPaL is a service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information about business permits and licences from all levels of government.

Why BizPaL?

Finding out which regulations apply to a certain business type can be time-consuming and frustrating. BizPaL was created to help new business owners find what they need quickly and easily. The service is the result of combined efforts by the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments and is designed with the following benefits in mind:

• It's free.
• It saves time.
• It's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How does BizPaL work?

Step 1: Enter the location of where you would like your business to be.

Step 2: Enter the type of business you are planning to open or expand.

Step 3: Using the activities checklist, select which actions you plan to undertake.

Based on your selections, the tool generates a list of recommended permits and licences from all levels of government, along with basic information on each. Users also receive links to government sites where an entrepreneur can learn more and, in some cases, apply online.

History

Launched in 2005, BizPaL is jointly managed by a partnership involving governments at the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels.

Industry Canada is the federal department responsible for all the centralized functions of BizPaL. However, it is the through the commitment of all partners that BizPaL is able to provide a service that streamlines the regulatory process for entrepreneurs throughout Canada.

This service is funded through contributions by the federal, provincial and territorial governments with no costs to municipalities.

Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613 943-2502