Powell River and Pitt Meadows are joining approximately 110 other B.C. municipalities in making it easier to start and run a business, thanks to BizPaL.

BizPaL is an online business-permitting and licence service that saves entrepreneurs time and money. It was launched in 2005, and reduces a process that once took a full business day down to under five minutes. How? By providing 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 -

"By improving access to financing, keeping taxes low and cutting red tape, our government is giving small- and medium-sized businesses some of the tools they need to succeed. BizPaL is a great example of our government's commitment to cut red tape so Canadian businesses can continue to do what they do best: create jobs and wealth in our communities."

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"Creating a business-friendly environment is a key part of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan'. BizPal does just that. It's an important partnership between our government, the federal government and municipalities across B.C., allowing businesses to spend less time on paperwork, and more time growing and innovating."

Dave Formosa, Mayor of Powell River -

"BizPaL is an important tool for Powell River's economy, as we look to encourage investment and small business growth. The success of small business is our community's success, so we are very happy to welcome the BizPal program as another way to help our local businesses succeed."

Deb Walters, mayor of Pitt Meadows -

"We are proud to partner with the federal and provincial governments to deliver BizPal. This will be a great new tool for Pitt Meadows, as business owners here will now have a much easier and less complicated way to ensure their needs are met when setting up and running their businesses. It will also help showcase Pitt Meadows as the business-friendly city it is, by streamlining operations and allowing businesses to flourish."

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
250 356-8177

Industry Canada Media Relations
Industry Canada
613 943-2502

BACKGROUNDER

Sept. 5, 2012 Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

Industry Canada

What is BizPaL?

BizPaL is a service that provides business owners 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 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 is free.
• It saves time.
• It is 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 the BizPaL initiative. 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 across 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

250 356-8177 Industry Canada Media Relations

Industry Canada

613 943-2502

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect