This week nine Fraser Valley municipalities agreed to extend the Mobile Business Licence pilot program for two more years, as they look for ways to expand the program to include other municipalities.

The extension means it will continue to be easier for mobile businesses that provide services in a number of municipalities - such as plumbers or electricians - to operate throughout the Fraser Valley for the next two years.

The Mobile Business Licence (MBL), also referred to as an Inter-Municipal Business Licence, reduces red tape by allowing mobile businesses to purchase just one licence, rather than obtaining non-resident permits in each municipality in which they operate.

The nine Fraser Valley municipalities worked together with their chambers of commerce to agree to adopt a common by-law for the first year of the pilot program, which started on Jan. 1, 2013. The municipalities include:

• City of Langley
• Township of Langley
• City of Surrey
• City of Abbotsford
• City of Chilliwack
• District of Mission
• District of Maple Ridge
• City of Pitt Meadows
• District of Hope

Working with local governments to expand the MBL program is a key commitment in the BC Jobs Plan. The program reflects the Province's continued commitment to work in partnership with local governments to promote the success of the small business sector, and to reduce barriers to doing business in the province. The B.C. government plays a supporting role in these agreements, offering assistance with co-ordination of local governments.

Quick Facts:

• There are now nine MBL agreements throughout the province involving a total of 63 communities.
• The nine agreements include; Metro West, Tri-Cities, Fraser Valley, Okanagan-Similkameen, Trail, Courtenay-Comox, North-West Vancouver, Cowichan Valley and the Capital Region.
• British Columbia is one of the first provinces in Canada to have a MBL program, though the Yukon has a similar licence that includes all of their municipalities.
• Trades and businesses that can take part in the program include; plumbers, electricians, architects, general contractors and mechanical engineers.

Learn More:

To find out more information about the Mobile Business Licence program, please visit: http://www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/mobile.html

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business
250 387-2799