As part of Red Tape Awareness Week, changes to provincial regulations will make it easier for companies in the natural resource sector to set up and do business with government, effective June 1, 2015.

The Business Number is a unique identifier for businesses. Many companies already use this number with multiple levels of government including the federal, provincial and municipal partners.

The new regulations will streamline transactions with government, allowing businesses to provide one number to be used with the programs and services covered by 165 different acts in the natural resource sector.

B.C. is a national leader by integrating the national Business Number as a primary identifier for programs and services across the natural resource sector. Using one, already existing, business number will save time for companies and government alike, will make it easier to do business, and will improve compliance with the various acts and permits required within the sector.

A company receives a Business Number, which is owned by the Canada Revenue Agency, when they register their business federally or register for programs such as the Provincial Sales Tax Program, Workers’ Compensation (WorkSafeBC) and Liquor Licensing.

Quotes:

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk -

“By amalgamating the use of one business number across the natural resource sector, we are national leaders in making it easier for businesses to set up and navigate the various acts and permits required within the sector. This is a great opportunity to streamline how we do things, saving time for all involved.”

Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto -

“Streamlining regulations for businesses in the natural resources sector is another example of the Province’s commitment to cutting red tape across government. We’re working hard to reduce the time businesses spend complying with government requirements, so we’ve extended our commitment to a net zero increase in regulatory requirements through to 2019.”

President & CEO, Coast Forest Products Association, Rick Jeffery -

“The coast forest industry applauds the government for taking this step that will increase the ease with which companies collaborate with government. Using one single number for the different programs and services we interact with will be easier and faster allowing us more time to focus on increasing the competitiveness of our industry.”

Executive vice-president, CFIB, Laura Jones -

“CFIB is pleased the B.C. government continues to find innovative ideas to support reducing red tape. B.C. earned an ‘A’ grade during CFIB's 6th annual Red Tape Awareness Week for its continued efforts on red tape reduction.”

Background:

• The Business Number is a unique identifier for businesses that is generated and owned by the Canada Revenue Agency.
• Each provincial jurisdiction determines whether they use the Business Number. British Columbia adopted the number in 2003, and since then, has worked to expand the use of the number when accessing programs and services across government and agencies.
• The Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services is responsible for the Business Number Act and Regulations.
• Signed Jan. 19, 2015, the order-in-council adds 165 acts in the natural resource sector to the Business Number Act and regulations. This enables natural resource sector ministries to collect business information for the purpose of streamlining the sector’s registration and transaction services.

Learn More:

OneStop information on use of Business Number in B.C.: www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/business-number.htm

Media Contacts:

Melody Wey
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
250 508-5030