Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
Entrepreneurs and business owners in the District of Clearwater will spend more time serving their community and less time on paperwork after joining the Province’s BizPaL program.
The program, which streamlines the permit and licence requirements needed for businesses to operate, is being used by 134 B.C. communities. The program also recently added Business Structures Wizard, a new tool that helps entrepreneurs compare different business structure options and determine which may be the best fit for the business.
“Starting and expanding businesses can be a timely and costly endeavour, and every minute saved can be used to grow the business in other ways,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “That’s why we are committed to working with local governments and First Nations to grow the BizPaL program so entrepreneurs throughout B.C. can spend less time interacting with government and more time growing their business.”
BizPaL is a free, one-stop program that helps small business owners find the permits and licences they may require from federal and provincial governments, as well as participating First Nation and local governments.
“Clearwater, being a young municipality, is super happy to join the other 133 B.C. communities using the BizPaL system,” said Merlin Blackwell, mayor, District of Clearwater. “Using BizPaL makes it easier for outside businesses to access Clearwater, and it will also show local businesses how they can access other communities. All in all, it makes sense for economic growth for our community.”
Other recent communities to join were the Metro Vancouver Regional District in 2021 and the District of Lantzville in 2020.
Interested local governments that are not participating in the program are encouraged reach out for information by email: bizpal@gov.bc.ca
Small businesses are the backbone of B.C.’s economy and significant to the social fabric of local communities. Through the StrongerBC Economic Plan, the B.C. government continues to support inclusive, sustainable growth and help ensure that small business owners have access to support and training to be successful and grow their businesses.
Quick Facts:
- Permits and licences are required to ensure that business owners are following the regulations set out by government for conducting and building a business in Canada.
- In B.C., there are 129 municipalities, four regional districts and one First Nation partnered with the BizPaL program.
- All provinces and territories participate in BizPaL, with more than 1,099 municipalities and four First Nations offering the service, making it available to 80% of Canadians.
- Approximately 98% of B.C. businesses are small businesses and they employ more than one million British Columbians, account for 36% of B.C.’s exports and 34% of B.C.’s gross domestic product.
Learn More:
To learn more about BizPaL, visit: https://bizpal.ca/
To learn more about the Business Structures Wizard, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/small-business/choosing-your-business-structure
Find more information about supports available to entrepreneurs: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/small-business
