Governments of Canada and British Columbia Join Forces to Launch BizPaL

TSAWWASSEN, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 29, 2016) - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Starting and running a business just became easier for entrepreneurs in communities across British Columbia now that 11 new local governments have signed on to the BizPaL licence program.

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Canada's Minister of Small Business and Tourism, and the Honourable Coralee Oakes, British Columbia's Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch, announced the implementation of BizPaL in the District of Wells, Village of Slocan, Village of Salmo, Village of Silverton, Village of Clinton, Village of Chase, Village of Pouce Coupe, Village of New Denver, Capital Regional District, District of Oak Bay and Tsawwassen First Nation. This free online application is a directory of the permits and licences required to start or run a business. BizPaL saves business people time searching for information and, as a result, helps them meet their obligations more easily.

Quotes

"BizPaL will make a real and positive difference in how business is done in these communities. This great service cuts red tape for entrepreneurs, letting them spend less time researching rules and permits and more time on their business. BizPaL means it will be easier for companies in these communities to get started and running."

- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism

"Services like BizPaL are practical tools that reduce paperwork and red tape. Before BizPaL, a plumber in Kamloops would have had to go to multiple websites to determine which licences were required. Now this process can be done in minutes by clicking the BizPaL link."

- The Honourable Coralee Oakes, British Columbia Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch

"Tsawwassen First Nation is pleased to join the BizPaL program. We are a self-governing First Nation engaged in significant commercial, industrial and residential development. In collaboration with Canada and British Columbia, BizPaL will allow us to further support businesses on our Lands by providing ready access to information from all three levels of government. It is one more step on our path toward economic sustainability for our people."

- Chief Bryce Williams, Tsawwassen First Nation

Quick facts

• The newest communities to join BizPaL bring the total number of local governments in British Columbia involved in this program to 129.
• The addition of the Tsawwassen First Nation marks the first time a First Nation has signed on to offer the BizPaL service.
• BizPaL, a unique collaboration between all levels of government, helps entrepreneurs find out which permits and licences they require to start and grow their businesses.

Associated links

BizPaL

BC BizPal

BACKGROUNDER

BizPaL simplifies access to information on permits and licences for Canadian businesses

BizPaL is an online service that benefits Canadian businesses by helping them identify which permits and licences they require and how to obtain them. Entrepreneurs simply select the business activities they plan to undertake, and BizPaL then automatically generates a list of required permits and licences from all levels of government, along with basic information on each. The list also includes links to the various government websites where entrepreneurs can learn more and, in some cases, apply online.

BizPaL also benefits governments by making it easier for them to provide businesses with accurate information on permits and licences. All provinces and territories are participating in BizPaL, with over 750 municipalities and one First Nation offering the service, making it available to over 60 percent of the Canadian population. Visit the BizPaL website (www.bizpal.ca) for a complete list of participating jurisdictions.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is the lead federal department for BizPaL, supporting the centralized functions of the service. BizPaL demonstrates how the Government of Canada is committed to engage provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to align as much as possible with complementary programs to support SMEs. The Government of Canada is committed to creating a competitive business environment that supports innovation and reduces red tape. BizPaL has contributed to the government's success in reducing the paperwork burden on small businesses.

The success of BizPaL is due in part to the multi-jurisdictional partnership among federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. The partnership operates under a shared governance and costing model with collaborative decision making. Each jurisdiction is responsible for adding and maintaining its own information in BizPaL.

This interactive, smart permit and licence search tool is featured on the Provincial BizPaL website. Visit the BizPaL website (www.bizpal.ca) for additional information.

Follow Minister Chagger on Twitter and Instagram: @MinofSBT