Governments of Canada and British Columbia join forces to launch BizPaL in Houston, B.C.

News Release

Free online business permit and licence service saves time, cuts red tape and helps entrepreneurs 

March 16, 2017 – Houston, British Columbia – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 

Starting and running a business in the district of Houston, British Columbia, just became easier thanks to BizPaL, an online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster. 

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and 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 Houston, located in the Bulkley Valley in the northern interior of British Columbia. This free online application provides a directory of the permits and licences required to start or run a business, which in turn helps entrepreneurs and small business owners not only save time searching for information but also meet their obligations more easily.

Quotes

“The BizPaL service is the result of a unique collaboration between all levels of government, and it helps entrepreneurs get all the information they need to start and grow their businesses. Our government is committed to working hard to support businesses across Canada from coast to coast to coast as they innovate, create jobs and generate wealth in our communities.”

– The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

“BizPaL greatly reduces the time it takes new business owners to get up and running, allowing them to focus on growth, hiring staff and contributing to the economy. BizPaL is an important part of the Province’s comprehensive suite of programs aimed at reducing red tape and clearing the way for entrepreneurs to create new, innovative enterprises throughout B.C.”

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

“BizPaL is a fantastic tool used by thousands of small business owners throughout B.C., and I’m glad it’s available in Houston. This tool will help entrepreneurs and small business owners take the guesswork out of permit and licensing paperwork so they can focus more of their efforts on starting their businesses.”

– The Honourable John Rustad, British Columbia’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and MLA for Nechako Lakes

Quick Facts

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises are the foundation of the economy, accounting for 99 percent of all businesses in Canada.

  • 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.

  • Houston signing on to BizPaL brings the number of local governments in British Columbia involved in this program to 130.

  • All provinces and territories are participating in BizPaL, with over 850 municipalities and one First Nation offering the service to date, making it available to over 70 percent of the Canadian population.

  • B.C. ranks first in Canada for the number of small businesses per capita, with 83 businesses per 1,000 people (national average is 70.3).

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Contacts

Follow Minister Chagger on social media.
Twitter: @MinofSBT
Instagram: minofsbt

 

Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism
343-291-2700

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Chris Harbord
Government Communications and Public Engagement
British Columbia’s Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
778-678-1572

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