TOWNSHIP OF CHAMPLAIN, Ontario, February 2, 2009 — Starting and running a business in the Township of Champlain just became easier thanks to BizPaL, a new online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster.
Today, Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, together with officials from the Province of Ontario and Gary J. Barton, Mayor of the Township of Champlain, welcomed the launch of BizPaL in the Township of Champlain, Ontario.
BizPaL is an innovative service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to the information on permits and licences they need to establish and run their businesses. This unique partnership among federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local governments is designed to cut through the paperwork burden and red tape that small business owners encounter. The BizPaL service in the Township of Champlain was developed by the Township, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada.
“At a time of global economic instability, we need to do all we can to help the Canadian small businesses that continue to drive our economy,” said Mr. Lemieux. “BizPaL is a simple, cost-effective example of how governments can work together to make things easier for small businesses, which create so many of our new jobs. I am glad we are bringing this service to more Ontario communities.”
“We’re strengthening Ontario’s economy by helping businesses get their permits quickly and easily,” said the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Ontario’s Minister of Government Services. “BizPaL gives our entrepreneurs a valuable edge in these challenging economic times.”
“BizPaL has become one additional tool in promoting our township, this time all over Canada. Anyone who chooses to relocate here will find good access to the major markets and will be thrilled with the quality of life we offer,” said Mayor Barton.
Area business owners and entrepreneurs can access the service by visiting www.champlain.ca/bizpal.asp or www.serviceontario.ca/bizpal. The Province is looking forward to expanding BizPaL to other areas of Ontario over the next year.
Visit bizpal.ca for additional information and access to the websites of participating partners.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Catherine Godbout
Office of the Honourable Diane Ablonczy
Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
613-947-5856
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Ciaran Ganley
Issues Management and Media Relations
Province of Ontario
416-325-8659
647-218-8659 (cell)
Jacques Des Becquets
Deputy Clerk / Economic Coordinator
613-678-3003
jacques.desbecquets@champlain.ca
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 answer a series of questions on the type of business they want to start or expand and the activities they plan to undertake. BizPaL then automatically generates a list of all required permits and licences from all levels of government, along with basic information on each, and links to government sites where the entrepreneur can learn more and, in some cases, apply online.
BizPaL also benefits governments by making it easier for them to provide accurate information on permits and licences to business. Although the service is offered online, it can also be used through other service channels (i.e., telephone and in-person centres) to extend services to more clients.
To date, 11 provinces and territories are participating in BizPaL, with more than 160 municipalities offering the service.
Industry Canada is the lead federal department for the BizPaL initiative, supporting the centralized functions of the project. The Government of Canada is fully committed to creating a competitive business environment that supports innovation and reduces red tape. BizPaL is a complementary measure within the government’s commitment to reduce the paperwork burden on small businesses by 20 percent.
The success of BizPaL is due in part to the multi-jurisdictional partnership among federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local 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 tool is featured at www.champlain.ca/bizpal.asp. Visit bizpal.ca for a complete list of participating jurisdictions.
