Victoria, British Columbia, October 19, 2012... The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and Member of Parliament for Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, accompanied by Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo, today highlighted the continued partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Government of British Columbia (BC) to streamline the business registration process for businesses in BC.
"This initiative demonstrates the Harper Government’s efforts to cut red tape for businesses," said Minister Moore. "By focusing on the ‘One Business, One Number’ approach, we are reducing duplication for businesses so that they can access services more efficiently. This leaves them more time to focus on growing their business and creating jobs."
Since April 2012, businesses in BC use their online OneStop system to register for BC program accounts and receive a Business Number (BN) immediately. Once the BC provincial registration is completed, businesses can opt to go to the CRA Business Registration Online application during the same session to continue their registration of GST/HST, payroll and import/export accounts. All of the information that was entered in OneStop that is common to the CRA programs is shared with the CRA, and businesses do not have to enter the same information twice.
"The Red Tape Reduction Commission heard from Canadian businesses, and the CRA is responding to small businesses from all across the country," said MP McLeod. "Our Government is committed to reducing the burden of red tape on businesses and is already working on improving the many ways we interact with Canadian businesses. Improving the online registration process for the Business Number (BN) is just one of our many efforts."
Earlier this week, the CRA unveiled important new measures it is undertaking as part of the Government’s ambitious and far-reaching plan to cut red tape. In addition to improving online services and expanding the use of the Business Number, the CRA has improved the timeliness of decisions related to rulings and has created a dedicated team that is responsible for coordinating and addressing small business issues.
"About 98 per cent of all businesses in BC are small businesses, and I know they appreciate anything that makes their reporting processes simpler and more streamlined," said Ben Stewart, BC. Minister of Citizens’ Services and Open Government. "Since 2001, we’ve reduced our provincial regulatory requirements by more than 42 per cent. Not only does that mean it’s easier and faster to deal with government, but by spending less time filling out forms, entrepreneurs can now spend more time strengthening their businesses and creating jobs."
The Red Tape Reduction Action Plan details the ways in which it is addressing issues identified as irritants by business during consultations in 2011. The regulatory reforms flowing from this plan will help create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. The vast majority of these reforms will be implemented in the next three years.
The BN is a common business identifier for businesses to simplify their dealings with federal and provincial governments. It is based on the idea of one business, one number. Each business requires one BN for its legal entity.
For more information on Red Tape Reduction, visit www.cra.gc.ca/redtapereduction or call 1-800-959-5525.
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FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and Member of Parliament for Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, with Ms. Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue, today spoke of the continued partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Government of British Columbia (BC) to streamline the business registration process by linking the provincial and federal registration systems together for a more streamlined process for BC businesses.
The Government’s Red Tape Reduction Action Plan is the Government of Canada’s blueprint for cutting the red tape identified by business during consultations in 2011. The plan reforms support the Government’s top priority of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613‑952-9184
B.C. Government Communications
Ministry of Citizens’ Services and Open Government
250-387-0172
