BARRIERE - Opening a business has become easier thanks to BizPaL, an online service that gives entrepreneurs a personalized list of permits and licences needed to establish and run their business.
 
“BizPaL is the product of a unique partnership between Federal, Provincial and local governments designed to cut through the paperwork and red tape small business owners encounter,” says Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod. “It is truly a convenient one-stop shop for small businesses in our communities.”
 
 “BizPaL provides a central database for obtaining licences, which allows new entrepreneurs to focus on growing their business and reaching their goals,” says Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. “As a city councillor and mayor, I saw how beneficial BizPaL is to new businesses when the tool was implemented in Kamloops as part of a pilot project.”
 
“Since 2001, government has reduced red tape for businesses by more than 42 per cent,” says Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger. “BizPaL is yet another tool for businesses to streamline their start-up process and create jobs for British Columbians.”
Entrepreneurs can use BizPaL to receive a personalized list of the permits and licences needed to establish and run their business. This unique partnership between federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local governments is designed to cut through the paperwork burden small businesses face.
 
Communities that are officially launching their BizPaL website include Barriere, Cache Creek and Merritt.
 
The BizPaL service was developed with the support of Industry Canada, in collaboration with municipalities and the Province of British Columbia. Area business owners and entrepreneurs can access the service by visiting their municipality’s website.
 
The Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards recognized the BizPaL program in the partnerships category. The goal is to make BizPaL available to all municipalities in British Columbia. 
 
Visit www.bcBizPaL.ca for more information and to access the websites of participating partners.
Cache Creek: http://www.cachecreek.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=12
Merritt: http://www.merritt.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=91
 
Visit Terry’s website at www.terrylakemla.bc.ca
Visit Kevin’s website at www.kevinkruegermla.bc.ca
Visit Cathy’s website at www.cathymcleod.com