Tsawwassen First Nation is among several local governments joining a program aimed at streamlining licensing for small businesses.
The TFN and 10 other new local governments have signed on to the BizPaL licence program, the Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction announced this week.
BizPaL is a partnership between federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and First Nations governments that cuts through the paperwork burden and red tape that small business owners encounter, helping them focus on business growth and job creation, a ministry release stated.
The program offers a free online one-stop site for small business owners to find information about required business licences and permits. It was launched in 2004 and directs entrepreneurs to the information they need to start and operate a business in their community. Tsawwassen First Nation recently joined the program along with Wells, Slocan, Salmo, Silverton, Clinton, Chase, Pouce Coupe, New Denver, Capital Regional District and Oak Bay.
"Tsawwassen First Nation is pleased to join the BizPaL program," Chief Bryce Williams said last Tuesday morning. "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."
"BizPaL will make a real and positive difference in how business is done in these communities," said Bardish Chagger, federal minister of small business and tourism. "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."
