www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 14, 2007 - 25 BizPaL online to guide new businesses through red tape By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Opening up a business in the Town of Oakville just became a bit easier thanks to a new online program now available on the Town's website. Known as BizPaL, the online business licence and permit program supplies interested parties with information on what licences or permits they require to open a business and puts them on the right track to obtaining them. "If you are starting up a business or expanding a business this program is going to be of benefit to you," said Dorothy St. George, Director of Economic Development, Town of Oakville. "This will save you time and energy again and again. If you have ever wondered, `Where do I get that permit? What licence do I need at a local level, at a regional level or at a provincial level,' this is going to be of help to you." St. George noted that prior to BizPaL a potential business owner would have to run back and forth between three levels of government just to find out what permits or licences they needed to get started. Now that information is only a mouse click away. The journey for those interest- LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER A CLICK AWAY: Jacqueline Mooney gives a demonstration on how to use BizPaL. ed in licence or permit information begins at the Town of Oakville website (www.oakville.ca) where the BizPaL program can be found under the business heading. After clicking through the introductory screen, the user will find themselves at the Online Business Permits and Licences page where people who know what permit or licence they need and want to learn more about getting it can click a heading at the bottom of the page. Those who want to find out what permits and licences they need can click the `Get Started' heading, which will present them with a keyword search option where they can type in the kind of business they wish to set up. Typing in the word `bar,' for example, brings up headings such as Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Full-Service Restaurants, Limited Service Eating Places and more, and at this point the user can choose what best describes their proposed business. A series of yes or no questions comes up next and asks the user such things as, `Will you be constructing, renovating or changing the use of any part of your property, including a building/structure? Will you be putting a temporary or permanent sign on your building or property? Will you be selling any Break-Open Lottery Tickets?' Upon answering all these questions the user is provided with a list of all the permits and licences they require and by clicking on an individual permit or license the user can get information on what it is, how much it costs, links to online applications if available, downloadable forms, and contact information on who to go to to get help with the next steps. "For a long time now we've been speaking out about the regulatory burden that exists for business," said John Sawyer, Executive Director, Oakville Chamber of Commerce. "This is their response to it. I think all levels of government should be congratulated because they've all participated, but especially the town for adopting this new program." Sam Boonstra of Industry Canada also sang Oakville's praises for taking on the program and read a letter written by Secretary of State Diane Ablonczy in which she outlined why the program is so important. "Small businesses make up the vast majority of businesses in Canada and are a major engine to our economy. This is why through Advantage Canada, the government of Canada's long term economic plan, we are fostering an entrepreneurial advantage by providing an environment for small business to thrive," said Ablonczy in the letter. "Starting out and growing a business is not easy as rules, regulations and paperwork present time consuming challenges for entrepreneurs. BizPaL is saving valuable time for small business owners across Canada by customizing a list of permits and licences an entrepreneur requires to build or expand their business." The BizPaL service in Oakville was developed with the support of Industry Canada, in collaboration with the Town of Oakville and the Province of Ontario. BizPaL has already been launched in more than 60 cities and towns in six provinces and territories. 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