January 23, 2009 Online business licence and permit tool expands to

Calgary... Starting and running a business in Calgary just became easier thanks to BizPaL, an online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster.

Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, on behalf of , Minister of Industry, together with Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service , and Mayor David Bronconnier, welcomed the launch of BizPaL in Calgary. They also acknowledged the recent launches of BizPaL in the Alberta communities of Airdrie, Arrowwood, Carmangay, Lomond, Milo, the Town of Vulcan and Vulcan County. 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 paperwork and red tape that small business owners encounter. The BizPaL service in Calgary was developed by the City of Calgary, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada. “I am pleased to see BizPaL extended to Calgary, and to the eight other communities joining the BizPaL team today,” said Ablonczy. “Small businesses are a key economic engine of our great county, and when they succeed, the whole country’s economy succeeds. That’s why our government is committed to helping small business owners thrive by cutting taxes and reducing the paperwork burden that they face every day.” “One of the Alberta government’s top priorities is creating opportunity for Albertans,” said Klimchuk. “The launch of BizPaL in Calgary gives business owners and entrepreneurs fast and simple access to information about the permits and licences they need, making it easier for them to get up and running.” “BizPaL is about cutting red tape and making sure business people have a ‘one stop shop’ for all the information they need to open or expand,” said Bronconnier. “This is a great tool for our business community.” Area business owners and entrepreneurs can access the service by visiting www.calgary.ca/bizpal or www.bizpal.alberta.ca. Visit bizpal.ca for additional information and access to the websites of participating partners. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Catherine Godbout Media Relations Office of Diane Ablonczy Industry Canada Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) 613-943-2502 613-947-5856 Cameron Traynor Marcia Andreychuk Service Alberta Communications Communications Strategist 780-415-6051 The City of Calgary 403-268-4706 Marc Henry Chief of Staff to Mayor Bronconnier 403-268-5622 January 23, 2009

BizPaL simplifies permits and licences for businesses 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. In Alberta, BizPaL is available in Calgary, Edmonton, Airdrie, Arrowwood, Carmangay, Champion, Lomond, Milo, the Town of Vulcan and Vulcan County. The Alberta government is working to expand BizPaL province-wide by 2011. 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 per cent. 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. Within the Alberta government, Service Alberta is entrusted with engaging local governments to make the service available across Alberta. The Alberta government covers the $72,000 annual cost for licensing fees and the service is available free to municipalities. Visit bizpal.ca for additional information and access to the websites of participating partners. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Catherine Godbout Media Relations Office of the Honourable Diane Ablonczy Industry Canada Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) 613-943-2502 613-947-5856 Cameron Traynor Marcia Andreychuk Service Alberta Communications Communications Strategist 780-415-6051 The City of Calgary 403-268-4706 Marc Henry Marc Henry Chief of Staff to Mayor Bronconnier 403-268-5622 Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Service Alberta Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page |

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