Joint On-line Registration Pilot
Implementing improved efficiency in incorporation registrations and annual return filings

Walter Noel, Minister of Government Services and Lands announced today that government signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint On-line Registration Pilot project with Industry Canada�s Corporations Directorate and the Commercial Registrations Division of his department.

The pilot project will provide Newfoundland and Labrador entrepreneurs seeking federal incorporation with one-stop on-line convenience for incorporation, registration and annual return filings.

Minister Noel said: "The Internet (e-commerce) has quickly become the desired channel for interacting with government for citizens and businesses alike because of its convenience and ease of use." This is the second of a series of initiatives by government to meet the increasing demand for on-line services. Last year government introduced vehicle renewals on-line.

The purpose of the pilot is to create an accessible and user friendly site allowing entrepreneurs to simultaneously complete on-line applications for federal incorporation and extra provincial registration of companies and annual return filings in the same window. By streamlining the incorporation and registration processes through the pilot there will be improved efficiency for the incorporating businesses, as they would only have to complete one set of on-line forms, as well as improved compliance for provincial registrations and a more transparent incorporation/registration and annual return/renewal processes.

The pilot is seen as a first step in the Corporations Directorate�s and Commercial Registrations Division�s common goal of providing client-centred electronic delivery of incorporation and registration services. All information to be collected will be subject to all relevant federal and provincial privacy and access to information legislation.

Industry Canada�s Corporations Directorate will be responsible for collecting, maintaining and transferring of information to the Commercial Registrations Division without charge during the one year term of the pilot project. The project commences once both parties have signed the memorandum.

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4712.

2002 08 14                              11:20 a.m.