Newfoundland and Labrador has signed a multi-jurisdictional memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Canada to bring the province into the BizPaL initiative. BizPaL is a new federal�provincial/territorial�local government online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster.

"I am pleased to welcome Newfoundland and Labrador as the newest partner in the BizPaL initiative," said the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, federal Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) on behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, federal Minister of Industry. "Small businesses are a major engine of our economy, and this is why the government�s economic plan, Advantage Canada, seeks to create an entrepreneurial environment by providing easy access to essential information, reducing paperwork costs for business and helping to provide an environment for small business to grow and succeed."

"BizPaL is an important step forward in reducing red tape and providing better service to business," said the Honourable Kevin O�Brien, Minister of Government Services. "It also supports the commitment this government has made to build a stronger e-government presence for businesses in the province. The Department of Government Services is an excellent leader for BizPaL at the provincial level. By design, Government Services is a central point of delivery at the provincial level for the vast majority of permits and licences many businesses require to operate, and it can serve as a co-ordinator of information on permits and approvals for other provincial departments."

"BizPaL is another great example of our government�s ongoing commitment to regulatory and service enhancement, which is benefiting businesses and the public in Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Paul Oram, Minister of Business. "The Department of Business, as the lead for the Province�s Red Tape Reduction Initiative, is very pleased to play a role in implementing this valuable tool in our province. BizPaL will provide both start-up and established businesses with the information they need quickly and efficiently, saving them time and money, while supporting an innovative and entrepreneurial business and regulatory environment in Newfoundland and Labrador."

The online service is a partnership of federal, provincial/territorial and local orders of government, which include municipalities and self-governments, and can be accessed through all partnering websites. It provides clients with a list of questions about their business, which is used to generate a customized list of all permits and other regulatory approvals that must be obtained in order to operate a specified business.

"Issues around the permit and licensing process have been continuously identified by business as a significant impediment to business development and growth," said Bill Stirling, Chair of Capital Coast Development Alliance, the regional economic development board for the northeast Avalon. "We are pleased that the Province has signed onto BizPaL. Its implementation will enhance the province�s competitive position and will go a long way to relieving frustrations associated with licensing and permitting."

The cost of licensing for Newfoundland and Labrador will be approximately $83,000 over three years. Budget 2008 also allocated funding to the Department of Business for a resource person to help with the implementation of BizPaL.

It is expected that implementing BizPaL will take several months with an anticipated launch date early in 2009. The Department of Government Services along with the Office of the Chief Information Officer will work closely with Industry Canada to reach the target date.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is the tenth partner to add its signature to the MOU. The other partners are British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

For further information on the BizPaL program, please visit www.bizpal.ca.

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