Online business permit service will save time and cut costs for new restaurateurs

Licences and permits are an important part of what keeps the restaurant industry safe for consumers. Yet the current administrative burden often contributes to the high start-up failure rate in the industry.

VICTORIA -- British Columbia's internationally renowned culinary scene is fuelled by hardworking entrepreneurs. Thanks to a new innovative service feature available through BizPaL, starting a new restaurant will become easier in Victoria, Kelowna, Penticton, Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, Osoyoos, Surrey and Smithers.

Also read, Montreal restaurant owner wants government to have more control on new restaurants.

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, and the Honourable Coralee Oakes, British Columbia's Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch, announced a BizPaL pilot project designed to simplify starting a business in the heavily regulated restaurant sector.

"BizPaL's Restaurant Bundle Check List saves restaurateurs time so that they can focus on their true passion: running their businesses. British Columbia's small businesses, along with its thousands of restaurateurs, are key drivers of economic growth and are crucial to Canada's long-term prosperity. Our government will continue to collaborate with all levels of government to support Canadian entrepreneurs as they innovate and foster economic growth for middle-class Canadians," said Bardish Chagger.

BizPaL's new Restaurant Bundle Check List feature provides new restaurateurs with a dashboard view of their compliance journey. Through the dashboard, users can keep tabs on required permits, inspections and licences at each stage of processing. It keeps an up-to-date tally of wait times and potential costs, which helps users plan and budget efficiently. And the sequencing feature shows users the best order in which to obtain permits and licences and allows them to share their progress with their investors through a reporting tool.

"The new BizPaL service for restaurants will help take the guesswork out of determining the costs, permits and licences associated with getting a new establishment up and running. Prospective restaurateurs will be better able to focus on the many other aspects of opening their business, which will help set them up for success," said Naomi Yamamoto.

Licences and permits are an important part of what keeps the restaurant industry safe for consumers. Yet the current administrative burden often contributes to the high start-up failure rate in the industry. This streamlining and organizational tool provides restaurateurs with support to help them succeed in the early stages of developing and executing their business plans.

"Staying on top of the licences, permits and inspections required when opening a restaurant can be intimidating to say the least. The BizPaL Restaurant Bundle Check List is a great tool to help cut red tape and allow new restaurateurs to navigate this process efficiently and with ease. Small businesses make up 98 percent of all businesses in B.C. and employ over one million people, so finding new ways to help them get started and succeed will always be a top priority," said Coralee Oakes.

"Owning a restaurant can be tough, but it can also be fun and incredibly rewarding. The new BizPaL restaurant pilot is designed to cut through red tape and make it simpler and easier to start a restaurant in B.C.," Linda Larson.

Quick facts

• BizPaL, a unique collaboration between all levels of government, helps entrepreneurs find out which permits and licences they require to start and grow their businesses.
• All provinces and territories are participating in BizPaL, with over 850 municipalities and one First Nation offering the service to date, making it available to over 70 percent of the Canadian population.
• The Restaurant Bundle Check List is a pilot project being led by the National BizPaL Office. British Columbia is the first province to come on board.
• Currently, 87.5 percent of British Columbians have access to BizPaL in their communities.

Associated links

• BizPaL
• B.C. BizPaL

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada