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VANCOUVER – It is now even faster, cheaper, and easier to do business in British Columbia through an online service that provides one-stop access to several levels of government, National Revenue Minister John McCallum and John Les, B.C. Minister of Small Business and Economic Development, announced today.
In partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency and the Workers' Compensation Board, the Province has officially launched the OneStop Business Registry, an improved e-government service that meets modern business needs.
“This integrated online service is an excellent example of how federal, provincial and municipal partners are working together to create a more streamlined business environment in British Columbia,” said McCallum. “In today's electronic world, it just makes sense for businesses to interact with government online.”
“Small business owners told us they needed a more efficient way to interact with public agencies,” said Les. “As part of our commitment to revitalize the economy, we modernized B.C.'s business legislation to enable these kinds of innovative e-government services.”
The OneStop Business Registry lets people starting, moving or expanding a business deal with a wide range of public agencies at one website. Entrepreneurs can register their business, set up a provincial sales tax account, open a GST account, register with the Workers' Compensation Board and apply for a municipal business licence - all online. A single number will identify the business to various levels of government, avoiding duplication and speeding up service.
“This OneStop service is particularly valuable to small businesses which are the backbone of our economy, accounting for 98 per cent of B.C. business and employing nearly one million British Columbians,” said Les. “By reducing red tape and simplifying how B.C. companies interact with government and public agencies, this service makes it easier and less costly for them to do business.”
“The Workers' Compensation Board is committed to serving our customers better,” said WCB president and CEO Dave Anderson. “That's why the WCB is a long-standing partner of the OneStop initiative. It is one of the many tools we are using to achieve a more customer-focused organization.”
The OneStop Business Registry site is at http://www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/ online.
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