The new BizPal program helps aspiring small business entrepreneurs cut through the formative red tape.
Starting a small business is a dream job for many people. Once they get through the red tape, that is.
On Tuesday, Langley politicians and business leaders gathered to welcome the launch of BizPal, a computer tool designed to streamline the complicated process of getting all the licences, permits, and fees dealt with.
The website leads potential new entrepreneurs through a list of questions. Based on their answers, it creates a list of links to each federal, provincial and municipal permit forms needed. It also creates a list of pre-requisites such as inspections that may be needed, ontact numbers for more information and printable application forms for some items.
Kevin Staples, the newly elected president of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, was at the morning launch of the program to see it demonstrated.
Every year the chamber surveys its members, and every year red tape is listed as one of the top priorities, he said. He also hears about the lengthy search to find exactly what licences and permits might be needed for business startup.
"I hear the frustrations on a daily basis," Staples said.
Anything that helps small business startups by pointing people in the right directions will be helpful, Staples said.
Langley MP Mark Warawa was at the launch as well...