Minister Ambrose Announces BizPaL Launch in Edmonton

February 01, 2008

Starting and running a business in the City of Edmonton just became easier thanks to BizPaL, a new online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster.

Minister Ambrose, on behalf her colleague the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, together with provincial and municipal partners, welcomed the launch of BizPaL in Edmonton. Edmonton is the first municipality in Alberta to offer the BizPaL service.

BizPaL is an innovative project that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to the information on permits and licences that they need to establish and run their businesses. This unique partnership among federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local governments is designed to cut through the paperwork burden and red tape that small business owners encounter. The BizPaL service in Edmonton was developed with the support of Industry Canada, in collaboration with the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta.

"BizPaL is part of our government's economic plan, laid out in Advantage Canada, to provide an innovative and entrepreneurial business environment," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose. "The Government of Canada is pleased to be working with the Province of Alberta and the City of Edmonton to promote a more competitive and productive local economy by providing easy access to essential information and reducing paperwork costs for business."

"One of the top priorities of the Alberta government is to create opportunity for Albertans," said provincial Minister Iris Evans. "The launch of BizPaL in Edmonton will expand opportunities for Alberta's small businesses by simplifying the start-up process. Business owners will have easier access to information about the permits and licenses they require, enabling them to get the tools they need to succeed more quickly."

"Edmonton is proud to be the first municipality in Alberta to offer this service and be a part of this program," says Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel. "This is an excellent tool for businesses trying to start or grow in Edmonton."