ARCHIVED - Industry Canada

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $18 million

Description (including funding agreement)
BizPaL is a unique collaboration of federal, provincial/territorial and municipal governments working together in a new service delivery model to improve access to information on permits and licences needed from all levels of government to start or operate a business.

Integrated into local government websites or portals, BizPaL provides a single point of contact for entrepreneurs, enabling them to quickly learn which permits and licences they will need from municipal, provincial/territorial and federal governments.

Federal funding supports secretariat services, expansion and development of the service and the federal role. None of the participants (provinces/territories/municipalities) receive federal funds for the BizPaL initiative. They provide “in-kind” support in their respective jurisdictions. Provincial participants also contribute funds to a Specified Purpose Account to support basic operating costs in accordance with a cost-sharing formula based on population size.

Shared Outcomes

• Increased awareness of and access to business permits and licences from all levels of government
• Increased cost savings for businesses by avoiding involuntary non-compliance
• Support of government efforts to reduce the paperwork burden and red tape that face small business owners and operators

Governance Structure
BizPaL represents a shared governance model that involves participants from the federal, provincial/ territorial and local/municipal levels of government. Industry Canada manages the expansion and evolution of the BizPaL service and develops relationships among participating jurisdictions. A Steering Committee has been established with representation from each level of government to provide strategic direction and to ensure business directions and corporate initiatives align with those of the participants. A project managers' committee supports day-to-day operations and executes approved operational plans.

Although governance is shared through various participant committees, Industry Canada is accountable for the federal resources contributed to the BizPaL initiative. In addition, the Department is responsible for enlisting the participation of federal government departments in BizPaL and managing the National BizPaL Office.  

Planning Highlights
BizPaL's vision is to support entrepreneurs by providing quick and easy online access to government requirements. The overall plan to support this vision is captured through 6 themes outlined in the 2009–11 Strategic Plan: Population Coverage, Business Sector Coverage, Usage, Satisfied Clients and Partners, Technical Platform Sustainability, Long-term Service Sustainability. Key priorities and commitments associated with these themes will be further discussed in the “Results to be achieved by non-federal partners” section below.

Possible risks having a direct impact on the Strategic Plan could include:

• Jurisdictions withdrawing their membership, impacting the value delivered to clients
• Federal withdrawal of continued support
• Differing objectives and priorities of governments/changes in government directions

Integrated business permits, licences and information from all levels of government provide value to clients by enabling them to easily find permit and licence information pertinent to their business and location.

Expected Results
Integrated business permit and licence information from all levels of government provide value to clients by enabling them to easily find permit and licence information pertinent to their business and location.

Total Allocation for All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date)

Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2010–11

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable)
Key priorities, commitments and results to be achieved by non-federal partners pertaining to each strategic theme are as follows:

Population Coverage
In 2009–10, participating jurisdictions will use resources to continue to recruit new provinces/territories and local governments and introduce the BizPaL service as a way to service a larger Canadian population base.
Results: Increase in the number of jurisdictions that offer the service so that 80% of the Canadian population has access to the service in 2010–11.

Business Sector Coverage
Current implementation of business sectors by jurisdiction will be investigated to identify gaps and beneficial additions.
Results: Additions will be made to ensure that BizPaL contains permit and licence information for business sectors that are most represented by Canadian industry. Measures will be used to assess the percentage of Canadian businesses that are covered by the sectors offered in the BizPaL service.

Usage
Marketing and promotion activities will be used to target the Canadian business sector. Beneficial additions/changes to content will be made to improve the quality of the service and to enrich the information on government requirements that is offered to business clients. Measures will be used to assess the annual utilization of the service.
Results: Increase business clients' awareness of the BizPaL service and improve relationships with the business community.

Satisfied Clients and Partners
Continuous improvement and service expansion activities.
Results: Enhanced client experience and higher satisfaction and the delivery of an exceptional service. Measures will be used to assess both client and partner satisfaction levels.

Technical Platform Sustainability
Resources will be dedicated to investigating and implementing enhancements to the technical platform. Measures will be used to assess the technical provider's capacity to meet service level standards, and ultimately, to assess whether sufficient resources are in place to support the long-term sustainability of BizPaL.
Results: Ensuring the sustainability of the BizPaL service.

Long-Term Service Sustainability
Research on client needs, system requirements, service requirements and collaboration needs will be used to develop a future plan for the service as well as to enhance and sustain the current governance model.
Results: Investigative capacity will be used to develop a long-term vision for BizPaL beyond 2011.

Contact Information
Executive Director, Service Delivery and Partnership
Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector

Lead Department

Industry Canada

Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency

Western Economic Diversification Canada

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date)

$216.6 million (since 1995)

$6.8 million (since 2000)

$223.4 million (total)

Description (including funding agreement)
The Canada Business Network (CBN) was established to improve service to small business and start-up entrepreneurs by providing a comprehensive first stop for information on government services, programs and compliance requirements from federal and provincial/territorial levels of government.

On behalf of the Government of Canada and its partners, the CBN delivers a host of information products and resources through a variety of channels across Canada (Internet, in-person, telephone). Through its collaboration with the provinces and territories, information products and resources are supplemented by jurisdictionally relevant content — providing a truly client-centred, integrated information service.

Shared Outcomes

• Improved access to business-related information
• Improved client usage of business-related information
• Effective program delivery

Governance Structure
The CBN is managed on behalf of the Government of Canada by the following managing partner organizations: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and 2 sectors of Industry Canada: the Regional Operations Sector (ROS) and the Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector (SBMS).

The Director General Managing Partners Committee oversees program policy and service delivery strategies. The CBN Operations Committee, composed of representatives of the managing partners and service centre managers, operationalizes policy. This committee coordinates and resolves shared operational issues in matters related to training, reporting, marketing, communications and web content development.

Planning Highlights
As part of the funding renewal effort carried out in 2008, the CBN updated its mission and introduced a new service delivery strategy. Key features include an integrated web presence, a new telephone management strategy, increased marketing and outreach activities and updated service standards.

Implementation of the new strategy will start in 2009–10 and continue through 2010–11.

Canada Business Network (Entrepreneurial Economy)

Canada Business Network (Entrepreneurial Economy)

Canada Business Network (Entrepreneurial Economy)

Canada Business Network (Entrepreneurial Economy)

Expected Results
SME use of government business-related information, programs and services, and facilitated compliance for business

Total Allocation for All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date)

Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2010–11

A Base Funding

$15,000,000

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable)

N/A

Contact Information
Executive Director, Service Delivery and Partnership
Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector