Online Business Services in N.S.

Businesses looking for permits or licences soon won't have to look much further than their computer. Changes to the Business Electronic Filing Act regulations bring the province one step closer to electronic transactions and less red tape for businesses.

"This year, we will launch the Nova Scotia Business Registry and add value to more than 60,000 businesses by giving them the power to access government anytime, anywhere," said Neil LeBlanc, Minister of Business and Consumer Services. "Cutting red tape is key to encouraging business growth and new investment that will create job opportunities for Nova Scotians."

The Nova Scotia Business Registry is a major initiative that, when complete this spring, will give businesses a fast new way to get what they need from government. On the registry website, businesses will be able to apply for business licences and permits and pay any corresponding fees simply and securely with a credit card.

"The registry will open up a virtual government office for business needs," said Mr. LeBlanc. "We will open the door to government transactions, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, a welcome alternative for time-strapped business owners."

"This improvement in service will benefit both business and government," said Peter O'Brien, Vice President Atlantic for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. "This is a continuation of departmental efforts over the past four years to reduce regulatory burdens on business."

Entrepreneurs, especially, will appreciate how the website lets them complete new business registration requirements for three key government organizations all at once, including the Nova Scotia Department of Business and Consumer Services, the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, formerly Revenue Canada.

The registry will give businesses single-window access to both provincial and federal government services, and cuts out duplication of basic information. Businesses can enter information such as names and phone numbers just once. The business registry also currently provides the infrastructure for the compensation board's new Assessment Payment Plan that allows Nova Scotia employers to make workers' compensation payments based on actual payroll instead of estimates.

A partnership formed in 1998 between Business and Consumer Services, the Workers' Compensation Board and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, links provincial and federal governments as well as the compensation board to create a seamless business registry. Behind-the-scenes integration of computer systems has been underway since early 1999 and is nearing completion. The key to the business registry is that all three organizations will use the same number to identify each business, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's business number.

"What we will have is a level of efficiency that has never before existed in government," said Mr. LeBlanc. "Business will interact with government with ease and flexibility, with less paper and red tape." He added that the potential exists to add to the number of government services that could ultimately be offered through this virtual office.

Three services are currently offered as precursors to the move toward single-window access. They include downloading more than 30 business licence applications, initiating registration with the Workers' Compensation Board and conducting a business name search. These services can be found on the Province of Nova Scotia website at www.gov.ns.ca/bacs.

Businesses will continue to have the option of conducting government transactions in person after the Nova Scotia Business Registry is launched.