REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: June 18, 2018 Report No. CSS-18-011
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Blair McDonald, Director of Community Safety Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council gives first, second and third reading to Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 2934.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2013, No. 2810
Intermunicipal Business Licence Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 1999, No. 2379, as amended
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Ensure processes for business and development are clear and consistent.
BACKGROUND:
Throughout 2017 and early 2018, staff have been working with the Province and other municipalities and communities to institute and Inter-Community Business Licence regime. The Township is already a signatory to the Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement. This Agreement allows prospective business to purchase one business licence from a participating municipality which is valid for all participating municipalities. The Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL) will allow those businesses whose work takes them to other jurisdictions throughout lower Vancouver Island, to purchase a Business Licence from a participating community which will be valid at all other communities that have passed the associated bylaw.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
Statistics Canada indicates that over 32,000 businesses on Vancouver Island are in the construction sector alone. This number is the best figure the Province has representing the total businesses that might be mobile in nature throughout Vancouver Island. If we assume that 10% of these businesses are working between ICBL regions, then a substantial 3,200 businesses could benefit from broader ICBL partnerships.
Created in partnership with local governments, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Province, ICBL agreements streamline and simplify the licensing process, making it easier to do business in participating communities. ICBLs allow mobile businesses (e.g. contractors, caterers, and other service providers) to operate across the participating government jurisdictions, without having to apply for multiple businesses licences.
Adoption of this Bylaw will allow for more “business friendly” processes and reduce red tape.
2. Organizational Implications
There are no significant organizational implications.
3. Financial Implications
Financial implications are negligible. The adoption of the Bylaw may lead to fewer overall business licence applications and fees to the Township; however the moderate increase in cost for an Inter-Community Business Licence should create an offset rendering the change revenue neutral.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
The Province will provide communication pamphlets from other ICBL agreement groups in British Columbia to help Vancouver Island ICBL communities develop and tailor their own communications. These pamphlets will be included in the Township’s business licence renewal notices to raise awareness about our increasingly business friendly program.
The Province may also help communities raise awareness and celebrate expanded program and pro-rating opportunity through a jointly developed news release.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council gives first, second and third reading to Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 2934.
2. That Council directs any amendments it deems appropriate to Bylaw No. 2934 and then gives the amended Bylaw first, second and third reading.
3. That Council refers Bylaw No. 2934 back to staff for further revision.