One thousand mobile business licences have now been purchased in the Okanagan-Similkameen, Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Regulatory Reform announced today.

"The level of uptake in this licence is a clear indication that giving mobile businesses a way to work in 17 municipalities with one licence benefits everyone," said Thorpe. "Businesses enjoy a more streamlined and simplified licensing process, consumers gain greater access to skilled trades workers and municipalities see increased compliance. By working together in partnership, this is one more way we are achieving our goal to be the most small business friendly jurisdiction in Canada."

On Jan. 1, 2008, a pilot for the Single Business Licence for mobile businesses was launched in the Okanagan-Similkameen. This Mobile Business Licence allows mobile businesses to work in all participating municipalities with one licence.

"The success of this pilot demonstrates that small businesses are always looking for ways to cut red tape," said Laura Jones, vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

"Streamlining the business licensing requirements allows small business owners to devote more time to what is important: running and growing their small business."

"As the mayor of one of the participating municipalities, I know businesses and municipal governments are benefiting from the mobile business licence," said Jerry Oglow, Armstrong mayor and member of the Mobile Business Licence steering committee. "This initiative preserves the capacity of municipalities to regulate business activity and generate revenue, while enhancing economic development and reducing red tape burdens for citizens, taxpayers and businesses."

"In Vernon, the interest in the Mobile Business Licence is very high, with over 200 licenses already issued," said Tom Christensen, Minister of Children and Family Development and Okanagan-Vernon MLA. "The fact that the program has reached the one-thousand mark so quickly speaks to the interest businesses have in operating under one cross-municipal licence."

The Okanagan-Similkameen Mobile Business Licence Pilot Project was developed by a steering committee of Okanagan municipal leaders in consultation with participating municipalities to ensure the system works for both the municipalities and the business community.

Participating communities include: Armstrong, Salmon Arm, Coldstream, Peachland, Enderby, Kelowna, Lake Country, Lumby, Penticton, Summerland, Osoyoos, Spallumcheen, Vernon, Princeton, Oliver, Keremeos, and Westside.

In October 2007, at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in October 2006, Premier Gordon Campbell encouraged UBCM and local governments to establish a single business licence framework in British Columbia by 2008.