Have licence, will travel. The Richmond business community celebrated this week as local firms operating in numerous communities across the Lower Mainland were given the freedom to register for one business licence instead of one for each place they plunk down their tools for a job.
Howard Harowitz, chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce's policy and advocacy committee said the shift to a Mobile Licensing Program is a boon for businesses, especially those in the trades.
"In times gone by they, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and the like, have had to buy a business licence in every municipality they worked," Harowitz said. "First of all, that's a huge inconvenience and problem. If you're a large organization you might be in numerous municipalities in the Lower Mainland. So that would mean pulling (registering) numerous different business licences."
And that adds up to a complex and expensive administrative hassle.
It can also produce an uneven playing field as firms that play by the rules and go through all the hoops to get a licence in each community can be at a disadvantage to those others who skirt the legalities.
But a pilot project in the Okanagan which provided a licensing program spanning several communities showed an increase in compliance from businesses to get a licence.
"And we're very pleased to see endorsement from Richmond council," Harowitz said.
"It's a huge win, not only for business, but for the municipalities. And, at the end of the day, that's also good for customers because there will be more competition and a better flow of goods and services."
