P.E.I. launches business navigator service
P.E.I. business owners and entrepreneurs can spend more time growing their business and less time searching for government information about permits and regulations now that the province has launched its business navigator service.
"We knew that it was challenging for businesses to find information and we wanted to make it easier for them to do business with government, essentially. We want them to spend less time finding rules and paperwork and more time growing their business," said Alicia Birt, P.E.I.'s business navigator.
The service, which was first announced in November, officially launched on Tuesday. Birt is responsible for taking phone calls and responding to emails from small- and medium-sized Island businesses mainly looking for information about regulations, business registration, inspection requirements, permits and licenses.
"It's putting that full package together. If someone is just starting a business, it might be easy to find the information on the (province’s) website. But then trying to find all of the different regulatory requirements that also come along with their specific type of business – that’s not all on one webpage. So, they will call me, and I'll (take) the case and I will gather all the information they need."
Birt will also provide some base information on business resources related to COVID19, including any relief programs available. A client may be referred to a specialist in the government if the request is technical in nature.
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick also have business navigator programs.
Louis-Philippe Gauthier, senior director, legislative affairs (Atlantic), with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the launch of the P.E.I. program is “excellent news”.
He said the Nova Scotia business navigator program, which launched in 2017, has been successful for both businesses receiving information but also for the government to receive feedback on how its programs are being delivered. The same can be said for New Brunswick's program, which launched in October 2019.
“Paying attention to regulatory affairs and having a way to capture and address the issues is very important,” he said.
“Imagine if you’re a business owner and time and interactions are precious commodities or you’re dealing with a form or a regulation that needs clarification or that there’s an issue with, having that number and that resource available that is dedicated to that is going to be a very good resource for the Island. This is a very strong move in the right direction.”
Newfoundland and Labrador does not have a navigator program "per se," said Vaughn Hammond, director of provincial affairs with the CFIB in Newfoundland and Labrador. Instead, a business owner seeking information about regulations and other areas are required to contact the relevant department directly.
Hammond said the CFIB has been advocating for Newfoundland and Labrador to also adopt the business navigator program since Nova Scotia launched its version.
"Fundamentally, if there was somebody that was within government that an entrepreneur could reach out to and guide them through whatever processes and keep them abreast of where their application is, for example, or anything like that, then certainly that might be helpful," he said.
P.E.I.'s business navigator can be reached by email at businessnavigator@gov.pe.ca or by calling 1-833-335-0536.