Mission will be participating in a one-year trial program involving inter-municipal business licences.
Up to eight other communities in the Fraser Valley could take part in the project, which will make it easier for contractors to conduct their work across municipal boundaries, saving them time and money.
“If it proceeds the way we think it will, there will be more compliance … and it’s more business friendly,” said Coun. Dave Hensman.
In addition to buying their local business licence each year contractors can also purchase an inter-municipal licence, provided by the province, for an additional $250.
This new licence will also allow them to work in participating jurisdictions.
Mission anticipates a slight revenue increase with this change.
Mission’s Chamber of Commerce first presented the inter-municipal business licence program to council in February this year.
Council then directed staff to look into the opportunity, and after meeting with Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Township of Langley, City of Langley, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and provincial representatives, it is now up to the councils in each municipality to whether or not they want to be a part of it.
