Securing a business license in Jasper is no easy feat; with two levels of government to contend with and multiple hoops to jump through, the process is often unwieldy.
It's been an issue for years, causing endless frustrations amongst business owners, who've had to wade through the convoluted undertaking just to operate in town.
Recognizing the issue, the municipality and Parks Canada joined forces last year to review the town's existing business licensing procedures, in hopes of streamlining the process.
The review was part of a large scale study completed in the spring that looks at Jasper's legislation, policies and procedures surrounding land use planning and development.
The results of the business licensing review, including 10 recommendations to improve the service, were released in the Sept. 1 council agenda and council was asked to direct administration to share the results with the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce, as well as Community Futures West Yellowhead, soliciting feedback from the business community.
Council will vote on whether to make that request Sept. 15.
For years, Pattie Pavlov, general manager of the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce, has been calling on the powers that be to review the community's business licensing procedures. She said she is “thrilled” that it's finally being done.
“This is something we've been long waiting for,” she said. “We've received a lot of phone calls over the years from people saying, 'how do we get a business license, we're running in one place, we're running in another and then we're running back again.'
“It's a complicated process.”
A number of years ago, Pavlov approached Jasper's bylaw services to request a manual be made that the chamber could use to coach businesses through the process, but nothing was ever done.
“Then about a year ago, Dave Osborne, [licensing and enforcement manager,] approached me, saying they had been having some discussions and that there was going to be a review; we were just so thrilled.”
The review of land use planning and development, including business licensing, was necessary because, unlike in most communities, in Jasper development is administered by the federal government, through Parks Canada.
This is because in 2001, when Jasper was incorporated as a specialized municipality, Parks chose to retain those powers, as well as control over the environment.
It was 10 years later, during the creation of the Jasper Community Sustainability Plan, that Parks agreed to a review of land use planning and development and the possibility of jurisdictional change.
In early 2014, Parks and the municipality created a terms of reference for the review and put it out to tender, looking for a consulting firm to take it on.
Edmonton's MNP Consulting was selected for the job. In its report on business licensing, it outlines the current licensing procedures, some of the difficulties that exist, as well as recommendations as to how they can be improved.
“Long tenured employees report the process is understood and works well internally. The same group report that the business licensing process in Jasper is confusing and frustrating for users,” states the report.
“This is a clear indication to Parks Canada and the municipality management that the business licensing process needs to be reviewed and redesigned so that it becomes a simplified and user-friendly process that encourages development and investment in the town of Jasper.”
MNP's recommendations are wide ranging, including everything from the development of a single document outlining Jasper's business licensing requirements and procedures that could be used by both Parks and the municipality to keep them on the same page, and preparing a business license 101 guide that can be posted online for prospective business owners.
The report also calls for a new position to be created, with the employee overseeing and managing the application process for both the municipality and Parks. MNP suggests that person could be compensated by both organizations, as is being done with the environmental stewardship coordinator.
As well as increased communication and structural changes, the report also calls for the review and modernization of Parks' regulations and the municipality's bylaws.
Pavlov said, although she hasn't yet had the opportunity to sit down with the municipality and Parks to discuss the recommendations, from what she's seen in the report, she's pleased.
“There isn't one [recommendation] that I don't agree with,” she said. “At this point they all seem to be quite appropriate.
“Once we get into some nitty gritty conversations about these recommendations, our feelings may change, but on paper they look pretty good.”
To see MNP's report, visit the municipality's website and search for the Sept. 1 council agenda.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
