Previous page:Process and technological advancements
By implementing this single data repository with a distributed content management model, BizPaL offers a technical solution that can be shared at relatively low cost. It gives partners full authority and control of their own data.
BizPaL was a pioneer in the use of Web services. Data on permits and licences is served to partner-owned Web sites via SOAP-based Web services over HTTP. This enables all levels of government to seamlessly display to businesses both their own data and the relevant data of other partners.
"BizPaL has created a new way of delivering an interjurisdictional service using these new technologies that provide brand independence, and integrate into the way that a jurisdiction delivers its own services, as opposed to previous exercises, where things were more dictatorial," says Blauel.
Sustainability and governance
BizPaL has been uniquely fortunate in having a deep-pocketed champion in Treasury Board to provide funds for its formative years, then gaining enough support from its partners to be sustainable.
Montrat reports that a cost-sharing model has been agreed upon among the federal and provincial partners, based on population, effective next month.
All levels of government still participate in BizPaL's governance. Each participating province or territory has a seat on the Steering Committee, as does one municipal government from each province and territory.
There is a dichotomy, however, between the financial capabilities of municipalities and their desire to participate as full partners. Municipalities simply lack funds to pay for a program like this. BizPaL partnership agreements are between the federal and provincial governments, and the provinces invite municipalities to participate.
But municipalities want full recognition as partners. Although municipalities have seven seats on the 15-member Steering Committee, there is discontent.
"In its early days of development, BizPaL was very promising as a new method for inter-jurisdictional collaboration," says Clarke of the City of Ottawa. "The reality of the Canadian situation has caught up to it, in that it is no longer a three-way partnership. It's now Industry Canada in partnership with each of the provinces and the provinces deal with municipalities.
"That to me has taken a lot of the lustre from what the municipalities saw as a new approach to citizen-centred services, with municipalities as equal partners," says Clarke, who is a member of the Service to Business Subcommittee of the Public Sector Service Delivery Council, a director of the Institute for Citizen-Centred Service (ICCS) and founder of the Service Delivery Officials Network of municipal executives.
"BizPaL is not the ideal governance model, but it's a step on the way there," he adds. "Perhaps if BizPaL, or the next interjurisdictional Web collaboration, could be hosted by the ICCS or another third party, I think we could get there."
A second issue affecting BizPaL's future is whether it can become a fully national program. Two territories, three Atlantic provinces and Quebec are not in the partnership.
Although Quebec officials were represented at the earliest stages of BizPaL's development, people knowledgeable of the program report that Quebec has declined offers to become a partner, preferring to concentrate on its own business-services portal.
Legacy and influence
Despite these internal issues, it is clear that BizPaL is building a legacy within Canadian governments. It is becoming widely influential, even inspirational, suggests Montrat.
"It is serving as a model for other areas within government," she says. "People are interested in replicating BizPaL for information other than permits and licences."
The Secretariat has had discussions with Canada Revenue Agency about establishing linkages with BizPaL, and intends to approach other departments to see if there is value in using BizPaL concepts for their regulations.
One department is already off and running. In March 2006, Natural Resources Canada launched BizPaL Plus. It is a pilot project, in process of becoming permanent, to help natural resource businesses engaged in wind power development and mineral exploration in B.C., and mineral exploration in the Yukon. BizPaL Plus identifies permits, licences and other regulatory requirements from all levels of government.
Continued:Legacy and influence
Download the proceedings from Lac Carling 2006 here
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