WINNIPEG - In an effort to reduce red tape the provincial government is planning to adopt a new system where business owners can use a single number to identify themselves. Currently, businesses are assigned a different number for each government agency they deal with.

The move will include Manitoba in a national trend to use the common business number, or BN, assigned by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Right now a single BN is used for payroll deductions, corporate income tax, GST, and international trade. Over the next six months this identifier will extend to registering business names and incorporation, retail sales tax, corporation capital tax, as well as health and education tax.

This common BN will allow various government agencies to access basic information about any business operating in the province. However, the government stresses that this will not include rights to private or sensitive information regarding the company.

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