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Businessman claims licence requirement is a tax grab by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, August 23, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com No matter how long you've been in business in Oakville, if you sell used products you need a licence to do so. Ken Devreese, owner of the Computer Edge store on Trafalgar Road, found out about this bylaw requirement earlier this summer when he received a phone call from the Town of Oakville. "They called me and asked if I sold second-hand products. I said, `Yeah' so they asked if I had a licence. I told them, `No.'" said Devreese. "They told me I had to fill one out and have it within 30 days, otherwise I'd get a $250 fine." Devreese said the call left him deeply frustrated because he now has to undergo a criminal record check, bump his insurance up to $2 million liability, and obtain a certificate of occupancy from the zoning department. "This is going to cost me approximately $500 a year to do this because I have to up my insurance and they want $257 (for the licence)," said Devreese. "It's a big hassle and expense and for what? So I can operate the way I've been operating in Oakville for the last 17 years?" After 17 years of business, the Town of Oakville has told Computer Edge owner Ken Devreese he must get a licence to sell used equipment. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) Devreese called the exercise nothing more than a tax grab on the part of the Town. He also believes he has been singled out as he has talked to other business owners in Oakville who sell used goods who have not been subjected to the same licensing requirements. Tony Thompson, manager of licensing and enforcement with the Town of Oakville, disputed the tax-grab claim stating the licensing of stores, which sell used products serves an important purpose. "It's designed for consumer protection," he said. "We want to make sure we've got the public looked after and, unfortunately, some of these second-hand goods places get taken advantage of by taking in stolen property or things obtained by fraud. The licensing provisions are for public protection." He said the licensing requirements for establishments selling second-hand goods are not new with the current bylaw dating back to 2008. He also said the Computer Edge was not singled out and had been allowed to operate without a second-hand goods licence all this time simply because the Town has yet to contact all business owners. Thompson said other businesses not licensed currently will be eventually. "It's coming around. Staff will continue their efforts to do that," he said. "Every year we identify more and more individuals who require licences and, through no fault of their own, just didn't know, so we advise them and they are brought into compliance." Thompson said the second-hand goods licensing fee is $240 per year. Auto Body Repair Auto Body Repair Headlight Rejuvenation Quick Service Quick Service Low Prices Low Prices AUTO ® . HOME . BUSINESS . BOAT/RV/TRAILER PREMIU UM SPOT T REPA AIR R EE FR ates im Est Looking for insurance with real value? Well, look no further. Finding the right insurance solutions can sometimes be difficult. That's · options, and · why our brokers work with you, compare your insurance We shop the marketplace so you don't have to. help get you the best value and most appropriate coverage possible. · · · · Call, Switch & Save. 905.337.7968 $40 OFF ALL REPAIRS during the month of August!* A Fra action of the cos st of a bo ody sho op! ! Come see us before your car lease ends! ® QEW h Fourt Line Lifetime Warranty Unit #11 MPM SM c ro oa pai in Canad da aL d MPS ic ci ro o pa int t tCanad d Ltd td d 4 67 See pe eers R d# #11 11 1 46 7 Sp p rssRd d OakO vil lle eville , L6K 3S4 ak k in n fo@ m sm mic cs rop pic a in n t.c com info oc a n@ ad ap @ ps m c ropa am int. .com ww m ppsm sm m ic cic ro o int t.co om w ww w.m . m m c rp oai p ain nt.c com *Not to be combined with any other promotion BrokerLink.ca Visit us at 102-1320 Cornwall Road, Oakville Services available in Ontario through Canada Brokerlink (Ontario) Inc. TMBrokerLink & Design is a trademark of Canada Brokerlink Inc. used under license. © Copyright 2013 Canada Brokerlink Inc. All rights reserved. VAL DOR RD Speers (905) 842-4MPS (4677) (4677) (905) 842-4MPS | 705-789-9667