The B.C. government is working with small businesses to identify ways to make it easier to do business here in B.C.

Formal consultation sessions for the Small Business - Doing Business with Government Project kicked off today in Victoria with about 20 participants. By working directly with small businesses, government will identify ways to break down barriers and increase small-business procurement by at least 20 per cent.

The B.C. government's goal for these sessions is to ensure that small business owners and operators have the chance to provide feedback directly to government. The Small Business-Doing Business with Government Project builds on the principles of the BC Small Business Accord. Results of the consultation sessions will lead to recommendations that will make it easier for small businesses to sell products and services to government.

Additional consultation sessions have been scheduled on:

• Oct. 21 in Prince George.
• Oct. 22 in Dawson Creek.
• Oct. 30 in Kelowna.
• Nov. 12 in Terrace.
• Nov. 14 in Cranbrook.
• Nov. 19 in Smithers.
• Nov. 20 in Richmond.

Participants in these sessions will represent a broad range of backgrounds and sectors. Some will have sold goods and services to government through a competitive process (BC Bid or otherwise), and others may be interested in doing business with government and want to learn more. The BC Small Business Accord, which resulted from feedback from more than 35,000 small-business stakeholders, consists of six guiding principles, one of which is to create long-term growth opportunities for small business through government procurement. The Small Business-Doing Business with Government Project fulfils this principle.

In addition to the live sessions, government has launched an online survey to welcome input from small businesses. The survey, which asks small businesses about their experience with selling to the B.C. government and for their ideas on how to make the process easier, is available through: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/selltobcgov

Small business plays a vital role in the B.C. economy and employs more than one million people. British Columbia is the only province in Canada to enact regulatory reform legislation and regulations to reduce barriers to business. Since 2011, B.C. has reduced regulatory requirements by more than 42 per cent, and the Province is committed to a policy of a net-zero increase in regulations until at least 2015.

Cutting red tape and simplifying procurement procedures are key objectives for government. Broader goals include ensuring small businesses can grow, and making B.C. the most small- business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada.

Quotes:

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business -

"Small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities, and greater access to procurement opportunities for small business will lead to economic growth and job creation for British Columbians. Government is committed to making B.C. the most small-business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada, and these consultation sessions will help identify ways we can make it easier for small businesses to do business in B.C."

John Winter, president and CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce -

"Chambers and small businesses have plenty of ideas to share about their experience in doing business with government. They will be able to share their challenges and their successes during these sessions and government will use their feedback to find ways to help small businesses win government contracts throughout B.C."

Bruce Carter, CEO, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce -

"The Victoria Chamber is honoured to be part of the launch of what will be a province-wide process. Government is giving a voice to small businesses in a formal way, and we expect that this process will help support B.C. businesses to grow and succeed."

Quick Facts:

• In August, Yamamoto appointed George Farkas as executive lead of the Small Business - Doing Business with Government Project.
• Farkas is leading the consultation sessions with business owners and operators and will develop recommendations to make it easier for small businesses to compete for and win government business.
• Small business plays a vital role in the B.C. economy and employs more than one million people.
• British Columbia is the only province in Canada to enact regulatory reform legislation and regulations to reduce barriers to business.
• Since 2011, B.C. has reduced regulatory requirements by more than 42 per cent.
• The Province is committed to a policy of a net-zero increase in regulations until at least 2015.

Learn More:

Small Business Doing Business with Government Project: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/selltobcgov/index.htm

Survey on cutting red tape for small business (until midnight Oct. 25): http://goo.gl/dDHlbY

Regulatory Reform B.C. website: www.gov.bc.ca/regulatoryreform

B.C. Small Business Accord: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/sbaccord/

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799