By Naomi Yamamoto
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business

VICTORIA - Small businesses are the heart and soul of B.C. communities.

We have a lot to celebrate, and now that Small Business Month has drawn to a close, I would like to look back on some of the highlights from the past several weeks that are making the small-business heart in B.C. beat a little stronger.

On Sept. 19, seven B.C. communities received Open for Business Awards as part of the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver. Throughout October, I had the opportunity to visit winning communities to further congratulate them and learn more about what they are doing to support their small businesses: www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca

I made it a priority to meet with small-business owners and partner organizations all over B.C. to thank them for the work they do every day. Whether it was celebrating the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce's 100th Anniversary, or having a Twitter Town Hall discussion about cutting red tape, or going on small business walks to meet owners and entrepreneurs, I was honoured to be able to talk to individuals and organizations about what really matters to them and about how government can best support their future success.

I also had the chance to speak to the CGA Association of BC - the Small Business Roundtable released its annual report during their luncheon - as well as to local chambers of commerce, the National Board of MyStore, and at an event to launch the new BusinessSTART program in Maple Ridge. I was able to express my gratitude to these organizations for the work they do, and share government's vision for small business success in B.C. - a vision in which these organizations also have a vested interest.

Another way government is consulting small-business owners is through the Small Business-Doing Business with Government Project. I attended the first consultation session on Oct. 17 in Victoria, where about 20 small business owners helped identify ways to break down barriers and increase small-business procurement by at least 20 per cent. Consultation sessions are scheduled throughout B.C., and I encourage small business owners who want to have their say to complete the online survey at: http://goo.gl/I74jfr

I launched the 2013 Small Business Profile as part of a meeting with the Vancouver Board of Trade on Oct. 29. This year's results indicate that B.C. has the most small businesses per capita in Canada, at 83.5 per 1,000 people - a clear indication that the spirit of entrepreneurship is thriving in B.C.: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/pdf/SB_Profile_2013.pdf

I ended Small Business Month in Prince George, where government launched a new resource, MentorshipBC, which will make it easier for British Columbians to pursue mentorship and start - or grow - their business. Designed with small business owners in mind, MentorshipBC provides a central registry of business-mentoring programs. The development of MentorshipBC arose from consultation with 35,000 small business owners in late 2012 and early 2013 during the B.C. Small Business Accord consultations: www.mentorshipbc.ca

Government is committed to making B.C. the most small-business friendly jurisdiction in Canada, and we are getting closer to achieving that goal every day. We will continue to work with community and small business leaders to help support budding entrepreneurs to get their businesses off the ground and on the path to success, and existing business owners to expand their operations and help them run more smoothly: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/sbaccord/

I am continually inspired by the difference that entrepreneurs and small business owners are making throughout the province, and I encourage you to nominate your favourite for a Small Business BC Award before the Nov. 30 deadline: http://sbbcawards.ca/ This is the first year that government is sponsoring a Premier's People's Choice Award as part of the Small Business BC Awards.

Thank you again to all the small-business owners and entrepreneurs who create jobs and contribute to local economies. And thank you, also, to all of the organizations that support B.C. small business success. You are making B.C. a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Contact:

Media Relations
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business
250 387-2799