By Shirley Bond
Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
MLA for Prince George-Valemount

PRINCE GEORGE - October is Small Business Month in B.C., and that provides a great opportunity to celebrate local small businesses for the work they do every day.

Throughout B.C., 98 per cent of all businesses are small businesses and they employ more than a million British Columbians.

Our government is working hard to make B.C. the most small-business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada. That's why we have already cut the small business corporate income tax rate by 44 per cent, and are committed to cutting it a further 40 per cent.

That's also why we're working to boost small businesses' share of government business. Each year, government buys a variety of goods and services from providers throughout British Columbia. We want to work directly with small businesses to identify ways to break down barriers and increase small business procurement by at least 20 per cent.

The Small Business - Doing Business with Government Project builds on this commitment. Government is hosting eight consultation sessions throughout the province, and small business owners will be invited to share their thoughts and ideas about doing business with government - the challenges, the benefits and how to make the process run more smoothly.

On Monday, Oct. 21, several small business operators in Prince George will participate in a consultation session with the Province and supported by the local Chamber of Commerce. Results of these consultation sessions will lead to recommendations that will make it easier for small businesses to compete for, and win, government business. This is your chance to help shape the future of how government interacts with small business.

If you're a small business owner and want to have your say, you can also participate by completing an online survey available at: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/selltobcgov/index.htm

This month, join me in thanking small businesses in your community. They are more than just business owners. They are dreamers and risk-takers, and they are helping to build a stable and thriving economy.