The Government of British Columbia has proclaimed the week of Feb. 20-24, 2012 as Chamber of Commerce Week in B.C., Minister of Jobs Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell announced today.

This proclamation confirms the vital role that chambers of commerce play in advocating on behalf of business in B.C. Through 'Canada Starts Here: the BC Jobs Plan', the Province has invested in a series of economic actions to make British Columbia more competitive and business-friendly. These include a three-year extension of the $31 million BC apprenticeship training tax credit, a $3-million expansion of the Venture Capital Tax Program and a commitment to continue leading the country in regulatory reform reduction.

Small business is pivotal to the success of B.C.'s economy. Close to 400,000 small businesses make up 98 per cent of all businesses in the province and employ over a million people.

Since 2001, the Province has been reducing red tape so small businesses in British Columbia can continue to flourish. One measure to reduce red tape is the mobile business licence (MBL) program. MBLs allow business owners - such as builders, decorators, caterers and those with mobile businesses - to operate seamlessly across several municipalities while paying only one licensing fee.

Six regions have adopted mobile business licence agreements: Okanagan-Similkameen, Greater Victoria, Trail, Cowichan Lake, North/West Vancouver and Courtenay/Comox. The program's success would not be possible without continued support from chambers of commerce in B.C.

Quick Facts:

• The BC Chamber of Commerce represents about 32,000 businesses in B.C.

• Victoria is the largest chamber, with about 1,500 members.

• Stewart, Lytton and Falkland are the smallest chambers, all with about 15 members.

• In B.C., a small business is defined as one that employs fewer than 50 individuals.

• The Province has cut red tape by more than 42 per cent since 2001 and is the first government in Canada to enshrine in law the requirement to publish annual provincial reports about its regulatory reform program.

Learn More:

Mobile Business Licences: http://www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca/MBL/Pages/AboutMobileBusinessLicence.aspx

Contact:

Sheldon Johnson
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 213-5811