British Columbia is continuing its commitment to make it easier for small businesses to do business throughout the province by officially proclaiming Jan. 27-31 "Red Tape Awareness Week".

Held in conjunction with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the event raises public awareness about the cost of excessive regulations on small business and citizens and to recognize government efforts to reduce red tape.

As part of the week, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto has been nominated by the CFIB for a Golden Scissors Award, which recognizes Canadians who have produced meaningful and positive results in cutting red tape for small business.

Yamamoto's nomination comes from her work to expand the Mobile Business Licence (MBL) program, allowing mobile businesses (e.g., contractors and caterers) to operate across participating municipalities. In 2013, the MBL program expanded with four additional agreements covering 30 communities. In total there are now 69 communities throughout B.C. participating in the program.

The MBL reflects the Province's continued commitment to work in partnership with local governments to promote the success of the small business sector, and to reduce barriers to doing business in the province. The winner of the Golden Scissors Award will be announced by the CFIB on Jan. 30.

Over the past year, B.C. has worked with the CFIB to consult the small business community to identify a series of simple and effective reforms to reduce red tape. Acknowledging that more work needs to be done, tomorrow government will announce five strategies that will further reduce red tape for small businesses across the province. The CFIB will also award British Columbia with a letter grade as part of their Red Tape Report Card.

Quick Facts:

• Red tape is defined as burdensome, often unnecessary, government administrative processes and regulatory requirements.
• Regulatory requirements are defined as government imposed obligations, licences and laws with which citizens and businesses must comply.
• In the past 13 years, the B.C. government has cut more than 154,000 regulatory requirements.

Learn More:

To learn more about Red Tape Awareness Week, please visit: www.cfib-fcei.ca/english/article/4659-red-tape-awareness-week-2014.html

To see the entire list of Golden Scissor Nominations, see: http://www.cfib-fcei.ca/english/article/5835-2014-cfib-golden-scissors-award-finalists-announced.html

More information about the Mobile Business Licence program is available at: http://www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/mobile.html

To find out more about Regulatory Reform in B.C., please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=AE6F6EBC8B394BDC8B71883FB0942F70

Media Contact:

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