According to the 2014 Small Business Profile, B.C. has the most small businesses per capita in Canada, at 83.4 per 1,000 people.

The Small Business Profile is a statistical report highlighting the major role that small business plays in B.C. and its impact on job creation, economic investment, exports and contributions to the province's gross domestic product.

Here are some of the highlights from the 2014 profile:

• Small businesses employed more than 1,032,900 million people in the province in 2013.
• Small business provides about 55% of all private-sector jobs in B.C., the second-highest rate in Canada.
• Small businesses account for 85% of all exporters in B.C.
• B.C. small businesses shipped approximately $14.4 billion worth of merchandise to international destinations in 2012, which accounts for almost half of all the goods exported from the province.
• About 382,200 small businesses were operating in the province in 2013, 81% of which had fewer than five employees.

The Small Business Profile is produced by the B.C. government and BC Stats and is released during Small Business Month each October.

Small business is defined as a business with fewer than 50 employees, or self-employed without paid help. Ninety-eight per cent of B.C. businesses are classified as small businesses, and B.C.'s small business community contributes 31% of the province's gross domestic product.

Quotes:

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

“Business is the economic engine of our province, and small business is the fuel. The 2014 Small Business Profile clearly demonstrates that small business is a significant contributor to B.C.'s economy, and I want thank the thousands of small-business owners in British Columbia who employ more than one million British Columbians.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training -

“Small business continues to be a key driver of job creation and economic growth, generating 31% of the province’s gross domestic product. The Small Business Profile provides a wonderful snapshot of how B.C. is doing - both on its own and compared to other jurisdictions - this information will allow us to focus our efforts on initiatives that will have the greatest impact for entrepreneurs and small business owners.”

Iain Black, president and CEO of the Vancouver Board of Trade -

“Our organization fully understands the crucial role that small businesses play in our provincial economy. We see the difference they make every day, in the actions of our thousands of small business members.”

“We have an obligation to support and nurture B.C.'s small businesses - to give them every possible competitive advantage, so they are able to grow into healthy, job-supporting companies.”

George Hunter, CEO of Small Business BC -

“Vibrant small businesses ensure the economic and social well-being of every community in the province. Hardworking and passionate business owners are the backbone of our economy; driving innovation and proving that the start-up spirit is very much alive in BC. Ensuring their success is our number one goal.”

Learn More:

Small Business Profile 2014: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/pdf/SmallBusEngWeb.pdf

Small Business Profile Mobile Version: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/m/profile/index.html

Small Business Profile Highlights 2014: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/pdf/SB-Highlights.pdf

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

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

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

B.C. Small Business Roundtable website and annual report: www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca

WorkBC: www.WorkBC.ca

Business products and services: www.smallbusinessbc.ca

Nominate your favourite small business for a 2015 Small Business BC Award: http://sbbcawards.ca/award-categories/

Small Business BC: www.smallbusinessbc.ca/ 

Vancouver Board of Trade: www.boardoftrade.com/

Media Contacts:

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