BC Job Makers are working hard this holiday season to drive the economy forward by creating jobs, investments and opportunities that benefit British Columbians across all sectors thoughout the province.

From manufacturers of your favourite treats to companies that make nights bright to local markets in your city, BC Job Makers are demonstrating how real people are creating real jobs and making a difference in communities and the province.

BC Job Makers and entrepreneurs are thinking of creative ways to deliver products and services to customers and communities to ensure this holiday season is a success.

BC’s holiday Job Makers include:

• Dekra-Lite Industries, the largest commercial supplier of holiday LED lights, displays and décor for cities, towns, commercial malls and properties across Canada.
• Purdys Chocolatier, employing over 900 people in Vancouver and through their 70 corporately-owned stores in B.C., Alberta and Ontario and voted one of Canada’s best employers.
• Merridale Estate Cidery, a family-owned cidery celebrating community and giving back with a limited-release cider for the season called Yule Fuel to raise proceeds for TLC Funds for Kids.
• Vancouver Christmas Market, a traditional German Christkindlmarkt with a unique west-coast flavour that expects a record 200,000 visitors with at least 60 staff to keep the market humming and at least 300 indirect job opportunities for vendors and people they hire.

Why It Matters:

BC Job Makers provide an economic sense of certainty by investing in our province and creating jobs to support British Columbia’s families.

Government is showing the power of yes by profiling BC Job Makers that are driving the economy forward. What ties all these stories together is inspiration - for an idea, for an investment.

If you run a company, or know of a company or person you think should be featured as a BC Job Maker, contact: bcjobmakers@gov.bc.ca

Quote:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“BC Job Makers is a fun and informative way to show British Columbians how entrepreneurs are helping drive our province’s economy forward. Stories and insights from business owners can inspire others to act on a business idea or consider the full range of opportunities available to them. We look forward to sharing more of these success stories with you in the year ahead.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2013, B.C. exported $33.4 billion of goods, an increase of 32% from 2009.
• Small businesses account for 86% of all exporters in B.C.
• About 382,200 small businesses were operating in the province in 2012, 81% of which had fewer than five employees.
• B.C. small businesses shipped approximately $14.4 billion worth of merchandise to international destinations in 2012, comprising almost half the total value of goods exported from the province.

Learn More:

To see the BC Job Makers, please visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/bc-stories/

Media Contacts:

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