The B.C. Small Business Roundtable has released its 11th annual report which includes recommendations on how the Province can continue applying a small business lens to public policies to achieve its goal of making British Columbia the most small business-friendly jurisdiction in North America.

The report showcases the important work of the roundtable over the last year which included a partnership with Junior Achievement British Columbia to support Aboriginal youth entrepreneurs, successful engagement with small businesses and local governments throughout the province to identify key policy priorities, and partnership between the Province and Small Business BC to help small business owners access Canada-BC Jobs Grant to ensure entrepreneurs have access to funding to train new employees and grow their businesses. The report also includes the roundtable’s main priorities for coming year, including:

• Work with government to support efforts to make small business more ‘export ready’.
• Refresh the Open for Business Awards: Best Practices Guide to include First Nations and regional districts.
• Host an Aboriginal small business meeting to identify and address their regional priorities.
• Look for red tape reduction opportunities by sector.

In addition to the work done over the last year and the roundtable’s priorities for 2016-17, the report includes recommendations to government on how to improve supports for the small businesses sector, as well as suggestions to small businesses themselves to help them grow and prosper in British Columbia.

As the voice of small businesses to government, the roundtable uses consultations and Twitter conversations on #BCBizChat (twitter.com) and #SmallBizBC (twitter.com) to hear what small businesses are saying and better understand business issues and opportunities, which are often uniquely regional. These conversations helped shape the recommendations in their annual report.

The roundtable would also like to extend a warm welcome to its newest member Val Litwin, CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, and also thank departing members Chief Ellis Ross and former B.C. Chamber of Commerce CEO Jon Garson for their previous contributions.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction –

“The B.C. Small Business Roundtable report plays an integral role in helping entrepreneurs throughout the province have a strong voice within government. Small businesses are the heart and soul of B.C.’s communities and key to our province’s continued prosperity. The Small Business Roundtable’s Annual Report allows government to have a direct view to what small business needs are in this province and keep the small business lens in-check.”

Cybele Negris, vice-chair of the Small Business Roundtable and CEO of Webnames.ca Inc. –

“The seven commitments we’ve laid out in this report reflect the input we’ve received directly from small businesses over the last year, and we look forward to working with the Province to develop policies that build on the strength of B.C.’s small business sector.” 

Quick Facts:

• The roundtable is responsible for identifying key small business issues and opportunities, providing recommendations to enhance the small-business climate in B.C., and promoting small business interests in the province.
• The roundtable was formed in 2005; its members are small business leaders who represent regions, industries and associations throughout British Columbia.
• Small business is defined as a business with fewer than 50 employees, or self-employed without paid help.
• 98% of B.C. businesses are classified as small businesses.
• Small business provides nearly 55% of private-sector jobs, employing over one million people in British Columbia.
• B.C.’s small business community contributes 35% of the province’s Gross Domestic Product.
• British Columbia ranks first in Canada for the number of small businesses per capita, with 83.0 businesses per 1,000 people (avG is 70.3).

Learn More:

• Read the B.C. Small Business Roundtable’s Annual Report: https://www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca/getattachment/Advise-(1)/SB-Roundtable-AR-2016-(1).pdf.aspx
• Find out more about the B.C. Small Business Roundtable: www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca
• Find out more about the B.C. Small Business Accord: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/sbaccord/
• Need information on how to starting and grow a business in B.C.? www.gov.bc.ca/businessandinvesting
• Learn about how government is cutting red tape to improve services: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/regulatory-reform
• Have an idea on how the Province can #cutredtape? Your input is your impact: https://forms.gov.bc.ca/help-reduce-red-tape/