PROVINCE RECOGNIZES SIX SMALL BUSINESS-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

Local governments that go out of their way to champion the growth of small businesses are being celebrated with a new, annual province wide award.

"B.C.'s Most Small Business Friendly Community" award was handed out today by Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger at a ceremony during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities week-long convention.

Six winning communities from across the province were selected based on their demonstration of the following criteria:
* Reducing regulatory barriers.
* Enhancing competitiveness.
* Recognizing small business's contribution to their community.
* Climate action initiatives that support small business.

This year's award recipients are: Surrey, Kamloops, Ladysmith, Prince Rupert, Quesnel and Rossland.

The award is issued by B.C.'s Small Business Roundtable, which was formed in 2005 with a mandate to advise on issues, strategies and potential actions to support B.C. small businesses. Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell and Krueger are both co-chairs. Board members are leaders in the small business community who represent a wide range of business sectors and regions throughout the province.

The small business sector is a key economic driver in B.C., employing more than one million people, providing nearly 57 per cent of all private-sector jobs and accounting for 98 per cent of all businesses in B.C.

Quotes:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"This year's winning communities recognize the important role small businesses play in B.C.'s economic success. Having created more tax incentives for entrepreneurs to invest and innovate through our jobs plan, Canada Starts Here, I'm proud to say this government joins them in standing up for the interests and long-term sustainability of small businesses across the province."

Kevin Krueger, Kamloops-South Thompson MLA -

"I would like to thank all the communities who made submissions this year for all of the work they do to help small businesses thrive. I was amazed at the breadth of initiatives being undertaken across the province to make doing business better in British Columbia."

Linda Larson, Small Business Roundtable vice-chair -

"It's great to see the extraordinary efforts that communities are making to help businesses succeed. I'm excited to see this award come to fruition and proud as a member of the roundtable to recognize the work of all the nominees.

Quick Facts:

* The Small Business Roundtable is committed to making British Columbia the most small business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada by cutting red tape and making it easier and less expensive to do business in the province.

* B.C. has reduced regulatory requirements to 206,345 today, down from 360,000 in 2001, a 42 per cent reduction.

* BizPaL: This online service provides one-stop access to permit and licence information for all levels of government. The program reduces document research time and helps entrepreneurs start a business faster. A process that once took seven hours has been reduced to 20 to 30 minutes.

* Environmental Protection Office: Reduced pesticide certification time from 42 to 14 days.

* Liquor licensing: Streamlined by reducing the number of licence classes from 19 to two.

* Mobile Business Licence: The Province continues to promote and support the adoption of a mobile business licence by local governments. By purchasing one licence rather than multiple non-resident permits, a mobile business licence allows a business to operate in any participating municipality.

Learn More:

For more information on the Small Business Roundtable, visit:
http://www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca/Pages/Default.aspx