October 1, 2009
Small Business Celebration Marks 30 Years

VICTORIA - October is officially proclaimed Small Business Month in British Columbia, marking 30 years the province has celebrated the sector, announced Iain Black, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development.

"British Columbia was the first province to recognize Small Business Week in 1979, and three years ago government showed its appreciation for small business by expanding it into a month-long celebration," said Black. "Small business is critical to creating jobs and strong communities, and this month offers entrepreneurs opportunities to network, to celebrate the sector's strengths, and to learn of the programs in place to support it."

There are about 384,300 small businesses operating in British Columbia, representing 98 per cent of all business in the province. Small business employs over one million people and accounts for nearly 56 per cent of all private-sector jobs in B.C.

"Small business has a lead role to play in our economic recovery, and government continues to build on its achievements in making our province small-business friendly," said Black. "We have reduced red tape by cutting over 152,000 regulations since 2001, and saved small businesses more than $400 million over three years by reducing the small business corporate income tax - a tax we will eliminate entirely in 2012."

British Columbia leads the country in small businesses per capita, with 87.7 businesses per 1,000 people. Since 2001, small businesses have created 172,700 net new jobs for British Columbians - 10,800 in 2008 alone.

The Province created a permanent Small Business Roundtable in 2005 to give small business a voice in government.

"The small business community certainly values its open and effective partnership with government," said Linda Larson, co-chair of the Small Business Roundtable. "Small Business Month is a great chance for people in all regions to recognize the significant contributions of small business and the entrepreneurial spirit driving our economy."

Today Minister Black announced the appointment of two new members to the group. Cybele Negris is co-founder of a leading Internet-solutions company. Sonia Virk is co-founder of a law firm and serves on the board of the Indo-Canadian Business Association for Surrey/Delta and the Surrey Board of Trade.

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