Small Business BC - Press Releases

BRITISH COLUMBIA PROCLAIMS OCTOBER SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

VICTORIA – The month of October 2007 has officially been proclaimed Small Business Month in British Columbia, announced Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Regulatory Reform.

“During October, we will highlight the tremendous contributions small businesses make to British  Columbia’s economy and our communities,” said Thorpe. “We are celebrating how we are working together to continue to grow the economy in all regions of British Columbia.”

More than 370,000 small businesses were operating in 2006, representing 98 per cent of all businesses in the province. Small businesses employ over one million people in British Columbia, accounting for 57 per cent of private sector jobs in the province, the second highest in the country.

“Our government knows the importance of small business in British Columbia and is committed to their success,” said Thorpe. “Small Business Month is in addition to Canada’s national small business week held Oct. 14-20, 2007. Proclaiming the entire month is government’s way to show the small business community how important they are, to recognize the remarkable achievements of small business and their incredible entrepreneurial spirit.”

British Columbia’s small businesses and their employees continue to be a driving force in the province’s economic revitalization and growth. Small business growth in British Columbia has increased for the fifth consecutive year, well above the national average. Between 2001 and 2006, small business growth was triple the national average at 11.0 per cent.

“The small business sector in British Columbia has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, and that growth is one reason Premier Gordon Campbell has proclaimed October 2007 as Small Business Month,” said Thorpe. “Our goal is to make British Columbia Canada’s most small business friendly jurisdiction and throughout October, we will mark the achievements of our small business sector in reaching that goal.”

A photo of Premier Campbell with Minister Thorpe proclaiming October Small Business Month is available at: www.gov.bc.ca/sbr/popt/gallery/

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Media contact:
Matt Gordon
Communications Director
250 812-4546 (cell)

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