The province has launched a new program aimed at finding improvements for small businesses in B.C.
The Small Business Task Force was established in May 2018 by the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, and the first phase of operations began June 1. The phase is comprised of two main parts; an online site where small business owners can submit their feedback, and in person consultation sessions.
The goal of the task force is to identify areas where improvements can be made for small businesses with relation to the provincial government. There are five main points of focus which the task force has identified and started gathering feedback and data on.
- The cost of doing business, with regards to operating costs, taxes, employee housing, and real estate costs.
- The diverse nature of small businesses, and how the government can support both start-ups and existing businesses in all parts of the province.
- Employment and skills training needs, such as skills training programs, wage subsidies, and the ageing workforce.
- Broadening awareness of government programs for small businesses, and expanding access.
- Improvements to government interactions with small businesses, including potential changes to regulations such as reducing their quantity or complexity, and improving customer service.
In order to gather feedback, the Small Business Task Force has opened an online feedback centre at https://engage.gov.bc.ca/smallbusiness. Small business owners can also provide their feedback directly to the task force in one of the in-person consultation sessions taking place across the province over the month of June. The task force will be in Kelowna on June 28.
Once the feedback period has closed, the task force will analyze the responses they have received and assemble them into a summary paper. This paper will be placed on their website for a period of public discussion and further responses in late July. Once the second discussion period closes the comments and responses will be considered with the original summary paper in order to make a final report.
The final report will be submitted to the provincial government in the fall of 2018. In addition, the report will be provided to B.C.’s Small Business Roundtable in order to inform their strategies on policies with regards to strengthening small businesses in the province.