Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

Minister's Message

As 2008 draws to a close, I'd like to share with you some of its highlights for the Ministry.

The past few months have been very busy for Small Business and Revenue. Small Business Month in October was a great opportunity to celebrate the sustained growth, diversity, success and importance of small business in British Columbia. I toured the province, meeting small business owners and working with the Small Business Roundtable.

Following recent appointments, the Small Business Roundtable has a full complement of 24 members to continue its important work, consulting business owners and advising government on issues, strategies and possible actions.

By acting on recommendations from the Small Business Roundtable, government continues to break down barriers to business. Good examples include: BizPal, a partnership program designed to streamline and simplify the business permit and licensing process, now online in 50 communities and expanding to 157 by 2010; and the Mobile Business Licence project - a real winner - that will be expanded in 2009 to become the 'Inter-Community Business Licence.'

Responding to global economic turmoil, Premier Gordon Campbell introduced our 10-Point Economic Plan in October with a 44 per cent tax cut for small businesses this year. In addition, adjustments to all classes of property assessments for 2009 were passed by the Legislature to ensure accuracy and fairness during this economic downturn. With sound policy, low taxes, smart regulation and a successful fiscal plan, British Columbia is well poised to ride out the present economic storms.

Our strong, diverse and nimble small business sector is rising to the opportunities and challenges, delivering fully a third of B.C.'s GDP.

I wish you a joyous Christmas and a wonderful, happy New Year 2009.

Yours Sincerely,

Kevin Krueger

DID YOU KNOW?

In December, B.C.’s Small Business Corporate Income Tax was reduced – two years ahead of time – from 4.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, a 44 per cent tax cut this year.
As an example of the impact this tax cut will provide for small business - a small business owner with an average yearly net income of $80,000 on sales of $500,000 will save $1,600.
The tax cut is expected to put an additional $146 million dollars back into the economy over the next three years.
Government also doubled the commission paid to businesses for collecting the provincial sales tax and hotel tax, adding a potential $1,200 to a business’ bottom line.
Small business contributes 33 per cent of British Columbia's GDP.
Small businesses employ 1,048,000 people in B.C.

Small Business Month Wrap Up / Summary

On October 6, as part of Small Business Month in British Columbia, Minister Krueger toured several businesses in Kamloops, including Think Green Publishing. In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Think Green Publishing uses vegetable-based inks and paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Left to right: owner Steve Ceron, Minister Krueger and Karen Kornelson. [News release]

Later that day, Minister Krueger hosted a Small Business Roundtable Consultation in Kamloops.

On October 7, Minister Krueger toured small businesses in Victoria and visited WetCleaner, Victoria's non-toxic dry cleaning alternative. WetCleaner owner Dave Hatt demonstrated the cleaning process, which is featured on the LiveSmart BC website for small businesses going green. [News release]

Later that day, Minister Krueger and Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands took part in the Saanichton Small Business Roundtable Consultation.

Minister Krueger was the keynote speaker at the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Women's AM Breakfast meeting October 9, 2008, where he helped them celebrate their 20th Anniversary as a business organization.

Minister Krueger was in Terrace on October 15 to host a Small Business Roundtable consultation following a visit to the Terrace Chamber of Commerce.

On October 16, Minister Krueger visited Prince Rupert to host a Small Business Roundtable Consultation and tour local businesses. At Entire Automotive, he met with owner Dwayne MacNeill (centre) and former Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond (right). Entire Automotive was named the 2008 BC Chamber Small Business of the Year - the first small business in Prince Rupert to receive this distinguished recognition.

While in town, Minister Krueger was the keynote speaker at the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Minister Krueger spoke to reporters following his keynote address to the Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon on October 20, where he released the Small Business Profile. [News release]

Continuing his small business tours, Minister Krueger enjoyed a coffee with store owner Rob Delaney (left) and North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Dan Jarvis (center) at one of Delaney's five family-owned and operated coffee shops.

During his address to the Surrey Board of Trade October 21, Minister Krueger launched the newly-updated 'Starting a Small Business Guide' and 'Import/Export Guide'. Both guides are available in nine languages and are designed to support small business start-up and growth. [News release]

Minister Krueger chatted with Kidsmart owners Leilani and Lisa Reid in Kamloops on October 27, where he announced $75,000 for the program 'Empowering Rural Youth to Start Successful Small Businesses,' to be delivered by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and Small Business BC. [News release]

To wrap up Small Business Month, Minister Krueger attended a S.U.C.C.E.S.S networking event featuring a trade show and video presentation highlighting the successes of New Canadian Entrepreneurs. During the event, Minister Krueger launched the Asia Pacific Planner, developed in partnership with Small Business BC. Minister Krueger is pictured, from left to right, with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. CEO Tung Chan, MLA for Burnaby North Richard T. Lee, and Program Director for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Thomas Tam. [News release]

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