Small Business Accord Survey

Engagement Summary

In October 2012, the Province began an extensive consultation process to develop the BC Small Business Accord (the Accord), in order to ensure that government is doing all it can to support small business by committing to improve interactions and ensure government initiatives and services consider the needs of small business around the province.
 

Timeframe:

October 2012 – February 2013
 

Input Received:

Over 35,000 individuals provided feedback through community meetings, an online survey and the #BCBizChat Twitter town hall. A BC Small Business Accord forum, made up of 15 business owners/operators from various regions and sectors around B.C., used the feedback from the consultation period to finalize the Accord principles and establish action items for the provincial government
 

Input leads to action:

The Accord and related action items were released in March 2013, and included the following principles which continue to shape government policy and program decisions:

• Consider the needs and impacts of small businesses in policy and program decisions to enhance business certainty, access to qualified labour, access to capital and technology adoption;
• Foster a regulatory environment that small businesses can access, navigate and influence effectively and efficiently;
• Design government programs and resources affecting small businesses so that they are well developed, accessible, properly funded and effectively communicated;
• Foster thoughtful collaboration among all levels of government, including First Nations;
• Deploy educational and training programs that are future-focused and aligned to meet the changing needs of small businesses and the labour talent they develops; and
• Create long-term growth opportunities for small businesses through government procurement.

The BC Small Business Accord is a living document that will evolve and change to meet the ongoing needs and interests of the small business community, for more information programs and services supporting small business as a result of this engagement, please see here.