Small Business Task Force
Engagement Summary
The Province, under the direction of the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, established the Small Business Task Force (the Task Force) to listen to small businesses to better understand what government can do to help strengthen the sector.
A strong and prosperous small business sector is the backbone of every community in every region of British Columbia. In 2017, there were more than 493,000 small businesses operating in the province. Together, these businesses provide employment for more than one million British Columbians.
The Task Force gathered input from small business owners throughout the province to better understand potential barriers to success, opportunities for growth and actions that should be considered by government.
There were several ways to participate during the two phases to this engagement:
Phase One:
- Complete an online questionnaire
- Meet in-person in 7 communities across the province
- Send feedback via email
Phase Two:
- Comment directly on the Phase One Engagement Summary Paper
- Send feedback via email
Engagement Timeframe(s)
Phase One: June 1 to June 29, 2018
Phase Two: July 24 to August 7, 2018
Input Received
Phase One:
- 1,069 online questionnaires were completed
- 225 small businesses and stakeholders participated in 7 engagement sessions across the province
- 3 engagement sessions were held with Indigenous business communities.
Phase Two:
- 24 comments were received on the Engagement Summary Paper
- 10 emails were received from associations and chambers of commerce, representing over 36,000 small businesses
Input leads to action:
The Small Business Task Force has completed its final report, Small Business Speaks: Hearing from B.C. Small Businesses about How to Help Make their Future Bright, and presented their recommendations for ways government can best support B.C.’s small business sector to Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.
A statement following the release of the final report was issued.