3rd Annual Report to Government

Message from the Vice Chair

It is my pleasure to present the Small Business Roundtable Annual Report for 2008. This report summarizes the Roundtable’s activities since our second Report to Government in October 2007.

Over the past three years, the Roundtable has met with over 460 small business owners and held 26 small business consultations in all regions of the province. Key challenges facing small business continue to revolve around recruitment, retention and training of employees; regulatory complexity imposed by all levels of government; and tax competitiveness. These areas were the main focus of the Roundtable’s recommendations in its previous annual reports.

The Roundtable was pleased with the October 2007 release of the Action Plan for Small Business by the Government of British Columbia. This Plan outlines a number of initiatives the government is undertaking to support small business growth and success in British Columbia. Many of the initiatives respond directly to recommendations made in previous Roundtable Annual Reports, and address issues raised by small business owners during consultations.

The Roundtable has had a busy year. We have worked in partnership with the provincial government, providing feedback and advice on Action Plan initiatives, and worked with all levels of government to encourage implementation of programs that enhance the regulatory environment of the province.

I would like to welcome our new Chair, Honourable Kevin Krueger, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform. With his support, I am confident the province will continue to make great strides in achieving its goal of becoming the most small business friendly jurisdiction in Canada.

On behalf of the Roundtable members, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of Rick Thorpe, MLA for Okanagan-Westside and previous Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Chair of the Small Business Roundtable. Rick’s dedication and commitment to small business, and his vision and enthusiasm for an ongoing dialogue with the small business community have made the Small Business Roundtable a success.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of our retiring board members: Lita Powell, President, Li-Car Management Group, Fort St. John; Bruce Sutherland, President, Wolftek Industries Inc., Prince George; Bruce Hryciuk, Senior Partner, Hryciuk Gallinger & Co. Inc., Certified General Accountants, Cranbrook; and, Barrie Carter, President, Carters Jewellers Ltd., Smithers.

I would also like to acknowledge the lasting contribution of Roundtable member Kathy Barnett, who passed away in September 2007. Kathy was President and Publisher of Pique Publishing Inc., Whistler. Kathy’s energy and enthusiasm for small business and her ongoing support for women entering small business are sadly missed.

On behalf of the Small Business Roundtable,

Linda Larson,
Vice Chair, Small Business Roundtable