WHEREAS 98 of all businesses in British Columbia were small businesses in 2005; AND WHEREAS the regulatory burden placed on small businesses by local government was a major issue raised during the Small Business Round Table of British Columbia consultation process in 2006; AND WHEREAS local government policies and bylaws may impact the operations of small business; AND WHEREAS the Small Business Round Table of British Columbia recommends that local government implement a Small Business Lens in developing new policies, bylaws and programs to consider the impact on small businesses in a community: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM adopt the principle of a Small Business Lens based on the recommendation of the Small Business Round Table of BC and staff input.
MINISTRY OF SMALL BUSINESS REVENUE I am writing to thank you for endorsing the Small Business Lens resolution B143 at the 2007 Annual Convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. In doing so, you have taken the next step toward ensuring the voice of small business is heard in local government. As Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Regulatory Reform, and as Chair of the Small Business Roundtable, I was pleased with the support for the Small Business Lens at the Annual Convention. I was encouraged by the hard work and leadership shown by His Worship Ron Hovanes, Mayor of Oliver, in bringing the resolution to the floor and speaking to its importance. I am optimistic about the implementation of the Small Business Lens at the local level. As you may know, the province formally adopted the Small Business Lens in February 2007, at the recommendation of the Small Business Roundtable. The Small Business Lens helps ensure the impacts on small business are considered in the development of new legislation and regulations. I would like to offer my support and assistance to ensure the Small Business Lens is implemented at the municipal level. If you think it would be beneficial, I would be willing to write to each mayor and council in British Columbia to provide background information on the Small Business Lens and advise them the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue is available to work with municipalities on its implementation. Again, thank you for your efforts on this initiative. The endorsement of the Small Business Lens resolution at the local level is an important step toward achieving its full implementation and helping to make British Columbia the most small business friendly jurisdiction in Canada. I look forward to your advice on how to best support the implementation of the Small Business Lens at the local level.