The provincial government has taken another step to cut red tape with the appointment of a senior official to work with small businesses to break down barriers and increase small business procurement by at least 20 per cent.

Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto August 29 appointed George Farkas as executive lead of the Small Business – Doing Business with Government Project. Farkas will consult directly with business owners and operators and develop recommendations to make it easier for small businesses to compete for and win government contracts.

Cutting red tape and simplifying procurement procedures are key objectives for Yamamoto under her mandate letter from Premier Christy Clark.

Broader goals include ensuring small businesses can grow, and making B.C. the most business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada.

Small business plays a vital role in the B.C. economy and employs more than one million people. British Columbia is the only province in Canada to enact regulatory reform legislation and regulations to reduce barriers to business. Since 2011, B.C. has reduced regulatory requirements by more than 42 per cent. The province is committed to a policy of a net-zero increase in regulations until at least 2015.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of B.C.’s communities. They account for 29 per cent of B.C.’s GDP. And we know the value of listening to our small business owners and operators. We want to work with them to ensure they have access to government contracts so they continue to thrive and continue to employ British Columbians,” Yamamoto stated in a press release.

John Winter, president & CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce noted, “This appointment is a great first step toward creating long-term growth opportunities for small businesses by helping them win government contracts in every corner of this province. That’s a key part of the Small Business Accord introduced last year by the ministry.

“Chambers and small businesses will have plenty of ideas to feed into the plan – and will benefit when the barriers to them winning government work come down.”

Farkas is currently assistant deputy minister in the Management Services Division. He has more than 15 years of financial and business experience in both the provincial and federal public service, as well as experience with his family’s own small business in B.C.

The project will begin immediately, with a final report to be delivered to government within six months.

Lead image: Downtown Fernie, like any downtown anywhere, relies on small businesses to be successful.

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