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Small Business Roundtable
Message from the Desk of Minister Rick Thorpe
It’s been a few months since I last wrote so I thought I would take the opportunity to tell you what I’ve been up to and what’s ahead in the coming months. I hope you all had a good summer and enjoyed and explored British Columbia – or as I like to refer to it as the Best Place on Earth.
In July, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Sooke Chamber of Commerce Chamber dinner. It was a great evening and I’d like to thank the Sooke Chamber for the opportunity to address their community. The Sooke area is a great example of how British Columbians are benefiting from our booming economy and this was certainly brought to my attention seeing all the construction and development in the area.
I also spent some time at Ace Hardware in Westside reminding British Columbians on our provincial sales tax exemption on building materials and equipment used to conserve energy. This program, in effect until March 31, 2007, includes materials like window film, weather stripping, caulking materials, as well as with energy efficient furnaces, boilers and heat pumps. With cooler, fall temperatures just around the corner, I encourage all of you to take some simple and inexpensive steps to reduce your energy consumption and your bills.
In late August, Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff and I announced $40 million in long-term funding to support the proposed South Okangan Events Centre in Penticton. This new facility will house future world-class sports and cultural events and provide top-notch leisure facilities for residents in the South Okanagan. This project is also expected to create 900 person-years of employment during the two years of construction, as well as adding about $30 million to the local community during the construction phase.
Looking ahead, our government will once again recognize small businesses’ enormous contributions to the success of our communities, during Small Business Week, October 15 to 21. British Columbians have more reasons than ever before to recognize and celebrate this thriving sector. Our small business people and their employees are a driving force in British Columbia’s economic revitalization, and our government continues to work in partnership with them to make British Columbia the most small-business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada.
I look forward to working with all of you in the coming months as we continue to make British Columbia the best place on earth to live, work and raise a family.
Best regards,
Hon. Rick Thorpe
Minister of Small Business and Revenue
Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform
On May 24, members of the Small Business Roundtable met in Penticton todisuss the results of the first 18 consultation sessions across British Columbia. Among those who joined Minister Rick Thorpe, who chairs the roundtable, were member M.J. Whitemarsh, and vice-chairs Kevin Evans and Linda Larson.
