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SURREY – Rick Thorpe, Minister of
Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform,
chaired consultation meetings of the Small Business Roundtable and Provincial
Sales Tax Review today in Surrey.
“One of the key priorities of the Small Business Roundtable is to develop a stronger partnership with small businesses in British Columbia – to look at ways government can help small business and also, what small business can do to help itself,” said Thorpe. “Also, at this time, government is consulting with local businesses for the Provincial Sales Tax review, to help us identify ways we can make sales tax less cumbersome and more user-friendly.”
Thorpe was joined at the Small Business Roundtable consultation by Kevin Falcon, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, and Dave Hayer, MLA for Surrey-Tynehead. They met with members of the small business community in Surrey – including representatives from the construction, hospitality and retail sectors – to discuss issues, strategies and potential actions to contribute to small business growth, reduce regulatory burden, improve customer service and optimize revenue management.
“Surrey’s population
is growing faster than any other community in British Columbia,” said Falcon.
“This means more small businesses are needed to provide services. The
roundtables are creating a forum for these businesses to work with government
to achieve our goal to be the most small-business-friendly jurisdiction in the
country.”
The Provincial Sales Tax Review consultation took place following the roundtable session. These consultations with local small business and industry representatives are reviewing current sales tax policy and administration processes.
“The purpose of the Provincial Sales Tax review is to develop revenue-neutral options that will streamline, simplify and enhance fairness in the administration of our provincial sales tax,” said Hayer. “This is important for all businesses in Surrey and the rest of British Columbia.”
“We’ve heard from several members of the small business community today,” said Ian Tostenson, Small Business Roundtable member. “It was great to have the small business community of Surrey engaged in these face-to-face discussions and to be able to bring ideas forward on ways to have the most effective working partnership with government.”
For more information on how to get involved in the small business roundtables and provincial sales tax consultations, please visit: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/pstreview/ (Provincial Sales Tax Review) and www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca (Small Business Roundtable).
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Communications Director 250 889-3502 |
Public Affairs Officer 250 812-4546 |
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