The Prince George Chamber of Commerce rolled out the red carpet Wednesday for a federal cabinet minister trying to cut red tape for business.
Canada's Minister of National Revenue, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, held a roundtable with local business leaders and entrepreneurs, covering topics like family tax measures, the Small Business Job Credit and the work being done to clear bureaucratic paperwork small business operators are forced to fill out.
Prior to that, Findlay held a campaign-style public appearance at the chamber offices in downtown Prince George.
"Our government understands the important role that small businesses, like those here in Prince George, play in growing local economies," Findlay said. "That is why we continue to cut red tape, enhance our services and provide tax relief to business owners. The Small Business Job Credit will save small business owners $550 million over two years, money that can be reinvested to create jobs and help communities prosper. And I'm proud to say that the credit creates no added administrative burden on small businesses; the CRA will calculate the credit for them, so that they can continue to focus on what they do best."
She outlined a Top 10 list of current initiatives aimed at giving small businesses an easier time in their dealings with government and a better impact on their bottom line. That list is available in its entirety on the Canada Revenue Agency's website under the Red Tape Reduction title.
"And you get a bonus one. No. 11 is a plain language initiative," she said, whereby official communications from government to businesses would be written in common terms instead of the past practice of legalese and so-called bureau-speak.
Cindy Pohl, the new president of the local chamber, said she hoped this visit by the minister would stimulate further discussion so local businesses would "give Minister Findlay as many useful and innovative ideas as possible to further reduce red tape."
Pohl called the federal government's recent actions "a step in the right direction" and on behalf of the fifth largest chamber in the province, with Prince George's 850-plus members, "we hope to see even more enhancements that will allow our members to focus more of their time and resources on growing their business."
The chamber holds its next public function today at the Ramada Hotel ballroom starting at 11:30. It's the next installment in their Speaker Series Luncheons and the keynote address will be made by Kevin Boothroyd of Pacific Coastal Airlines. He will talk about the airline industry within B.C. and his company's growth from a Bella Coola small business into the company that flies to more intra-provincial desitinations (65) than any other airline. Prince George flights were recently added to that list, connecting this city with direct flights in and out of Victoria.
