Small business operators in Prince George will have a chance today to tell provincial government what it can do for small business, and learn what small business can do for government.
The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training will be holding a consultation session at the Prince George Chamber of Commerce today to hear about the barriers small businesses face when selling goods and services to the provincial government. Assistant deputy minister George Farkas will host the session, with the goal of making the process of government procurement easier for small businesses.
"We want to work directly with small businesses to identify ways to break down barriers and increase small business procurement by at least 20 per cent," Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond said in a written statement. "Results of these consultation sessions will lead to recommendations that will make it easier for small businesses to compete for, and win, government business."
Also today, the chamber will be hosting a how-to session with provincial and federal procurement officers.
Tess Menges, a supply officer with Public Works and Government Services Canada, and Government of B.C. procurement representatives Brooke Hayes and Elizabeth Lowe will explain how to bid on government contracts online through buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders and BCBid.ca.
"There will be people there talking about how small business can access opportunities to connect with both the provincial and federal governments." Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO Christie Ray said. "How they can bid... and how to win those bids."
October is Small Business Month in B.C. Small businesses make up 98 per cent of companies in the province.
