MLA Barnett on Chamber of Commerce Week

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett spoke on Chamber of Commerce Week in the BC Legislature earlier today.  Find below her remarks:

This week we celebrate B.C. Chamber of Commerce Week, February 16 to 20, 2015, with the theme "Strengthening business, building communities." The B.C. Chamber of Commerce is an important and respected voice of our province's business community, representing the strength of more than 36,000 businesses of every size and building on the diversity of every sector.

Small businesses are the grass roots and unwavering support of our communities, and 98 percent of all businesses in British Columbia are small businesses employing fewer than 50 people. It is because of their hard work that our neighbours have jobs, our municipalities have tax bases, our children's sport teams are sponsored and communities thrive.

In the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, the South Cariboo and Williams Lake chambers of commerce play an important role in creating jobs and contributing in so many positive ways, such as by supporting businesses through benefit programs and providing services and education to our communities. Our government recognizes the leadership and significant volunteer hours put in by the chambers of commerce throughout our province as they continue to support local business.

One of the many other ways to celebrate the success of small businesses is through the Williams Lake and District Chamber Of Commerce and South Cariboo Chamber Of Commerce Annual Business Excellence awards. Congratulations to each of those who have been nominated, and congratulations to chambers all over our province for your continued success and for the role you play, which we greatly appreciate in supporting our communities and wider global economy.