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BC Greens announce expanded support for small businesses, innovators, and revitalization of downtown cores

Oct 12, 2024

Victoria, BC / Lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) Territory – Today, the BC Green Party announced a plan to expand programs that will target key sectors such as technology, hospitality, and retail, helping them thrive in British Columbia’s rapidly evolving knowledge-based economy.

“We need a new vision and action plan for British Columbia’s economy,” said BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau. “The world has changed, and we need to acknowledge that. As we move further into the 21st century, sectors like technology, hospitality, and retail are where we see the future – sectors that provide 20 percent of jobs across BC. These industries have the potential to create long-lasting, well-paid jobs that reflect a clean, green, and people-focused economy.”

The BC Greens plan includes:

  1. Helping innovators early. We will invest $2 million per year to expand the Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program to provide mentorship and funding for innovators at the earliest stages of development, helping turn ideas for clean, green technology into successful businesses.
  2. Supporting hospitality workers and small businesses. We will invest $2 million per year to fund and launch a new careers program for the food, beverage, and hospitality sector. This program will provide job training and mentorship for people entering these industries, while also easing the financial burden on small businesses by sharing the costs of hiring and training new staff.
  3. Revitalizing our downtown cores. We will convene a panel to study the challenges faced by businesses in our downtown cores, including rising rents, insurance costs, and labour shortages. The goal is to better understand what’s happening and to explore solutions, like commercial vacancy control, that could help keep these businesses open and our downtowns vibrant.

“As a small business owner myself, I understand the enormous pressures that many businesses, especially in hospitality, are facing,” said BC Green Party Candidate David Evans for Juan de Fuca-Malahat. “That’s why we’re stepping in with a training program that helps jobseekers while easing the burden on small business owners. This initiative will create new opportunities for workers and provide businesses with the skilled staff they need to thrive.”

“We also know our downtown businesses are struggling. Rising costs and vacancies are making it harder to keep our city cores vibrant. Our expert panel will work to fully understand these challenges and find long-term solutions so that these businesses can survive and flourish.”

This announcement comes as part of the BC Greens broader plan to support the province’s shift toward a clean, green, and equitable economy, with a focus on building vibrant communities and providing opportunities for all British Columbians.


BC Green Party 2024 Platform

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Media contact: 
newsroom@greenparty.bc.ca 
Phone: +1 250-418-5528

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