Backgrounder: Funding for British Columbia business support services

November 13, 2020 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Western Economic Diversification Canada

Today, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra, announced over $1.7 million for business support services across BC. This Western Economic Diversification Canada funding comes from the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) and supports the Government of Canada’s campaign to create more than one million jobs.

The Government of Canada continues to provide funding directly to businesses and individuals to protect jobs and help them weather the economic impacts of COVID-19. But government can’t do it alone. The funding in this announcement goes to not-for-profit organizations on the ground that help local businesses survive and thrive. Among the services they provide:

• Mentoring
• Networking
• Skills training
• Market intelligence
• Transitioning to a digital marketplace

These services are often as important as revenue and liquidity for the success of a small business.

$1.7 million to help support British Columbia’s small and medium-sized enterprises

The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund was established to reduce the financial pressure on businesses and allow them to keep operating, preserving jobs. The projects announced today include funding for seven projects to support local businesses across the province.

Complete list of seven projects in this announcement

• Community Futures Development Association of BC
• Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of BC
• Angel Forum Society
• Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre
• Immigrant Services Society of BC
• Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC
• Small Scale Food Processor Association

Related products

• Government of Canada provides targeted support for business to help maintain over 11,000 jobs in British Columbia

Associated links

• Western Economic Diversification Canada
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan