As the Oct. 19 B.C. general election approaches, the Observer is giving Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding candidates an opportunity to share who they are and why they are running.

This week, candidates respond to the following: The past several years have brought numerous challenges for local small businesses. What measures might you pursue to bolster the vibrance and sustainability of small business communities in the Shuswap and throughout the province? 

厂测濒惫颈补&苍产蝉辫;尝颈苍诲驳谤别苍&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;叠颁&苍产蝉辫;狈顿笔 

I support helping small local businesses because they support my community. They are the foundations of our towns 鈥� large and small.

Small businesses are facing global challenges right here at home 鈥� a slower global economy, high interest rates, inflation, labour shortages. But we want our local businesses to not just succeed, but thrive.

When possible, small businesses are an excellent place to invest municipal and provincial dollars. The return on investment is most rewarding.

We, as consumers, contribute to their businesses and in turn they contribute to our community.

This is where the funding comes for little league uniforms. These are the people who contribute items for dry grad prizes, pet rescue fundraisers and the Trail Alliance silent auction. It's important for all of us that they are successful.

We also know that money earned in local businesses stays in local communities. I support helping small local businesses because they support my community.

骋谤别驳&苍产蝉辫;惭肠颁耻苍别&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;滨苍诲别辫别苍诲别苍迟 

As a small business owner myself, I have experienced these challenges firsthand, and I have seen how much my fellow business people have suffered since COVID.

Once elected, I will do everything in my power to help local businesses. I will work to better fund organizations that support small businesses, such as Community Futures and Economic Development, so they can continue to do what they do best: support local business owners through their programs.

I will work hard to streamline regulations, reduce red tape and create a more supportive environment for business growth.
My friend Ed Parent, owner of Critters Pet Store, wrote an article about this very topic and how small businesses benefit our community. Please see his article:  

Sherry Roy 鈥� Independent

The Observer did not receive a reply from Roy before deadline. 

Jed Wiebe 鈥� BC Greens  

It鈥檚 time for a new economy that supports small businesses, is centred on people and communities and protects our ecosystems.

One important step to doing so is ensuring employees and customers have access to essential services like healthcare, education, public transit and affordable housing.

Yet the current government continues to subsidize polluting industries at the expense of small businesses. Fracking, for example, receives water licenses at a fraction of the cost paid by the rest of us and pays far less in carbon taxes. Meanwhile, LNG Canada gets publicly funded power lines, while individuals still pay to get service to their homes.

British Columbia, however, has unique opportunities. Our leadership in carbon pricing has fostered a booming cleantech industry, home to seven of the world鈥檚 top 100 cleantech companies.

By continuing to price pollution effectively and incentivize green businesses, we can sustain this momentum.

We also recognize the need for better work-life balance, caregiving support and leisure time. Our policies will reflect these changing priorities.

We will prioritize local contractors in public projects, expand the InBC Investment Fund for rural communities, and amend community grants to benefit BC businesses first.

These steps will create a fair, sustainable economy for all.

顿补惫颈诲&苍产蝉辫;奥颈濒濒颈补尘蝉&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;叠颁&苍产蝉辫;颁辞苍蝉别谤惫补迟颈惫别蝉 

Small business is the backbone of a community.

In addition to providing local employment, they add to the ambience and uniqueness of a community; therefore, we need to ensure
their economic viability.

It starts with less government, reducing burdensome regulations, fair taxation that allows competition and, most of all, listening to owners and stakeholders as to what policies the government should review, amend or improve.

Useless and redundant regulations need to be removed, while larger corporations need to be held accountable if they engage in unfair or anti-competitive practices.

Addressing related costs also needs well thought out consideration, such as insurance, justice reform to address theft and vandalism, as well as a B.C.-first marketing approach.

For far too long we have been known for 鈥淏ring Cash,鈥� and together we need to change that slogan to 鈥淏ring Consumers."