Honourable Rick Thorpe

For new Canadians, starting and running a successful small business in British Columbia is made easier with a $30,000 funding cheque presented by Minister Rick Thorpe for the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business Mentorship Program to CEO Tung Chan. Assisting Minister Thorpe are MLA Richard T. Lee, MLA Dave Hayer, MLA Harry Bloy, MLA John Nuraney and MLA John Yap.

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Minister Rick Thorpe is assisted by Bernie Magnan of the Vancouver Board of Trade as he demonstrates how government is cutting red tape. This 30 page application was reduced to three pages and processing time was reduced from 19 days to less than five days.

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Minister Rick Thorpe is joined by Small Business Roundtable members John Winter and Naomi Yamamoto on June 3, 2008 during the official launch of a new video conferencing service. The new service links all regions of British Columbia and provides equal access for small businesses to networking, training and development opportunities.

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Minister Thorpe launches BizPaL in Whistler May 22, 2008, together with Diane Ablonczy, federal Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism (right) and Gordon McKeever, Acting Mayor of Whistler (left). This time-saving tool provides online access to permits and licences required from all three levels of government for business start-up. The BizPaL program was recently recognized for its successes with a Premier's Innovation and Excellence Award.

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Minister Thorpe speaks at the joint federal-provincial-municipal launch of BizPaL in Whistler May 22, 2008. BizPaL reduces the time entrepreneurs spend searching for permits and licences from seven hours to 20 minutes, making the process of starting-up a business easier and more straightforward.

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Minister Thorpe launches BizPaL in Whistler May 22, 2008. Minister Thorpe was also in town to chair the Small Business Roundtable's quarterly board meeting.

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Minister Thorpe launches BizPaL in Keremeos April 18, 2008, together with Stockwell Day, Minister for Public Safety and MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla (right) and Keremeos Mayor Walter Despot (centre). BizPaL saves entrepreneurs time and money by providing simplified access to permits and licences needed to start-up and run a business.

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Minister Thorpe speaks at the April 18, 2008 launch of the Oliver BizPaL as Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety and MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla, looks on. Mayor Ron Hovanes also participated in the launch of the online tool designed to ease the administrative burden of entrepreneurs opening and running new businesses in Oliver.

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Minister Thorpe joins Stockwell Day, Federal Minister for Public Safety and MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla, and Osoyoos Mayor John Slater April 18, 2008 to launch BizPaL, an online tool designed to save small businesses time and money by streamlining and simplifying the permit and licensing process. The BizPaL program was recently recognized for its successes with a Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Award.

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Minister Thorpe, FCMA, speaks about the value of financial management professionals to British Columbia’s growing economy, at the 2008 Joint FMI-CGA-CMA Workshop held in Victoria on Feb. 14, 2008. The three-day event is an annual professional development workshop presented jointly by the Financial Management Institute of Canada, the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia, and the Certified Management Accountants Society of British Columbia.

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Minister Thorpe presents a cheque for $30,603 in provincial funding to support the Alberni Valley Times 2007 Raise-a-Reader campaign. The matching funding for Literacy Alberni supports literacy initiatives throughout the Port Alberni Valley. Pictured with Minister Thorpe are Pam Craig, board member for Literacy Alberni and representative of Canwest Community Newspapers (left) and Marjorie Jarrett, vice-president of the Literacy Alberni Board (right).

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Minister Thorpe visits Maquinna elementary on behalf of Education Minister Shirley Bond to announce provincial seismic-upgrade funding. The upgrade is part of British Columbia’s $1.5-billion seismic program to provide students and staff across B.C. with safe schools.

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Minister Thorpe speaks at a luncheon hosted by Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae and attended by city councillors and business and industry leaders Jan. 31, 2008. Minister Thorpe was in the area hosting a Small Business Roundtable Consultation and acting on behalf of Education Minister Shirley Bond to deliver a set of funding announcements for seismic upgrades and the Port Alberni Raise-a-Reader campaign.

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Minister Thorpe reads to a Maquinna elementary kindergarten class Jan. 31, 2008 after presenting a $30,603 cheque to the Alberni Valley Times 2007 Raise-a-Reader campaign. The provincial matching funding for Literacy Alberni supports literacy initiatives in the Port Alberni Valley. Minister Thorpe made the announcement on behalf of Education Minister Shirley Bond while visiting Port Alberni to host a Small Business Roundtable Consultation. The province has contributed over $2.4 million to Raise-a-Reader and has announced over $131 million in new literacy programs since 2001.

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Country Woodworkers Ltd. founder and owner, Rick Hopper, shows Minister Thorpe around his woodworking and cabinetry business in Powell River on Jan. 28, 2008. Minister Thorpe was in Powell River to visit local small businesses, host a Small Business Roundtable, and open a new StrongStart Centre on behalf of Education Minister Shirley Bond. From left to right: Minister Thorpe and Rick Hopper.

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George Parry of Modern Windows & Siding in Powell River shows Minister Rick Thorpe around the facility during a small business visit on Jan. 28, 2008. Minister Thorpe was in Powell River to open a StrongStart Centre, host a Small Business Roundtable Consultation and visit local small businesses. From left to right: George Parry and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe tours the Service BC office in Powell River on Jan. 28, 2008 while in town to open the StrongStart Centre, host a Small Business Roundtable Consultation and visit local small businesses.

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Minister Thorpe gets a cooking lesson from some little helpers at the opening of the new StrongStart BC early learning centre in Powell River on Jan. 28, 2008. Minister Thorpe opened the StrongStart Centre on behalf of Education Minister Shirley Bond while he was in Powell River to host a Small Business Roundtable Consultation and visit local small businesses.

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Minister Rick Thorpe, helps three-year-old Evan Dendewicz cut the ribbon for the opening of the new StrongStart BC early learning centre in Powell River on January 28, 2008. Minister Thorpe opened the StrongStart Centre on behalf of Education Minister Shirley Bond while he was in Powell River to host a Small Business Roundtable Consultation and visit local small businesses. The Province is providing a total of $5 million for over 80 StrongStart BC centres as part of ReadNow BC, the new provincial literacy plan.

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Minister Rick Thorpe tours Valley Bakery with Burnaby-North MLA Richard Lee and bakery owner Jack Kuyer Jan. 22, 2008. Minister Thorpe was in Burnaby visiting with small business owners and hosting a Small Business Roundtable Consultation. From left to right: MLA Richard Lee, Minister Thorpe and Jack Kuyer.

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Minister Rick Thorpe and Burnaby-Willingdon MLA John Nuraney tour Crystal Mall in Burnaby Jan. 22, 2008. Minister Thorpe was in Burnaby meeting with small business owners in an ongoing effort to solicit feedback on ways government can support small business growth in British Columbia.

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Minister Thorpe speaks to apprentices at the BCIT School of Construction and Environment, Jan. 22, 2008. The Minister encourages apprentices to apply for the Federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) and the British Columbia Training Tax Credit, together providing thousands of dollars in training savings for apprentices and their employers based on the program and level of training apprentices complete.

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Dick Kouwenhoven, President and CEO of Hemlock Printers, offers a tour of his printing facilities to Minister Thorpe and John Nuraney, MLA for Burnaby-Willlingdon. Minister Thorpe was in Burnaby Jan. 22, 2008 touring several small businesses. From left to right: Minister Thorpe, Dick Kouwenhoven and MLA John Nuraney.

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Minister Thorpe tours C&E Tile in Burnaby Jan. 22, 2008 and displays one of the company’s Chinese imported goods. The tour was part of Minister Thorpe’s recent trip to Burnaby to visit small businesses and host a Small Business Roundtable Consultation. Left to right: Minister Thorpe and Shirley Fang.

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Minister Rick Thorpe meets Wired Woman Society National president Lindsay Smith, and Wired Woman Mentorship manager Nancy Nesbitt in Vancouver on Jan. 17, 2008. Minister Thorpe attended the Wired Woman Society event to announce provincial funding for the Wired Woman Mentorship program, which supports women in the science and technology field. From left to right: Mentorship Manager Nancy Nesbitt, Minister Thorpe and National President Lindsay Smith.

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Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue, and Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Womens' Issues, present Wired Woman Society Vancouver Chapter president, Marnie Larson, with funding for the Wired Woman Mentorship Program on Jan. 17, 2008. The mentorship program supports women entering or re-entering the science and technology field to build successful careers. From left to right: Minister Ida Chong, Marnie Larson, and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Rick Thorpe, a CMA for 35 years, receives the Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada (FCMA) honourary designation from the chair of CMA Canada, Rick Monk, CMA, FCMA, at the CMA of British Columbia 2007 convocation ceremony in Vancouver on Oct. 13, 2007. The FCMA designation honours excellence in management accounting, commitment to the CMA Society and the CMA designation, and civic-mindedness.

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Minister Thorpe and Education Minister, Deputy Premier and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond tour Plateau Clothing store in Prince George on Oct. 19, 2007, and meet employees Elyse Lauzon and Tiffany Banks. Minister Thorpe was in Prince George during Small Business Month to visit small businesses and announce funding for Retail BC's PEAK training program. From L to R: Minister Bond, Elyse Lauzon, Minister Thorpe and Tiffany Banks.

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Minister Thorpe, with Education Minister, Deputy Premier and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, present Homework store owners Anthony and Marit Voitik with a Small Business Month Proclamation. Minister Thorpe visited several small businesses while in Prince George during Small Business Month. From L to R: Anthony Voitik, Minister Bond, Minister Thorpe and Marit Voitik.

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Minister Thorpe visited the Prince George Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 19, 2007, with Education Minister, Deputy Premier and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond and Minister of Agriculture and Prince George North MLA Pat Bell, to highlight Small Business Month and present a Small Business Month Proclamation and Certificate of Excellence to chamber members. From L to R: Prince George Chamber of Commerce Office Administrator Sharron Tozer, Minister Bond, Chamber President Garth Frizzell, Minister Thorpe, Chamber Sales Representative Nancy McNab, Chamber volunteer Ben, and Minister Bell.

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Minister Thorpe checks out the products at Dandy Lines, a Prince George retail store, with co-owner and Retail BC member Erin MacDermott on Oct. 19, 2007. Minister Thorpe was in Prince George during Small Business Month to visit small businesses and announce funding for the Retail BC PEAK training program.

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Minister Thorpe highlighted Small Business Month at the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, presenting Chamber president Garth Frizzell with a Minister's Excellence Certificate and a Small Business Month Proclamation, with Education Minister and Deputy Premier and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond attending. Minister Thorpe was in Prince George during Small Business Month to visit small businesses and announce funding for Retail BC's PEAK training program. From L to R: Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Prince George Chamber president Garth Frizzell and Minister Rick Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe, with Education Minister and Deputy Premier and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, enjoy some baked goodies at Sassafras Savouries in Prince George and present owner Alice Ottesen with a Small Business Month Proclamation on Oct. 19, 2007. From L to R: Minister Thorpe, Alice Otteson and Minister Bond.

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Minister Thorpe, with Education Minister and Deputy Premier and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, presents a Small Business Month Proclamation to Quentin Granger, Managing Director of First Forest Products Ltd in Prince George on Oct. 19, 2007. From L to R: Minister Bond, Quentin Granger and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe announces $25,000 towards retail training at Dandy Lines, a Prince George business co-owned by Retail BC member Erin MacDermott, on Oct. 19, 2007. Minister Thorpe announced the funding for Retail BC's PEAK training program with Education Minister, Deputy Premier and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond and Retail BC representative Misti Mussato in attendance. The Retail BC Performance, Empowerment, Attitude and Knowledge (PEAK) Program, was developed in consultation with retailers to help management and staff improve retail skills development.

From left to right: Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Dandy Lines co-owner Erin MacDermott, Minister Thorpe, and Retail BC Chair-elect Misti Mussato.

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Minister Thorpe highlighted Small Business Month and the contributions of small businesses to British Columbia's economy at the Surrey Board of Trade on Oct. 16, 2007. Minister Thorpe presented a Small Business Month Proclamation to (from left to right) Surrey Board of Trade Executive Director Anita Patil Huberman, and Surrey Board of Trade President Gary Hollick, with Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer in attendance.

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Minister Thorpe presents Vancouver Board of Trade Board of Directors member and chair of the VBOT Small Business Council, Peter Snell, with a Small Business Month Proclamation in Vancouver on Oct. 15, 2007. Minister Thorpe visited The Vancouver Board of Trade to highlight Small Business Month and was presented with the Second Annual Report to Government from the Small Business Roundtable. Peter Snell is a partner at the law firm of Gowling LaFleur Henderson LLP. From left to right: Peter Snell and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Rick Thorpe presents Retail BC president and CEO Mark Startup with a Small Business Month proclamation at the Passion for Retail Fall Celebration event in Vancouver on October 15th.

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Minister Thorpe meets Nicole Stefenelli, owner of Urban Impact Recycling, and Forum for Women Entrepreneurs board member, and presents her with a Small Business Month Proclamation on Oct. 9, 2007. Urban Impact Recycling won the 2007 Recycling Council of BC Private Sector Recognition Award and was initially started as a university project.

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Owner of Urban Impact Recycling in Richmond and Forum for Women Entrepreneurs board member, Nicole Stefenelli shows Minister Thorpe around the recycling facility. Minister Thorpe was touring businesses operated by Forum for Women Entrepreneurs members in the Lower Mainland on Oct. 9, 2007, during Small Business Month. The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs provides opportunities to accelerate the success of women entrepreneurs and executives in business.

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Minister Thorpe and owner of Urban Impact Recycling, Nicole Stefenelli, pause for a photo with the shredding machine and falling paper in the background.

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Minister Thorpe tours Principessa Beauty Inc. in Vancouver on Oct. 9, 2007, and checks out the products with owner Trish Lucarino, who created her own line of beauty products for the "urban princess." Trish Lucarino is also a member of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.

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Minister Thorpe visits with Principessa Beauty Inc. owner Trish Lucarino (in pink) and two employees at her facility in Vancouver on Oct. 9, 2006.

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Minister Thorpe is shown around Hill's of Kerrisdale retail store by owner Nancy Hill, a Forum for Women Entrepreneurs member, on Oct. 9, 2007. Minister Thorpe was touring businesses operated by Forum for Women Entrepreneurs members during Small Business Month.

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Minister Rick Thorpe meets Sheri Coles, Manager of the Quesnel Integris Credit Union on Oct. 1, 2007. Minister Thorpe was in Quesnel celebrating the start of Small Business Month in British Columbia.

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While in Quesnel to launch Small Business Month on Oct. 1, 2007, Minister Rick Thorpe visits with Gayle Perison, Branch Manager of Integris Insurance Services Ltd.

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Minster Thorpe meets Kim Matthews, Sandi Walker with Integris Insurance and Julie Carlson, Assistant Branch Manager of Integris Credit Union. Minister Thorpe was in Quesnel celebrating the start of Small Business Month in British Columbia.

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Minister Rick Thorpe meets with Camae Lynn, President of the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Info Book, on Oct. 1, 2007. Minister Thorpe spoke at the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce Luncheon to announce Small Business Month and highlight the achievements of Small
business across British Columbia.

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Minister Rick Thorpe visits with Coralee Oakes, Chamber of Commerce manager and city councillor, and Mary Sjostrom, city councillor, in Quesnel on Oct. 1, 2007. Minister Thorpe was in Quesnel to celebrate the start of Small Business Month in British Columbia, and announced the appointment of Coralee Oakes to British Columbia’s permanent Small Business Roundtable.

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Minister Rick Thorpe spends time with a Junior Achievement class at Quesnel Secondary School on Oct. 1, 2007. The goal of the Junior Achievement program is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and be workforce-ready. Minister Thorpe was in Quesnel to launch Small Business Month in British Columbia.

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Minister Rick Thorpe visits with a Junior Achievement class at Quesnel Secondary School on Oct. 1, 2007. The goal of the Junior Achievement program is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and be workforce-ready. Minister Thorpe was in Quesnel to launch Small Business Month in British Columbia.

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Minister Rick Thorpe visits Marian Zaruk, Verna Teichroeb and Judy Coe at Cariboo Keepsakes Local Arts & Crafts in Quesnel on Oct. 1, 2007. Minister Thorpe was in Quesnel to celebrate the start of Small Business Month in British Columbia. From L to R: Marion Zaruk, Verna Teichroeb, Judy Coe and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Rick Thorpe announces the appointment of Coralee Oakes, a Quesnel Chamber of Commerce manager and city councillor, to British Columbia’s permanent Small Business Roundtable, in Quesnel on Oct. 1, 2007. Minister Thorpe chairs the roundtable and was in Quesnel celebrating the start of Small Business Month in British Columbia.

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Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister Rick Thorpe proclaim October Small Business Month in British Columbia to recognize and celebrate the valuable contribution small businesses make to our growing economy, and to acknowledge the achievements of small business in all regions of British Columbia.

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Small Business and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe announces $272,748 in Towns for Tomorrow program funding with Mayor Walter Despot in Keremeos on July 23, 2007. The funding will go towards a new Community Resource Centre and will contribute to a greener, healthier, more sustainable community. The Towns for Tomorrow program is one of four green initiatives announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the 2006 Union of BC Municipalities convention, and will provide $21 million over three years to assist smaller communities with infrastructure improvements. Minister Thorpe made the announcement on behalf of Community Services Minister Ida Chong. From left to right: Keremeos Mayor Walter Despot and Minister Thorpe.

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Small Business and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe announces $272,748 in Towns for Tomorrow program funding in Keremeos on July 23, 2007. Joining him at the announcement, from left to right: Joe Nitsch, Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District Director for Area G, George Hanson, Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District Director for Area B, Minister Thorpe, Chief Joe Dennis, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Walter Despot, Mayor of Keremeos, and Cornel Hansen, Similkameen Country Chamber vice-president.

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Small Business and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe presents Keremeos Mayor Walter Despot and Similkameen Country Chamber Vice-President, Cornel Hansen with a cheque for Towns for Tomorrow funding on July 23, 2007. The funds will go towards a new community resource centre which will include visitor information services and house the local Chamber of Commerce. From left to right: Mayor Walter Despot, Minister Thorpe and Cornel Hansen.

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Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen and Minister Rick Thorpe stop during their tour to meet with Graham Gow of the Vernon Airport, while in Vernon on July 12, 2007, for a small business tour and to host a small business consultation. From left to right: MLA Tom Christensen, Graham Gow and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Rick Thorpe and Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen get a peek at Frank Dieter's product recipes at Okanagan Spirits in Vernon on July 12, 2007. From left to right: Frank Dieter, Minister Thorpe and MLA Tom Christensen.

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Minister Rick Thorpe and Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen discuss the benefits of cod liver oil with Mr. Laurie Rodgers of Nature's Fare Natural Foods, during a small business visit in Vernon on July 12, 2007. From left to right: Minister Thorpe, MLA Tom Christensen and Laurie Rodgers.

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Minister Thorpe listens to Lew Hendrickson, Owner of Vic Van Isle Construction and Mill Shop and employee Jim Gawiukthe, during a small business tour in Revelstoke on July 11, 2007. The tour was part of Minister Thorpe's trip to Revelstoke to announce Spirit Square funding, visit small businesses and host a small business consultation. From left to Right: Minister Thorpe, Jim Gawiukthe and Lew Hendrickson.

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Minister Rick Thorpe announces $86,000 in provincial funding for the first B.C. Spirit Square in Revelstoke on July 11, 2007, and unveils the new Spirit Square sign with Revelstoke Mayor Mark McKee in Grizzly Plaza. The City of Revelstoke is partnering with the province to expand Grizzly Plaza and create a legacy of British Columbia's 150th anniversary in 2008. This is the first announcement of the $20 million B.C. Spirit Square program, which is one of the four Green Cities initiatives announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the 2006 Union of BC Municipalities convention. From left to right: Small Business and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe and Revelstoke Mayor Mark McKee.

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Minister Thorpe and Mayor Mark McKee admire an artist's rendition of the future B.C. Spirit Square enhancements of Grizzly Plaza, after the $86,000 grant announcement in Revelstoke on July 11, 2007.

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Paul Skelton, president of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, shows Mayor Mark McKee and Minister Thorpe the resort development site and site of the future gondola line. The tour was part of Minister Thorpe's trip to Revelstoke to visit small businesses and host a small business consultation on July 11, 2007.

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Federal Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day, was in Kelowna on July 10, 2007, to present provincial representative, Minister of Small Business and Revenue, Rick Thorpe, and Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan with a cheque for $4 million to support British Columbia with recovery efforts from the 2003 forest fires. This payment builds on previous federal payments provided to British Columbia to help cover the costs of the 2003 forest fires. From left to right: MP Ron Cannan, Minister Rick Thorpe and Minister Stockwell Day.

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Minister Thorpe presents Wired Woman Society Vancouver Chapter president, Marnie Larson, with a $10,000 cheque from the province, at the Wired Woman Summer Splash event in Vancouver on June 21, 2007. The funding will go towards the Wired Woman mentorship program for women in the science and technology fields.

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Minister Thorpe, John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omenica, and Small Business Roundtable member Bruce Sutherland visit small business owner and operator Sherry Green at J.J. Springer and Company in Prince George on June 4, 2007. From left to right: Bruce Sutherland, Sherry Green, Minister Thorpe and MLA John Rustad.

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Minister Thorpe and John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omenica, visit with David Livingstone, President of Lomak Bulk Carriers Corporation, during a small business visit in Prince George on June 4, 2007. From left to right: MLA John Rustad, David Livingstone and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe visits with students at Lakewood Junior Secondary School in Prince George. The grade 10 students are part of a Junior Achievement of British Columbia class called the Economics of Staying in School, where they learn financial planning, budgeting and goal-setting for the future. Minister Thorpe visited the class on June 4th while on tour in Prince George, where he also held a Small Business Roundtable Consultation, Small Business Regional Information Forum and toured small businesses in the area.

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Minister Thorpe presents a cheque for $1 million in funding to Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton, Okanagan College chairman of the board Janet Shaw, and Small Business Roundtable vice chair Linda Larson, in Kelowna on May 25, 2007. This public-private partnership will develop and implement an innovative training program targeted specifically to the needs of the small business sector and help British Columbia’s small business sector compete for and retain workers. From left to right: Jim Hamilton, Janet Shaw, Minister Thorpe and Linda Larson.

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On behalf of CMA British Columbia, Minister Thorpe presents the 2007 CMA Employer of the Year Award to Loretta Wallace, Western Canada District President of Robert Half Canada Inc. Minister Thorpe, a CMA himself, presented the award on May 10, 2007, at the inaugural CMA British Columbia Accountability Summit in Vancouver.

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Minister Thorpe and Charlie Hodgins, past president of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, present Don Prittie of Canoe Cove Marina with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the first annual Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Gala on April 17, 2007. Minister Thorpe was the keynote speaker at the gala event to publicly recognize and honour the outstanding accomplishments of chamber members and their contributions toward the economic health and vitality of their community. From left to right: Charlie Hodgins, Don Prittie and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe and Parksville-Nanaimo MLA Ron Cantelon check out the organic produce with owner Chris Baker at Naked Naturals Whole Foods Ltd., in Parksville on Mar. 21, 2007. The visit was one of many stops during a busy, two-day small business tour of Parksville and Campbell River. From left to right: MLA Ron Cantelon, Chris Baker and Minister Rick Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe and Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville, explore AGS Business Systems Inc. in Parksville on Mar. 21, 2007, and visit with small business owner Bill Miller. From left to right: Minister Rick Thorpe, MLA Ron Cantelon and Bill Miller.

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Small Business Roundtable Vice-chair Linda Larson, roundtable member Murray Presley and Minister Thorpe tour Campbell River small business York Portable Machine with owner Dennis Cambrey on Mar. 20, 2007. From left to right: Dennis Cambrey, Murray Presley, Linda Larson and Minister Thorpe.

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Jurgen Kettler, owner of the Needle & Art Centre and Pier Street Gallery in Campbell River, visits with Small Business Roundtable member Murray Presley and Minister Thorpe on Mar. 20, 2007.

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Minister Thorpe visits Heli-Welders Canada Ltd. during a Langley small business visit on Feb. 6, 2007. From left: Heli-Welders staff Jasmin Hart, Operations Director Patrick Siew, Minister Thorpe, Langley Airport Manager George Miller, and Langley MLA Mary Polak.

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Director of Operations Patrick Siew shows Minister Thorpe and MLA Mary Polak the Heli-Welders Canada Ltd. facility on Feb. 6, 2007.

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Minister Thorpe chats with Heli-Welders aircraft structures technicians Jason Darby and Bart Popiela in Langley on Feb. 6, 2007.

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Minister Thorpe visits Langley business Heli-Welders Canada Ltd. on Feb. 6, 2007, and chats with Pat Siew, Director of Operations.

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Junior Achievement of British Columbia members and Chamber of Commerce President Camae Lynn meet Minister Thorpe in Quesnel on Oct. 16, 2006, during Small Business Week. Front row, from left: Chanelle Sankey, Cordelle Dunley, Dustin Vachon, Kelsie Guldbransen. Back row: Kassie Cunningham, Meena Sangha, Seamus Nome, Steve Moleski, Chamber President Camae Lynn, Minister Thorpe, James McGhee, Shawneen Moorehouse, Zack Miller, Gather Sanderson.

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Minister Thorpe admires the floral creations of Andrea Posno-Walker, co-proprietor of Poppies The Island Florist. This small business was one of many participants at the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Business Showplace.

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Dave Monahan (left) and Mike Viala (right) of SmartDolphins show Minister Rick Thorpe their 2005 Greater Victoria Business Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Business Showplace on October 30, 2006. The showcase was part of the chamber's Small Business Month activities.

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Minister Thorpe tours Western Canoeing and Kayaking, a successful small business, in Abbotsford during Small Business Week 2006. From left: Marlin Bates, Owner; Minister Thorpe; John van Dongen, MLA for Abbotsford-Clayburn and Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations; Mary Bates, Owner.

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Marlin Bates, owner of Western Canoeing and Kayaking, gives Ministers van Dongen and Thorpe a tour of their facility in Abbotsford.

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Minister Thorpe tours Cannor's Nursery with Minister van Dongen and employees Sandy Mathies and Debbie Ego while in Abbotsford for Small Business Week. From Left: Sandy Mathies, Minister Thorpe, Debbie Ego and Minister van Dongen.

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Minister Thorpe chats with two Chartered Accountants, Les Squire and Doug Haywood, and Minister van Dongen while in Abbotsford to give a speech for chartered accountants and accounting students. From left: Les Squire, Doug Haywood, Minister van Dongen and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe and Minister van Dongen tour Fraser RV in Abbotsford during Small Business Week. Pictured from left: Minister van Dongen; Sandra Nagurny, Fraser RV; Minister Thorpe and Alex Loosdrecht, Fraser RV.

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John van Dongen, MLA for Abbotsford-Clayborn and Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, tours with owner Dave Holmberg Sr. and Minister Thorpe Bobcat Country, a thriving small business in Abbotsford.

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Minister van Dongen and Minister Thorpe listen to Dave Holmberg Sr., owner of Bobcat Country, talk about his experience as a small business owner in Abbotsford.

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Minister Thorpe was in Richmond October 18 to launch the translations of the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code. The code is now available in French, Chinese, Punjabi, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog as well as English.

Pictured from left: Ken Tung, Chairman of SUCCESS, Minister Thorpe, Olga Ilich, Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services and MLA for Richmond Centre, John Halani, President of the Ethno-Business Council, Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North and Fay Wu, Business Development Manager for SUCCESS.

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Minister Thorpe met with a group from the Forum of Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), a not for profit that educate women on their opportunities to launch, lead, build, invest in and divest of entrepreneurial businesses, during Small Business Week 2006. He is pictured here with one of FWE's founders and a member of the Small Business Roundtable, Christina Anthony.

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Pictured here with Ian Tostenson, CEO of the British Columbian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) and a member of the Small Business Roundtable, Minister Thorpe presents a cheque for $50 000 to help them launch their education program for restaurant managers.

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Laurel Douglas, CEO of the Women's Enterprise Centre, celebrates with Minister Rick Thorpe the launch of their new business guide, Creating Your Business, Success by Design, the woman entrepreneur’s roadmap to business success, funded in partnership with the provincial government.

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Minister Thorpe is pictured here with Florenda Pickett (left) and Lynn Hamson, owners of Esteem Lingerie in Westbank and two women who have achieved business success in part through resources and programs available through the Women's Enterprise Centre.

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Keith Brookes, Client Service Officer in the Community Futures office of the North Cariboo and Minister Thorpe explore the new OneStop Business centre launched by the Minister in Quesnel October 16.

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Minister Thorpe hears from Community Futures staff and small business owners in Quesnel. From left: Dianne Dagneau (Co-ordinator, Quesnel Business Exchange Program), Karen Borsato (CFDC of the North Cariboo - Chairperson), Elenor Wardrop (CFDC of the North Cariboo accountant), Bernice Heinzelman (CFDC of the North Cariboo Board member), Frank Wijnhoven (owner of Cariboo Building Systems Ltd.), and Minister Thorpe.

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Frank Wijnhoven, owner of Cariboo Building Systems Ltd, gives Minister Thorpe a tour of his small business which shares its location with the Community Futures Cariboo North office. From left: Frank Wijnhoven, Patrick Deakin (OneStop Business Registry representative), Minister Thorpe, Gina McKee (co-owner of Inn at Moose Heights), Bernice Heinzelman (CFDC of the North Cariboo Board member), and Carol Pitkin (co-owner of Pearl’s Fashions Ltd).

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Minister Thorpe is presented the first report of the Small Business Roundtable by the Roundtable's cochairs, Linda Larson and Kevin Evans. The permanent Roundtable was established one year ago as a forum to work together with small business to make British Columbia the most small business friendly jurisdiction in Canada. From left: Minister Thorpe, Linda Larson, Kevin Evans.

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Minister Thorpe speaks at the Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon on October 17 where he received the first report to government from the Small Business Roundtable from the Roundtable co-chairs, Kevin Evans and Linda Larson.

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Minister Thorpe in Williams Lake opening the newest location for FrontCounterBC, providing integrated service to government’s natural resource clients and similar time-saving help to new and growing small businesses.

From left: Roger Solly, President of the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce, Scott Nelson, Mayor of Williams Lake, Mark Nairn, local Small Business Roundtable member and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe tours the new Tourism Discovery Centre in Williams Lake with Roger Solly, President of the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce and Scott Nelson, Mayor of Williams Lake during Small Business Week 2006.

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Dan Kelly, Vice-President, Western Canada for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, met with Minister Thorpe this August in the beautiful Okanagan.

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Minister of Small Business and Revenue Rick Thorpe and MLA for Penticton-Okanagan Valley Bill Barisoff announced $40 million in long term government contributions to the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton on August 25, 2006. Also pictured is Jake Kimberley, Mayor of Penticton.

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Joined by the Mayor of Penticton, Jake Kimberley and the MLA for Penticton-Okanagan Valley Bill Barisoff, Minister Rick Thorpe announced $40 million in government funding for the South Okanagan Events Centre to be built in Penticton.

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At a meeting June 5 in Ottawa, Minister Thorpe presented Carol Skelton, Federal Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, with a copy of British Columbia’s innovative Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code.

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Minister Thorpe presented copies of British Columbia’s innovative Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code to Garth Whyte, executive vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Carol Skelton, federal Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, at a meeting in Ottawa June 5.

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On May 24, members of the Small Business Roundtable met in Penticton to discuss the results of the first 18 consultation sessions across British Columbia. Among those who joined Minister Rick Thorpe, who chairs the roundtable, were member M.J. Whitemarsh, left, and vice-chairs Kevin Evans and Linda Larson.

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Premier Gordon Campbell, with Minister Rick Thorpe, announced a $2 million investment in Junior Achievement of B.C. to expand their entrepreneur and business programs, ensuring they are available in every school district by 2010. Joining Premier Campbell at the Business Laureates of British Columbia Gala on May 18 where the announcement was made is (from left): Premier, Jan Bell-Irving, President of JABC, Hon. Peter Lougheed, former Premier of Alberta, Barbara Brink, co-chair of the Gala, Sindi Hawkins, Deputy Speaker and Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe, along with John Yap, MLA for Richmond-Steveston met Colleen Kason, President of the British Columbia Association of Hospital Auxilaries and Tammie Kruger, President of the Richmond Hospital Auxilaries. Both attended the Small Business Roundtable consultation held in Richmond last month.

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Mark Startup, CEO of Retail BC, Paul Dragan, owner of Reckless Bikes, and Minister Rick Thorpe celebrate the launch of the PEAK program at Reckless Bikes in Victoria. PEAK is Canada's first retail skills training program specifically designed for British Columbia retailers and was developed in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, Western Economic Diversification Canada and Retail BC.

To view Retail BC's news release, please click here

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Minister Thorpe speaks at the launch for PEAK, Retail BC's new retail training program, at Reckless Bikes in Victoria.

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Minister Thorpe congratulates Dyan Spink of Joe Carto's On the Fly on receiving the 2005 Vancouver Island Small Business of the Year award, coordinated by the Business Examiner. Joe Carto's On the Fly, a café offering 'meals on the fly,' is located at the Comox Valley Airport near Courtenay. Minister Thorpe was in Courtenay for the Small Business Roundtable and PST review consultations in March.

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Minister Thorpe enjoys a tour of the Comox Valley Airport with Minister Hagen. For the second year in a row the Comox Valley Airport has received a 4.58 out of 5 in the Canadian Airports Council customer satisfaction survey and passenger traffic is up 16 per cent over last year. From left: Terry Law, Chair of the Comox Valley Airport Commission, Chuck Fast, CEO of the Comox Valley Airport, Minister Hagen and Minister Thorpe.

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Arlene Wallace of Hot Chocolates in Courtenay explains the chocolate making process to Minister Thorpe while he was in Courtenay for the Small Business Roundtable.

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Minister Rick Thorpe gets a lesson in specialty chocolate making by Ana Lench of Hot Chocolates, a small business in Courtenay.

Stan Hagen, MLA for Comox Valley and Minister of Children and Family Development, helps Minister Thorpe pick out a new tie at Rickson's Menswear in Courtenay with owner Blaine Douglas.

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Minister Thorpe tries out his new shoes, purchased at Searle's Shoes in Courtenay while owner Derek Newness (left) and Minister Hagen look on.

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Sue Finneron, General Manager of Mike Finneron Pontiac Buick in Courtenay, talks to Minister Thorpe and Minister Hagen about the auto industry.

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Minister Thorpe tours Mike Finneron Pontiac Buick in Courtenay with owner Mike Finneron and Stan Hagen, MLA for Comox Valley.

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Minister Thorpe tours Brian Rice Toyota in Courtenay with Brian Rice, owner, and Stan Hagen, MLA for Comox Valley.

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Minister Thorpe tours O-Netrix, a busy high-tech company in Williams Lake and one of the many successful small businesses in British Columbia. Staff from O-Netrix pictured with the minister are Ria Hack, John Hack, and Cindy Morgan. O-Netrix was one of several small businesses Minister Thorpe toured while in Williams Lake for the Small Business Roundtable and PST Review consultation.

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Minister Thorpe gets a lesson in the technology business by the owners and employees of O-Netrix, a successful high tech company in Williams Lake. From the left are Tyler Pierce, Minister Thorpe; Wes Tetreau, Carrie Ivens, John Hack, Partner and Ray Kelly, Partner.

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Juanita Beaulieu and Loell Unrau of Mark's Work Wearhouse in Williams Lake show Minister Thorpe their award for having the number one store outlet last year in Canada.

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Minister Thorpe sees why Pioneer Log Homes are in such demand as he tours one in construction. Joining the Minister are from left: Marcel Therrien and Andre Chevigny - both with Pioneer; and the Mayor of Williams Lake, Scott Nelson.

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Andre Chevigny and Marcel Therrien show Minister Thorpe all the homes they have currently in construction around the world. Minister Thorpe toured Pioneer Log Homes head office in Williams Lake while there for the Small Business Roundtable and PST consultation in February.

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Minster Thorpe meets with the owners of the Laughing Loon restaurant, one of the many thriving small businesses in Williams Lake. From the left: Scott Nelson, Mayor of Williams Lake; Mike Jacobson, Laughing Loon owner; Minister Thorpe and David Jacobson of the Laughing Loon.

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Minister Thorpe tours Kamloops Yamaha, a thriving small business, after chairing the Small Business Roundtable and Provincial Sales Tax consultation on February 7th, 2006. Joining him on the tour were: Dianne Lawson, owner of Kamloops Yamaha; Hon. Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance and Kevin Krueger, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson.

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Peter Aylen, owner of Western Industrial Clay Products, gives Minister Thorpe a tour of his facility in Kamloops on the Minister's recent trip to Kamloops.

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Minister Thorpe addresses the Smithers Chamber of Commerce during his recent trip for the Smithers Small Business Roundtable and Provincial Sales Tax consultation.

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Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue, chats with Linda Baxter of Baxter Air, and Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo Parksville while in Nanaimo for the recent Small Business Roundtable and Provincial Sales Tax Review.

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While in the area for the Small Business Roundtable and Provincial Sales Tax Review, Minister Thorpe toured Detailed Design Drafting Services in Parksville. Pictured from left: Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo Parksville; Richard Stern, Vice-President of Detailed Design and Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Rick Thorpe and Minister Bill Bennett visit Sweet Gestures, one of Cranbrook's small businesses, with owner Michelle Shypitka. The Minister toured a number of local businesses while in Cranbrook for the Small Business Roundtable session on December 5th, 2005.

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Ice River Springs owner James Dickson tours the Ice River bottling facilities with Minister Thorpe while in Cranbrook this past December.

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Minister Thorpe with Small Business Roundtable member Chief Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation and Chairman First Nations Lands Advisory Board, at the recent Small Business Roundtable and PST review consultation in Kelowna.

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Minister Thorpe congratulates Linda Larson, former Mayor of Oliver, on her appointment as Vice-Chair of the permanent Small Business Roundtable. The Small Business roundtable and PST review consultation was in Kelowna on December 2, 2005.

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Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform, congratulates Bruce Sutherland of Prince George and co-owner of WolfTek (formally PG Mill Supplies) on his appointment to the permanent Small Business Roundtable. The Roundtable's first meeting is on November 29th, 2005 in Prince George.

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Minister Thorpe congratulates Lita Powell of Fort St. John and President of Li-Carr Management Group, on her appointment to the Small Business Roundtable.

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Minister Thorpe congratulates Kevin Evans, Vice President of Retail Council of Canada and Chair of the Coalition of BC Business, on his appointment as Vice-Chair of the permanent Small Business Roundtable.

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Neal Davies, Vice-President/General Manager of Cantex Group in Penticton, is congratulated on his appointment to the Small Business Roundtable by Minister Thorpe.

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Minister Thorpe visits Assured Software in Kelowna during Small Business Week. L to R: Dave Coombes, President; Robert Morton, Account Manager; Brad Nunes, Account Manager.

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Minister Thorpe at Assured Software with Chad Smith, Chief Information Officer (L) and Dave Coombes, President.

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Minister Thorpe celebrates Small Business Week at the Women's Enterprise Centre, Kelowna. L to R are Marylin Strong and Moya Webb, Best HR solutions Inc.; Donna Russo, Usana Health Sciences; Tracy Gray, Discover Wines Ltd. Krista Hirschhofer, KOR Recycled Packaging Inc.; Suzanne Mick, Discover Wines Ltd.; and Laurel Douglas, Women's Enterprise Centre.

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Minister Thorpe presents a framed Small Business Week proclamation at the Women's Enterprise Centre, Kelowna to (L to R) Suzanne Mick, Discover Wines Ltd.; Laurel Douglas, Women's Enterprise Centre, and Tracy Gray, Discover Wines Ltd.

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Minister Thorpe celebrates Small Business Week in British Columbia with Tracy Gray and Suzanne Mick of Discover Wines Ltd., Kelowna.

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Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform presents a framed copy of the Small Business Week proclamation to Ray Gerow, president and CEO of the Aboriginal Business Development Centre and Veronica Creyke (left), manager of the centre, at a Prince George Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

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Minister Thorpe welcomes Jason Guille, president of the Young Entrepreneurs Association, to the Legislature during Small Business Week.

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Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform Rick Thorpe greets Bruce Sutherland, co-owner of PG Mill Supplies, and member of the Small Business Roundtable at the Prince George Chamber of Commerce event celebrating Small Business Week.

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Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform Rick Thorpe presents Prince George Chamber of Commerce President Myron Gordon with a framed copy of the Small Business Week proclamation at a breakfast event in Prince George.

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Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform Rick Thorpe with Jason McLean, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade's Small Business Council.

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Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform Rick Thorpe is joined by Retail BC representatives Scott Cronshaw and Mark Startup at a meeting in July.

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Minister of Small Business and Revenue Rick Thorpe addresses the British Columbia Trucking Association.

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Minister Rick Thorpe, Small Business and Revenue employee Michelle Dobie and former Deputy Greg Reimer enjoy the Ministry's Public Service Week recognition picnic.

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Minister Rick Thorpe and Customer Service and Information Branch assistant Tracey Whittaker at Ministry's Public Service Week recognition picnic.

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Minister Thorpe spoke to delegates at Wood WORKS! BC Awards Gala to celebrate excellence in wood use, March 7, 2005.

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Premier Gordon Campbell and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe launched the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code January 28, 2005.

Left to right: Kevin Evans, Retail Council of Canada; Greg Reimer, Deputy Minister Provincial Revenue; Mark Worral, Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C.; Hon. Rick Thorpe, Minister of Provincial Revenue; Laura Jones, vice-president, B.C. and Yukon, Canadian Federation of Independent Business; Premier Gordon Campbell; Rosemary Anderson, Sales Tax Practitioners Liaison Committee; and Mark Startup, president and CEO of the Retail Merchants' Association of British Columbia.

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The Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code details a set of core values that small business owners and others can expect when working with the ministry.

Left to right: Mark Startup, president and CEO of the Retail Merchants' Association of British Columbia; Laura Jones, vice-president, B.C. and Yukon, Canadian Federation of Independent Business; Hon. Rick Thorpe, Minister of Provincial Revenue.

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Minister Thorpe with Kevin Evans (Retail Council of Canada). The Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code was launched at a meeting with the Revenue Programs Advisory Committee in Vancouver, Jan. 28, 2005.

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Minister Thorpe with Mark Worral (Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C.). The Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code was launched at a meeting with the Revenue Programs Advisory Committee in Vancouver, Jan. 28, 2005.

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Minister Thorpe with local business people from the Elk Valley who attended the Ministry of Provincial Revenue roundtable on November 19th, 2004 in Fernie.

from l to r: Pat MacKay, Minister, Ingrid Sombroski, Ruth Emslie, Bill Bennett (MLA for East Kootenay) and Jack Pitter

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Prince Rupert MLA Bill Belsey and Minister Rick Thorpe pose beside the cruise ship Norwegian Spirit, a welcome example of economic growth in the North.

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Minister Thorpe met with local business people as part of his regional tours to discuss tax administration. Osoyoos Golf and Country Club, July 20, 2004. (l to r) Jerry Nowee of Rattle Snake Canyon Amusements; Joe Simoes of Okanagan RV Centre; Bill Barisoff, MLA Penticton - Okanagan and Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection; Rick Thorpe, Minister of Provincial Revenue.

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Minister Thorpe wraps up successful Round Table discussion session in Courtenay, June 1, 2004: From left to right: Tony Pisto, Mike Floch, Minister Rick Thorpe, Clarice Coty, Brad Minton, Peter Gibson, Tony Cruiz, Lou Cruiz, Trevor Bruce.

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Lori Carpenter introduces Rick Thorpe to Courtenay Rotarians, June 1, 2004.

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Minister Thorpe talked with Edgar Smith of Natural Pastures cheese company on how government can help further improve business opportunities in the Courtenay area. June 1, 2004.

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During his fact-finding tour of the province, Provincial Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe (centre) talked to Barry Watchorn (left) and Dan Samson (right) from RE/MAX Check Realty at Robert Ostler Park in Campbell River on May 17, 2004.

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