Ease of doing business progress
Last updated on August 18, 2026The Ease of Doing Business initiative is making it easier to do business in B.C. from modernizing services to simplifying permitting processes and making investments that help reduce costs.
On this page
Overview
Ways we are delivering for businesses
Streamlining permitting, processes and reducing red tape
Direct results from Ease of Doing Business recommendations
Announcements aligned with Ease of Doing Business
2026
- Modernized regulations and digital services
- Environmental assessment approval advances mining investment and job creation
- Red Chris expansion approval improves certainty for major project investment
- Liquor sourcing flexibility improves inventory access for hospitality businesses
- Supporting adventure tourism in B.C. with new permitting hub
- BCTS legislative changes increase fibre access, protect forestry jobs
- EAO proposes expedited environmental assessment process for major projects
- B.C. adopts permanent daylight saving time, simplifying business scheduling
- Regulatory changes reduce natural-resource permitting timelines
- FOIPPA amendments streamline FOI processes and digital service delivery
- Copper Mountain mine expansion approved, extending operations to 2040
- Three critical mineral projects added to Critical Minerals Office
- New Trade Recognition Act makes interprovincial trade recognition permanent
- Eskay Creek mine approval delivers permitting certainty
- EA certificate streamlines Indigenous‑led project assessment
- Fixed timelines accelerate mineral‑exploration permitting
- Permits extend Mt. Milligan operations, securing jobs and investment
- EAO extends Mt. Milligan mine operations to 2035
2025 and previous
- New energy rules streamline industrial project connections
- Online housing toolkit speeds construction and lowers costs
- Trade agreement removes duplicate approvals for Canadian goods
- Permit issued for Record Ridge magnesium mine following transparent review
- Streamlined regulations reduce red tape and expedite approvals
- Prompt payment legislation to strengthen construction industry
- Connected Services BC to streamline business services delivery
- Environmental assessment certificate granted for Ksi Lisims LNG project
- Consent granted for mine expansion under updated regulations
- BC Hydro slashes power connection costs and timelines
- Flexible payment and bonding options reduce financial barriers for developers
- Streamlined permitting for the Highland Valley Copper Mine extension
- New legislation speeds up approvals for schools, hospitals, and transportation projects
- Renewable energy developers benefit from streamlined permitting
- 25-day turnaround target speeds forest and wildfire salvage permits
- BC Energy Regulator the one-stop authority for wind, solar, and transmission projects
- 90% of businesses are now exempt from the Employer Health Tax
- New enforcement tools under the Water Sustainability Act
- More efficient appeals process for commercial and industrial property assessments
Helping businesses grow and access new markets
Direct results from Ease of Doing Business recommendations
- Free Business Advisor Consultations, Guidance, and Resources to Support Growth
- Engaging Indigenous Entrepreneurs in Business Consultation
- Supporting Small Business Export Growth and Market Diversification
- Export Training and Market Expansion Support for Business Growth
- Advancing a Canada-wide mutual recognition framework
- Building Economic Resilience Through Trade Diversification
Announcements aligned with Ease of Doing Business
2026
- Food network initiative strengthens local supply chains and market access
- Local food initiative strengthens supply chains and supports business growth
- Critical minerals strategy strengthens supply chains and investment certainty
- China trade mission expands market access and diversifies exports
- Local food procurement initiative strengthens supply chains and market access
- B.C. Business House connects global investors to local opportunities
- Farmers' market coupon program strengthens local food markets and producers
- European LNG agreement expands markets and strengthens investment certainty
- LNG Canada Phase 2 boosts investment certainty and exports
- Forestry investments expand global markets and strengthen wood sector competitiveness
- Forestry company secures five years of wood, adding stability to sector
- Funding expands Maple Ridge pipe fabrication company, creates 45 jobs
- B.C. seafood businesses supported to expand global export markets
- Look West Tourism Sector Action Plan targets doubling revenue by 2036
- Legislation introduces $400M B.C. Strategic Investment Fund
- Bid for global defence bank boosts investment opportunities
- Western Canada alliance advances critical‑minerals strategy
- Building B.C.--India partnerships to boost tech sectors
- Premier's mission to India supporting good jobs
- Supporting wood manufacturing in Chemainus & Cumberland
- Forestry trade mission opens Asian markets for B.C. wood
- Trade and investment initiatives strengthen small business opportunities
2025 and previous
- New farmers get support to plan and grow businesses
- New forest trade office in Europe expands export opportunities
- Expanded BC Timber Sales mandate supports forest industry
- Export funding helps B.C. food businesses grow globally
- AgriStability boosts financial support for B.C. farmers
- Premier signs trade agreements with Ontario, Manitoba, Yukon
- The opening of the Blackwater Mine
- Support helps farmers and food producers expand market access
- Buy BC funding helps food and beverage businesses grow sales
- Provincial investment supports new dairy processing facility in Abbotsford
Helping businesses innovate, increase productivity and compete
Direct results from Ease of Doing Business recommendations
Announcements aligned with Ease of Doing Business
2026
- Expanded value‑added manufacturing program improves fibre access for businesses
- Digital tools initiative boosts small business productivity and competitiveness
- Wood‑waste innovation supports clean growth and rural business opportunities
- Manufacturing jobs fund supports expansion, innovation and access to new markets
- Health technology investments accelerate commercialization and life sciences growth
- Microgrants support commercialization, market expansion and revenue growth
- Clean‑tech investments improve energy efficiency and reduce business operating costs
- Forestry collaboration hubs increase value‑added production and sector competitiveness
- Venture fund supports innovation, commercialization and growth of B.C. companies
- Strengthening B.C.'s economy with support for innovative companies
- Opening Clean Industry Fund 2026 intake
- New marine and coastal testbed supports B.C. tech companies
- Funding doubles Squamish helium and hydrogen manufacturer's capacity
- InBC and UBC launch $40M fund for B.C. innovation companies
- Funding supports farmers to adopt labour-saving technologies
- Program supports testing clean‑tech solutions in real‑world airport environment
- Boosting Clean Technology in the North
- Supporting B.C.'s food security with new technology, training
2025 and previous
- 2025 a banner year for wildfire salvage
- Forestry Innovation & Emergency Management Testbed launched
- Clean transport pilots reduce costs for northern businesses
- Support for SMEs to pilot supply-chain innovations
- Marine tech challenge funds clean-energy innovation projects
- Funding helps growers replant with climate-resilient crops
- $2M supports mass-timber projects, scaling innovation and protecting jobs
- Support for wood-product manufacturers to modernize, innovate and diversify
- $35M for clean-tech projects supporting local jobs
- Interactive digital media tax credit jumps to 25%
- Forestry manufacturers access funding to expand production and create jobs
- $701M AbCellera partnership supports a new biotech innovation campus
Investing in the infrastructure businesses need
Direct results from Ease of Doing Business recommendations
Announcements aligned with Ease of Doing Business
2026
- Rail corridor preserved to support future transportation and economic growth
- Fraser River Tunnel project improves trade infrastructure and goods movement
- BC Hydro upgrades increase electricity capacity and support business growth
- Clean energy plan expands capacity and supports long‑term economic growth
- Highway upgrades improve transportation reliability for goods and business travel
- Expanded high‑speed internet improves connectivity for rural businesses
- Airport upgrades improve connectivity, safety and regional economic development
- Renewable energy projects expand capacity and attract investment for growth
- Haida Gwaii subsea fibre-optic link boosts connectivity resilience
- Province invests in UVic quantum computing research infrastructure
- Smoother Highway 99 travel improves goods‑movement reliability
- Competitive process allocates clean power for AI and data centres
- Strong clean‑energy proposals boost B.C.'s future electricity supply
- Taking steps to power North Coast growth with clean energy
2025 and previous
- Funding expands high‑speed internet for seven Kootenay communities
- Funding expands farm water storage for drought resilience
- Clean energy legislation and actions drive investment and industrial growth
- Farm funding helps prepare for extreme weather
- People on Piers, Texada, southern Vancouver Island get internet connectivity
- High-speed internet connects rural and Indigenous communities
- High-speed internet and mobile connectivity expanded to remote communities
- New funding through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program
- High-speed internet coming to remote Vancouver Island communities
- $6.2 million in upgrades to 16 regional airports improves access, safety, and connectivity
- Expanded borrowing powers help municipalities fast-track infrastructure projects
- Cedar LNG, one of Canada's largest First Nations majority-owned projects, moves forward
Strengthening B.C.'s workforce
Announcements aligned with Ease of Doing Business
2026
- Workforce training programs prepare workers for major projects and in‑demand jobs
- Future Skills Grant expands access to training for in‑demand careers
- Workforce readiness initiative expands skilled trades training and talent pipeline
- Expanded trades training increases workforce capacity for in‑demand industries
- Trades training investments expand workforce capacity for major projects
- Supporting hiring, boosting production in southern Interior
- Launching new training projects for people facing barriers to employment
- New BCIT complex expands skilled‑trades talent pipeline
2025 and previous
Improving quality of life in communities where businesses and workers thrive
Announcements aligned with Ease of Doing Business
2026
- Expanded property crime initiative improves public safety for businesses
- Civic Theatre upgrades boost tourism and support local business growth
- Budget supports economic growth, affordability and business investment climate
- Readying B.C. to deliver more homes for people in communities
- Anti‑extortion actions strengthen business community safety
- Public safety investments deliver strong, measurable results
2025 and previous
Addressed Recommendations
| Summary of Recommendation | How the Recommendation was Addressed |
|---|---|
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Provide training, tools, and advice from experts on exporting. |
Export Training and Market Expansion Support for Business Growth Trade and Invest BC to provide export training. In addition, the Export Navigator Program helps businesses become export ready, diversify their markets and find new customers outside of B.C. |
| Conduct reviews of all provincial government agencies with particularly high bottlenecks, process and paperwork burdens for small businesses. |
Streamlining Government Services and Reducing Administrative Burdens The Province is improving service delivery and reducing regulatory burdens through initiatives such as Ease of Doing Business, the Connected Services initiative, and the Better Regulations for British Columbians (BR4BC) process, while gathering input from businesses, business associations, and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Regional collaboration among municipalities, regional districts, health authorities, and other agencies is also being encouraged to help address licensing and approval bottlenecks. |
| Develop a single online portal with information on all provincial and federal programs for small business with filtering functionality. |
Improving Access to Business Programs Through Centralized Resources The Province has improved access to business support information by redesigning its online resources to be more user-friendly, accessible, and easier to navigate, while providing free one-on-one advisory services to help businesses identify relevant programs and supports. The Province is also working with the federal government to modernize business support tools and leveraging the B.C. Business Resources Network to better coordinate and promote available resources. |
| Review government websites relevant to small businesses to ensure the information is in plain language, an easily readable and searchable format. |
Improving Accessibility and Usability of Business Information The Province has redesigned its business support websites and information architecture to make resources easier to find, understand, and access, using plain language and web-based formats that improve accessibility and translation. Businesses can also access free one-on-one support from provincial business advisors to help navigate programs, services, and available resources. |
| Ensure Indigenous people are included in business sector engagement initiatives. |
Engaging Indigenous Entrepreneurs in Business Consultation Through Ease of Doing Business, the Province is engaging a broader range of businesses and business support organizations, including Indigenous entrepreneurs, through the EaseBiz BC submission portal and direct outreach to sector leaders. These engagement channels help ensure Indigenous business perspectives are considered in identifying challenges and informing solutions that support business growth and success. |
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Increase access to workshops and personalized one-on-one business support for entrepreneurs and small business owners through organizations. |
Free Business Advisor Consultations, Guidance, and Resources to Support Growth The Province's business advisors provide businesses access to free one-on-one consultations, guidance and resources, including funding opportunities and access to targeted business support organizations, designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive. The Province established the B.C. Business Resources Network to convene business support organizations (including organizations that support women and Francophone entrepreneurs) regularly to share resources and enhance overall service delivery. |
| Provide export training and tax relief to SMEs experiencing revenue declines. |
Supporting Small Business Export Growth and Market Diversification The Province supports small and medium-sized businesses in expanding into new markets through export training delivered by Trade and Invest BC, the Export Navigator Program, and the Trade Accelerator Program, which help businesses become export-ready, diversify markets, and develop market entry strategies. Tax relief measures are outside the scope of Ease of Doing Business and may be considered through future budget deliberations. |
| Initiate and support public awareness campaigns highlighting the positive economic impact of supporting local businesses and the role consumers play in sustaining competitive, diverse marketplaces. |
Promoting Local Purchasing and Support for B.C. Businesses The Province is promoting local businesses through campaigns such as Buy BC; Super, Natural British Columbia; and Choose Canada, encouraging consumers to purchase B.C. and Canadian products and services as part of its response to U.S. tariffs. These efforts are complemented by public-sector procurement initiatives, supply chain supports for domestic suppliers, and promotion of local buying campaigns such as LOCO BC’s Buy Local Week and Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Saturday®. |
| Support SMEs by demystifying the automation process for smaller businesses, with the goal of increasing their adoption rate. |
Supporting SME Adoption of Automation and Innovation The Province is helping small and medium-sized businesses adopt automation and new technologies through Innovate BC programs that support the testing, deployment, and scaling of made-in-B.C. innovations while reducing the risks associated with technology adoption. Businesses can also access funding information through tools like the Business Benefits Finder and receive free advisory support to identify relevant programs, resources, and growth opportunities. |
| Three recommendations to: Reduce the small business tax rate. |
Maintaining One of Canada’s Lowest Small Business Tax Rates BC maintains the 4th lowest small business tax rate in Canada. Tax policy considerations are out of scope for Ease of Doing Business and may be considered as part of future budget deliberations. |
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Advance a Canada-wide mutual recognition framework with clear timelines, full implementation, and unilateral commitments. |
Negotiations to remove internal trade barriers and complete a mutual recognition agreement for goods resulted in the signing of the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA) in late 2025. Negotiations to extend the CMRA to cover services are now underway. |
| Cut red tape and remove redundant requirements for businesses. |
Modernizing regulation, legislation and making it easier for businesses The Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth coordinates Better Regulations for British Columbians (BR4BC) and Better Legislation for British Columbians (BL4BC) to help ministries clarify, modernize, correct or repeal outdated regulations and legislation. Through Ease of Doing Business, the Province is also gathering input from businesses and associations, including Indigenous entrepreneurs, through the EaseBiz BC portal while incorporating input from key business organizations to better understand challenges and identify practical solutions. |
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Eight recommendations related to: Advocate for a BC-specific tariff relief review process and expert-led Canada–U.S. negotiations focused on practical, mutually beneficial solutions that support businesses and strengthen cross-border trade. Work with Ottawa to use Employment Insurance for wage support if tariffs cause job losses, helping workers stay connected to employers and reducing pressure on community supports. |
Building Economic Resilience Through Trade Diversification B.C. supports a strong Team Canada approach and is working closely with the Government of Canada to address U.S. tariffs on Canadian products. B.C. is focused on growing a strong economy, finding new trade partners and defending workers and businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs. |
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Nine recommendations related to: Improve access to start-up resources and business coaching and better promote existing advisory services for business owners and entrepreneurs, including women and underrepresented groups. |
Free Business Advisor Consultations, Guidance, and Resources to Support Growth The Province recently re-designed the information architecture which houses business support resources to be more user-centric, allowing users to find information more easily. All resources have been updated and created to be in plain language for accessibility. The Province's business advisors provide businesses access to free one-on-one consultations, which allows businesses to access free one-on-one consultations, guidance and resources designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive, including the Canada Business Benefits Finder and the BizPaL tool that allows for quick and easy search of legislation and laws, on top of permits and licences. |
| Fund regional coordination like infrastructure. |
BC has made significant investment in the regional economic trusts, that provide regional supports to business. In addition, the Community Futures model, which is federally funded, has loan programs to support business development.
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