To help businesses stay on top of what supports they are currently eligible for, the government has launched the interactive business benefits finder to help you discover federal and provincial programs and services designed to help Canadian businesses weather the storm. You can also sign up for the notification feature to receive emails when there are changes to your favourite programs, when application deadlines are approaching, or when a new program that meets your needs is introduced.

Community Futures Rural Advisory Program

Regional Business Advisory Services

Community Futures (CF) Central Island recognizes the importance of small to medium sized business in our regional economy. We have graciously been awarded funding from Island Coastal Economic Trust via the Province of BC to deliver the Regional Business Advisory Services program.

The program is designed to provide entrepreneurs and business owners with one-on-one coaching, guidance and support, based on the client’s needs; whether it’s sales and marketing, financial management, business planning, human resources, operational efficiency, grant finding, or business growth and expansion. The program will:

• support rural businesses and communities impacted by the changing and unpredictable economic market, and/or forest policy changes and other impacts to the forest sector,

• increase community and regional adaptation, resilience and sustainability; and

• leverage existing local community/organizations to create incremental supports to impacted business and or communities.

Where?

Regional Business Advisors will be in rural communities within the Vancouver Island Region (serving locations within the Regional Districts of Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Alberni-Clayoquot, Comox Valley, Strathcona and Mount Waddington).

When?

This program is available June 1, 2023 until August 31, 2024. There are no fees associated with participating. Only criteria, you must be a willing and participatory applicant.

How and by Whom?

CF’s Regional Business Advisors will work one-on-one with existing businesses. Their activities will be to advise and coach business owners to determine their specific needs and align their efforts with programming, grants, subsidies and initiatives that are being offered. If assistance is required, to aid in the application process, the coach can help or be a conduit to individuals who have sector/industry specific knowledge and expertise.

*as per https://www.cfnanaimo.org/get-the-money-you-need/

EXPORT NAVIGATOR

The Export Navigator program offers free expert guidance to B.C.-based businesses on exporting. Export Navigator is available to businesses located in B.C. that have a product or service that’s scalable to export. If your business is growth-oriented and has the potential to reach new markets, you may be eligible for the program.

Export Navigator is committed to providing inclusive support for underrepresented groups in business. To make exporting accessible, their advisors are well-versed in working with entrepreneurs who have diverse identities. In addition, they offer specialized services for businesses owned by Indigenous Peoples. 

How do I know if my business is ready for Export Navigator?

To make the most of Export Navigator, you will need to be prepared to commit the time and resources necessary to grow your business. This includes the research, planning, and implementation of a market strategy. If you’re ready to scale-up operations, adapt to new markets, and are financially prepared for expansion, then we encourage you to enquire about the program.

Export Navigator Advisors provide:

• An assessment of your business’s export readiness

• Hours of export advice at no charge

• Step-by-step guidance tailored to your pace

• Help with business growth strategy and planning

• Connections and information specific to your market and industry

• Access to the most up-to-date resources for interprovincial or international exporting

SERVICE DOG INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES

Both businesses and individuals have responsibilities when it comes to guide and service dogs in British Columbia. According to B.C.’s Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, reasonable steps must be taken to accommodate people with disabilities, including guide dogs and service dogs.

The Act makes it illegal for any business to deny a certified dog accommodation or access and fines can be up to $3,000. Persons with a guide dog or service dog should not be stopped or questioned unless there is a concern. But like anyone, a person may be asked to leave if a guide dog is disruptive. If there is a concern regarding a guide dog or service dog, business owners can ask to see the guide dog’s certified card (see below for B.C. version). No one is permitted to question the nature of the disability associated with the certified guide dog.

Visitors from other areas will have different looking certification documents, but they should be issued by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). For American visitors, a doctor’s note is sufficient proof in that country for a guide or service dog.

For more information on guide dogs and service dogs, please see the B.C. government website here.