Find Business Planning Resources
WorkBC labour market resources can help you identify what kind of businesses will be in high demand in B.C. as well as assist you in predicting the most profitable location.
The additional sources of business support and advice offered below can help with successful business planning and development.
Business Portals and Guides
Check out the Resource Centre for Small Business or Small Business BC. If you are thinking about developing a business in B.C. or becoming an investor, visit Trade and Invest British Columbia.
CivicInfo is an award-winning, co-operative information service for those who work or have an interest in British Columbia's local government sector with information on:
- local government news
- bid and tender postings
- directories of local governments, related organizations and suppliers
Business Planning
BC Stats’ Business Gateway provides the numbers that help you build a strong business plan and forecast. The main website of BC Stats also lists a number of useful small business planning publications.
Greening Your Business
The rewards of going green are highlighted at LiveSmart BC, where you may be inspired by the examples of eco-efficiency improvements that other B.C. businesses have already achieved. The Pacific Carbon Trust helps its clients meet carbon reduction goals through carbon offsets. The Climate Action Secretariat web page includes links to climate change legislation and regulation in B.C.
RFPs and Contracts
The public sector is a large customer for goods and services. BC Bid allows you to create a profile, browse public-sector opportunities and bid for them. The tenders are formatted as Requests for Proposal. Responses to an RFP must conform to strict rules. Along with an RFP award comes a contract that you must be prepared to honour. Learn how with the B.C. Bid guide.
See Information for Businesses within Public Works Canada to learn about contracting with the federal government.
Regulations and Policy
An easy navigation path at BizPaL provides specific permit and licence information. Your search finds the rules for your particular business from all levels of government.
For information on interprovincial regulations between B.C. and Alberta, view the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA). See if TILMA has met its goal for your business. Find out if goods, services, workers and investments move freely for you between the two provinces. The answer may influence decisions especially for businesses in eastern B.C.
If you need to register a business or change a business address, the BC Business Registry provides one-stop access to business information and the online business registry.
For more on regulation and policy see Doing Business in British Columbia, which is targeted at non-Canadian companies and entrepreneurs. It offers a good overview of the laws, regulations and taxes that apply to new and existing businesses in B.C.