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VANCOUVER — The Province of B.C. received more than 260 submissions through the Ease of Doing �ȵ���� initiative and is now reviewing recommendations in order to foster a better business environment.

Launched on June 5, 2025, the initiative invited businesses to share challenges and ideas through the EaseBiz BC submission portal.

The majority of the submissions focused on the following topics:

• interprovincial trade barriers and tariffs
• streamlining regulations
• speeding up permitting and approvals
• improving access to skilled labour
• modernizing tax policy
• housing investment, climate action, innovation support and support for Indigenous businesses.

The province has reviewed recommendations from reports and open letters from business organizations, creating a central repository of more than 700 items to guide action, a release reads, adding the Ease of Doing �ȵ���� initiative and the EaseBiz BC portal will remain open for further feedback.

“These efforts complement the Look West economic plan, and its goals of supporting businesses by diversifying markets, strengthening B.C.’s skilled workforce, and speeding up permitting and approvals to deliver major projects quicker,” the release states.

“This includes B.C.’s leadership in the new Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement, which breaks down interprovincial trade barriers, making it easier for B.C. businesses to sell products across Canada, and for people to buy Canadian-made goods.”

The province also highlighted the recently passed prompt payment legislation for the construction sector, which will come into force after a transition period.

It will set clear timelines for payment on construction projects, establish a fast-track adjudication process to resolve payment-related disputes and improve cash flow and stability across the construction industry.

When it comes to skilled labour, the province reiterated its recent commitment to double trades-training funding with a new $241-million fund.