 Hi guys, my name is Val Litwin. I'm the president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce and I'm excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Small Business Month. Small businesses are such a vital thread in the fabric of BC's economy, making up 98% of all businesses and employing over 1 million British Columbians, more than half of BC's total private sector employment. It's no mistake that BC's small business sector is leading the nation as an economic powerhouse in BC and entrepreneurs embody an unparalleled spirit of innovation, resourcefulness, and determination. They're constantly pushing the envelope and never failing to astonish by achieving more than we thought was possible. Take for example Glue Studios in Burnaby. They're a cutting edge visual effects agency that does 3D animation for TV and film. They have seen tremendous success and are part of the thriving digital arts and film sector here in BC. A sector supported by the province's tax credit system for film production and digital animation. And this is just one example of the many local success stories we have in BC. Another great success for BC's small business is the fact that more and more women are proving to be a dynamic and forceful cohort when it comes to driving small business, accounting for approximately 37% of all business owners. Our small business sector is strong in BC and our goal is to ensure that BC remains a champion of its small business sector. As the province's largest business network, the BC Chamber is front and center in supporting small businesses by advocating on their behalf for programs and solutions they need to succeed. One solution is to continue cutting red tape that often results in unnecessary costs to small business. The BC Chamber believes that the provincial government has an impressive record in reducing the regulatory burden faced by BC businesses. Having cut over 40% of its regulatory requirements since June 2001, that's a lot of red tape. Other solutions include opening a dialogue towards a made in BC value-added tax, a policy supported by the BC Chamber's 36,000 members across the province. We strongly believe that BC can be the most small business friendly jurisdiction in North America. So as BC celebrates the 10th anniversary of Small Business Month, consider all the small businesses you count on for your everyday goods and services and take the time to celebrate that entrepreneurial spirit.