BC Business
The Shop Local program was created to help Canada's entrepreneurs.
Does Joyce Murray’s official title (Minister of Digital Government) give off some creepy 1984 vibes? Sure.
But the Vancouver Quadra MP had some good news for B.C. business owners today with the announcement that that an investment of up to $5.5 million will be going to the province to encourage people to shop locally and support businesses in their community.
It’s part of a national investment of $33 million to support Shop Local campaigns across the country announced by another woman with an interesting title, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng.
The funding will be provided through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce to support campaigns that bolster consumer confidence and local businesses.
Examples include branding and digital content encouraging consumers to shop local, seasonal campaigns intended to direct shoppers to small local merchants, promotions of online shopping and marketing materials like videos and radio and newspaper ads that encourage people to buy local.
“British Columbia is made up of small businesses in every corner of our province,” said Murray in a release. “They are the backbone of the economy and the heart of our communities and will be critical to our recovery from the COVID-19 recession. As our economy begins to safely reopen, Shop Local investments will encourage Canadians to support their local small businesses, helping them recover quicker.”