B.C.’s $500-million investment fund to help small, medium-sized businesses

Apr 27, 2021 | 12:10 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia has introduced legislation to convert an investment initiative into a Crown corporation with the authority to make independent decisions aimed at spurring economic recovery after the pandemic.

The $500-million InBC investment fund was created last September as a way for the province to invest alongside the private sector to support small and medium-sized companies, which make up 98 per cent of all businesses in the province.

The purpose of the fund is to make investments that achieve a financial return by meeting the government’s social, economic and environmental policy objectives that include building a more innovative, low-carbon economy.

The corporation is expected to be operational by the fall and would be led by a yet-to-be hired chief investment officer responsible for decisions without interference from outside parties or government.