Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Using the Member’s example, not only did we give it a new paint job; we added a new fuel efficient engine with some new tires.

The BDF has been one of our best and most successful vehicles to assist small business. The new SEED policy…. We didn’t establish targets, because we needed to provide funding on an application basis to different regions. We will continue to measure it based on jobs that are created and the number of businesses that are started up.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Ms. Ruby Trudel, a Yellowknife South constituent. Nice to see you here.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time this afternoon, as the Chair of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, I will table this government’s Energy Priorities Framework.

This document outlines the priority actions that we need to undertake to address our short and long term energy needs. Our initiatives are presented in five key action areas as set out in the 2007 NWT Energy Plan:

energy conservation and efficiency;

alternative energy and emerging technologies;

energy development and supply;

energy policy and planning; and

reducing the Government of the Northwest Territories’ own energy use.

He...

I wish to table the following document entitled Energy Priorities Framework, Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee.

Document 95-16(2), Energy Priorities Framework, Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, tabled.

Mr. Speaker, our government’s new Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy officially took effect on September 2, 2008. This policy, which is known as the SEED policy, was developed in response to a major review of the department’s business programs completed in 2006.

One of the key themes that emerged from our review was that GNWT business programs should provide a chance for growth, employment and self-sufficiency to a wider scope of businesses outside of the Northwest Territories’ major centres.

We heard that our programs should focus on the needs of our clients, work more...

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate the management of FSC Architects and Engineers for being named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

This architecture and engineering company, proven leaders and innovators in cold climate and remote location building, are now also proven leaders in employment. Committed to providing top level service to their clients, FSC owners concluded that this same service should be provided to their most important company assets: their staff. Management has worked hard to ensure that their staff has benefits that meet or exceed industry...

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Warren McLeod and Jerry Jaud, principals of FSC Architects and Engineers, one of Canada’s top 100 employers.

Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize a constituent of mine, Mr. Everett McQueen, and his two daughters, Wynter and Montana. I can’t tell who is who because they’re twins, but it’s nice to see them here.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Business People Working for Other Business People, Business Development and Investment Corporation Corporate Plan 2008–2009.

Document 91-16(2), Business People Working for Other Business People, Business Development and Investment Corporation Corporate Plan 2008–2009, tabled.

I can advise the Member that with regard to rebates for wood stoves we’re increasing the rebate to $400 from $300. As well, for wood pellet heating furnaces we’re increasing the rebates to $700 for pellet furnaces and $1,000 for pellet boilers.

As far as government departments, all government departments are involved in developing energy conservation measures. We will be rolling them out as part of the business planning process.