Debates of February 10, 2012 (day 4)
MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON BUSINESS INCENTIVE AND NORTHERN MANUFACTURING POLICIES
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to continue discussion on businesses and policies, BIP and the northern manufacturing policy. As I asked the Minister yesterday about whether these policies have been reviewed, and they had been completed last year to a year and a half. There must be some issues with the implementation of this policy then.
In my short term as MLA for Hay River North, I have had several constituents have concerns with these two policies and the fact that they have been implemented. They are often asking why they have to be their own watchdogs for this program and make sure the GNWT is spending money in the North by northern companies.
I believe that the Business Incentive Policy must be implemented throughout the departments and if it’s not an issue of the policy itself, it must be an issue with the training. How can we be expected to implement larger projects like the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, Mackenzie Valley Highway and Tuk to Inuvik highway in the future when we’re having difficulties implementing the basic policies or expenditures we have now?
My questions today will be to the Minister of ITI on how we can improve the implementation of the Business Incentive Policy and the northern manufacturing policy. We need to maximize the dollars that the GNWT spends with northern businesses. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.