Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the importance of developing and implementing a strategy which could actively target and attract small and medium-sized business to locate their businesses to the NWT. What we need is good policy that helps grow the North. I believe a strong strategy that targets growth of business investment needs to have two components. The first is to determine what kinds of businesses are likely to be able to operate and expand in the NWT. Obviously, not every industry and business is best suited to our present northern climate. As well, a focus should be considered as to how we can seek opportunities throughout our North by seeding them. In short, to ensure we have fair balance throughout our economy.
Mr. Speaker, by way of an example, a taskforce could be working to attract call centres or some kind of knowledge-base business such as a research institution. It could be based anywhere in the North. With a plan like this we could be bringing new investment to our North, as well as hiring Northerners for good jobs.
Mr. Speaker, as well, another example, perhaps we could be attracting some kind of business closely related to mining, since mining activity is such a significant part of our NWT economy, as well as history. Therefore, maybe that would be the preferred area to target. To kick this discussion off, we could have a public panel discussion, where various business leaders can contribute their ideas about what kind of businesses might consider the move north. Mr. Speaker, we need to know what kind of businesses can dovetail with our existing climate that can be plugged in and start contributing right away to our economy. As well, we could invite one of the dragons off Dragon’s Den to look at our economy and our business climate, to ask ourselves how the government could work hard to develop business in a way that works for business.
Mr. Speaker, to be clear, this is not about new loans or grants. This is about people knocking on doors of businesses, saying the carpet is rolled out, we want you to invest and expand in our North. Mr. Speaker, we need to start with a taskforce that has people, tools and resources, which will aggressively reach out into business and find ways to connect them to the North and invest in the North. We don’t need a simple glossy brochure where we simply rely on a 1-800 telephone number. We need real people out there to answer those calls and pursue these opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I know ITI has a Population Growth Strategy, but this is way more than that. Mr. Speaker, we need to find ways to attract business so they will invest capital in our North. Mr. Speaker, finally, what a change this would be to have Northerners reach out and assist businesses to relocate their industries here, rather than waiting by the phone and receiving nothing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.
