Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to draw attention to the difficulty small businesses encounter when dealing with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, owning and operating a small business in this the Northwest Territories is no easy feat. Overhead costs are high, there are extreme labour shortages, and ongoing recovery from disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change impacts are very real scenarios. With these challenges, what these small businesses can do without is administrative burden that impedes their entrepreneurship.
Mr. Speaker, constituents in my riding have relayed the following examples to me highlighting their experience dealing with the Government of the Northwest Territories: .
It took 350 days to secure approval for road signage from the Department of Infrastructure, signage aimed at helping visitors arriving in Inuvik.
Local suppliers are being disqualified in the request for proposal process due to unrealistic requirements.
Having to wait 200-plus days to receive a response on an application for the ECE work subsidy program.
A broad and vague application of the market disruption clause in the ITI SEED program.
These are but a few examples, Mr. Speaker, and they hit on various departments across the GNWT.
Mr. Speaker, if we were serious about building a strong economic foundation and supporting businesses in the Northwest Territories, we need to alleviate pressures on entrepreneurs. The Government of the Northwest Territories shouldn't be a roadblock or barrier to running a business. What is being done to improve this situation by way of revising policies, Mr. Speaker, streamlining processes and ensuring that service standards are met?
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories red tape reduction working group was created in November 2020 to encourage entrepreneurship by reducing red tape and regulatory burdens on small businesses. I would like to get a sense on what this working group is doing to reduce red tape and the burdens facing small businesses, Mr. Speaker. I would have questions for the Minister of Finance. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Mackenzie Delta.
