Debates of February 10, 2025 (day 41)

February
10
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
41
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek. Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendments Act, Carried
Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Partnership and Business Names Act, Carried
Committee Motion 72-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 279-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Member’s Statement 463-20(1): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Response to Power Outage in Fort Resolution
Member’s Statement 464-20(1): State of the Territorial Healthcare System
Member’s Statement 465-20(1): Inuvik Curling Team Success
Member’s Statement 466-20(1): Promoting Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 467-20(1): Funding for Childcare Providers
Member’s Statement 468-20(1): Aurora College Community Learning Centre Closures
Member’s Statement 469-20(1): Adult Education Opportunities in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 470-20(1): Best Practices in Denmark’s Healthcare System
Member’s Statement 471-20(1): Celebration of Life of Wallace (Wally) Watson
Minister’s Statement 90-20(1): Tsiigehtchic Hamlet Established
Question 462-20(1): Fort Resolution Replacement of Power Generators
Question 463-20(1): Availability of Primary Care Physicians
Question 464-20(1): The Role of the Public Administrator for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Question 465-20(1): Northwest Territories Early Learning and Childcare Agreement
Question 466-20(1): Aurora College Closure of Community Learning Centres
Question 467-20(1): Aurora College Closure of Community Learning Centres
Question 468-20(1): Housing Northwest Territories New Housing Builds in Inuvik
Question 469-20(1): Promoting Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the NWT
Question 470-20(1): Targeted Amendments To The Water Regulations
Question 471-20(1): The Role of the Public Administrator for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Question 472-20(1): The Role of the Public Administrator for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Question 473-20(1): Northwest Territories Early Learning and Childcare Agreement
Question 474-20(1): Family-Based Literacy and Learning Mode
Question 475-20(1): Budgeting Process for Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Tabled Document 282-20(1): Canada Energy Regulator’s 2023-24 Annual Report of activities under the Northwest Territories Oil and Gas Operations Act
Tabled Document 284-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act
Tabled Document 286-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Partnership and Business Names Act
Tabled Document 287-20(1): Dechinta Return on Investment Report
Written Question 13-20(1): Physician Staffing
Statements

Member’s Statement 466-20(1): Promoting Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the Northwest Territories

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to be talking about promoting entrepreneurship in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, quote, the Indigenous economy is about to take off. Mr. Speaker, this is according to a MacLean article from December 2024.

It is estimated that the potential value of the Indigenous economy in Canada is more than $100 billion. This is great news for the Indigenous population and businesses who, for far too long, were isolated from financial opportunities and success.

Mr. Speaker, a strong economic foundation is a priority of this Assembly. The Government of the Northwest Territories should promote entrepreneurship in our communities. I would like to know what the government is doing to prepare our young people to be entrepreneurs and to run businesses.

There are many constituents in my riding with ideas for small businesses, but they encounter roadblocks or need help with startup. They need guidance. Mr. Speaker, I do not want to see these ideas waste away. I do not want to see these opportunities lost. I would like to be assured that the Indigenous economy is about to take off here in the NWT as well and ensure that we are not missing out on what is expected elsewhere in Canada. I will have questions for the Minister of ITI at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.