Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The small business sector is one of the most critical to the health of the economy, especially in the Nahendeh riding. Small businesses make great contributions to Nahendeh communities. Although the population is small, these communities are the scene of a surprising amount of activity.
The Liard River crossing is the second busiest river crossing in the Northwest Territories. The Nahanni National Park, with the NWT’s highest mountains and largest glaciers, attracts close to 1,000 visitors every year. The oil and gas and mineral development is becoming increasingly important in the region.
Small businesses respond to the needs of a wide range of goods and services. Small businesses are community builders. They are owned and operated by people who invest in the community and make it their home. They offer employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities and valuable local knowledge. Many young people’s first employers are the local, small business owners. Local apprenticeship opportunities help create a sense of pride in their work and in their town.
In the 2006 Deh Cho Regional Development Strategy, it highlighted small business as one of the key areas for development. ITI committed to make resources available to hold small business workshops, promote entrepreneurship, facilitate meetings between industry, business and Aboriginal organizations and provide business owners with access to capital. Right now businesses in the Nahendeh region and the Deh Cho region make up only about 6 percent of all businesses in the NWT, but that will change as we look forward to future development of the Prairie Creek Mine and other developments in the southern Northwest Territories. There is a great potential for further small business development in forestry and agriculture. Our people and our small businesses are at the core of our economy. I ask the GNWT to continue to do all it can to help small businesses throughout the NWT and especially in the Nahendeh riding. I also would like to commend all the small business owners in my region and throughout the North for continuing to do their best for the residents of Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
