Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In honour of Small Business Week, I want to salute the local enterprises that are the basis of a stable and sustainable economy. Weledeh riding, as Members know, is not only the birthplace of Yellowknife’s small businesses, it remains the most diverse and vibrant small business centre of all ridings.
How so? It’s the cradle of our local aviation industry, today including Air Tindi, Arctic Sunwest, and individual operators. East Arm Freighting continues the vital barging business while Aurora Geoscience serves the mineral exploration industry. Deton Cho provides general contracting and construction services in joint venture with a host of local partners. Guy Architects, Pin Taylor and Nadji Architects provide internationally recognized design and construction services. Our longest continuously operating Yellowknife business, Weaver and Devore Trading Company, has served the North for more than 75 years.
Artisans and outlets abound: Down to Earth Gallery, Gallery of the Midnight Sun, Just Furs, Originals by T-Bo, the Gallery on 47th, Old Town Glass Works, and all the home ateliers – Chilly Chicken Creations, Tessa MacIntosh, Fran Hurcomb, Robert Wilson Photography, and many others.
The rich Great Slave Lake fisheries come ashore at Abbott’s and at Buckley’s. Sucker Birch Syrup is harvesting the northern woods.
The hospitality industry offers atmosphere and accommodation at the Bayside Bed and Breakfast, the Blue Raven, Chateau Nova, the Arnica Inn and, of course, that world-class wilderness retreat, Blachford Lake Lodge.
There’s excellent northern fare at the Dancing Moose Cafe, Noodle House and the renowned Bullock’s Bistro.
Quality Furniture has met Yellowknifer’s appliance and furniture needs for years. My own family’s business began there with my grandfather and father’s hardware store, today replaced by the water base.
Myriad enterprises remain to be acknowledged, but time does not permit their mentioning here. Major resource developments will certainly continue to support our economy for many years, but dollar for dollar, it’s the small, home-grown businesses in all our ridings that provide the greatest return in local employment, training, purchasing and community investment.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Communities rely upon our resident volunteers and leaders, and local businesses are the greatest contributors to charities and community initiatives. Local businesses are what take us through boom and bust. I ask you and all my colleagues to join me in doffing our hats to all of them.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
