Debates of March 30, 2004 (day 11)

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I, too, rise and I would like to talk about the business incentive policy. That is of great concern to residents and businesses I represent in the Nahendeh riding. They have indicated to me that they want the BIP enforced and used at all times. It was put into place to recognize the high costs of our northern contractors who have to endure year-round costs where southern competitors don’t pay taxes here or have overhead. The North is a great place to live, but if we don’t keep and utilize the business incentive program, the whole of the NWT will just become a satellite community for southern companies.

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Government is supposed to work for the good of our people and here is an example of a good program being put by the wayside. If the business incentive policy is costing the government money, they have yet to show us.

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If this is true, then we will have to revisit how we best support and affirm our businesses by our business incentive policy. Mahsi cho.

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