Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s also Small Business Week and I want to join in saluting these local engines of our economies and communities.
As Members know from my many statements, small business is what it’s all about for a healthy and enduring economic future. Small businesses pour their benefits throughout our communities. They build the local tax base and grace our streets as a focus for not only our business but our social lives. Small businesses keep our dollars in the community to be spent again and multiply the benefits of local purchasing. Small businesses mean local jobs, providing opportunity, and allowing people to stay in their communities among their families and friends.
Small businesspeople are community-active people. They share their energy through volunteerism, contribution to local sports, cultural events and charities. Small businesses are contagious, providing customers and business partners for the growth of new firms to expand our economies.
As large projects come and go, small businesses provide the service base for the Northwest Territories workers we want living here at home and working on our major developments, not flying to their homes and provinces...
Mr. Bromley, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
I don’t mind saying that the small business community in my riding is amongst the most vibrant in Canada, certainly in Yellowknife. Our nutritious and renewable fisheries products come to the dockside in Weledeh for everyone to enjoy. Weaver and Devore is an historical business centrepiece of the city, the oldest continually operating business in Yellowknife. The traditions of bush pilots live on in the float bases that are the transportation mainstay and a tourism charm. Deton’Cho, the economic development arm of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, is establishing its place as a significant player in well-capitalized enterprises. Lutra Associates encompasses the meaning of progressive socio-economic policy development.
I could go on and on. They are all run by local people paying their taxes in the NWT and building our human and community capacity through their efforts.
We owe a lot to our small business entrepreneurs. Please join with me in congratulating them on their achievements and vital contributions, and thank you for your consideration in allowing me to conclude my statement.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. My apologies for that. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
