Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last Saturday night the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce named Det’on Cho Corporation Business of the Year.
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Thank you, colleagues. This comes right after another achievement. In June, Profit Magazine included the Det’on Cho Corporation on its list of the 500 fastest growing Canadian businesses.
Twenty-five years ago, Det’on Cho started out with a $15,000 grant. Over the last five years, their revenues have nearly quadrupled and they now have four fully owned subsidiaries and interest in 12 other local businesses. The company directly employed more than 360 workers this summer. Perhaps most impressive is that nearly 90 percent of their employees are from the North. That is more than double what the diamond mines are reporting. Det’on Cho is showing that a northern business with northern employees can be successful. And all those northern employees are contributing to our community, not only through the income taxes they pay but by shopping locally, volunteering and raising their families here.
Det’on Cho’s most recent project, the 5.9 kilometre bypass around Giant Mine, is being technically challenging and its completion will be an impressive achievement. It has been a great opportunity to enhance local technical capacity, such as with the intersection with Highway No. 3, and the design and construction of a bridge over Baker Creek. They have provided work opportunity for 11 northern companies on the project. The bypass road is expected to open in time for the winter road traffic. Given that the highway travels over the height of land in the area, I look forward to being able to see the entire Weledeh riding spread out before me.
The success of the Det’on Cho Corporation says a lot about the leadership they have. CEO Roy Erasmus Jr. has put a lot of passion and energy into it and the results speak for themselves. Congratulations to Yellowknives Dene First Nations, Roy and all the Northerners who work at Det’on Cho. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
