Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is Small Business Week across Canada and specifically I want to acknowledge Small Business Day tomorrow, October 25th. Small business in Canada is defined as having from five to 100 employees, but small business owners represent the best of the Canadian spirit. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, job creators and an integral part of our communities, large and small. From coast to coast to coast, Canadian small businesses help drive local economies and keep our communities strong.
Small businesses with less than 50 employees, including businesses with no employees, represent almost 98 percent of the total business establishments in Canada; 98 percent. Across the NWT there are hundreds of hardworking small business owners. In my Frame Lake riding alone, at last count, there are over 50 small businesses.
The GNWT has recognized the need to create a better environment for small and medium-sized business by taking a number of actions, including the launch of a new Invest NWT website. However, a quick scan of this website shows that it leaves much to be desired in terms of serving the needs of small business owners. Website resources are outdated and include information about non-existent groups.
Let’s talk about what small businesses really need in terms of support from government. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business – the big voice for small business in Canada – has called on the GNWT for further action in the following areas: First, the NWT’s small business tax rate is one of the highest in northern and western Canada. CFIB advocates reducing taxes by lowering the small business income tax from 4 percent to zero. Second, there’s been no action on regulatory reform by the territorial government, although it was talked about over a year ago. This government can help small business by cutting red tape through a meaningful and sustained regulatory review effort. Third, the shortage in qualified labourers is becoming worse in the NWT. The GNWT should introduce a training tax credit for small business as a way of recognizing the time and cost that small businesses invest in training their employees.
Tomorrow is Small Business Day for 2013. I encourage all NWT residents to help small business in your community by shopping small tomorrow and whenever you shop in your community, shop small business. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Before we continue on Members’ statements, I would like to welcome into the House Mr. Leon Lafferty, a former Member. Welcome back to the House, Mr. Lafferty.
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The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
