Debates of October 20, 2020 (day 40)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to gain a little bit of extra clarity. In relation to the good-faith deposit, the GNWT has collected roughly $225,000. I am wondering if there was an expense that the GNWT felt that they incurred by running the program that would justify keeping that? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are always some expenses that get incurred when programs are administered through the Government of the Northwest Territories. I am sure there is no exception to this one, but unless I look back over the last 10 years and am able to actually reconcile expenses versus program benefits, I am not going to be in a position. I certainly will do my best to go back to the department to see if we can provide that kind of reconciliation for the Member. Thank you.

I would speculate that the expenses to the department would be in the form of salary dollars to people who would remain employed whether or not someone was participating in the program. I can say that there may be business owners in our communities who have been hurt, not directly by the program, I will say, but by people not fulfilling their obligation to the agreement that was in relation to the program. These people have not been compensated through the good-faith deposit. What I am wondering is if there is a mechanism for people, for business owners within our communities, to receive compensation from the good-faith deposits?

It's a deposit, and it is a deposit that is regulating a relationship and a program between the department and an individual who is potentially going to immigrate here. Unfortunately, it is not a compensation mechanism. The compensation mechanism when an agreement between private entities goes awry is typically through the Department of Justice and through the court system or some other form of mediation or arbitration. Again, the service and the process of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment with respect to this program is to try to provide supports to the businesses that are potentially moving here, try to encourage that investment, try to encourage that growth in the community in the business sector. However, again, if there is a problem that arises between the two private entities, that is something that is not connected to this deposit. It unfortunately has to go through the same system as every other private dispute between parties.

I agree that immigration is a great thing, and I agree that the local business community is very excited to work with people who are coming to enrich the lives of Northerners and to add to our economy. I do not agree, though, that the sole focus or the only focus in this case of ITI is to support people who are involved in the program. ITI's job is to support also northern entrepreneurs and Northerners who are trying to make it as business owners, so what I am wondering is: what does the Minister of ITI suggest as far as how local business owners protect themselves in these business dealings with people who are participating in the program, potentially not fulfilling their obligations under the agreement, and then going home because international litigation is very costly and not affordable to local entrepreneurs to take part in? How does the Minister suggest that local entrepreneurs protect themselves in these business dealings?

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the comments around what makes it so positive to have a program like this. It is positive. There are labour shortages. There are gaps, and our businesses and business community here benefit from the strength and the diversity that we have by drawing people to the North to contribute to our economy, so it is a good thing. Mr. Speaker, we are no longer accepting these deposits. We are getting in line with what's happening in the rest of Canada and making ourselves a more attractive jurisdiction.

When there is a business here from someone who is a new resident, really, Mr. Speaker, I am not sure it's my role to give business advice directly from the floor to the business community. We have a strong and a vibrant business community, and they know as well, and better than me, the steps that they can take to draft contracts, to do their own due diligence, to require deposits, to have prompt invoicing. There are a host of things that the business community can and needs to do, and it is no different whether they should be using that due diligence and that caution vis-à-vis a business or an individual who is through this program or any other business. It's unfortunate if there has been a bad experience for someone with someone who may have been in the program. That is certainly not a story I want to hear of.

Mr. Speaker, this program is overall a success. It is going to be hopefully even more successful by being more competitive, without a deposit. The Department of ITI provides a number of business supports, as do so many of our business institutions, so it's my sincere hope that, as we go forward, our small-business community will be benefitted by this program in its new form.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's words, and I appreciate the fact that she does come from a very distinct legal background. I would like to suggest that, given that the North is definitely always looking for ways to build capacity and always looking for ways to empower local business owners, that potentially the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment can put some weight behind helping build that strength within the northern business community to make sure that everybody has tools at their disposal to set themselves up for success. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I hope we are ending on a good note because I absolutely agree with that suggestion. I will definitely go back to the department and ensure that we are making available through our channels and through partners in the community, such as the chambers, information about how to run a business, how to do the due diligence, and how to ensure that, when they enter into contracts with a new business, no matter where that business comes from, that they are doing so in a way that is going to be to the growth and the support of both of the businesses that are involved. Yes, I am more than happy to take that back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.