Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, summer students that are interested in looking for a job with the Government of the Northwest Territories can register on the summer student database and have their names registered. Departments identify summer student jobs and the relevant experiences and skills required, and all departments have delegated staffing authority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kristin has made the Northwest Territories proud with both her wonderful achievement and her great sportsmanship. Congratulations, Kristin.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly we want to maintain and maximize benefits to our northern workforce and northern businesses, so we take whatever steps and tools that are available to us to ensure that we maximize those benefits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories still has the Business Incentive Policy in place and operational. It provides a 15 percent preference for BIP approved companies; as well, a further 5 percent local preference for businesses from the local community. If a company comes in from the south and puts in a bid, the local companies have a 20 percent northern preference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We operate in an environment where we have a number of internal trade agreements and we follow those conventions although we do have, through the Agreement on Internal Trade, the Northern Preference Policy is grandfathered. But certainly our existing programs already recognize what the Member is suggesting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a number of tools at our disposal. Primarily we have a Negotiated Contracts Policy whereby we can negotiate or limit tenders to northern businesses that we have MOUs, and contracting with a number of aboriginal governments, and also we use the standing offer agreements with local businesses. As well, we can buy locally up to $5,000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to recognize my biggest supporter and wife of 35-plus years, Melody McLeod. Also, my sister-in-law, Evelyn McLeod, former long-time resident of Yellowknife who now lives in Cambellford, Ontario. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, this evening the francophone population of the Northwest Territories will honour their own with the first Francophone Entrepreneurial Awards. These awards will not only identify outstanding francophone businesses, but will highlight the importance of French entrepreneurs in developing the economy of the Northwest Territories.

French entrepreneurs have been active in the North for over 300 years. It is good to see that their efforts are being acknowledged. The event will be held here in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly and hosted by Counseil de developpement economique des...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we investigate these types of complaints or businesses, we use spirit and intent. The whole spirit and intent of the Business Incentive Policy is to provide for northern preference. Certainly we would investigate and our normal practice is if they don’t meet the criteria, then they wouldn’t be eligible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We actually have people right on the ground that can go and investigate the business to make sure that there are products that are being sold, that they are sold here from an establishment in the Northwest Territories. As well, we do a check on the individual’s involvement in the business. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.