Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last Friday it was my privilege to be present when a local company, Fibreglass North, passed a northern business milestone. This company is comprised of some of those enthusiastic entrepreneurs of whom Mr. Pollard spoke earlier this session. They are now, with some assistance from Economic Development and Tourism, manufacturing fibreglass tanks at their factory here in Yellowknife.
On Friday, Mr. Speaker, the first water and sewer tanks were shipped from their factory to Fort Franklin, where they are destined to become part of Northwest Territories housing units.
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To date, Fibreglass North has won tenders for over 200 tanks and they expect to be successful on many more. Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that Fibreglass North has won tenders, which required tanks to be shipped to Churchill and Montreal for housing units in the eastern Arctic. In other words, they can manufacture in Yellowknife and still be competitive across Canada. Their goal is to supply, not only the north, but to compete in the provinces as well.
Mr. Speaker, this sort of enterprise is good for the north. Fibreglass North uses local suppliers in Yellowknife, the Patterson sawmill for their lumber, and they will use the rail line from Hay River to deliver their products across southern Canada. They have hired inexperienced people, trained them on-the-job, and now have a staff of 12 to 14 people, including five from Dettah. Their goal is to grow to an operation of 25.
Fibreglass North is owned by Sandra Elliot and Greg Mason, and managed by Bruce Elliot. Mr. Speaker, I wish them success and continued growth and I hope we will see more entrepreneurs starting businesses such as this to replace southern imports. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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