Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I rise today, Madam Speaker, to talk about the existing classification of communities by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The system of classification of communities by the department was initiated in 1986 as part of the Economic Development and Tourism strategy. This classification system was used solely in relation to the business development fund policy.
In 1991, the communities were grouped into level I, level II and level III communities. In 1991, the policy was revised and the grouping of communities were made according to socio-economic indicators, such as population, per capita income, unemployment rates and the number of businesses in that community. If a business needed financial assistance from the department, they were required to contribute some form of equity. The equity requirements were determined by the community groupings. For example, residents in a level I community were required to put more money in than ones in a level III community.
When the business development fund was revised in September 1993, the requirement for grouping communities was also changed to recognize the level of existing business infrastructure in a community, and the road or transportation links into that community. This was done as a result of requests from clients and regional staff. That the policy better recognizes the potential for new economic and business development, rather than focus on the existing well-being of the community.
Under the 1993 revision, equity requirements remain linked to the community groupings, however the list of community groups was removed and instead the Minister issues instructions regarding the regrouping of communities whenever required.
Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.