We can always use extreme cases, so I will not respond to that, Mr. Chairman. The reality is that there are a number of businesses that are being created over the Northwest Territories that are both aboriginal and non-aboriginal that are homegrown that would not have come about without the courageous policies that were put in place by my predecessors and the continuation with this current government. As one who has been in the private sector and has seen it over the last 20 to 25 years when outsiders came in, time and time again, and took the jobs away from the people I represent and from the industry that I was involved in, I would suggest to you that the policies put in place by our predecessors are the ones right now that were in part responsible for the fact we now have a fairly vibrant private sector that is homegrown in the Northwest Territories. I will not get emotional about it, but I will answer the question, Mr. Steen and ask him if this will partially satisfy him because I know, in fairness to my honourable colleague, it is a very important issue in his eyes. I will try to determine and I will take the responsibility to determine what the level of premium we pay on an annual basis because of the BIP. Would that satisfy him?
John Todd on Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on January 29th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
January 28th, 1998
Page 428
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.