Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is Small Business Week in Canada. Since its inception in 1979, Small Business Week has become a nation-wide celebration of entrepreneurship, organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada.
This year's theme is: "You're the Power Behind the Canadian Economy, Let's Share the Energy!"
Entrepreneurs have become the primary driving force behind our national economy by identifying and supplying market demands, responding to change, and being prepared to take risks. Nowhere, Mr. Speaker, is this
more apparent than here in the Northwest Territories, where 91 percent of our business community have annual sales under $1 million.
These small businesses are the foundation of our smallest and vibrant sectors, and key components of our emergence as a leader in resource exploration and development.
I would like to pay tribute today to the men and women who, as northern entrepreneurs, are transforming their ideas into solid business plans and providing the energy and innovation to fuel our competitive and prosperous northern business environment.
Our tourism industry, Mr. Speaker, is a prime example: built almost entirely on the commitment, hard work and endurance of small enterprises and their owner/operators.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, through its support of the NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation, and the Canada/NWT Business Service Centre, is committed to supporting and promoting small business in the NWT. We recognize small business is, and will continue to be, the backbone in the development and diversification of our rapidly growing northern economy.
The NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation facilitates access to capital for small businesses in the NWT by promoting business financial programs and assistance available from the GNWT, other governments, government agencies and the private market.
The Canada/NWT Business Service Centre offers a combination of products, services, publications and expert referrals to help clients get current and comprehensive business information on a wide range of topics, such as writing a business plan, starting a business, finding new markets and preparing for exporting.
Together, we are working to build a prosperous, diverse and sustainable business environment for the benefit of all residents of the Northwest Territories.
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