Madam Speaker, the North has an abundance of wealth; rich mineral deposits like the diamonds, oil and gas and lots of fresh water and some beautiful, beautiful land. Aboriginal northern businesses have put a lot blood, sweat, equity and tears into the business. They have contributed actively to their communities and to their regions. These home-grown businesses have spent a lot of their money on our economy. It is money made from our economy that stays in our economy.

Madam Speaker, northern businesses also provide their staff and our community members with a decent wage. However, Madam Speaker, all too often we see southern businesses get a stronghold in the communities. They disguise themselves as northerners with a mere 10 percent investment or a joint venture to local businesses. They come in and scoop all the business; they hire staff at lower wages and pit one business against the other. They don't have to worry about the high cost of overhead like our local businesses do. They don't have to pay the high cost of living in our northern communities as our northern businesses do. The money they earn goes to the southern pockets and the shareholders and not into our northern economy.

In our democratic society, Madam Speaker, I believe everyone should be able to participate in the wealth of the Territories equally and fairly. Our government used to help northern businesses attract southern investment, however, they need to be community-based controlled that benefits the regions or the communities. We will not sell out for the sake of doing business in the North.

Madam Speaker, we need protection to make sure that all we can all profit from the abundant wealth that we have up here and that it stays in our communities and with our people. Mahsi cho.

---Applause