Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, certainly, from my perspective as a committee member who was involved in the BIP review and watched government's ill-fated attempt to do away with the BIP the last time, I think the one thing that was obvious to me was that if you propose doing away with the BIP and leave a vacuum, you're likely not to get much political support. I think what we've recognized, and I've had discussions with the Minister of Finance about this, that one of the possible options is to replace the BIP with a tax cut for all NWT businesses. A 50 percent tax cut in terms of small business tax rate is one of the options we're considering. I think that's significant; I think it would have an impact not only on those who do business with the GNWT, but on those who do business in the NWT more generally. So this is one of the options we're considering. We think it would go a large measure toward equalling the playing field, and I'm hopeful that the consultations will go positively. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Brendan Bell on Question 389-15(4): Business Interest In Business Incentive Policy
In the Legislative Assembly on February 13th, 2006. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 389-15(4): Business Interest In Business Incentive Policy
Question 389-15(4): Business Interest In Business Incentive Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 12th, 2006
Page 957
See context to find out what was said next.