Thank you very much,

Mr. Speaker. I would like to add my voice to the maintenance and continuation of our Business Incentive Program. I know that the contracts that have very high costs, such buildings and big projects — there is a premium cost to those. In the communities in my riding these projects are few and far between, and when we do get them, like a new ECE building, we want the opportunity to be competitive. The Business Incentive Program allows this: the people and businesses with home bases to be able to compete with southern and/or outside contractors.

There are many success stories when we apply the rules, guidelines and procedures of our BIP to our contracts. The biggest success is the small contracts that allow the small businesses to compete for contracts and opportunities. The way that this happens is that local contractors can buy local. Sure, we will pay a premium, but we share what we have in our communities. That, right there, Mr. Speaker, is something that a southern or outside company cannot do.

Once again, I am in support of keeping our Business Incentive Program. I know that the premium cost is an issue, but not for me. If we have local jobs and local investments, then it's a cost that I am willing to support. Mahsi cho.