Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have some numbers I want to share; 97 per cent, that is the percentage of Canada's economy made up of small business; 70 per cent, that is the percentage of labour force made up of small business; 30 per cent, that is the percentage of Canadians who have started their own business; and a number that I find most interesting, Mr. Speaker, 68 per cent, the percentage of Canadians who want to start their own business and be their own boss someday.

These stats may not be the same in the North, but they certainly indicate the potential for opportunity. However, these numbers are being threatened, Mr. Speaker. The federal government is proposing new tax revisions to small business. These revisions are being termed as corrections to "loopholes." The federal government suggests that these revisions are necessary and will balance the tax contributions between middle-income earners and what the feds term as wealthy business owners. Now, while these measures might be seen as fair by some, the fact is we are a very small jurisdiction in the North. Those tax changes will apply to our small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, by and large small businesses in the NWT are not wealthy, and they certainly do not get sick days, maternity and paternity leave, health benefits, or unemployment insurance. Honestly, the struggle of a small business owner today is trying to squeeze a living into the margin somewhere between income and expenses.

In the North we have a higher cost of doing business, higher transportation costs, higher utilities, higher labour rates, and now a new federal carbon tax coming. With all these factors narrowing that margin, the ability to earn an actual living as a small business owner is becoming more and more difficult.

Our government has been doing good work to support small business and, as we continue to broaden, diversify, and invest in our economy, small businesses will become more and more important and necessary. In most of our small communities, small businesses offer one of the only ways to create jobs and keep communities sustainable and vibrant.

Mr. Speaker, this new federal tax regime brings a lot of apprehension and concern to small business in the North. We cannot continue to sit on our hands with this matter. We need to stand behind the small business community. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Premier. Thank you.