Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, without question, non-governmental organization, or NGOs, provide essential and cost-effective services to the people of the Northwest Territories. These NGOs are sometimes a product of community-minded individuals who care about giving back to their fellow citizens, while other NGOs are creations of specialized services. What these NGOs contribute in taxpayer savings is hard to qualify, but it's sufficient to say that they can do much more with less than the GNWT can on any given day.

Mr. Speaker, last week in the House there was a heated exchange of questions around the GNWT procurement practices and the Business Incentive Policy. What was not mentioned, but is equally important, is the growing concern NGOs have with the current procurement policies and our BIP process. Touted as a "grey area" in the 17th Assembly, questions brought up went unanswered. Today, years later, the concept that NGOs are unable to apply for BIP status, thus excluding them from competitively applying in the GNWT procurement process, has gone unresolved.

Mr. Speaker, the government of the day claimed publicly that, because NGOs don't pay taxes and because some receive funding or non-cash incentives, NGOs are excluded from registering for BIP. They were told then, as they are today, that in order to survive in this competitive world they would have to create a commercial business arm of their mandate; incorporate; keep a separate set of books; and essentially, Mr. Speaker, forgo potential contribution programs or other governmental-based incentives. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, the Business Incentive Policy was on political shaky ground back in 2008 and for almost 10 years now has not been fully reviewed to keep up with the times. Furthermore, this policy is now in contravention of the Societies Act, where section 4 of this act clearly states the registrar can issue a certificate stating that the society is incorporated. Mr. Speaker, this act clearly demonstrates that a society or NGO can be deemed incorporated, yet our rigid and unfair Business Incentive Policy registration procedures doesn't recognize this law.

At the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, the NGOs are not looking for exclusivity in our procurement BIP policy process. They are merely looking for fair and competitive opportunity.

Mr. Speaker I will have questions later today for the Minister responsible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.