Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to share my concern about a mindset that I have noticed taking hold over this government over the course of my time here. Increasingly, it appears as though the GNWT, under this Cabinet, considers its direct participation in the economy as increasingly important and the role of small and medium-sized businesses as becoming less important. I will give you some examples.

The GNWT purchased NTCL out of necessity. It was justifiable. However, in the years since the acquisition, we have seen the government using public money to actively compete with established companies in the private market. Concerns were also raised when MTS sold surplus barges and claimed that publicly advertising the sales was not necessary because those in the shipping industry were aware that MTS was selling equipment. However, after those sales were completed, someone who is very much in the shipping industry, completely unaware of the sales, asked me whether MTS was going to sell any of the surplus equipment or if it was going to keep it out of the hands of potential competitors, which is apparently what NTCL was known to do.

In addition to barging, the GNWT is also getting into manufacturing and construction. Earlier this year, MTS constructed their own modular office building. Why was it manufactured in-house instead of acquiring it from any of the three approved manufacturers in the territory? The answer provided: it was done to keep staff busy. Similarly, instead of putting an RFP out, the Department of Infrastructure decided to use its own people to tear down the old Hay River Hotel, also known as the Zoo.

During the life of this government, the GNWT has also announced its plans to manage a for-profit fish processing plant. Although it is supposed to be a partnership with the fishing industry, the GNWT is 100 percent behind the wheel. The changes at NTPC provide another example. Filling the board with deputy ministers has brought this market-driven corporation under GNWT control at the same time that NTPC is working to increase its market share by competing for contracts with private power distributors.

Contrast these moves, Mr. Speaker, with the government's position on procurement. Self-interest in terms of saving a couple of bucks always seems to trump supporting local businesses. I have made statements about this in the past, and this issue has been well-canvased by other Members during this sitting, so I won't go further into it. Government has a vital role in society, but making incursions into the private market is not one of them, especially at a time when we desperately need to diversify our economy by supporting small businesses.

This emerging mindset needs to be dealt with by the next Assembly before it becomes even more engrained and while there are still small businesses left to support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.