Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The International Monetary Fund is calling the pandemic's devastation of the global economy "the great lockdown." Its impacts are predicted to be worse than both the 2009 great recession and the Great Depression of the 1930s. According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canada's economic contraction during the second quarter of 2020 is estimated to be a staggering 25 percent due to COVID-19 shutdowns. The Conference Board is at least optimistic that a rebound will start later in the year, but by this time many businesses and the jobs they bring will be beyond devastated.

As I said yesterday, NWT businesses need aggressive, innovative stimulus programs and an influx of cash to start the long journey of regeneration of our northern economy. Today, I urge Cabinet to do more for northern business. I understand the GNWT has chosen to complement the federal government's COVID business relief measures. While this makes sense, it also makes it difficult for NWT business owners to know exactly what programs are available. Some of the federal programs available to NWT businesses include:

• the temporary wage subsidy for small employers and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy;
• the Canada Emergency Business Account;
• the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance;
• the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee Program; and
• support for jobs and businesses coping with the economic impacts of COVID-19 through CanNor and Community Futures.

The GNWT has paired a waiver of transportation fees until the end of June for the Deh Cho Bridge tolls, truck permits, and airport landing fees; improved payment terms by the GNWT for government vendors; a due-date extension for WSCC employer premiums; a waiver of airport fees for all businesses at NWT airports, including leases, licences, and concession fees; and the buy-back of unopened liquor from licenced establishments. I don't claim that this is a full list of supports currently available, because I cannot find a list on the GNWT website. This list was built by tuning into the Prime Minister's daily federal updates. I strongly urge the government to pull this information together and make it easily visible and accessible for NWT business operators.

I must echo my colleague from Yellowknife Centre, who asked why the GNWT isn't making grant money available to NWT businesses through the BDIC's $30-million surplus. Many business owners simply cannot afford to take on more debt, no matter how favourable the terms of the loan. I would like to see the GNWT take an inventory of business supports being offered by other Canadian jurisdictions to inspire more innovative and impactful recovery supports. For example, the Alberta government subsidizes WCB to cover 50 percent of employer premiums for 2020 and deferred premium payments until 2021. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted