Has the Minister reached out to other jurisdictions and learned what they are doing with open government policies? I know that the federal government has made a commitment to having open government policy by next year.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister for Transparency and Public Engagement let members of the public and Members of this House know how the Open Government Policy is coming along? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, year on year, corporate tax revenue has shrunk. I think that sends a signal that we are losing investment. Measures like this send a clear signal that the North is open for business, and we aren't drawing much from our small tax, our small taxes anyway. It's a sacrifice that will result in economic growth. It's supported by many in the Northwest Territories, including our business community. I'd like the Minister to give a firmer commitment that it will be in the business plan for the fall sitting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, certainly, we on this side of the House can advocate for things, but the department needs to drive the bus. Will the department be bringing forward in their next business plan a tax cut for small businesses?

Not sure if that was a clear commitment to the recommendation, but I appreciate that the Minister's speaking about developing approach. Can I take that to mean that by the next budget, Mr. Speaker, we will have a small business tax cut continued in that budget?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I tabled some correspondence for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce that advocates to decrease the small business tax rates to two per cent, and the larger business tax rate by one per cent, which would give the Northwest Territories the lowest and most competitive tax rates for businesses in Canada. The Minister of Finance indicated he supports this recommendation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Deneen Everett, executive director for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. Thanks for doing all the hard work advocating for small businesses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, small business is the life blood of a diverse and thriving community. How well our economy is doing should be measured by private sector growth and job creation outside of the public service. Growing our private sector will increase competition and productivity, and give Northerners more choice for goods, services, and employment. These are real opportunities that this government cannot afford to ignore.

Mr. Speaker, this government has many programs that assist small businesses, but it needs to do more. Only by changing the foundation of our economy can we move forward. One solution is very simple: the government must send a strong signal that the NWT is open for business. Today, I am asking the government to keep its promise to Northerners and cut the tax rate for small businesses and make the NWT the most tax competitive jurisdiction in Canada's North.

No one can deny that small businesses create jobs, and in this year alone I have seen that happening all over my home community here in Yellowknife. From the restaurants now offering world-class gourmet fare, a brewery that soon will be expanding production, and a farmer's market that contributes nearly $1 million per year to the local economy, it is an easy thing to take pride in seeing all these entrepreneurs succeeding. I want to ensure this success and help all businesses reach their full potential and keep investing locally.

Mr. Speaker, this government ought to listen to local advocates for business. Yesterday, I tabled a letter from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce supporting a tax cut for their members and for all businesses here in the NWT. I want to thank the Chamber for their advocacy and again ask that this government be clear on delivering on its promise to cut taxes for small businesses.

Economic uncertainty is rife throughout the NWT, Mr. Speaker, both due to commodity prices and because of this government's unpredictability in its relationship with the private sector. That's why we need to assure potential investors and entrepreneurs that we are open for business and this is the best Northern territory to invest in. Mr. Speaker, let's be smart on our tax policy and provide the fuel for sustainable economic growth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note that the-- in our previous discussion, the Mining Incentive Program we have kind of a hard number that it-- $400,000 is given out but I think it's $1.2 million that it's oversubscribed by. That's like the total amount of activity it could contain. That's kind of the figure I'm looking for, just a sense of how many dollars are trying to access this fund and flow out of it. I take it that might not be readily available so I'm content to receive that from the department at a later date.

My last question is about the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre. The infrastructure of that building is going through some tough times right now. Is the department looking at working with the centre to repair that damage and stabilize the building through some of its contribution funding? Thank you, Mr. Chair.