Current Press Releases

YELLOWKNIFE (January 29, 2009) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking the input of Aboriginal and business stakeholders on proposed changes to its Business Incentive Policy (BIP).

The changes would improve competition on major infrastructure projects in the Northwest Territories (NWT) while ensuring opportunities and benefits continue to be maximized for NWT residents, communities and regions.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), the Honourable Bob McLeod says the GNWT must be vigilant in ensuring that its programs and services reflect changing times and the evolving roles of government and procurement practices.

“The GNWT is committed to sustainable economic development in the NWT,” Minister McLeod said. “But we must also be mindful of the need to minimize costs on major infrastructure, in response to tightening budgets. The input and feedback we receive will ensure that this longstanding policy commitment continues to support the development of a healthy private sector.”

Proposed changes have been developed to address three key issues related to the current policy:

• a lack of competition on major projects (over $5 million) in the NWT;
• concern from NWT community governments that the BIP is undermining their authority over government funding they receive for operations; and
• an identified need to strengthen support to NWT resident-owned small businesses.

Additional changes will also be considered to bring the policy in line with more recent GNWT policy formats.

“The NWT’s economy has matured greatly in the last 10 years,” Minister McLeod said. “Small businesses have developed in number and capacity, and the role of government procurement in the economy has changed.”

Proposed revisions to the BIP support ongoing GNWT efforts to refocus areas of service delivery and infrastructure management to ensure affordable and effective government operations.

Individuals interested in providing input into the GNWT’s consultation can do so by contacting their regional ITI Superintendent or the BIP Monitoring Office in Yellowknife.

For more information, contact:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
(867) 920-8696
(867) 445-3739 cell
drew_williams@gov.nt.ca