NWT Chamber calls for stability in Legislative Assembly
February 4th, 2009
The NWT Chamber of Commerce is appealing to regular MLAs to stand in support of the Territorial Cabinet when this Friday’s motion of non-confidence goes to a vote.
“We are all facing tough economic times around the Territories thanks to the global financial crisis,” said NWT Chamber President Ann Marie Tout. “It is imperative that our leaders stand together and face these challenges head on during this critical period.”
The Chamber also issued a similar call for stability when the coalition of opposition parties threatened to highjack control of the federal government.
“At the federal level cooler heads seemed to have prevailed, Ottawa is again functioning and now we have budget that should help keep Canadians working,” she said.
In the case of the federal government, the budget passed only after an amendment to ensure more accountability and transparency was made by the official opposition.
“There are avenues open to the regular MLAs to seek accountability through a similar requirement for the Cabinet, such as mid-term reviews for example,” said Tout. “Hopefully our MLAs will recognize they are there to work together for the good of the entire Northwest Territories.”
The Chamber is further concerned that if the government falls this week, it would greatly hinder the NWT’s chances of being named as the headquarters for the Northern regional development agency recently outlined in the federal budget.
“Given the NWT’s reputation of already being closed for business due to our poor regulatory regime, this isn’t a step our leaders can afford to take,” said Tout.
In association with the network of community Chambers of Commerce in Fort Simpson, Behchoko, Norman Wells, Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife as well as the Northern Aboriginal Business Association, the NWT Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of more than 865 members.
For more than 35 years, it has been the only pan-territorial voice of businesses across all sectors of the Northern economy.
