In the photo above, NWT Chamber ED James O'Connor reviews the Jan. 16 business column in News/North detailing concerns with increases to the Carbon Tax, alongside a written submission from NWT Chamber President Yanik D'Aigle on the same topic. The NWT Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Government Operations was discussing how members will vote later this winter on Bill 60: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, which responds to the feds' new mandate coming on April Fools' Day. To read the Chamber's Jan. 30 follow-up column from the hearing, click here.

Post-secondary positives

A key goal of a polytechnic university is to train graduates for current and future jobs. With the ability to design and deliver a full suite of educational programming, Aurora College will be able to respond more nimbly to changing economic conditions and needs of communities.

Aurora College can strengthen existing industry and community connections through career-focused polytechnic education that meets labour market needs.

That's from The Conference Board of Canada's new report highlighting benefits of a polytechnic university for the NWT.

Indigenous people strengthen fur traditions in anti-fur world

The NWT's department of finance notes while trapping doesn't make up a huge part of the territory's total economy, it's a sector that is important to many residents — especially those in smaller communities — for food, clothing and income.

As CBC Radio in Ottawa reports NWT Arts Manager Johanna Tiemessen helps small communities turn their lifestyles on the land — through activities like hunting, trapping and fishing — into economic opportunities. She also helps artists using these materials bring their work to market. 

Plug in, head out

NWT residents can once again receive $5,000 rebates for the purchase of some new electric vehicles, a program that stopped midway through 2022.

Cabin Radio reports Arctic Energy Alliance, which offers the rebates, says GNWT funding was not renewed at the time but new money has been found. Electric bikes, snowmobiles and ATVs will also qualify from April.

Red-tape reduction reaps national recognition

Our territorial government takes home the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's 2023 Golden Scissors Award for its strong efforts to identify and reduce red tape.

"The GNWT is being recognized for making red tape reduction a priority through its Red Tape Reduction Working Group and its online portal for the public to submit their feedback on red tape irritants," the group stated.

The NWT Chamber has consistently advocated for the reduction of bureaucratic impediments and regulatory burdens for businesses of all sizes. The 19th Assembly displayed leadership on this issue with the introduction of its Red Tape Reduction Working Group in 2021, which the NWT Chamber was a part of.

Black History Month by the numbers for business

Each February, Statistics Canada commemorates Black History Month by highlighting the contributions, achievements, and realities of Black Canadians through data and statistics.

Learn more about the Black Canadian community with these useful resources:

• By the numbers features new information on Black Canadians from Census 2021 data.
• Black History Month: Honouring and Celebrating Black People in Canada is an article that explores changes in the socioeconomic situation of Canada's Black population, and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made to the history and continued growth of this country.
• Statistics Canada's Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics Hub, is a central location for data related to racialized groups, children and youth. 

StatsCan believes better data leads to better decision making. For a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of Black Canadians and other specific population groups, Statistics Canada has developed its Disaggregated Data Action Plan (DDAP).

POLLING THE CHAMBER

The new location for the weekly Member Survey:

Last fall, the C.D. Howe Institute found Canada is well placed to promote small modular reactors (SMR).

Since 2017, the GNWT has been part of a working group looking at the possibility of SMRs, reported CBC North.

North of 60 Mining News noted last year that Westinghouse has designed eVinci SMR to be a safe, and reliable source of power, particularly for remote locations, such as mines.

Reports have shown the perception of nuclear in the North is negative and there would need to be significant education in order to garner community buy-in — critical among the First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations.

Last month, the Angus Reid Institute found Canadians are least supportive of the expanded use of fracking and coal mining, but three-in-five people across the country (the territories were not represented in the poll) want further development of nuclear power in the country.

AND THE SURVEY SAYS

Results will appear here next Friday.

NORTHERN QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

"Congratulations. So great to see a new business venture in town."

— One of many supportive posts on the Fort Smith Community Bulletin Board after news came of the Feb. 1 opening of Aunty’s Korner Store.

“The North Slave Metis Alliance is proud to have participated in the development of the initiative to create a strategy to increase Indigenous participation in Northern Remediation Projects. This initiative aligns with our culture and values of preserving the natural environment and bringing the land back to its natural state.”

— John Hazenberg, Head of Business Development, North Slave Metis Alliance, reacting to CanNor's funding announcement this week.

SOCIAL POST OF THE WEEK:

2022 Field Law Community Fund Program winners

Friday Futures:

An online presentation for NWT Chamber members entitled Meeting the Needs of Northern Business' Labour Demand with a federal expert in the field of immigration streamlining for skilled workers looking to work in the NWT, followed by a Q&A session, is being organized for next month.

Fiona SmytheWilson works with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and will be available via Microsoft Teams during the week of March 6, 13, or 20 for businesses in a position to help fill the labour shortage with international workers.

Please let your Executive Director know what date or range of dates would work best for you, or one will be arranged avoiding known activities that could pose a time conflict. Thanks to the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency for facilitating this opportunity.

The next NWT Chamber Board Meeting is February 15 at 11am in-person or Zoom

THE NWT CHAMBER SINCERELY THANKS

OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Inquire with the NWT Chamber's Executive Director about sponsorship and newsletter advertising opportunities. We also offer limited numbers of EBlasts to members each month and promoted social media posts can be arranged.

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