A government advisory group is calling for significant investment in northern infrastructure that would include tax breaks to companies setting up shop in the territories.
The National Aboriginal Economic Development Board says a lack of adequate ports, airport runways, roads, bridges, and reliable access to the Internet keeps communities from developing sustainable economies in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, as well as in Nunavik in northern Quebec and Nunatsiavut in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Much of the current stock of infrastructure is in poor shape and is at risk of also being impacted by climate change,” says a report released Jan. 20.
“It will not be enough to just patch up the existing stock of infrastructure ... that does not even adequately meet current needs.”
The board, which advises the federal government on indigenous economic development, says “bold investment” is required, but it doesn’t attach a price tag. Instead, it focuses on the benefits of government investment and argues that every dollar spent on northern infrastructure returns $22 to Ottawa in economic spinoffs.
The report also recommends the Liberal government offer some tax incentives to companies that set up operations in the North to “level the playing field.” While residents can claim a tax deduction of $8.25 a day, there is no comparable tax break for industry.
