Absolutely.
Thank you for the opportunity of being a witness this evening. I will do a brief introduction, and then Mr. Runyon will read through our presentation.
We're here to say that business in the north is not an easy task. I joined the Chamber of Commerce five years ago as its president, but I've been in business for 24 years. It's been a challenge. I continue to be in business in Whitehorse, but it has been a challenge.
It's an ongoing challenge for the business community to do well in Yukon. We have been told that we have a $1-billion budget. But that $1-billion budget is not getting down to the small business person. As you will hear, we are primarily government-run, and small businesses have a serious challenge in Yukon.
We're hoping that this panel can help make some adjustments to that, make some changes to that, and support the small business community throughout the north.
Having said that, the chamber movement throughout the north is about working together. We have a meeting coming up December 4, where the chambers from Labrador and northern Quebec, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon will be meeting. We'll be discussing specific issues related to small business throughout the north.
This is a significant issue to us as a chamber. The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce represents over 400 businesses in Whitehorse, and many of the challenges that we have are significant challenges throughout the north as well.
Not to take too much more time here, because I'm sure we will have some questions and answers, I'll turn it over to Richard to read through our presentation.