SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The territory got a failing report card from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business but the City of Yellowknife got a decent review.

Amber Ruddy, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, is not impressed with the territorial government's hefty amount of red tape and lack of accountability. She was in town this week to meet with local government and businesspeople to find out what can be done. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Senior policy analyst Amber Ruddy was in town this week talking to businesses and government about ways to reduce red tape for small businesses.

In the CFIB's fifth annual Red Tape Report Card, the GNWT received the worst mark in Canada with not a single check mark against any of the CFIB's barometers.

Ruddy said the GNWT has shown "zero appetite for red tape reduction initiatives."

But despite the territorial government's poor review, the city fared well in the CFIB's latest entrepreneurial cities study which compares 122 cities in Canada.

"This year, Yellowknife placed 22nd," said Ruddy.

"That looks at ... the presence, the sheer number of startups; the perspective, how business owners are feeling in terms of their business health and also their policies, and that includes things like property taxes, what the difference between residents and business owners pay on the same size property, and also renting."

Deneen Everett, executive director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, said the city is a very healthy business environment.

"Of course, there are always obstacles for small businesses," said Everett.

"The Yellowknife chamber is always looking for ways to reduce any barriers."

Last year, the chamber hosted a red tape reduction round table during Small Business Week in October. Everett said Kerry-Lynne Findlay, minister of national revenue, attended and showed support.

"She was very receptive," said Everett. "The government was incredibly receptive to our ideas."

Ruddy said small businesses need a friendly regulatory environment because they are the backbone of communities.

"Small businesses are not only the backbone of the economy, they're also the heart and soul of our communities," said Ruddy.

"When you're looking at who's donating to local sports teams, who's funding local festivals, it's the investments that small businesses are making to support the livelihood of their employees and make their communities a better place.

"We really have to paint a better picture of what small businesses are doing."

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