Finance committee  Typically it's the equipment.

Finance committee  It is through Northwestel, a subsidiary of Bell Canada.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  I think Canada overall has a bit of a concern and challenge with productivity, and initiatives such as those are not conducive to increasing Canada's productivity.

Finance committee  Actually, that's a really good question, because there are actually two issues on the table. Our penetration for broadband is excellent in the territory. We have very high accessibility and usage, and that creates our other challenge, and that is capacity. With increased usage, we don't have the capacity to support it.

Finance committee  In a very competitive job market, it is very difficult to attract good people. We also have to contend with the higher cost of living in the territories when we're trying to attract new skilled labour. That would definitely have an impact on our ability to attract.

Finance committee  We're not aware there has ever been one. There has been a strategy for the Yukon, but it's with the Yukon government. They have an internal strategy. There is, however, no Yukon-wide detailed strategy for the territory.

Finance committee  No, there isn't. I believe the September statistics indicate the unemployment rate is 5.1%, so we enjoy a very comfortable.... However, that does bring new challenges in terms of finding and hiring the people we need to fill the jobs that are available now.

Finance committee  Absolutely. I only highlighted the energy and the broadband telecommunications. However, we are challenged with affordable housing and housing that's affordable, which are two different things; one is social and one is general housing. Those are very large issues in the territory due to our increasing population.

Finance committee  Good morning. My name is Sandy Babcock, and I'm the president of the Yukon Chamber of Commerce. I apologize for my tardiness this morning. We have this great, exciting conference starting today, and my phone has not stopped ringing. My apologies. It is with deepest appreciation that we come before the committee to express our views for consideration in your pre-budget consultations.