Bob McLeod

I guess that’s a direct reflection of the downturn in the economy. The production of diamonds was down and the sale of diamonds was down. So, consequently, the revenue collected from the certification program was down as well.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to advise that the consultation has been completed. We have confirmed a date to come back to the standing committee to report on the results of the consultation as per the direction we received from committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s our intention to do so. If the Member has any suggestions, we’d appreciate that as well.

I guess I see that as being part of the assessment. We do have an NWT Film Commission. Basically it provides liaison and provides advice to perspective filmmakers. So far, as the Member indicated, we do have three reality TV shows that have been operating in the North and we would like... I think obviously there are a lot of stories to be told up here, so we should take advantage of that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It depends on the initiative. So, for example, the small-scale foods, members of the public would apply on that. Some of the others are only for, I guess, industry types or government or communities, I would expect.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Because of the different projects we have been working on, we are looking at starting the review later this spring and it will be done internally. Our expectation or my expectation is we would look at what all of the different jurisdictions are doing. A lot of people are referencing what Yukon is doing or what Nunavut is doing. In the past, with support to the film industry, the biggest concern was we were just funding southern companies to come up and leave with the money in their pocket and there was no benefits remaining. Obviously times change and we were prepared to...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We do have a going forward agreement which has been renewed this year. I guess the potential is up to... The total amount in the going forward agreement is for $3.2 million over a four-year period.

The direction that I’ve provided to not only BDIC but also to the Department of ITI is that we want to work towards the objective of having an ongoing operation in every community in the Northwest Territories. So that’s our objective. We only have limited resources, so in the long term we are definitely interested in having something in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. We are working at establishing new economic development initiatives right now. We’re looking at establishing at least three every year. Ultimately we’ll have something in every community. Certainly if there is a business...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We don’t have an agreement finalized yet for this year and, according to the rules of the main estimates, we can’t put it in here until it’s signed off and agreed upon. So that’s why there’s nothing there this year. Through you, Mr. Chair, I’ll ask Ms. Magrum to give more detail on this area. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We have our senior management travelling to Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson as we speak. So I’m sure those kinds of opportunities will be brought to their attention. I think that any opportunities to increase the revenue stream of our businesses under the BDIC will be pursued.

As far as working with the co-op, we work with the co-op in a number of communities, so we can do that. In terms of directors of the various companies, we went out and advertised for volunteers to sit on the different companies because it was an Auditor General requirement, so most of the businesses are filled by...