Bob McLeod

Mr. Speaker, when diamonds were first discovered ten years ago and we developed our diamond policy, we concluded that we would maximize benefits to the Northwest Territories by having an allocation of diamonds provided for the Northwest Territories and developing a secondary manufacturing industry. We are now reviewing our policy. If it comes out that a diamond bourse would provide additional benefits to the Northwest Territories over and above what we already have, then certainly we will look at that as part of our review of our diamond policy.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recognize the difference between a province and a territory. Ontario as a province can collect royalties on diamonds that are being produced, so we have to find other ways to maximize benefits to the Northwest Territories. One of the ways we have done that is by requiring an allocation from the diamond mines and establishing a secondary diamond industry. So that is how we’re maximizing our benefits.

We had people attend the diamond bourse hearings that were held so that we could stay on top of it and monitor what was going on with regard to the diamond...

We would look at that where it’s feasible. I know that in some instances we do have sewage pickup. I don’t know how feasible it is if they have to travel long distances to go to a campsite, but we’re prepared to look at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize that the NWT highway system has long stretches of road without communities or other identifying points of interest in between. We work very closely with the Department of Transportation so that our travelling public and tourists that come up here can have points of interest identified to them and we can make stops available to them when nature calls — also that they can stop safely. We’re working with the Department of Transportation so that we can strategically identify and place pullouts. As funding becomes available, we can put in place rest stops and...

Mr. Speaker, I guess the way I look at it is that the majority of the diamonds produced in Canada are produced in the Northwest Territories, and if we wanted to develop a diamond bourse and it was concluded that it would be something that would be worthwhile and would benefit the residents of the Northwest Territories, then we would look at doing something similar. But this was a Government of Ontario initiative. They had hired a consultant that went around and held hearings, so we went and listened and heard what people were saying.

Since diamonds were discovered in the Northwest Territories ten years ago, the Government of the Northwest Territories has been working very hard to maximize the benefits of the diamond industry for NWT residents and businesses.

In particular, we’ve been successful in developing a secondary manufacturing industry here in the North. I’m very proud to say that it’s well recognized within the diamond industry that this has worked very well, and it’s being adopted by other countries that have diamonds. As far as reviewing our policies, it is has been ten years, so it is important work that has to...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation 2006–2007 Annual Report.

Document 104-16(2), NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation 2006–2007 Annual Report, tabled.

The Government of Ontario looked at establishing a diamond bourse so that smaller jewellery companies could find a place to buy diamonds. As far as I know, the report has not been submitted as of yet. As soon as that’s available, we’ll make sure that it’s available to all the Members of the Assembly. We will be giving a briefing to the standing committee next week on the diamond policy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Member that we are the diamond capital of North America, but we don’t have a monopoly on diamonds. We recognized that other provinces and territories would be finding diamonds and developing their diamonds as well.

It’s been ten years since we had the good fortune of having diamonds discovered in the Northwest Territories. We are now undertaking a policy review of diamonds and will be looking forward to getting input from the Members. We are in the process of developing a discussion paper which will help guide us in our review.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this Assembly that the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation, in partnership with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Aboriginal Business Canada, will be hosting the third biennial Northern Economic Development Practitioners Conference in Yellowknife from December 1 to 4, 2008.

The theme for NEDP 2008 is Building Northern Capacity — an excellent fit with this Assembly’s goals and priorities for the development of our economy and our people.

Northern economic development...