Glen Abernethy

Agreed. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Aumond.

Thanks to the Minister for that. I agree with him. Anybody can move and live anywhere they want within this country and I agree that Yellowknife is a great place. My question was more specific. It’s what are we going to do -- and I understand a lot is being done -- but what are we going to do to expedite this revitalization? What is the Minister proposing now? Are there meetings taking place? What’s happening to revitalize this industry in the Northwest Territories today? Because people who want to stay -- and I stress want to be here in the Northwest Territories -- are leaving. What are we...

Agreed. Okay, let’s turn back to page 4-2. This is Municipal and Community Affairs, department summary, infrastructure investment summary, total infrastructure investment summary, $40.140 million.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for ITI and are a follow-up to my Member’s statement. As mentioned in my statement, it appears as though former GNWT employees have taken the lessons learned as part of the NWT secondary diamond industry and are applying them in other jurisdictions. These southern operations appear to be successful. If this knowledge works in other jurisdictions, why does the NWT secondary industry continue to struggle while others grow and what is the Minister’s department doing to revitalize the NWT cutting and polishing...

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Aumond.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister Robert C. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk a little about the secondary diamond industry in the Northwest Territories, specifically the cutting and polishing plants.

The Northwest Territories is a leader in the diamond industry within Canada. The North was the first jurisdiction to bring cutting and polishing of Canadian diamonds to Canada. Bringing the industry here wasn’t without significant challenges, many of which the Territory and the company cutting and polishing diamonds overcame. Others are still posing challenges.

As a government, we provided funding, facilitated training...

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister Miltenberger.