Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t going to ask any questions but I have to just not listen to another set from Mr. Hawkins. My questions today are for the Minister of ITI. It has been very well publicized that Harry Winston is becoming a larger player in the diamond mining in the Northwest Territories with interest, and potential interest, in at least two diamond companies. I’d like to ask the Minister of ITI if he is able to update this House and the public on what the status is on the purchase of the Diavik Diamond Mine at this time.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. David Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as we know, the sale is moving forward. There were some legal issues earlier on but, for all intents and purposes, the sale is progressing. We have recently met with Harry Winston, soon to be Dominion Diamond Mining, and we wish them well in their pursuits in the Northwest Territories.
Of course, because of the importance of diamond mining in the Northwest Territories to our NWT economy, I am sure we all wish them well. When the Minister says he had a meeting with them, I have a question about what our government is saying with regard to the socio-economic agreements that were put in place with the original companies. How does that work? When we have those agreements, the mine’s up and running, we don’t have the same kind of leverage. Now we’re talking about changing hands from one owner to another.
How is the interest of the northern content, and northern employment and northern benefits in those diamond mines maintained when the operation changes hands?
The agreements would stay in place with the new owners. We’re very encouraged with what Harry Winston has been discussing with us in terms of northern workforce development and also the provision of perhaps having a rough supply here in Yellowknife for local cut and polish companies to avail themselves of. It’s all very encouraging and I think we have a lot to look forward to with Harry Winston, Dominion Diamond, being involved in the diamond industry here in the Northwest Territories. That agreement the Member spoke of will go with the sale.
So just to be certain then, I want to confirm with the Minister, the transfer of that socio-economic agreement to the new owner, is that accomplished by any kind of legal instrument or is that just by their commitment in the way of good will?
I believe it would just be through commitment and willingness to take on that agreement.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I’ll be interested in monitoring how that goes, that agreement, that commitment that the Minister is talking about, because I have already started to hear rumblings, some very strange rumblings with regard to the commitment to the socio-economic agreement.
I would like to ask the Minister, when he talks about commitment, is that something that is in writing? Because you understand that when you’re trying to open a mine, you’re going to be making a lot of commitments to the folks you’re dealing with because that’s when we’ve got more leverage. I’d like to ask the Minister what makes him feel assured that this is actually going to transfer over.
That would come from the ownership at Harry Winston and their commitment to the Northwest Territories to see diamond mining be a success here in the NWT. We’ve got every assurance from the ownership at Harry Winston that will happen. We have known them for a number of years now, having been partial owner at the Diavik Mine, and we certainly look forward to their continued involvement in diamond mining here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
