Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Members of this Assembly are, no doubt, aware of the David and Goliath situation that has developed over the past few days, as a result of the giant De Beers diamond company threatening legal action against the northern environmental organization, Ecology North. Because of De Beers' actions, people in Yellowknife have been deprived of an opportunity to see a documentary film entitled The Diamond Empire that was televised on American public broadcasting system only six weeks ago. This was seen by people in the north on the PBS TV channel, already. It is obviously the intention of De Beers to ensure that nobody else in the NWT sees the film.
I understand it is Ecology North's intention to encourage public discussion about the diamond industry by presenting information that the great majority of people in the Northwest Territories have not yet seen. Last week in Yellowknife, a De Beers' representative, Mr. George Burne, showed a promotional video about the diamond industry from the company's point of view. But there are other points of view about the industry, points of view that northerners should know about in order to be fully informed about an industry that could have a very big impact on our lives in the years to come.
I am sure that all my colleagues in this Assembly will agree with me that northerners are certainly intelligent enough to judge for themselves what is true and what is not true. We don't need big international mining companies making up our minds for us by telling us what sorts of information we can or cannot see. If that sort of conduct is typical of the diamond industry, the people of the NWT should think very carefully indeed before giving approval to any diamond mining on our lands.
In closing, Madam Speaker...(microphone turned off)