Would you like to restate your question since it's your question, Mr. Ng?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we clearly recognize that diamond mining is different from base metals. As a matter of fact, my understanding is that we have very little expertise in Canada as it relates to diamond mining. The operators who are currently in place are using extensive experience from South Africa, Australia and places offshore.

I want to assure the honourable Member, with respect to the Izok Lake project that I did get a letter just the day before yesterday from Metall. I see this whole development as not necessarily being stopped, I see it as a postponement. There will be discussions in Toronto next week with the senior management of Metall to see if there is some way that this government can assist them with moving that project forward in the coming years. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recognition of the Minister recognizing that there is a difference between diamond mining and base metal mining, I would like to ask what his

department has done to find out exactly what those differences are to date. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Energy, Mines and Resources is working extensively and in close consultation with BHP and Kennecott. We're all learning as we go along because the industry itself is learning, and we as a bureaucracy are learning right now. It's kind of like an evolutionary process here. As we move along with the exploratory work we're learning every day. That's about the extent of it at this time, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Second supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, to the Minister. Has the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources done anything to acquire the expertise to provide this sound, knowledgeable advice that the government will need to deal with diamond exploration and development companies? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

We do have technical people on staff, and they are currently trying to learn as much as they can with respect to diamond exploration, et cetera. Some consideration has been given, for example, to look at the possibility whether our diamond mines in operation to perhaps taking a visit there or learning from some of the people who are currently looking after operational mines in South Africa and Australia. There is some learning going on where exchanges have taken place in the Yakutia, Russia area because of some diamond mining there. It's a learning process for all of us. Steps are being taken. We're trying to quickly learn as much as we can. I know we have to do a great deal more, and I'm hoping that some exchanges between operational diamond mines and ourselves will bring about some of that learning. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, thank you. The Minister has conveyed that he has technical people on staff, and I respect that. But I'm asking specifically in relation to the diamond mining aspect. I'm asking, will the Minister's department be acquiring the expertise of an individual to deal with diamond mining? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

We would acquire their expertise within the current resources we have. We have no new resources to go out and buy diamond expertise. The current exploration that's going on in Canada, the exploration companies are buying that expertise from South Africa or Austria. Within the department it's not our intent to go out and get a diamond specialist. It's our intent within our technical staff to learn as quickly as we can about diamond exploration, et cetera.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. In dealing with the opportunities associated with exploration, particularly diamond exploration, this government needs to assess business expertise in the diamond industry to ensure northern residents can take full advantage of this opportunity. I would like to ask the Minister, what has the Minister's department done to ensure this expertise is available to northerners? Thank you.

Minister Todd.

It's a far larger question than just trying to acquire the expertise for the Department of Economic Development. If this diamond venture does take off, it will have an enormous fiscal impact on the Northwest Territories. What we've done is put a committee together in conjunction with my colleagues to try to put a plan in place to determine the kinds of issues that will come about should this take place, the kinds of economic benefits that are going to be derived from it, the kind of support we're going to have to provide to the industry and to the people in the area, the type of training required, the employment opportunities, et cetera.

So, what we need, I think, anyway -- and I've asked Mr. Bailey to head it up along with Mr. Gerein, Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Handley -- is a kind of a blueprint should this exploration come into being. We have to determine how we're going to protect the interests of northerners, whether it is in the economic field, the training and employment field or the environmental field. This thing has come about very quickly and I'm trying to move quickly to put a paper in place that at least attempts to address all these issues for debate in this House.

I'm hoping to do that within the next 90 to 120 days. In the meantime, we are looking at the kinds of economic opportunities that would be derived from this exploration and where we can provide both the technical and financial support to it. I know that in each of the Ministers' departments...For example, in Mr. Nerysoo's department they are looking at how they would develop the type of training and employment opportunities that are going to come forward. We need to package it in some order for debate, to see if we're going in the right direction. We're trying to do that quickly at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Antoine, first supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, there's a plan being developed. This exploration is taking place at the current time. What is in place at this time for northern residents to take full advantage of the opportunities? Is there expertise in place in this department to help these northern residents take full advantage of these opportunities at this time? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We don't have anybody specifically designated to this project at this time within the Department of Economic Development. I spoke to the business community two weeks ago and what we are saying is that if they require support from us, whether it is fiscal or technical, we're prepared to give that. This thing is moving at a pace which is, quite frankly, way faster than government, but we're trying to catch up with it and we're in the throes of trying to develop a blueprint for where we can all fit, and to determine the fiscal resources that are going to be necessary to respond to this exciting and phenomenal national and international mining venture. But, I don't have anybody specifically designated for that at this time.