This is page numbers 549 - 579 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was education.

Topics

Return To Question 299-12(7): Briefing On Prince Of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Library
Question 299-12(7): Briefing On Prince Of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Library
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am excited about diamonds because of this briefing at noon today, Mr. Speaker. I hope there are some on Baffin Island. I hear there might be. I would like to ask the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources a question. I understand that diamonds are different than other minerals and other commodities. Is there any regulatory regime in Canada that contemplates and takes into account how diamond mines operate? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

No, there isn't. That is exactly the concern that I have been raising with the staff. There is nothing at the Canadian level as to how these diamond mines operate and nothing at the territorial level. Diamonds are different than commodities such as gold, silver, oil, et cetera. You can open the Globe and Mail any day to determine what the price of an ounce of gold or silver is and the price of oil, et cetera. It is important for the Northwest Territories that for this first major -- and it is major -- diamond mine, a regulatory regime be in place, that it is competitive in terms of the industry but protects the interests of the custodians of the land and the people who it belongs to.

That is a concern I have had for the last year. We are working very quickly to try to put a number of papers together, should we be able to reach an arrangement with Canada in the transfer of this responsibility. Let there be no doubt, there is no regime in place at this time. Thank you.

Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 565

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

At present, Mr. Speaker, is there anything to stop companies from taking diamonds from the Northwest

Territories and moving them offshore to process, sort, cut and polish them? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

At the present time, there are no regulations in place that would legislate or provide policies for how these rough diamonds will stay, what percentage will go to the country they come from, et cetera.

I think it is important to point out that on my trip to Toronto recently, it was somewhat disappointing when I spoke to some of the delegation from Hay River and Yellowknife. They told me that some representatives of BHP said they had no intention of trying to include any value-added component to these diamonds in the Northwest Territories.

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Some Hon. Members

Shame, shame.

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 566

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Then let the diamonds stay in the ground.

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

It was their intent, apparently, to take them offshore. I really appreciate the honourable Member's response. I want to assure this House that if that is the intention of the industry, then we are heading towards a political crisis. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 566

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The time for question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Mr. Patterson.

Point Of Order

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Point of order. Mr. Speaker, could I seek consent to go back to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery?

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 566

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Patterson, you don't have a point of order.

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 566

Some Hon. Members

(Microphones turned off)

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

You could still lift up your hand...

---Laughter

Mr. Patterson.

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I request unanimous consent to go back to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery?

Further Return To Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mines Operations
Question 300-12(7): Regulations Regarding Diamond Mine Operations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Patterson.

Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I regret that I was out of the House when this important item came up and neglected to recognize my friend, Mr. Ben McDonald, of the UNW.

---Laughter

---Applause

Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Antoine.

Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I forgot to mention that along with Ernest and Rita Cazon is their son Carn Cazon.

---Applause

Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 566

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Pollard.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

March 8th, 1995

Page 566

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have three documents to table. The first one is Tabled Document 57-12(7), Northern Realities: Notes for an Address by the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea to the Prospectors' and Developers' Association of Canada Conference in Toronto, March 6, 1995.

The second one, Mr. Speaker, is Tabled Document 58-12(7), Impact of Federal Staff Cuts on the Northwest Territories.

And, Tabled Document 59-12(7), Person Year Adjustments, 1995-96 O and M Budget, Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table Tabled Document 60-12(7), a letter from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, dated February 3, 1995, addressed to myself from Inspector MacIntyre, officer in charge of administration and personnel, "G" Division, here in Yellowknife. Thank you.