Madam Chair, if the reason that people aren't taking advantage of opportunities is because DIZ societies don't exist in a certain region, as I said, if we get a proposal and suggestions of interest, we'll fund them even in the interim; if there is sufficient support from the communities of a region and industry to establish these societies, then we're in favour of it. I just said that I see them as very useful vehicles. But we also know that when oil companies are not interested, they're not interested. You could put all your land up for sale, parcels of land, but if they don't bid on them, there's no activity. Basically, some regions have been in that state for a long time. But getting back to the point that the Member makes, yes, it's only $40,000 that's allocated there, because that's all that has been there for some time. But we can reallocate, internally, money to provide for additional DIZ societies if that's what is required. It's more a matter of getting a proposal and responding to it, even in the interim.
Stephen Kakfwi on Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97
In the Legislative Assembly on May 14th, 1996. See this statement in context.
Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
May 13th, 1996
Page 358
See context to find out what was said next.