Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a written question to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi, on the status of diamond valuation facilities in other countries as well as potential for such a facility in Northwest Territories.
Could the Minister please provide me with information and facts on some of the major world diamond producers such as Namibia, Botswana, Australia, South Africa, and Russia. Specifically,
1) Where are the diamonds evaluated and sorted for each of the aforementioned countries?
2) What type of facilities are used for diamond sorting and valuation and who owns the buildings this work is performed in?
3) Is the Minister aware of the approximate number of workers employed in these facilities such as sorters, security, maintenance, etc.?
4) What is the level of training or education qualifications involved for the sorters in diamond evaluation facilities?
5) Can the Minister estimate the time-frame required to set up such a facility in the NWT?
6) Could the Minister calculate the cumulative years of knowledge and experience of staff in his department as well as other GNWT departments which they would have on the subject of diamond valuation sorting?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.