Our focus right now, Mr. Kakfwi in particular and myself, as I said many times in this House is to get the federal government to recognize the diamond sorting valuation and I want to stress that diamond sorting and valuation must be done in the Northwest Territories and must be done off site. I heard yesterday that the new spin from BHP is well, we are going to do it on site whether we like or not. That is totally unacceptable. Let me say that loud and clear. First of all we have to ensure that in the diamond regulations, they are currently being developed, if you want as our former colleagues, Mr. Avison, used to say the rules engagement are now being developed. We hope that he will be developing partnership with us. Certainly Mr. Kakfwi's department and my own, Finance, have been intimately involved in trying to influence if you want how these regulations will occur. We have not yet seen what the final regulations will be. We have insisted that we be an equal partner in this process. I think it will be premature by me to say it this time what the next step will be. Our focus has to be to ensure that we get into regulations and work with our federal colleagues in developing an appropriate course of action and Mr. Kakfwi's office has been very active in this side of things. Hopefully we will come to a satisfactory arrangement to satisfy both Canadians and southern Canada and more importantly northerners in northern Canada. Thank you.
John Todd on Question 583-13(4): Implications Of A Diamond Sorting Facility
In the Legislative Assembly on October 3rd, 1997. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 583-13(4): Implications Of A Diamond Sorting Facility
Question 583-13(4): Implications Of A Diamond Sorting Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
October 2nd, 1997
Page 1399
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.