Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that we will lose control of opportunities from the diamond development like we did with the fur industry. All residents of Canada and particularly the Northwest Territories should be concerned. I am concerned that again, as with the fur industry, our lives will become dominated by people who live on the other side of the earth from us because it will be in Europe, Mr. Speaker, that NWT diamonds will be sorted for sale unless we can convince Minister Stewart for the north's need to have those processes performed in the Northwest Territories. There is a worry that the federal government will make decisions on behalf of the people of the north without our full input and concurrence. My concern grows into fear, Mr. Speaker, that we will lose control and have to watch valuable resources that come from the NWT leave and take with them the hopes and aspirations for a better future for our residents. Over the past years of this government we have expended a great deal of time and effort and dollars to try to resolve the crisis that occurred when the bottom dropped out of the fur market. Extensive lobbying was done in Europe by numerous groups from the north. We had to react to the stress placed upon the livelihoods of many people.

Mr. Speaker, when we review the fur lobby in Europe, we see the cost to the people of the Northwest Territories, the cost of reacting to change introduced by a foreign government. Despite all the NWT and the federal government's efforts we never gained back what we had before the lobby was introduced. When we approach agreements for the development of our diamonds it is the time to be pro-active and not reactive. By being pro-active, the cost to the people and the government will be less. We must have control of our destinies. We must start now to convince Ottawa and industry before it is too late. We have learned from our experience with the ban of furs in Europe, now it is time to gain control for our futures in the diamond industry. Our government should continue doing extensive strategic planning and lobbying to ensure that we have a role in the decision making process in the diamond industry. In negotiations with the federal government we must be an equal partner. Mr. Speaker, the time is now, not later to plan for the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.