Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke earlier in regard to this issue, about the fact that the federal government has really overlooked an important area and that was to arrange with the company, BHP/Dia Met, to ensure there would be value-added industries possible within Canada from this diamond mine. It appears that the federal government has overlooked that and made an error. I wonder if the Minister could tell us if one of the discussions is, or will be, that the federal government will own up to responsibility for this oversight and ensure that they provide assistance, support, whatever is necessary in order to ensure that this facility is maintained here in Canada, first of all, and in the north, that is our demand in the north here, but additionally that we maximize employment for Canadians in this whole end. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that people will take credit for all the good things that have happened to date and no one will rush to take the blame for the areas where we have been less than diligent and able to maximize benefits on. Our primary objective with the federal government has been to point out the concerns we have had regarding the ability of ourselves and the federal government to articulate what are the maximum economic benefits we want to realize and if there are reasons for us not to try to take certain actions, then to prepare for explaining to Canadians and to northern people why we are not; that is, arguably the federal Ministers and ourselves recognize that both the federal government and ourselves are perhaps relying too much, at least in the case of the federal government, externally it appears that on some minor federal official, by the name of Joe Lazarovich, for some reason he seems to be the lone ranger speaking and advising the federal government on diamonds.

He is the only name that comes up in discussions with people in the diamond industry in Europe. On our part it seems people are aware in London and Antwerp and elsewhere of our Ministers, certainly Mr. Todd, Mr. Dent and other Members of the Legislature who have taken the time and the effort to make themselves well known and acquaint themselves with the people in the diamond industry in the international community.

The federal government has recognized that we need to get more outside advice, perhaps less advice from the likes of Joe Lazarovitch and more from people who actually deal with diamonds, in the selling, marketing and the manufacture. So, both of us have agreed that we will largely rely on outside expertise, international expertise from the diamond industry, from the diamond dealing community, to help us in our deliberations in that task force. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would venture to say that the federal government has failed to do its due diligence and to ensure, maximize northern benefits, Canadian benefits, for that matter. Next week a group of Yellowknife, from the Yellowknife Task Force will be going to Ottawa. But I am wondering if the Minister could tell us, if the CSO were to be involved in this - I know that they would, and they have spoken to us on that - that they would ensure that detailed sorting and valuation would be done here in the Northwest Territories. It would involve many jobs. But under the circumstances, we cannot blame BHP or Dia Met. They have been permitted. They have met their obligations. My concern is, will the federal government now commit to encourage support, whatever needs to be done, to ensure that BHP/Dia Met do establish a detailed sorting plant and detailed valuation plant here in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government has relied almost solely on the advice and views of one official, and I think the establishment of the task force suggests that perhaps we should look for other sources of advice and expertise and that time will tell how valid the advice given to the federal government by this sole official has been. It is my view that the official has not given the best advice to the federal government in the past; that we can do better; that the idea of locating facilities off site, of looking at

detailed sorting, of a country like Canada making certain demands on the diamond producing companies is both desirable and legitimate; that there can be compelling arguments made to argue otherwise and that the task force is established to provide just that. So, hopefully, that will show more room for more thorough, well-based advice in the future that will get the federal government and ourselves working together for the benefit of all Canadians and, in particular, for northern peoples. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Timing is critical, as we have always been informed. One of the problems with timing that we have continually been advised about is that the mining regulations are being changed and Mr. Lazarovitch, I understand had a great deal of input into the formulating of the mining regulations. It is my understanding that these are now with the Department of Justice for final consideration and then there will be a 30-day consultation period with the public. But, knowing how things usually go, we may be already too late with respect to a diamond valuation sorting facility for BHP/Dia Met. Would the Minister ask the task force to address this question of the mining regulations immediately, so that we can buy ourselves some time to ensure that this question is addressed properly and that we can have the time to inform Ottawa politicians, Ottawa decision-makers that this is an essential Canadian need? This valuation sorting facility means royalties. It means jobs for Canadians. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government has, as far as I am concerned, agreed to work with us in good faith. I believe that they are sincere in their efforts to work together to see what we can do, still do in the time available to us to maximize the economic benefits from the emerging diamond industry.

It is my view, I think, it is evident that at the end of the day both the federal government and ourselves will have to explain ourselves as to why we have taken certain positions we have. If we have missed certain opportunities then we will have to explain those and account for ourselves to Canadians and to northern peoples. It is my view that we still have an opportunity and opportunities to find ways in which to maximize the economic benefits to the country and to northern peoples that the idea that diamonds will just come out of the ground at Ekati Lake and fly straight to London and Antwerp is something that I think is just a possible looming nightmare right now. There are still possibilities to avert that, to find ways in which diamonds found in this country, that belong to this country, will create additional jobs and that economic benefits will flow to people in this country. That is my hope, and I just want to assure the Member that agreeing to this task force is done in a sincere effort, and if we believe for one moment that we are just being conned and compromised, then we shall take appropriate action at that time. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Would the Premier agree that currently we have a central public government system in the NWT with a mandate for providing governance and programs to all residents of the NWT?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Premier envision the current central public government system continuing for the foreseeable future, in the west, unless there are changes agreed to through the constitutional development process now underway in the west?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Premier agree that our current central public government system has a clear legislative mandate that covers Justice, Health, Child Care, as well as many other areas?