It is currently being discussed amongst Cabinet and amongst the industry as one option we may wish to consider. Again, as I stress, Mr. Kakfwi is not here today. I am working with him in partnership to try to come to, if you want, a consensus as to what the bottom line should be for this government and for the people of the territories. I would suggest that some form of access to the rough diamonds should, in my opinion, as is done in every other jurisdiction in the world, be in the hands of northerners. Whether it is through a government agency or through the private sector, that is yet, I believe to be determined. Certainly the principles of accessing the rough or a percentage of the rough to northern peoples, surely is not only a right but it is good corporate business.
John Todd on Question 139-13(5): Additional Taxes On The Mining Industry
In the Legislative Assembly on January 29th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 139-13(5): Additional Taxes On The Mining Industry
Question 139-13(5): Additional Taxes On The Mining Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions
January 28th, 1998
Page 410
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.