Thank you and good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is about resource development in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, negotiations are continuing to find a way for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs to grant approval on the construction of the Diavik diamond project. I acknowledge that much work and effort has been underway to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion. I am optimistic that these negotiations can be successful. I look forward to seeing the project move ahead. I believe that all the environmental and monitoring issues can be addressed to the satisfaction of the parties.

Mr. Speaker, this process raises many broader questions about how mining and other resource projects are treated and dealt with in the Northwest Territories. I can only hope that all parties are learning from this process.

We need to direct our energies to further streamline the system to provide more clarity and certainty. This will require improved coordination of the authority and responsibilities of all the parties. The ground rules need to be clear at the beginning. Mr. Speaker, we can do a better job. It is vital, at a time when the people of the Northwest Territories need more jobs, business opportunities, and revenues to run our programs and services, that we send the right signals to our people and to those looking at further developments north of 60. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today, I will be asking a question of the government on this subject.