Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide the House with an update on the Second International Rough Diamond Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. That event brought together 90 percent of the world's diamond producers. Tu Nedhe MLA Steve Nitah and I attended as part of a delegation of about 30 Canadians.
I had the opportunity to give a half-hour presentation on the diamond industry in the Northwest Territories. I also took part in a panel discussion on the "World of Rough Diamonds." I described this government's initiatives to ensure the development of our diamond industries benefits Northerners and northern businesses. We want to develop a viable self-sustaining industry that will contribute to the economic well-being of the people in the North. And to do that, the industry must include northern people.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that my presentation solicited tremendous response. The world is interested in what we are doing to develop value-added industries. Just a few years ago, Canada was not even mentioned at events of this calibre. Now, it is widely recognized that within the next few years, Canada will take its place among the top five or six diamond producers in the world. Many delegates asked how they could become involved in the NWT. They were particularly interested in this government's support programs such as training-on-the-job and loan guarantees, as well as our college pre-employment, diamond training and certification programs.
The NWT delegation had a private meeting with a number of Israeli officials and the executive directors of the Israeli Diamond Institute and Israeli Diamond Manufacturers' Association. They were able to give us some insight into the challenges of developing a secondary diamond industry. Mr. Speaker, it is through participation in events such as this that the Northwest Territories builds its reputation in the diamond world. The contacts that Mr. Nitah and I made in Tel Aviv are another step in the progress of the northern diamond industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.