Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Not at all. The Legislature has already approved this in a prior year. It is an ongoing contract and a retainer that was approved previously. Mr. Elliott has been on a retainer with us. We are saying that the contract has been worthwhile. It is the view of the department that we have to keep current and abreast of developments in the diamond industry. That in order to move and speak with confidence, we need to be advised by someone who knows what is going on, and advises us in how we should be talking and who we should see, the events and conferences we should know about and make sure we are invited to.
For instance, the recent international conference. That did not just happen by accident. There has been a lot of work done. For the first time, we were invited to speak for Canada, by the industry, about diamonds. These types of things have a value and a significance that is hard to rationalize.
My advice to the Member is that he should see it as a very good investment. The fact is, through advice from Mr. Elliott and other people that he has introduced us to, while it does not produce anything for Fort Smith, it has produced something for Yellowknife, for the Yellowknives, for the Dogribs, for people who are benefiting from the significant progress and developments that we have been able to achieve in regards to value-added activities around diamonds. We will continue to retain the services of Mr. Elliott because we are by no means done.
We will continue to do work. We need advice in doing business with BHP and Diavik. We need to continue dealing with people like Aber Resources and Sirius Diamonds and Deton Diamonds, as well as other international diamondeers. We do need an advisor. Mr. Elliott is a well-established, well-known credible diamondeer.