Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Earlier, I questioned the Minister about the oil and gas industry and the kinds of spin-off benefits that might be available for Northerners, northern businesses, and for northern manufacturers. We have heard the Minister comment that not every community in the Northwest Territories is going to have a pipeline running through it so it is important to look to other things like tourism to stimulate some of the smaller economies, some of the economies that are not close to the potential pipeline development.
I would like to suggest that we look to all communities of the Northwest Territories for possible development, possible spin-off business and jobs that could be created in the oil and gas industry. I think there are certainly manufacturing opportunities to be had. I suppose it probably benefits the larger communities like Yellowknife and especially Hay River. I think that these are some of the things that we need to look at and not just consider. That unless you are within the immediate proximity of a pipeline, you are not going to receive any benefit. So I really think it is important that we look at some of the opportunities that might come out of this, take a proactive approach, and do something early.
In the diamond industry, I think the secondary value-added cutting and polishing, now we are seeing a grading facility. I think, in hindsight, we almost missed the boat on that and give the department credit. They did play catch up and they did get in on the ground floor, but I think it was close and I would like to make sure that the department is paying attention in oil and gas, because I think we are going to have one big shot at this thing. I hope we do not miss it. I think there will be a flurry of activity and if we are not up to speed it will be easy for companies doing the work in the Territories to say listen, you simply do not have the businesses that can participate. You do not have the people to do the work. We have got to go south. We need this development to go ahead. As they say, things are going to move at the speed of business, so I think that it is important that the department be ready to help Northerners and northern businesses in all areas of the Territories take advantage of what is sure to be a boom.
In that area, we have seen socio-economic agreements with diamond companies. I would like to ask the Minister if we will have the same kinds of agreements in place with pipeline companies to ensure that a certain percentage is a percentage of Northerners, a certain percentage of aboriginals are hired and also that northern businesses are utilized to the fullest extent possible. Will we be in a position to negotiate and ensure that we look after Northerners' interests first?