In the committee's review of the department's 2001-2004 business plan and 2001-2002 main estimates, committee members remained concerned that there are other economic sectors other than diamonds that require assistance and attention. Other sectors include agriculture, fur, forestry, tourism, arts and crafts, and oil and gas.

Again, the committee members were of the opinion that there may have been an initial requirement to support the secondary diamond industry, but other economic sectors also deserve at least similar levels of support. Committee members were especially concerned that current and proposed resources may be inadequate to take full advantage of recent developments in the oil and gas sector.