Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to follow through on a line of questioning that Mr. Dent had on the department's interest in the regulation to the emerging diamond industry. I have read the proposed framework for regulation, which was tabled in the House last year. It strikes me as something that is a bit at odds with what a government would want to do in terms of regulating a trade. It seems government does have a purpose and obligation where there are trades involving public safety or standards of this nature, boiler inspections or gas fittings, there are definitely standards that we want.

When it comes to private sector entrepreneurial areas, that does not seem to be an area where government goes. I do not think we tend to tell arts and crafts people what kind of standards they need to make a fur parka or a carving, or a painting by. Those things are genuinely regulated by the market.

I guess I wanted to challenge the department on its perceived need to come in and create standards in our emerging area when around the world, and in the diamond marketing business to begin with, there is over a hundred years of history in this already. What is it that requires the Northwest Territories to, if you will, go against the grain? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Another aspect of the emerging industry here -- and I am sure it is fascinating to watch, not only from our point of view as a government who wants to get as much as we can from this resource. What is emerging too, perhaps it is coincidental, but around the world as the giant corporations such as De Beers change their entire profile and strategy in terms of marketing and branding diamonds, we are caught up in that as well. We are not only trying to learn about the industry and how it has operated, but we are also involved in the finance of the changes.

I wanted to ask specifically of the polar bear and its significance to the branding and the marketing of the Canadian Arctic Diamonds. We already have a certification program, which is generally well established and well accepted. It does carry a perception of value, of integrity, that these diamonds are ethically and appropriately produced.

However, there are a lot of different ideas in the diamond industry now about just how good or what kind of value these symbols add. What can the department advise of our stance right now on the significance of branding, specifically to the polar bear? Thank you.

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would the use then of the polar bear brand be something that we should then make mandatory for any product that comes out of the Northwest Territories as being mined and cut here, a mandatory requirement?

The deputy minister, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is this something that is of such high importance -- and I do support the idea, the value of having a well-controlled system, in terms of being able to say without question that a certain product was indeed mined and cut in Canada -- but if it is that important, should we not be making it mandatory then for anyone who wants to process a diamond in Canada, they must participate in that certification program. Should we not be doing that? Thank you.

The deputy minister.

Mr. Dent has called a point of order. Mr. Dent.

Point of Order

Mr. Chairman, I would like to raise a point of order. I believe Ms. Lee inappropriately referred to another Member, being myself, and their private business interests in this House. I am concerned that the implication may be that I am speaking about a program of this government because it may be used to compete with that business with which I am involved. I am concerned about the implication that there is motive for a position I have taken here.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. I will allow for debate on your point of order. To the point of order. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say that I was just trying to make a point about this program, and I meant in no way to imply that the Member was trying to benefit in any way or anything like that at all, so if there was any misunderstanding taken, I apologize. It was never meant to be that way. Thank you.

Mr. Dent, is that satisfactory? The Member has apologized to you. Do you accept the apology?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. With the time being 7:30, I will rise and report progress. I would like to thank the Minister and the witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, would you please escort the witnesses out?

The House will come back to order. Order, please. There are things to do and the Chair would like to get them done. Item 21, report of committee of the whole. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.