Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the developments in the Northwest Territories diamond industry during the past decade have been tremendous. We already have three manufacturing plants supplied with rough diamonds from the Ekati Mine and our international reputation as a diamond producing and manufacturing centre is growing.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is currently in discussions with Diavik Diamond Mines and Aber Diamonds for a further supply of rough diamonds.
As the Northwest Territories cutting and polishing industry establishes itself and grows, we expect that the mining companies will continue to work with the Northwest Territories manufacturers to ensure the supply of rough diamonds is ongoing, reliable and suitable for manufacturing in the Northwest Territories.
Our GNWT certified diamonds, produced by our Northwest Territories factories, are gaining international attention. GNWT certified diamonds were recently highlighted at the JCK Jewellery show in Las Vegas. It is the biggest jewellery show in the United States with over 5,000 exhibitors and more than 12,000 retailers in attendance.
While at the show, I met with several wholesalers who are purchasing and promoting GNWT certified diamonds in the United States, Germany and Canada. While there is strong interest in the market place, there is also confusion caused by the Canadian Competition Bureau. The Competition Bureau issued guidelines last year that defined a "Canadian" diamond as one mined in Canada regardless of where, or under what conditions, it is cut and polished.
Mr. Speaker, we disagreed with these guidelines when they were issued and we continue to take exception to the confusion and uncertainty the Competition Bureau is creating for the Canadian diamond industry. These guidelines are inconsistent and unenforceable. A polished diamond is created from a rough diamond through a manufacturing process undertaken by highly skilled workers. A polished diamond should be treated the same as other Canadian products. The manufacturing must be done in Canada.
To be truly Canadian, a polished diamond must be mined, cut and polished in Canada. We will continue to raise this issue with the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, I can assure members that there is strong interest within the industry in GNWT certified diamonds and in the proactive approach we have taken to training Northerners and to marketing our Canadian Arctic diamonds. Many diamond manufacturing companies are interested in investing in the Northwest Territories by opening diamond manufacturing plants.
Next week, I will be attending the World Diamond Congress in Vancouver. This international meeting will deal with diamond exploration, mining and marketing issues. I will take the opportunity to restate our position that the Northwest Territories is moving beyond being just a diamond producer benefiting solely from resource extraction to becoming a jurisdiction that expects, and adds, value to its natural resources for the benefit of our residents. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.