Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker. On Monday, September 29, I met with provincial, territorial and federal mine Ministers in Halifax to review progress on the national diamond strategy.

I am pleased to report that the provincial and territorial mine Ministers approved and released a mandated work plan and the document "Towards a National Diamond Strategy." This document will be provided to the Premiers for their consideration at the council meeting on October 24.

Canada's diamond industry leaders and the federal government are both very interested in the national diamond strategy, which this government is co-leading with the Government of Quebec.

The strategy will look at a range of issues across the entire diamond industry including diamond exploration, mining, rough diamonds, polished diamonds, diamond jewelry, diamond retail sales and diamond tourism.

The Premier and I met with NWT diamond industry representatives on September 19 and we made a commitment to consult with them as the strategy is being developed. I will be sending the mandate, the work plan for the steering committee, which will consist of provincial and territorial governments, and the discussion paper on the national diamond strategy to them.

At the Northern Development Ministers' Conference in Iqaluit on September 25th and 26th, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Robert Nault, announced that his department would conduct a diamond industry study and encouraged provinces and territories to participate. At the mine Ministers' meeting, Natural Resources Canada reported on the first diamond roundtable meeting held in Edmonton in May.

Mr. Speaker, the provinces and territories are considering their involvement in these federal initiatives and are concerned about duplication of effort.

Our first commitment is to the national diamond strategy that was initiated by the western Premiers' at their conference in Kelowna earlier this year and later endorsed by all the Premiers at their annual conference in Prince Edward Island in July. I can also say that the work plan of the steering committee for the national diamond strategy refers to a second national diamond roundtable to be held in the Northwest Territories next May or June.

Mr. Speaker, I will continue to keep Members of this legislature informed about progress on the national diamond strategy. Mahsi cho.

---Applause