Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the way diamonds are bought, it's my understanding that you get a supply and you agree to take it, you don't negotiate what diamonds you get. I have been told by manufacturers that between 30 and 50 percent of the diamonds are unfeasible to cut in the NWT because of the size and quality of the diamonds as it relates to the cost of doing business in the NWT. Have any of the cutting and polishing facilities approached this government on that restrictive policy? Some of them are saying it's probably cheaper to take these diamonds and throw them away than to cut them, thus it will yield a minus on the bottom line. Have any issues of that nature been brought to the department? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Steven Nitah on Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
In the Legislative Assembly on March 4th, 2003. See this statement in context.
Standing Committee On Governance And Economic Development Comments
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 3rd, 2003
Page 503
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
See context to find out what was said next.