Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll try to keep the responses as short as I can and save going into the history of how this came about from the Council of the Federation and just indicate that we've agreed on a number of thrusts in the National Diamond Strategy. There are several priorities that I think will greatly benefit the North. We know that it isn't the intention of the NDS to speak to the creation or the development of a multi-stakeholder body that will assist in coordinating and implementing the strategy. The issues in the strategy that are of critical importance to us, I think, are the development of a national certification or authentication process; also, development of approaches with respect to tax and fiscal incentives. Lastly, and I think this is a very interesting one, the development of a network of centres of excellence. A number of issues that are obviously relevant to the Northwest Territories is we're the only diamond producing jurisdiction in the country currently. We think there will be others in future, but it's important for us to be involved not only to share our expertise, but to make sure that the North benefits from this industry. Thank you.
Brendan Bell on Question 263-15(3): Sustainability Of The Diamond Industry
In the Legislative Assembly on October 20th, 2004. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 263-15(3): Sustainability Of The Diamond Industry
Question 263-15(3): Sustainability Of The Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions
October 19th, 2004
Page 867
See context to find out what was said next.