Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak today in support of our precious diamond industry in the North. Mr. Speaker, in the past, I've been on record many times expressing my appreciation for the positive benefits the entire diamond industry, engineered by the cooperative leadership between the diamond producers and all levels of government, has brought to not only the city of Yellowknife, but the entire territory in terms of the money we get into our coffers, not to mention my riding of Range Lake.
Mr. Speaker, six years ago, in 1999 when I was campaigning in Range Lake riding, there were dozens of lots for sale. It's hard to believe now, but I believe it's safe to say, and I've said this before, that it's the diamond industry that has literally saved our bacon.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the support the GNWT has shown in supporting the secondary diamond industry. It's had a very fragile beginning, but aggressive investments by the government with the cooperation of the diamond producers has made it possible for us to have a street called Diamond Row at the airport; this did not exist before and is an entirely new industry that is, I believe, maturing ever so slowly and with some difficult times. It is really important, Mr. Speaker, to state that a bankruptcy of one diamond cutting and polishing plant does not make a failure of the entire industry.