Mr. Speaker, we consulted with the local industry about the National Diamond Strategy and about where we should focus our efforts. The local cutting and polishing industry said to us, you know, national efforts are fine and they may make sense in future; right now, work on supporting our efforts and our brands, this is fledgling locally, never mind about Ontario and Saskatchewan, the time will come. At the same time, they were confused that Members in the House would be concerned about the National Diamond Strategy abandonment, as the Member has said, when they were lobbying for that. Mr. Speaker, I think Members have an obligation to sit down and actually talk to the industry before standing up in the House and understand what their efforts are focused on, because that's what we're doing, Mr. Speaker, and that's who we've been working with. So National Diamond Strategy in future, yes, probably. Right now, support for this local industry in building these brands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Brendan Bell on Question 25-15(5): Future Of Secondary Diamond Industry
In the Legislative Assembly on June 1st, 2006. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 25-15(5): Future Of Secondary Diamond Industry
Question 25-15(5): Future Of Secondary Diamond Industry
Item 7: Oral Questions
May 31st, 2006
Page 68
See context to find out what was said next.