Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a motion here I’d like to read into the House, subtitled Secondary Diamond Industry.

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories produces a significant percentage of the world diamonds and is home to the largest number of producing and potential diamond mines in Canada.

AND WHEREAS diamond mining in the Northwest Territories should serve to prosper the Northwest Territories.

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories can assure the supply of rough diamonds to manufacturers, but currently exports almost all rough diamonds overseas for cutting and polishing.

AND WHEREAS previous governments made significant investment in the highly valued Polar Bear trademark which was a proven source of revenue for the Government of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS there is an immediate opportunity to redevelop and revitalize a secondary diamond industry that would include jobs and training for Northerners and diversify our economy;

AND WHEREAS keeping diamonds in the North through a viable secondary industry offers an immediate opportunity to fully maximize the benefits of resource development in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS a successful secondary industry depends on a clear policy framework that both supports and regulates northern-approved diamond manufacturers, emphasizes local employment and training, and recognizes the priority of job security and job creation;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment revise its Diamond Policy Framework to reflect the needs of a successful secondary industry by:

• securing the diamond certification process and

enhance marketing of the Polar Bear trademark

• strengthening conditions for the northern-

approved manufacturers with the goal of keeping diamonds in the North;

• establishing a diamond bourse to facilitate

localized sorting, evaluating and rough box purchasing; and

• emphasizing

socio-economic

agreements

where

local job security and creation and a balance of skills, gender and ethnicity are paramount;

AND FURTHER, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.

Thank you.