by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 15/97) - Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew has thrown her political weight behind the drive to locate a diamond-sorting plant in the North.

Blondin-Andrew met with Yellowknife and territorial politicians and city and Northern business sector representatives yesterday morning at a city hall to discuss lobby efforts aimed at convincing mining companies to building a diamond sorting and valuation facility in the NWT.

"From the very beginning, when we were doing different aspects of the (mining regulations) review, I've spoken to (federal Finance Minister) Paul Martin and he's always been supportive," she said following the meeting.

Blondin-Andrew said she will bring up the issue with Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jane Stewart and Martin on behalf of the lobby group.

"I think it's not so much jobs, but confidence in the North in terms of investment,"she said. The lobby group is currently drafting a memo outlining its stand.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Jake Ootes noted the difference between initial sorting and valuating, with five people, versus the second stage of sorting, which involves a more detailed sort and the possibility for more jobs.

"Our impression is that it can be done here in Yellowknife. We want to keep the regulations open so that we can keep raw materials here, so we can add value-added businesses here," explained Ootes.

Spin-off jobs that could come as a result of having the valuating facility in the North include diamond cutting and polishing.

Yellowknife North MLA Roy Erasmus told the group the federal government has to put in their (mining) regulations that diamond valuations and sorting be done in a community. "What does it get us if it's being done at the mine site? It doesn't do anything for the North."

While some people, such as Seamus Henry, MLA for Yellowknife South, maintain this is a political issue and decision, others see it as a technical issue, or both.

"We talked to people in Antwerp and London. They can train people here in the territories (to sort)," said Henry.

Consultant Alan Vaughan said the Inuit in the Kitikmeot, Dogrib and Yellowknives Dene support the facility being specifically in Yellowknife. "The three groups see it as a commitment to the city."

NWT Chamber of Commerce president David Connelly suggested the lobby group concoct a "carrot cake," of tax concessions and other attractive ingredients for the mining companies.

However, most people at the meeting felt it is premature to address at this point.

Garth Malakoe, president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce said: "We may have to use carrots or even sticks. I don't want to see us putting all our eggs in the egg-regulation basket."

The lobby group will also be inviting a federal bureaucrat to its next meeting to discuss mining regulations and it will be seeking a meeting with officials with mining companies BHP and Diavik to see where they stand on the issue and why.