Editorial page
Wednesday, August 12, 1998

A small step for secondary industry

The announcement that a new Northern company has been awarded the contract to valuate the rough diamonds coming from BHP's Ekati mine is another small step toward establishing a diamond industry in the NWT.

While the number of jobs such a facility will create is not large -- 15 to 20 --, it is tangible evidence the federal government understands the need for secondary diamond industry in the North. The valuation will set the amount the federal government will collect in diamond royalties.

It is also encouraging that the valuation company, DICAN, is a partnership of three aboriginal companies owned by the Dogrib Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. Together they are called the Aboriginal Diamonds Group Limited.

DIACAN is also a good example, demonstrated in action rather than words, how the benefits of a secondary diamond industry can be spread far beyond Yellowknife's municipal boundaries.

DICAN's other major partner (49 per cent share), WWW International Diamond Consultants, is a British company with an established track record in the rough-diamond valuation business.

Stephen Kakfwi, minister of resources and economic development, is understandably proud of the contract and the aboriginal partners. He makes the point that the British partner will be invaluable for transferring diamond industry knowledge to Northern companies.

Northerners can get the capital, we already possess the business ethic, but we lack the experience to be successful in an industry even optimists call extraordinarily complex and competitive.

While, the valuation facility is a good start, our next goal must be the establishment of a diamond processing facility in Yellowknife. It can be done with the help of the federal and territorial governments, BHP and Northern business partnerships. But until it is, and tentative plans for a processing facility have been made public, the future of a secondary diamond industry will be up in the air.


High-powered sales

Yellowknife residents have recently been the target of high-pressure sales strategies.

The chamber of commerce has apparently fielded several complaints from people who find this approach either offensive or intimidating. Offensive it certainly is, especially when a telephone solicitor drags you away from a good dinner or interrupts a meaningful activity such as sleeping on the couch or polishing fishing lures.

But, as intrusive as it is, the hard sell isn't illegal, just irritating. And, when all is said and done, it remains a situation of buyer beware.

Dealing with these people is not unlike house-breaking a puppy -- just give them a firm but friendly NO.


Donwloading and dollars

The recently released report recommending the city not take over of health and social services from the GNWT, raises a question critical to any such takeover.

Will the government increase funding to cope with increased demand on programs? The report said the chances of the government doing so are slim.

If it expects the communities to accept new responsibilities, the government has to be prepared to provide the cash required to deliver the programs. Otherwise, territorial downloading will be crippling, not empowering.