Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, trappers have had a difficult time recently because of a number of factors beyond their control. Last winter was particularly difficult. In March, after a very poor trapping season, MLAs in the Assembly requested the Minister of Renewable Resources to find ways to help offset the low income from trapping. In response, the government is providing an additional $375,000 in harvester assistance.
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This extra support is to help trappers who have been active during the last two years. This has been the time when fur prices have been low, some species' numbers are low because of the cyclical nature of fur bearer populations and trappers were becoming familiar with the new traps.
A trapper's individual incentive grant payments since the late 1980s have been averaged, and an additional payment will be given to each trapper based on this amount. The average payment is $300 and the range is from $25 to $3,500. The department is preparing the cheques now and expects to have them available to trappers in two weeks. The cheques will be provided to the appropriate hunters' and trappers' associations, hunters' and trappers' committee and band councils for distribution.
We will continue to supply whatever support possible to help trappers through these difficult times. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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