(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to say something on the trapping industry today. People in Nahendeh are very concerned because this year has been a very bad year for harvesting. In my region, there are many experienced trappers who have kept trap lines for many years. They are finding that this year's yield has been barely enough to pay for the costs of gas, equipment and provisions. For example, in Nahanni Butte, Francis Betsaka usually brings in about 120 to 130 pelts before Christmas. This year, he caught only 17 before Christmas. In Fort Simpson, the Gabe Cazon family typically harvest about 200 furs before Christmas. This year, however, they caught only 27 or so during that time period. (Translation ends)...be confined to the Northwest Territories.

Preliminary statistics suggest that Canada's total fur harvest may be down by as much as 50 per cent. There are projections that the Alaska harvest could be down as much as 75 per cent. There are probably several reasons for this. For example, renewed activity by animal rights activists may keep fur prices low. There are suspicions that the new traps are just not effective enough and difficult for some trappers to use. Late freeze-up and unusual snowfall have made it difficult to be out on the land this winter. On top of that, there is no game out there, there are no rabbits or chickens on this land, likely due to natural population cycles. These are the animals that feed many of the fur bearing animals.

Regardless of the cost, we all know what the effect will be. Many of the most committed professional trappers have already pulled their traps this year.