Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. In Coral Harbour, as I told the Minister before, the caribou are a source of excellent quality meat. The communities specifically request Coral Harbour caribou. The commercial harvest quota is 4,000 heads. However, the community has not been using this quota because it has not been economical, as the current rate of $1.25 per pound offered by the NWT Development Corporation, gives little to no profit for the hunters. Why is the rate set only at $1.25 per pound?
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
In the Legislative Assembly on November 9th, 1994. See this topic in context.
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 881
James Arvaluk Aivilik
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 881
The Speaker
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 881
John Todd Keewatin Central
We're in a kind of dichotomy here. We're in a situation where the NWT Development Corporation is trying its hardest to be less dependent on subsidies and it has to be cost-effective, particularly with meat, and comparative to conventional cows, sheep, pigs and chickens. So, they have set a rate they are prepared to pay the hunters and trappers of Coral Harbour because of the requirement for them to be competitive.
I think it is important, too, to point out that, even with that rate, there's a significant subsidy in EDA money. So, it is a very difficult situation. We would like to be able to pay the hunters and trappers more but, at the same time, we've got to try to accommodate the Development Corporation's need to be more competitive in the market place. We are working towards that end with the development of a gourmet product to get more return for our investment. However, at this time, I believe the $1.25 rate is set. But, we will certainly look at trying to improve the return to the hunters and trappers who are the first line in this issue. Thank you.
Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 881
The Speaker
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
Supplementary To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
November 8th, 1994
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James Arvaluk Aivilik
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Minister, himself, has been in the Keewatin for years and has been told
over, and over again that this quality of meat is tops in the whole NWT, as far as caribou meat is concerned. Is the Minister saying, considering these qualities, that $1.25 a pound is a fair rate for caribou the quality of Coral Harbour caribou?
Supplementary To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 882
The Speaker
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Madam Speaker, we've only had one year of a commercial hunt through Coral Harbour, so it's very much in its infant stage. We're currently trying to get the meat federally inspected. If we get the meat federally inspected, then we can look for markets outside of the Northwest Territories. If we find markets outside of the Northwest Territories, that will bring us a better return for our investment on value-added caribou, then we will be able to provide the hunters and trappers with more return for the commercial hunt. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Further Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
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The Speaker
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
Supplementary To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
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James Arvaluk Aivilik
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Supplementary. Impacting on the rates that can be paid for caribou are the other expenses which eat into the revenue, I know that. Would the processing cost be lower if more of the butchering and processing could be done close to where the caribou are caught?
Supplementary To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 882
The Speaker
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 882
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Madam Speaker. What we're attempting to do in the development of this caribou hunt is to spread the rewards and benefits across the region. At the present time, we spend a significant amount of money in the commercial hunt, in the abattoir, et cetera, in Coral Harbour. It is not our intention to put another meat processing plant in any other community outside of Rankin Inlet at this time. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 882
The Speaker
Final supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
Supplementary To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
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James Arvaluk Aivilik
Madam Speaker, thank you. I asked a line of questioning to the Minister of Renewable Resources during committee of the whole. I said to him that the scientific facts stated that there will need to be at least 6,000 to 8,000 caribou harvested in Southampton Island, otherwise the population is in trouble because there's a danger of over population. The people of Coral Harbour believe that more profit could be had if they could have a processing plant in their community. They also believe that 4,000 head a year would keep such a plant busy. They have been trying to have talks with the Development Corporation on this issue, but the meetings and discussions have not been fruitful to date. Can the Minister explain why, when there appears to be potential for a viable economic opportunity, the Minister is flatly stating that there will be none in Coral Harbour?
Supplementary To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 882
The Speaker
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 882
John Todd Keewatin Central
Madam Speaker, there is not "flatly none," we spent $225,000 last year...(inaudible)...on the commercial harvest. The responsibility for investment in fish plants, meat plants, arts and crafts facilities, et cetera, lies with the NWT Development Corporation. It does not lie with the Department of Economic Development. I applaud the Member for the effort that's going on in Coral Harbour for that commercial hunt. It's my understanding, from talking to the chairman of the board at this time, there is no intention to add an additional meat plant in Coral Harbour, but there is the intention of the Department of Economic Development and Renewable Resources to work closely with the hunters and trappers in the community to enhance the economic component of the commercial hunt. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Question 402-12(6): Price Paid For The Purchase Of Wild Meat
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 882
The Speaker
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.