Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak today about an economic issue which we know very little about but that has tremendous potential for a number of our people and our communities, but it is fraught with some real challenges. This past summer, we saw the first organized wild moral mushroom harvest here in the North Slave region. Last year's forest fire burn around the Tibbit Lake region, I am told, had the potential to harvest moral mushroom worth in the millions of dollars. That can be picked in a four to six week period. But this is a whole new venture for Northerners, and so only a small group went out to pick. One group of seven entrepreneurs harvested over $50,000 worth, and I am told it is much more than that, but that is the official reported, of morals early in the summer. Unfortunately, inexperience with international buyers resulted in the group losing much of their profit to individuals purportedly connected with organized crime. People were also physically assaulted, I am told, though charges have yet to be laid. The forest fire season this summer meant numerous new mushroom fields may be available next summer.
Morals are only one of several lucrative mushroom species for which there is a huge demand on world markets. The NWT may well be the most sought-after pine mushroom harvesting area next fall. Pine mushrooms sell anywhere from $15 a pound to $300 a pound, depending on the supply and demand at the time. While there is a huge potential for harvesting and income, it is also a sure thing that possibly violence and possible crime can follow. Next spring, it is possible that hundreds of pickers will come to the NWT for mushroom harvesting. The NWT needs to react quickly to this possible lucrative market, and we need to monitor and manage this resource for our own people. We need to be proactive on this. A first step could be to add mushrooms to the list of plants and animals protected under the Wildlife Act. This would give protection against exploitation of Northerners and their resources. Tomorrow I hope to be able to follow up with some questions on this, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
--Applause