As I mentioned earlier today, I think when we first became aware of the
growth of morel mushrooms, I think it was 10 or 12 years ago. At that time the department put on a couple courses. I think most of the fires were in the Sahtu region at the time and they put on a few courses to introduce some of the local people to opportunities associated with harvesting of morel mushrooms. I think we even, if I recall correctly, helped with showing them some of the techniques.
I think more recently we’ve more or less left it to whoever had the initiative to do it. I know that it’s a little bit different harvesting here in the Northwest Territories than in the South because you’re further away from the market and I think you have to dry the mushrooms before you can bring them to market. This is an area I think we’re prepared to work with ENR to find out the details of exactly when do they normally appear and what kind of process we would need to put some control on the harvesting so that we maximize the benefits to the harvesters in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.