Mr. Speaker, by actively supporting the harvesting and marketing of wild fur through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking action to diversify the economy. This will provide all communities and regions with opportunities as identified in the 16th Assembly’s
vision of Northerners Working Together.
Over $815,000 worth of genuine Mackenzie Valley furs were sold at a wild fur auction held in Seattle this past March, and over 90 percent of the pelts shipped to auction were sold. This is an increase of 47 percent from last year’s sales, and most importantly, our trappers and their communities will benefit from these increased sales.
This year there was an increase in demand for Northwest Territories furs, especially from buyers in Russia and China. Five genuine Mackenzie Valley fur species achieved top prices at auction, outperforming the same species all across Canada and the United States. These species are mink, marten, fisher, arctic fox and red fox. Top prices worthy of noting is our marten with a top price of $150.37, arctic fox at $67.91 and, finally, red fox at $164.92.
These prices underscore what we already know, that fur from the Northwest Territories is amongst the best in the world and our trappers are very skilled at their trade. Providing quality wild fur is no easy task, but our Northwest Territories trappers regularly offer high quality, well-handled fur pelts for sale at auction.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 34(6) so that all Ministers’ statements filed with the Clerk can be delivered today.
---Unanimous consent granted