Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the mover of the motion, Mr. Nadli, and Mr. Hawkins, for bringing it to debate here today.
When Mr. Nadli brought this to the committee here, it brought back memories of my youth, growing up in northern Alberta. I used to go pick mushrooms
with my grandparents for many years. It’s a tradition that I actually haven’t thought about, and this motion actually, I guess, made me go back to my youth and go and think about the benefits of what we did back then.
On top of that, the Member indicated the Dragon’s Den CBC component that really kind of instigated my interest, and I have to go back to the archives of CBC and actually look up that episode. I was quite taken aback with the great comments. I always thought to myself, if it’s good for Dragon’s Den it should be good for the Assembly.
I like the motion because it does promote entrepreneurship, and I really like the traditional aspect that this motion talks about, allowing that type of entrepreneurialism in our communities and expanding that business unit. More importantly, I like how this motion really touches on the opportunity for NWT to look at this as a potential made-in-the-NWT stamp that we can put out there not only nationally but internationally. I think that also speaks loud and clear.
I think the motion itself brings a real simple ask to the table. It’s asking for some very simple legislation and some regulation so that this industry has an operating chance to flourish on an international market. I believe this is a fair ask on behalf of a Member and a seconder, hoping that the Cabinet and the Minister involved can come up with that ask in short order.
I really like that this is a potential for a new industry and we’ve got some great exporting opportunities ahead of us here so when you add this all up, I think this is an incredible ask and I really want to thank the Member for bringing it forward, rekindling my youth and my interest back into this type of product of the mushrooms and morels. I will be supporting this motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.