Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the seconder of the motion, the Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Robert Hawkins.

I’m presenting this motion because there’s a growing interest in wild mushrooms. Northerners are interested in the harvesting of mushrooms as a business opportunity and livelihood that complements the northern lifestyle of the outdoors.

Recently, we are witnessing people coming into parts of the NWT and harvesting mushrooms. They are taking our natural resources and leaving the NWT. Currently, there are no regulations on wild mushrooms, on morels, to manage and regulate this growing industry.

This motion asks for interim measures to be put in place before this summer’s harvesting season begins. Things such as residency criteria, pricing of seasonal harvesting licence and permits for harvesting are some suggestions that could be considered based on consultations; further, that work begins towards developing legislation that addresses non-timber forest products such as wild mushrooms.

What are wild mushrooms, morels? They are a small fungi type plant that has a growing monetary value. There are many kinds of mushrooms. This particular species of wild mushrooms, morels, referred to as morels or Morchella esculenta, are described as prize morel mushrooms and are cone-shaped sponge. They are hard to find and are commonly found in newly burnt areas after forest fires. The plant species proliferates in growth in June.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to remind the public that it is important to know the good mushrooms from the bad, poisonous mushrooms.

In terms of morel mushrooms as a product in the economic market, there is a high demand. Wild mushrooms, morels, sell at about $100 per pound, based on 2012 prices. Dried and then sold, most are destined for European restaurants.

In 2013 the Northwest Territories experienced some big forest fires. One that is of particular interest is in the area between Trout River and Jean Marie River. Besides the Mackenzie Highway cutting into the heart of the area, there are also service roads that run north and south of the highway and may provide easy access to the burnt areas.

After the forest fire of 2013, it is expected that the mushrooms, morels, will experience a bumper crop this summer. Morel mushrooms are hard to find. Recently, harvesting activities were in Behchoko, Sandy Lake and Fort Smith areas.

There is interest from local entrepreneurs in my constituency for the harvesting of wild mushrooms, morels. Like berry picking, wild mushroom harvesting complements traditional activities where you go out and harvest the bounty of the land.

This is a great opportunity in a growing industry. There are people in the NWT who harvest wild mushrooms, morels, both in Fort Smith and Yellowknife.

Recently, some communities have achieved forest management agreements with the GNWT. There is also a strong possibility of a wood pellet plant being established and planned activities for forest timber type operations. Potentially, morels could become a secondary industry for those communities that have forest management agreements.

In 2006 there was a conference on mountain timber forest products. Then, this government committed to work on the five points. Eight years later, those commitments have yet to be realized.

The wild mushroom industry is growing. The potential monetary value of wild morel mushrooms is appealing for Northerners because of the lifestyle it promotes: the great outdoors and easy pickings.

Media, such as TV, have played a part in promoting the industry. In December 2003 the future on

mushroom harvesters aired on Dragon’s Den. At that time, the panelists agreed to invest in the group that harvested wild morel mushrooms that perhaps could venture in the Northwest Territories.

In closing, this motion asks that the GNWT take action in developing interim measures and respond in 60 days. Today is March 11th and June 4th is four

months away and there is a need to prepare for the summer harvest. The other thing is to start working on the legislation and, in the meantime, begin examining interim measures to ensure ways to regulate and manage mushroom resources. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.