Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi. As we all know, last year’s fires signalled a bumper crop of morel mushrooms for this year. Our public information sessions have been extremely popular and people are eager to get involved and get picking.
One Fort Providence resident, Ms. Jessica Minoza, even won a $5,000 prize for her smart start-up: training local people in ethical picking, keeping profits in the NWT. But we’re still facing challenges and it seems like some of them we didn’t anticipate.
First, morels need warm, wet weather to grow. Our hot, dry weather keeps the pickers waiting, potentially straining the resources of small communities. Dry weather also increases fire risks. Morels may thrive on burned land, but fires can also destroy new growth, sending money up in smoke.
Second, the NWT is Canada’s prime spot for morels, but prices fluctuate based on harvests around the world. Experts suggest that this year’s prices could be as much as 50 percent lower than last year. That’s five to eight dollars per pound. Past projections from government had hinted at revenues of $10 million, but we don’t know how much would stay in the NWT.
With the rush of prospective pickers, there are also risks for people who are unfamiliar with the land. One picker was lost for nine hours.
I hope that the government will work with the Deh Gah Got’ine Dene First Nations’ recommendation, and that is to establish local monitors that should be appointed to improve safety and to enhance the current enforcement plan.
Because right now morel regulations are still being developed, leaving a “hands-off” approach for this season, this means that the government must be vigilant, making sure that each buyer has the required business licence and that all commercial pickers have the correct permits. Rules like these make sure that all pickers and buyers are on a level playing field and protect the land that produces morels.
I hope to see the morel season pick up and I wish all pickers and buyers the best, reminding them to consult the public handbook, take safety precautions, stay fire smart and keep the land clean. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.