Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Emerging Wisely across the territory: the Chief Public Health Officer recommended residents of the Northwest Territories spend time out on the land to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 as part of the Emerging Wisely plan and the current COVID-related health restrictions, to strengthen family bonds, to improve mental health, and participate in traditional lifestyle out on the land. The schools are closed. Hunting season is going on right now with goose hunting back home and fishing. The season started.
Dr. Kandola's orders are to spend time in the great outdoors. However, that costs money, Mr. Speaker. People in our communities spend three times as much more for gas or food to go out and sustain themselves out on the land while hunting traditional foods. Mr. Speaker, remote communities in Nunakput pay $1.71 for gasoline, and it's a $1.17 here. It all adds up. Our Community Harvester Assistance Program funding to local communities, to renewable resources councils assist local hunters and trappers to defray the capital operating costs of their harvesting activities.
Mr. Speaker, since we are still under COVID-19 and now it's going into summer, in regard to that, are we going to be getting any more assistance from the federal government for funding for traditional hunting and keeping people out on the land, at their cabins, so they will not get sick with COVID-19? Alternatively, the additional funding can provide for community governments and to the municipal and community affairs to provide assistance for the neediest residents to get outside. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Premier later today. Thank you.