This is page numbers 5695 - 5762 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was know.

Topics

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

For the detail, I'll turn to the deputy minister.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Deputy minister.

Dr. Kelly

This is due to a sunset of some sustainable livelihoods funding that we had to develop the sustainable livelihood and implement the sustainable livelihood's action plan, and we've done the work that was required for that money. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. So if the strategy and an action plan has been done, when can we expect this funding to actually be increased? You know, we're losing quite a bit just due to CPI, and I don't think things like the community harvester assistance program have been increased for probably decades. So when can we expect to see some more money there. And maybe the Regular MLAs, we're going to work to maybe get some more money there but what's the Minister's thinking on this? Thanks, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Turn to the deputy minister. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Deputy minister.

Dr. Kelly

Thank you, Madam Chair. We have done a review of the community harvester assistance program and through that review, we've come up with a new funding formula. There were some concerns that were brought forward about the program, and we have been working to address them. We'd like to implement the new funding formula for a couple of years to see if there's oversubscription. At this particular moment in time, the way the program works is that the money is given to Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, and we need to improve the tracking information so that we can understand whether there is that need for additional funding. In the meantime, we've developed a number of other programs that we're putting funding to that were part of the engagement. So for example, trapper training where people in communities said that they need that training, and Take a Family on the Land where folks are mentioning that they want to have that ability to go out on the land and support healing and language transfer at the same time as doing on-the-land activities. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Yeah, no, thanks for that. Yeah, I know this has been the subject of some ongoing debate and negotiation I guess. I'd say I'm quite confident that this money, at least in sustainable livelihoods, is well used and it actually helps support food security and particularly in our smaller communities. So I'm -- I think we're going to find a way to work together to get that increased. I think that's all I've got on this activity, Madam Chair. Thanks.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Okay, thank you. Are there any further questions from Members under policy and strategic planning? Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a couple of quick ones. The fur price program, how is that working out because, you know, the fur pricing across the territory and how are they -- are they getting it down? I guess is it still North Bay? Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

For that detail, I'll turn to the deputy minister. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Deputy minister Kelly.

Dr. Kelly

Thank you, Madam Chair. So one of the things that we have noticed, and especially post-COVID, is there's been a reduction of the number of furs that are being brought in to ENR and going to market. We have a fur forum that will be happening this month where we're bringing in folks from across the territory to have conversations about how we can better support trappers in communities. And there will be some folks there that will be helping us. We're also doing a review of the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program that should also help with this situation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Chair. No, that sustainable -- like my colleague, Mr. O'Reilly, said that sustainable livelihood, anything that you could do to help, I guess, our on the land, the trappers, take a KID trapping and family initiatives that you could do, and we're hoping to get that increased in this. So no, just hats off to you guys in regards to what you're trying to do and that because this helps a lot of people. You don't realize how much help we're doing on this -- for the fur program. So thank you very much. That's a comment. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Are there any -- Member for Great Slave.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just my colleague's questions prompted another question for me. As part of that fur forum, are artisans and artists involved in this discussion, or is it just solely trappers and hunters? Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

For that detail, I'll turn to the deputy minister.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Deputy minister Dr. Kelly.