Michael Nadli

My final question is there is a critical component to this process and that is the Dehcho Land Use Planning Process. I know the GNWT has been involved with it, the Dehcho First Nation, but for some time there was an absent member from the federal side. How is the GNWT helping out to ensure that the federal government remain at least, or appoint a member on the Dehcho Land Use Planning Committee?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of questions. First and foremost is the sense of optimism that seems to be leading the talks in terms of the bilateral discussions with the groups that haven’t come aboard on the Devolution Agreement. Particularly for the Dehcho First Nations there seems to be hope that perhaps there could be an agreement within sight. I’d like to ask the Minister for an update as to the progress of those talks. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a couple of comments. First of all I’d like to congratulate the department on its recognition of its efforts to maintain our labour force within government. That being said, I was somewhat reserved in terms of this initiative to go to Ottawa and seek people from outside the NWT to move into the North and basically join the workforce.

I acknowledge that it’s a challenge of hiring Northerners and First Nations people in the NWT. The act itself of going to Ottawa and recruiting people from outside of the NWT presumes that it’s a matter of fact that we have a challenge...

I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon. We’re well into the second half of the 17th Legislative Assembly. I’d like to highlight some of the significant accomplishments in my beautiful Deh Cho riding and the important work that remains to be done.

Progress has been made on the new Fort Providence Health Centre. The foundation is ready and the construction will resume in April. Community members and especially front-line workers look forward to the completion of the new facility.

I would like to congratulate Mr. John Leskiw, the new mayor-elect of Enterprise, on winning the recent election...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Travelling by vehicle on NWT highways is a common experience for most northern residents. Seasonal driving conditions on all NWT highways vary from excellent to treacherous. Driving safely and consciously with extra vigilance is a must for travellers on NWT highways.

Last week a constituent of mine experienced a near tragic situation. The vehicle in which they were driving hit a patch of black ice and went off the road and ended up in the ditch. Luckily for the driver, a Good Samaritan happened on the incident and stopped to check on the vehicle, then walked off the road...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would have to put my statement aside, but picking up some points from the statement that I’d planned today, first and foremost I have to commend the Minister for taking a bold step, and Cabinet, in terms of increasing the Heritage Fund from 5 to 25 percent, a fairly significant investment for the NWT.

Nonetheless, the Heritage Fund is a vital component of how we use the revenues from our non-renewable resources. As we approach the implementation of the Devolution Agreement, the role of the Heritage Fund is among the important decisions that the NWT has to make...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s encouraging that the Minister is going to take some action after many times that this has been brought to the House.

Will the Minister ensure that there is at least a dialogue that is established with those First Nation communities that are interested in at least doing a baseline study of the traditional study and the purpose and the value of wild mushrooms, especially those communities that are situated close to the NWT border and along the highway? Mahsi.

This matter, as I’ve pointed out, has been brought to the House before and there are some entrepreneurs at the local community that are poised to take advantage of this opportunity, especially at the local community level where there are very few employment and business opportunities.

What is the Minister prepared to do to help out the communities to basically prepare for the commercial harvest of wild mushrooms? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The people of the Deh Cho very highly value the natural abundance of the land and water surrounding our communities.

Wild mushroom harvest in the area is a tremendous potential for my region. Wild mushrooms are highly sought after for their variety and flavour. Morels themselves cost as much as $120 apiece, and a Member of the previous Assembly reported pine mushrooms fetching as much as $300 per pound in some markets. Like berries, they add a distinct northern character to a meat dish.

The first organized harvest of wild morels in the Northwest Territories took place almost...