Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to make a couple of general comments. I wanted to begin by highlighting that one sector of the population is vulnerable as we consider them and that’s the aging population of the elders that live throughout the NWT. Just having at least a perspective for where elders exist in communities. For the most part, they’ve lived a life, perhaps a long life, being accomplished in terms of a career, various work and various experiences. They have seen many changes. They’ve also, at the same time, seen their children grow up and now they’re experiencing their grandchildren...

I thank the Minister for his reply. In light of preparing for this season’s forest fire season, has the department assessed the remaining communities at not requiring a wildfire protection plan? For example, Yellowknife, whether indeed a fire protection plan is necessary. Mahsi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I called attention to an active, successful and delicious northern industry, the morel mushroom harvest. As I’ve said before, this Deh Cho crop is prized by gourmet chefs across Canada and around the world. It also thrives in burned land. One positive outcome, at least, of last summer’s extensive fire season.

As you know, these fires affected more than three million hectares of land, including significant positions of the Deh Cho region, and demanded significant human, mechanical and financial resources. But, as with the morel mushrooms, last summer’s fires have...

Can the Minister let us know if any follow up has happened to ensure that buyers have a business licence? Is the government adequately equipped and staffed to provide this oversight? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Will the Minister provide an update on the how-to booklet and the number of community visits that have been completed to date? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the last discussions I had with the Minister in this House, the Minister had indicated that travel will be done either through the Minister’s office or his officials in the communities. It’s quite surprising those visits haven’t been done. The other point I want to make leading up to my final supplementary is that no strategies should entail in terms of how is it communities will be in a position to take advantage of this opportunity that’s going to happen this summer. Last year Trout River and Jean Marie River areas saw lots of people go into the communities.

Has...

It’s been suggested by a person that has experienced the mushroom harvest last year that this initiative could be a great investment by this government and that similar policy initiatives and programs could be very similar to the Grubstake Program. The mushroom harvest is potentially a multi-million dollar industry.

Does the Minister have specific strategies that would assist Aboriginal governments to capitalize on this economic opportunity? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There’s a global demand for morel mushrooms. They are only found in the wild and are highly prized. Delicious and versatile, they are suitable for a range of gourmet recipes. Morel mushrooms can be sautéed, grilled, smoked or baked, and served up with fish, meat, pasta and soup, or prepared as a simple appetizer. In fact, at the Canadian Culinary Championships held in Kelowna, BC, earlier this month, mushrooms from the NWT were featured in the winning dish. After last year’s fire season, they’re expecting a bumper crop, so we need to be ready.

Today I’d like to follow up on...

I’d like to thank the Minister for making an effort in trying to reply. Initially I wanted to ask the Minister of the Housing Corporation, but obviously he’s not here.

My other question is with the budget plus the efforts of this government, there seems to be maintaining the status quo of the health and social services programs. We have an increasing aging population of people who want to continue living in their communities and in their homes. The Department of Health and Social Services has made efforts to maintain the status quo. The real effort should have been perhaps to increase and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I raised concerns with regards to security at the seniors home in Fort Providence. My questions are to the Minister of Public Works and Services. Currently I wanted to ask the Minister if, within his portfolio, he’s become aware of an assessment of the seniors home in Fort Providence and the deficiencies including security considerations. The building was constructed in the mid-70s. I just wanted to see if there’s been an assessment of the building including perhaps an eye of assessing the security for shortcomings as well. Mahsi.