Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
We had quite a summer in the Deh Cho. The record-breaking fire season had a significant impact on communities in my riding, as they did across the NWT, leading to smoky conditions and difficulties in travel.
Kakisa had a very close call when the fire came within 100 metres of some homes. Despite this scary experience, I’m happy to say that no structures were lost in or around Kakisa and residents began returning home from a weeklong evacuation on July 4th.
On behalf of all people in my riding, I want to thank everyone who assisted with the evacuation of Kakisa and a special thanks to the hardworking fire crews who put their own lives at risk to ensure minimal property damage and no loss of life in the 2014 fire season.
Fire renews the forest, and morel mushrooms are one of nature’s bounties brought by fire. This is proving to be a big year for morels as a result of fires in the Fort Providence area in 2013. Next year’s crop of morels should be even better.
Morels are highly prized to the food industry where they are known to fetch as much as $240 US per pound, highlighting the need to regulate the harvest of mushrooms and other non-timber renewable resources to the benefit of the people of the NWT.
I also want to mention the Deh Cho’s promising biomass industry that holds for the Deh Cho communities. My constituents will be excited to see progress be made to the advancement of projects in wood pellet manufacturing and similar initiatives.
On June 4, 2014, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources signed an MOU on forest industry development with the Deh Gah Got’ie First Nation chief, Joachim Bonnetrouge, and the Fort Providence Metis president, Clifford McLeod, paving the way for a forest management agreement to be signed this Friday in Fort Providence.
This is an important time of the year for those who live a traditional lifestyle, and many people in the Deh Cho are taking advantage of the mild autumn to take part in the fall hunting season that will sustain us through a long winter. It is a time for elders to pass on their knowledge to young people in their communities, and it is a time for families to harvest the country foods that will sustain them through a long winter.
I wish everyone a safe, sustainable and prosperous hunt. While the Deh Cho is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, its residents continue to be concerned with problems such as substance abuse, family violence and a lack of job opportunities.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.
---Unanimous consent granted
As I was saying, our residents continue to be concerned with problems such as substance abuse, family violence and the lack of job opportunities, especially for local youth and people who are not available to work in the mining sector. In the final year of the 17th Assembly, I strongly encourage community members, leadership and governments to work together to reach the goals of healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities in the Deh Cho. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
