Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. As I stated earlier this afternoon, my constituents are concerned with the lack of information on this year's harvest from ITI. How does the department plan to engage with the communities to help manage the activity in the Deh Cho this year regarding the mushroom harvest? Mahsi.
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The activities associated with morel mushrooms don't change from year to year. Last year, we spent a lot of time working with the communities developing materials for the communities and to assist in working with the mushroom pickers. Our regional staff have had several casual conversations with chiefs in the region, and we are willing to assist anyone interested in morel mushroom harvesting. We have brochures that guide us to morels in digital form and print as needed. Right now as the Member has stated, it is too early to say how the harvest will go this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. How is ITI building on the lessons learned from last year's mushroom harvest? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We certainly learned a lot over the years. The goal of ITI's work last season was to raise awareness among Northwest Territories residents and entrepreneurs to the economic potential presented by the morel mushrooms harvest. Accentuating the success of this initiative is the fact that $1.7 million of the $1.9 million generated in cash flow stayed in the Northwest Territories last season, Mr. Speaker.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to introduce new forest management legislation during the life of this Assembly. How is ITI involved in this important work in terms of using our forest resources industry?
Last year in the 17th Assembly, we were planning to amend our regulations so that it would provide for morel mushrooms. We ran out of time, so this year it will be provided for by ENR through the updating of the Forest Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
