Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have had some difficulties with getting the construction of that airport complete in Trout Lake. We will continue to work. We’re under a project management regime now, similar to what we started out with in the community of Trout Lake. We look forward to continuing with the embankment work. There have been some delays in the project until next year, but certainly work continues, and it is our belief that the department can continue to work with the community of Trout Lake to maximize the opportunities at the local level.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question from the Member. Certainly, I think the message has to be that there’s hope for the future, not only in the Beaufort-Delta but in the territory, when it relates to our economic development and the opportunities that are out there. I know the organizers have worked hard to put together a solid program for the Inuvik Petroleum Show, which takes place in Inuvik next week. I certainly look forward to speaking at that show. I know the Premier will be there as well as a couple of Regular Members. The message is that there is hope for the future, and...

We have employed this project management approach in a number of small communities across the Northwest Territories and we haven’t encountered difficulties. We are encountering some difficulties here. I’ve had an opportunity to sit down with the leadership from the community of Trout Lake. We are back there and doing what we can to work with the community. It’s moving forward and our commitment as a department is to work with the community. I just wanted to reiterate that. If the Member or the community feels that’s not happening, I’d be more than happy to address those concerns.

The project manager certainly would have to come from outside of the community, but our expectation would be that the project manager would work with the community in trying to identify local labour contractors, and if they are not available in the community of Trout Lake, certainly looking at other communities located in the Member’s riding.

We continue to move toward the conclusion of the negotiation on devolution, and certainly I think the territory will benefit greatly from the development of our petroleum resources here in the Northwest Territories. Not only on-shore, but off-shore. After the agreement is concluded, we will be able to negotiate a deal on off-shore. When you look at the potential that exists in the Beaufort, that’s a tremendous opportunity for this territory going forward. We’re certainly excited about the prospects that are out in the Beaufort. I know Chevron will be out there doing some seismic work this...

I’ve taken every opportunity to meet with industry. I’ve also met with the federal Minister of Transportation. Certainly, this is high on our list. We’re not going to do this alone. Any opportunity and every opportunity that comes our way, I think we need to take full advantage of it. We will get somewhere by working together with industry and with the federal government. That’s how I intend to move forward with this. At the earliest opportunity, I will try to get together with the Sahtu Explorers Group and start to outline some ways that we can work together collectively on the advancement of...

I’ve got the information pertaining to capital upgrades on that highway, and there is some money that we’ve got going forward. On the detail on the maintenance side of things, I will endeavour to get that level of detail for the Member.

Safety is our number one priority, so again, if the Member feels there are maintenance issues on that section of highway and he wants to bring that to my attention, I would be more than happy to look into those concerns for the Member and for the community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to echo your comments to Ms. Boullard. Thank you very much for your service, and I recognize her attendance here today. As well, Ms. McLeod, best wishes in your new position. I’d also like to recognize Sonny MacDonald. Sonny is a well-known, skilled artist from Fort Smith and he’s been a huge contributor to the arts and craft industry here in the Northwest Territories. It’s an honour to have him here in the gallery today. I also wanted to recognize Lydia Bardak, Yellowknife city counsellor. I also see Arlene Hache, I’d like to recognize. As well, a constituent...

As early as mid-July, I hope to be in Norman Wells and have the opportunity to meet with Husky while they’re there. Certainly, in August when we are in Calgary meeting with industry, with the EDI committee, that’s when I would hope to have some more opportunity to discuss those types of opportunities with industry while we’re in Calgary, and that would happen in August.

To the Member’s question, yes, any opportunity we get to talk to industry on the advancement of transportation infrastructure in the Sahtu, we will take every opportunity. Thank you.