Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Firstly, I just wanted to say a big congratulation to the Catholics of this world and their new pope. However, locally my constituents continue to await the symbolic puff of white smoke which will signal new investment into Highway No. 7 and my highways.
Seriously, though, if we imagine NWT highways as a videogame, what would the Department of Transportation be in relation to all the other players? Would it be with the leaders out ahead of the pack or would it be like a car that constantly gets out-maneuvered, stuck in the mud and ruts, and shoved off the road?
One of my goals as MLA has been to get Highways No. 1 and 7 to the next level. To do that, we need good chipsealing. Highway No. 1 and 7 are good investments. They are well established transportation corridors connecting communities and connecting people with opportunities.
The Nahendeh riding has a lot to offer, and encourages more exchange throughout my communities, the capital and other communities in the NWT. Why can’t Fort Simpson host tournaments, championships and other events like Fort Smith or Hay River do? We are encouraging industries to invest in the North more than ever before, but to keep pace with this, the game, we need good highways.
Chipsealing work is needed on several major sections of the highway from the junctions of Highways No. 1 and 3 near Fort Providence towards Fort Simpson, from Fort Simpson towards Jean Marie River, and from the BC border to Fort Liard.
My constituents look forward to the work planned for this summer. I urge, once again to the Minister, to direct an early project start date and avoid the freezing conditions in the fall when the quality of that work suffers.
As technology advances, there are better paving options and road building techniques. Like players in a road race game, we need to be out ahead of the pack, skillfully maneuvering through challenging terrain and weather conditions. We can win by making improvements in our road system, encouraging development to taking our communities to the next level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
