Debates of October 18, 2005 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I had a good statement and some questions, but then I just realized that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment wasn’t here, so I will have to save those until Friday. I was trying to come up with a topic that I have been hearing a lot about in my time in Inuvik. One of the main complaints I had from Inuvik, and people that drive it, is the condition of the Dempster Highway.

Boo!

I have been hearing many complaints from people about the highway, and having the opportunity to travel that highway since 1984, this is the worst that I have ever seen it. It is worse than a goat trail. Many experienced drivers have told me that they travel this highway all the time. This is the worst they have ever seen it, because of the condition.

There have been a few accidents on the highway because of the condition of the road. I read with some interest the article that was in the paper regarding 12 kilometres left to pave on Highway No. 3. We would like to have 12 kilometres of dust control on the Dempster.

---Laughter

---Applause

We would like to have 12 kilometres without barrel-sized potholes, and 12 kilometres where we can put it on cruise control.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, with all the traffic that is going to be on this highway within the next couple of years with the pipeline -- and there is going to be pipeline -- this government has to improve the condition of the road. There is some work going on it right now, but that work, Mr. Speaker, as far as I am concerned, is not enough. There is going to be more work that needs to be done on this highway. We have to keep these highways safe for all residents of the NWT, not just Highway No. 3. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

---Applause