Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is interesting my Member’s statement is on transportation.
---Laughter
I certainly hope he listens. Mr. Speaker. I have spoken many times in the past about the need to improve the Deh Cho Trail and the improvements this would mean to the safety of residents, truck drivers and tourists. It would also be beneficial to the economy. The Deh Cho Trail, Highway No. 1 from the Providence cut-off to Checkpoint and all the way down Highway No. 7 to the B.C. border is a route that the residents of the Deh Cho travel regularly for work, to attend appointments and to visit family and friends. They depend on the road for the delivery of goods to their communities.
The Deh Cho Trail is also a scenic road trip. Tourists can drive north from Alberta and along the way visit beautiful waterfalls, well-equipped camping facilities and several Deh Cho communities. They can continue their journey on to Fort Simpson or follow the Liard River to Fort Liard on the way down to B.C. This circle route is well promoted by Industry, Tourism and Investment to national and international visitors to our Territory and is an important part of our tourism infrastructure. If the Northwest Territories portion was upgraded, the route would increase the popularity.
A main concern about the road, for both residents and tourists, Mr. Speaker, is safety and reliability. When the road was washed out last year and closed for several weeks, it had a big impact on Fort Liard residents. The cost of groceries and other essentials went up, because items certainly had to be shipped by air.
We must ensure that this road is safe and reliable on a year-round basis. The logical solution is to make it a priority to property upgrade this portion of the highway infrastructure with chipseal, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased that the capital estimates for 2009-2010 did indicate some 70 kilometres of work on Highway No. 1 and the Deh Cho will be completed early in the 2010 construction season, Mr. Speaker.
I urge the Minister of Transportation to include the chipsealing of the Deh Cho Trail in the capital plan for the next two years. The benefits to the economy, to tourism and the safety of travellers would be the legacy of this 16th Assembly. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
