Thank you, Mr. Speaker; I have spoken many times in the past about the need to improve the Dehcho Travel Connection and the positive economic and tourism benefits such improvements would provide. The Dehcho Connection, the portion of Highway No. 1 and No. 7 through the Deh Cho region, provides one of the most scenic wilderness road trips in the Northwest Territories. Tourists can drive north from Alberta and along the way experience the magnificent waterfalls, excellent camping facilities and visit several Deh Cho communities.
They can continue their journey on to Fort Simpson and follow the beautiful Liard River to Fort Liard as they make their way to British Columbia. The circle route is well promoted by the Industry, Tourism and Investment department to national and international visitors to our Territory and is an important part of our tourism infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, this route is not just for tourists. The residents of the Deh Cho travel this route for work to visit family and friends. They depend on the road for the supply of goods and services to and from their communities.
The number one concern for both residents and tourists, Mr. Speaker, is the safety of this road. Last year, this road was washed out and was closed for several weeks. This had a big impact on residents, particularly of Fort Liard. Goods and services had to be flown in, driving up the cost of groceries and other essentials. Store shelves were empty, negatively impacting small businesses. Visitors planning a trip to the NWT using this route thought twice and many actually chose not to make the trip.
Highways No. 1 and No. 7 are key transportation routes in and out of the Northwest Territories. We must ensure this road is safe and reliable on a year-round basis for all those who travel it. The logical solution is to properly upgrade this part of our highway infrastructure with chipseal. This infrastructure investment is in keeping with the stated goals of this Assembly to improve transportation infrastructure to connect communities. I would be proud to have this chipseal project in our budget and in our future budgeting processes.
I urge the Minister of Transportation to include the chipsealing of this Dehcho Travel Connection in the capital plans so we can begin to address this serious issue.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
