Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk to you in regard to the condition of our highways in the Deh Cho. It’s a sad comment on the state of highways in the Northwest Territories. Once again, last week the Liard Highway was closed to all traffic until further notice from Kilometre 254 at Checkpoint all the way to Kilometre 38, which is the Fort Liard access road. Once again the communities of the Nahendeh region are cut off from much needed highway access. Highway No. 7 is broken and needs fixing.
Over the years I have consistently spoken on the need for work on Highway No. 1 and 7. Later on today I will be tabling a petition from 462 northern residents who are willing to sign a petition for Highway No. 7 investment.
The North is a challenging place to build roads, but with a strong commitment to regular maintenance and upkeep, our highway system will be proven to be reliable. The Government of the Northwest Territories should make this commitment and hold the newly elected federal government to its campaign promises to invest in transportation and infrastructure nationwide and to our North.
The Conservative Party promised to take action on the concerns of residents in rural and remote communities, and pledged better infrastructure for First Nation communities, and resources to help develop skills among Aboriginal people in connection with infrastructure projects. Northerners should expect dollars to travel northward, not just to build new roads but maintain existing ones, and improve the standard of living for people in remote communities across the Northwest Territories.
The GNWT needs to ensure the federal government understands our real infrastructure needs. As the new federal government prepares its budget, this government must ensure that the Northwest Territories doesn’t get stuck in the muskeg and miss the bus. I urge the Premier and our government to begin discussions and request funding for all our northern highway infrastructure. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. [English not provided]
