Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I will be talking about things that are important issues to my constituents. One of the items that I would like to express is the Liard Highway, and since the spring, it has been hard to travel because of the condition of the highway. [Translation ends]
...from washboards to washout to bathtub-size potholes, highways No. 1 and No. 7 continue to challenge drivers in the Deh Cho region and the Government of the Northwest Territories. Poor road conditions in my region have a negative impact on residents, tourism and business, not to mention taxpayers who foot the bill for the repairs.
I am extremely disappointed that I see no investment in the upgrades to highways No. 1 and No. 7 in the 2012-13 capital plan. As MLA, I feel I have worked hard, yet my region has been kept out of the capital planning process. I feel government is forgetting about my constituents. Bad road conditions are a barrier to people who want to visit, do business and live in my region. Technology exists and is emerging that can help road conditions in the Deh Cho. Special chipseal formulas are being developed that are more responsive to our northern conditions. Our roads are valuable pieces of infrastructure. Highways No. 1 and No. 7 form a unique circular route from Alberta up to the Deh Cho and Fort Liard and back into British Columbia. This Deh Cho connection is important in my riding and even for the North as a whole, Mr. Speaker.
In 2010, the B.C. government invested $87 million in its northern highway system, including a paving project on Highway No. 77 that connects to the highway just south of Fort Liard. As I have said before, these roads are not just a tourist attraction, they are a transportation lifeline for the Deh Cho. Nahendeh constituents make a living driving it every day. The Government of the Northwest Territories is eager to build new infrastructure without maintaining what they already have. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation must work to upgrade the highways No. 1 and No. 7 in my region in the capital plan for the next coming fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
