Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to reiterate my concerns for the Dempster Highway conditions between Rengleng River and Inuvik.
Since the fall of 2024, just before the ground was beginning to freeze, I brought up the concerns and safety of this section of the highway. I bring this concern up again because of the safety of the users. We have local traffic and semi-truck users on this section of the highway on a daily basis, and their safety, when driving that Dempster Highway, should be a priority to this government. As it is starting to warm up again, the highway conditions are starting to worsen, and I am starting to get calls about the upgrade and maintenance of that section of the highway.
Mr. Speaker, last week an empty tanker heading south jumped off the highway because of the condition around the Rengleng River. It is fortunate that the tanker was empty and there were no environmental concerns to the water or land or any harm to the occupant of the tanker. Local contractors were able to pull the tanker out after a few days. This section of the highway must be given priority for the safety of all users because tourist season is fast approaching, and the highway will be very busy this spring and summer.
Mr. Speaker, because the warmer weather is upon us again, the residents and users of this highway are starting to show their frustration and concerns towards myself and this government. I have residents with many years of experience out building roads, upgrading roads, and maintaining roads, giving me suggestions on what should be done and when these upgrades and maintenance should be conducted. This section of the highway, the section in question, is starting to get rough for the drivers again because it was not attended to in the fall of 2024 and froze with potholes, and it's making driving hazardous and damage to their vehicles.
Mr. Speaker, this government has to be more proactive to our concerns rather than reactive but for the fact that something tragic has happened. This is not only for the infrastructure within the NWT but to all the concerns that are brought to the attention of each department in this government. The safety and well-being of our citizens of the Northwest Territories is the upmost importance for me and hopefully this government. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
