Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, spring is around the corner. The sun is shining, and we all know that means things will soon start to melt. Mr. Speaker, that also means that communities around the North are busy getting ready for their yearly orders, for their barging orders again. Mr. Speaker, we're looking at construction materials, equipment, household items, vehicles, and, of course importantly, most importantly, the annual retail restocking in the coastal communities.
Mr. Speaker, given the disaster we looked at last year in Norman Wells and with the low water, I would hope that right now the department's looking at cutoff dates so to ensure that construction companies and Indigenous governments and, indeed, just residents in the communities can know, and it's communicated to them, those dates they can get their orders in, Mr. Speaker, and ensure that they get their materials in a timely fashion. I know, Mr. Speaker, that we'd be looking at -- I would hope that we're monitoring the water levels this year, we're looking at the trucking routes, considering road bans, and all the things that are important to this important shipping season, Mr. Speaker. So I will have some questions for the Minister of Infrastructure on what we're doing this year to prep for hopefully a much more successful barging season. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
