I have to a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 13, 1991, regarding clearing of access road, Wood Buffalo National Park. The Department of Transportation maintains the highway through Wood Buffalo National Park on behalf of the federal government and is reimbursed for the cost of the work. In previous years access roads to trappers' cabins located in Wood Buffalo National Park have also been ploughed when authorized by Parks Canada. Recently, in an attempt to reduce expenditures, Parks Canada has cut back on the amount of ploughing it has requested.
While Parks Canada has reduced the amount of ploughing that it is prepared to approve, the trapper access roads in the park have been ploughed on at least three occasions this year and are considered to be in reasonable condition. The Department of Transportation will maintain contact with Parks Canada and will seek their approval of additional ploughing when conditions require it.