Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, on June 29 of this year I put forth a motion in this House that was passed asking the Minister to negotiate with Wood Buffalo National Park to keep open and maintain the winter road between Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan. Parks Canada has advised the community of Fort Smith that this winter road will be closed.
Mr. Speaker, on September 9 the Minister sent me a copy of the letter he sent to the Minister of Environment of Canada. I know since then the Minister has had a meeting with the Minister of Environment regarding this road. I know he has not been able to successfully convince Wood Buffalo National Park to keep this road open. Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister, what are the options that he is considering to assist the community of Fort Smith in keeping this winter road open through Wood Buffalo National Park? Thank you.