Mr. Chairman, I would like to remind the Minister that I have been listening to the discussions on money. The federal government is looking at making transportation one of their priorities. I think it is also looking at the allocation of money to start that process. I hope that the Minister is keeping tabs on the progress which is being made so that we do not lose that entirely on this new initiative which the federal government is looking at.
The other thing is that a lot of the transportation infrastructure that is in place, even in my own area, and in both the western and eastern Arctic is a result of the armies being here in the Northwest Territories. There were roads to and past Fort Providence as well as to Fort Simpson.
Most of the airports were built by the army. A lot of the airports which were built were as a result of D.E.W. line sites. I realize the importance to eastern Arctic communities and support them fully in ensuring that they get their fair share of the dollars. In the western Arctic where there are a lot of roads that require maintenance, this is a priority for us, and I hope that we have the support of Members on this.
I am still having problems with regard to road construction and the monitoring of employment; local employment as opposed to southern employment. Last year during the paving phase of some of the roads in my constituency they had Island Paving. They are not a northern construction company. It was sub-contracted. The work was given to a northern firm, but most of the work was still done by southern contractors because the equipment is not here to do the work. I would hope that the Minister gives an opportunity for northern contractors to purchase equipment so that they can do all the work themselves. Thank you.