Yes, the Department of Transportation did provide at the the request of the Town of Fort Smith, some assistance in preparing an economic study of a link from Fort Smith south to the Alberta highway system. That study was undertaken by the Town of Fort Smith. A road south from Fort Smith to link with the Alberta highway system is one of the roads suggested in the transportation strategy. In order for that road to be built, it would require considerable investment by both the federal and provincial governments. It is part of our plan, in negotiating with the federal

government for funding under the strategy, to include that road corridor as one of the items. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Chairman, I think it could be the road that the deputy minister is addressing in respect to the study, but I guess the road that I am talking about is the road that was intended to be studied. The road that I am speaking about is an extension from Peace Point to Garden Creek, down to Fort Vermilion.

Just to give some background, back in 1958 there was a road there. It was a winter road. Since then it has grown over, being in the park. Basically this road has about 75 miles of it to be cleared so that it can connect into some of the Alberta highways and you can have a loop road that comes in through Hay River, on Highway No. 5 that I spoke about yesterday, where I have asked for consideration of pavement, down around into Alberta. What I am asking is if there is any consideration being given to this particular road for which we gave money to have it studied. Further, Mr. Chairman, the reason I ask is that we have a heavy equipment program in Fort Smith that could possibly complete this road if negotiations were to be started, or even to be talked about with the Alberta and federal governments. That road is in the parks plan; it is in their management plan. It is identified. However, it has been at a standstill, and I would like to know whether the Minister's department has any intention whatsoever to address this road, since the department has already given the community $50,000 to study it and it has been studied. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We will be happy to pursue to see what we could do in this particular area with the Member's advice. Thank you.

Fort Smith, total region. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to hear those remarks, so therefore I will make it a point to further discuss this issue with the Minister and see if consideration would be given to address this particular road. I am sure it will enhance the opportunity of transportation for the Territories, and no doubt it will have a lot of other compounded good effects, not only for my particular constituency but for the Territories as a whole in respect to tourism and other areas. Thank you.

Buildings And Works, Fort Smith, Total Capital, Agreed

Fort Smith, total region, $22,049,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Buildings And Works, Inuvik, Total Capital, Agreed

Inuvik, total region, $1,561,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Buildings And Works, Baffin, Total Capital, Agreed

Thank you. Baffin, total region, $815,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Buildings And Works, Kitikmeot, Total Capital, Agreed

Thank you. Kitikmeot, total region, $390,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Total buildings and works. Mr. Todd.

There is something missing here. Mr. Chairman, was there no activity for the Keewatin? Does it not have any works, people, water? Is there some particular reason why we have been left out?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, there is in other activities. This particular one is planning activities.

Thank you. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In my comments I forgot to mention one thing. I think this is the only chance I have to raise it. I received a letter from George Boots from Willowlake River in his camp, and he says he would like to share some of his concerns with me. His camp and his family, and another large family, Betsedia, live at the mouth of Willowlake River, and the highway is just in the back of their camp now. He says, "Road to mouth of Willowlake River. It was told to me that each year for the next four years they work on it little by little, but last year no work was done on it." I am relaying his concern to you to see if there is anything in the plan or in the works to help out George Boots in his camp at the mouth of the Willowlake River. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

I would like my deputy minister to respond, please.

Mr. Gamble.