Mr. Chairman, if I might indicate that there were a couple of other factors that were of significant concern to the communities on the Dempster. One was the matter of safety, the quality of the highway, which probably everyone including your department is dealing with at this particular time. I just wanted to raise the point that people are concerned about the safety conditions of those highways.
The other thing is that we have an opportunity, in particular on the Dempster -- not to diminish the importance of the highway system in the southern Northwest Territories -- but we have a great opportunity to take advantage of the economic opportunities that particular highway offers. One just has to become aware of the value of the tourist industry in the Yukon, and you will note that some of the reasons are the significant developments that have occurred in the highway system. We are not quite as fortunate in the Northwest Territories at this particular time, but I think with each improvement they made to the highway system, it seems they are drawing more and more people back into the Yukon.
In that context, I am hoping the department will at least liaise with other departments that are involved in this area, review the transportation strategy, and review it in the context of some of the immediate payouts to the communities, because it seems that sometimes we are not acknowledging that there could be some immediate payouts to improvements in areas where it is necessary.
I wanted, also, to raise the matter of the $25 million, if that is correct, with the federal government. I believe it was a point that was raised by Mr. Todd earlier. Could the Minister keep the Members informed as to the status of those discussions, and whether or not the federal government is prepared to somehow fund on an emergency basis some of the transportation requirements in the Northwest Territories?