Mr. Chairman, I'm caught between my colleagues who are on the highways and my colleagues who are on highway 3.

---Laughter

During the last few years, the expenditures have all been occurring south of the lake, although Members from Yellowknife and myself have been suggesting strongly to the government to start paving from Rae to Yellowknife, because that's the highway with the most traffic in the territories. It also has the most accidents, I would assume.

Just this summer when I was on my way out, I witnessed an accident. They had to bring in two choppers and medevac those people to the hospital. That was only about 20 kilometres out of here. This was the end of June and there was no alcohol involved. People were coming in from Rae and the road was in poor condition, slippery, and they ran into a semi. As I indicated, there are some valid points from my colleagues who are living on other highway systems...Sure, it seems as though the majority of the capital budget is going to highway 3, but don't forget starting on the south end and working its way to Yellowknife. My region hasn't had the benefit of our area being paved or even any reconstruction yet. All the construction is happening south of the lake, except for replacing a culvert at Mosquito Creek which should have been done years ago.

The Members who are arguing whether this motion should be supported or not...I indicated that the system the government has in place in determining which roads should be done...They're the experts. I went to that same briefing and I basically agreed with the method they're using.

On the other hand, there are some valid points made by Members who aren't living along highway 3. I would hope that the government would somehow try to accommodate the requests of my colleagues who are living along other highways. It appears, in their view, that the money is not distributed equitably and fairly.

The criteria the department is using are straightforward. I think safety and the design of the road has to be taken into consideration. It was well explained at that particular meeting. I am not happy with the plans of the department because I would rather see construction of the road take place between Rae and Yellowknife first. That is the cheapest road to construct at this time because the estimated costs are almost three times what they are to do the last portion of highway 3.

I guess people like myself will just have to wait until the road is reconstructed and paved in my area. I do think the government has to take the concerns of my colleagues who are living along other highways seriously. Generally, I'm in support of the recommendation.