Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Education for their support, in assisting with the winter road from Fort Smith to Fort Chipewyan.
Mr. Speaker, last year, Members will recall that Parks Canada had a very difficult time in keeping the road open to Fort Chipewyan. However, this year the Minister of Education has allowed the heavy equipment operators program to work on opening the road from Fort Smith to Fort Chipewyan. This has been greatly appreciated by my constituents.
I'd like to thank the heavy equipment operators' instructors, who are assisting in developing the opening of the road. The senior instructor, Don Tourangeau; instructors Gordon Mercredi and Raymond Tourangeau are to be commended for their work, in addition to the students who are training.
One of my constituents, Matthew Fraser, took annual leave and donated his time to help achieve the goal for the opening of the winter road. This is greatly appreciated. Mr. Speaker, we look forward to the opening of the road in the near future.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative must not go unnoticed. Members are aware, for the past six years as a Member of this House, I have been continually seeking support for a road south. The road which I believe is the most achievable, is the road from Fort Smith through Wood Buffalo Park to Fort Vermilion. In
today's fiscal climate, I believe this is the most cost-effective method in acquiring such a goal.
Mr. Speaker, since the Arctic College heavy equipment program is currently working on the opening of the winter road, I would encourage the Minister of Transportation to request the federal and Alberta governments to allow them to work on the road south to Fort Vermilion from Fort Smith.
I know this goal is one of a reality, in fact when the Right Honourable Prime Minister was here, he indicated his support for development of a winter road to Fort Vermilion.
Mr. Speaker, today I will give notice of motion for this Assembly to express its support for the construction of a road through Wood Buffalo National Park from Fort Smith to Fort Vermilion. I encourage Members of this House to assist my constituency in making what was once a dream, a reality.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, thank you to the Honourable Ministers of Transportation and Education, and to the Cabinet and this House for their support.
---Applause