Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to make this motion. The Government of the Northwest Territories has made allowance for the winter truckers after this legislation was lobbied and pushed for change. I believe that this proposed change to the legislation does not affect the public welfare and that the trucking industry in the Northwest Territories is mature enough to make sound recommendations to the Government of the Northwest Territories on this matter. It will be necessary to change the hours of service regulation, pursuant to the Motor Vehicles Act, to better reflect the operating conditions in the Northwest Territories. It will also be necessary to change the large vehicle control regulations, pursuant to the Motor Vehicles Act, so the Department of Transportation's engineers can make decisions regarding gross vehicle weights of trucks working on a GNWT highway project.
The changes truckers want will benefit small business operators in the trucking field, thereby encouraging economic development in the smaller communities in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the motion will start the process for construction truckers in the Northwest Territories to work the same hours as the heavy equipment operators working on the same project. The motion is also for people driving trucks who are involved in road construction. It does not impact anyone who is driving long distance.
Mr. Speaker, the laws of the Northwest Territories are, I think, a bit out of touch with the reality of the short construction period that the contractors face in road construction. Mr. Speaker, this motion will enable small owner/operators to have a say in their destiny and, I believe, in the long run, allow the smaller operators to compete on a fair playing ground with the larger operators. I urge all Members to support me in this endeavour.