Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Today I rise to offer my thanks on behalf of my constituents on the Department of Transportation's work on the road into Jean Marie River over the past summer construction season. Madam Speaker, only the foreman and the heavy duty mechanic were from outside the community of Jean Marie River. All the rest of the people working on the project were residents of Jean Marie River.

Madam Speaker, the training of the heavy equipment operators involved in this project is being done by a couple of residents of this community. So as you see, Madam Speaker, this construction is not only providing economic opportunities for the residents of this community -- Jean Marie River -- it's also providing training with many results of employment on other projects in the area.

Seven kilometres of the 27 kilometres needed to connect Jean Marie River to the NWT highway systems were completed this past summer. Under the Department of Transportation's community access road program, the highway will be upgraded to a fair weather road over the course of the next four years.

I would like again to thank the Department of Transportation for its commitment to the community of Jean Marie River, and congratulations to the residents of Jean Marie in being involved in the construction, and for their hard work and dedication. Mahsi cho.

---Applause