Under this section, I recall that a considerable amount of debate took place. Yes, there was a proposal to make an amendment that would perhaps change the way this clause read when it came to the responsibility of the vehicle owner to ensure that the licence plate was visible. The way that it read was that it had to be free of dirt and obstruction. This could mean anything. An obstruction or dirt could mean several bugs on your plate, or the ball on your bumper.

Some of the Members were concerned that it could be interpreted -- as it was referred to in the opening statement -- by overzealous police officers and highway patrol officers who wanted to apply strict conformity to this requirement. The highways in the Northwest Territories are improving and will improve in the future to the point where we wouldn't experience the problem we are having today. Anyone who travels the highway between here and Rae during the summer construction period knows all too well that, within half a mile on that highway, the entire back end of the vehicle is totally obscured by mud because of the way they water the roads and they types of conditions that the roads are in. This applies to other dirt highways.

Technically, the driver would be at fault if a police officer checked and there was mud and dirt on the licence plate. Members were concerned with that. In the winter time, we know all too well that the big trucks coming in are covered with snow in the back, as a result of the shape of these trucks. What we were saying is that the word "reasonable" would give them an opportunity to say that the conditions were such that they couldn't see the plate at that time. But, if they were stopped, they could clear it off. They normally do this whenever they stop, and good truckers stop every so often to check their lights and check whatever else they check. They clean these things off. But we know that in a very short period of time again, the condition would apply. That's what we were concerned about.

All I'm going to ask is that we get assurance from the Minister that this will not be interpreted in a strict way, the words "dirt and obstruction." I think that's what the biggest concern was with the trucking industry and with the people using the highways frequently -- was that if there is a little bit of dirt on it, the licence will be deemed obscured by dirt. A ticket could be given. I recognize the fact that the deputy Minister has said that it has never been a problem in the past, but that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't not going to be a problem in the future.

To assure the Members and the constituents who are concerned, can we get some interpretation or assurance that this is not going to be a problem in the future? Thank you.