Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's always difficult when you have to make cuts. It's a little out of character for this government, historically. We're in restraint, just like everybody else around the country, so there has to be some rationale for the cuts and I'll explain that in a moment. I do want to say that it is difficult but somebody has to make decisions and in this department, that ultimately lies with me.
I understand some of the concerns Mr. Antoine has raised and will try to answer them. Let me take the easy one first and that is the Fort Simpson airport. Mr. Antoine expressed some concern with the transfer about whether the services would be less or reduced. We're reasonably confident that the arrangement we have come to have with the federal government will, at a minimum, ensure the current level of service. We're reasonably confident that, with our hands-on experience with running Arctic B and C airports, with a little optimism, we might even be able to run them a little better.
On the issue of the overall cuts and Mr. Antoine's fiscal analysis of the situation, I should make it clear that the overall cuts to the department were $2.6 million. Out of that $2.6 million, $1.5 million came out of highways. There was forced growth of $1.4 million in relationship to maintenance on airstrips that wasn't there before. I feel it is important to clarify that. Out of the $1.5 million for highways, Mr. Antoine is correct, there was a significant amount of money taken out of his riding, but it was also taken out of others because of traffic flow, the length of the road system, et cetera.
I don't question anything that Mr. Antoine has said about whether it is going to deteriorate in terms of levels of maintenance et cetera that has been there historically. We're going to try for that not to happen but time will tell. I was in a position, as other Ministers were, where I had to take measures to cut. I want to assure Mr. Antoine that any cuts that took place in the highways was not placed in another budget. Forced growth was the overall factor in determining the overall budget.
On the issue of winter roads -- and that is an issue that has been addressed by other colleagues -- again, that was a decision we had to make with respect to cuts. I will say that the primary reason was to look for savings because that was what was requested of us. However, there are discussions under way, and they have been going on for the last two years, I believe, with Fisheries with respect to environmental considerations when the ice roads deteriorate. That was a factor, though not the principle factor in looking at reductions for winter roads.
Mr. Zoe asked earlier today about whether people could still use the roads after March 15th. I would say that this government wouldn't sanction use of the ice roads. However, at the same time, I don't believe we would be in a position to stop people. I think that would be a fair statement.
I've instructed the department, because I understand the importance of adequate, cost-effective transportation to the small communities, to monitor very closely the maintenance of this highway this summer. If there is any way, in the future, that I can improve the level of maintenance, I'm prepared to do it. Those are my comments at this time, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.