Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I did say yesterday that while we did have some problems with Fisheries and Oceans, the primary reason for the closure was because of OPPLAN cuts. However, I do recognize the importance of this issue and I did meet with the deputy minister earlier today. I don't have any more money; it is just that simple at this stage of the game. However, I am prepared to try to work with the communities and perhaps the communities could assist us. They do have some infrastructure money that has been given to them from other departments. If they could perhaps work with us we might be able to do something. But at the present time, it would be wrong of me to say to the Member that I could extend these openings, unless I had new fiscal resources.

It does give me an opportunity to say one thing in slight defence of what we're doing. I did also ask the department what the average opening date was, over the last five years, for these roads. The average opening for Nahanni Butte was December 25th; we opened Nahanni Butte on December 1st. That is 24 days earlier. The average opening in Trout Lake was December 29th; this year, we opened it on December 22nd, seven days earlier. In Fort Wrigley, we opened it one day earlier than what we have done on average. We are attempting to do the best we can with the resources we have.

We understand that these roads are not just highways, they are a way of life, they are a way getting building materials in, cost-effective food in. Jean Marie River is an example where we know they need some help. I want to assure the honourable Member we will do what we can. I am trying quickly to see if there is some way we can look at this, but right now I don't have the fiscal resources available. Maybe through some joint cooperation with the communities we can see if there's any way, if at all possible, to extend the closing of the ice roads.