Mr. Speaker, I have another return. This was asked by Mr. Antoine on March 8th with respect to improvements to the highway system.

On Wednesday, March 8, 1995, the Member for Nahendeh asked me if the Department of Transportation was looking at ways of improving the Highway 7 loop linking the Alaska Highway west of Fort Nelson, British Columbia to the Mackenzie Highway south of Fort Simpson.

In answer to the Member's question, for the upcoming fiscal year, 1995-96, the Department of Transportation is proceeding with the construction of a new bridge on Highway 7 over the Poplar River. The department has no other capital plans for a further upgrade at this time.

It is also important to note that the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways does not maintain its 186-kilometre section of the Liard Highway to the same standard as the Northwest Territories' Department of Transportation. In fact, British Columbia has reduced the posted speed limit on this section of road from 90 to 80 kilometres per hour.

I wrote to the British Columbia Minister in July of last year to call attention to the maintenance of this road. In response, British Columbia did additional gravel work on the road.

In January of this year, 1995, I again wrote the Minister of Transportation concerning this issue but as of yet received no reply. Thank you.