Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize that this is the first year the Department of Transportation has implemented a March 15th closure date. I understand, Mr. Speaker, that part of the reason for the early closure date was meant to address environmental concerns. This is very considerate of the department and I applaud their efforts and concerns. However, Mr. Speaker, the action that was chosen by the department to address this concern was one-sided and therefore suffers from inadequacies.

Mr. Speaker, what I'm talking about is cooperation or, in this case, the lack of it. This is a good example of how important it is for the government to consult with communities for efficient program delivery. In future decisions of the department, active participation of all factors must be a common denominator. The residents of these communities were disappointed that they were not consulted for their input. They are the ones directly affected, and if anyone is to be considered experts with regard to this issue, the residents of these communities are probably your best resources.