...in Hansard on Wednesday, March 1st, the cost of maintenance is almost insignificant in comparison with those winter roads and ice roads where major river and creek crossings are more frequent and road lengths are consistently longer. According to one highway contract maintenance personnel, Mr. Speaker, he stated that money allocated for winter road maintenance has been two-thirds exhausted. The Minister was saying in last Thursday's Hansard that the roads were opened earlier this year, but a quick estimate shows that two thirds of the money allocated has been used in the last three months. That leaves one third for the next seven days.

Also, Mr. Speaker, according to another highway maintenance official, for a three-month period, the total maintenance cost

was approximately $5,000. Again, Mr. Speaker, just a quick calculation gives a cost of $840 for an extra two-week period.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Minister, the ultimate responsibility for making the decision to close these winter roads early was that of the Minister and his department. I strongly urge the Minister to reconsider his decision, considering the sensitivity of this issue and the feedback as a result of the March 15th closing date. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.