Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week my colleagues in this House impressed upon me their concern over the scheduled closing dates for the winter roads. I committed to reviewing their concerns with the department and modifying the schedule of dates, if appropriate.
As I advised the Members at that time, the decision to close the roads earlier than normal was mainly a financial one. That hasn't changed, so any modification to the schedule must minimize the expenditure of funds. With this understanding, I am prepared in several locations to provide a short extension to the season.
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On the winter road to Rae Lakes and Lac La Martre, the department will remove its heavy equipment but leave the road open to travel for an additional 10 days, to March 25th, unless the weather forces an earlier closure. This will allow an additional window for moving in materials for a number of Economic Development projects that are planned for this year.
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On the roads to Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk, the department will remove its heavy equipment but leave the road open to travel for an additional three days, to April 24th, weather permitting. This will allow intercommunity travel for the purpose of attending community carnivals scheduled for that weekend.
On the roads linking Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope and Fort Franklin, the department will remove its heavy equipment but leave the road open to travel for an additional 10 days, to March 25th, unless the weather forces an earlier closure. This will allow an additional period for intercommunity travel.
Spring road conditions in the southern Mackenzie Valley are more difficult than on other sections of the system. There is more risk of environmental damage at stream crossings and the effort required to maintain and then close the road is greater. The clean-up will require stable road conditions to complete and must therefore be carried out before the road begins to deteriorate. I am therefore unable to make any changes to the closing date for the section of road between Wrigley and Fort Norman.
The access roads to Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte and Trout Lake already enjoy some of the longest operating seasons on the winter road season. With this year's early opening, Jean Marie River's season has only been reduced by a couple of days and Nahanni Butte's season is a week and a half longer than normal. Nevertheless, I am prepared to extend the season by 10 days, to March 25th. Again, heavy equipment will be removed, but the road left open for travel.
I hope that these changes, while not perfect, will help to alleviate some of the concerns that the Members have raised.
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