Mr. Todd.

All of the negotiators of the UNW (inaudible)

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for Transportation. Mr. Speaker, in my statement earlier today, I had indicated that constituents had raised concerns about the Ingraham Trail, the fact that it is narrow and windy and that there have been accidents due to the increased traffic from large trucks going to the mines. My question to the Minister is, did the large truck actually cause

damage to the existing road of the Ingraham Trail? Thank you.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the short answer is the normal winter traffic when the road is frozen solid does not directly cause the road to fail. The majority of road failure is associated with environmental factors, springtime and so forth. What we do is, during spring time we put road beds on the Ingraham Trail along with other highway systems to ensure any heavy truck traffic does not damage the roads during the sensitive time of the year when the roads are thawing out. The department finds out, generally, not only on the Ingraham Trail but other highways. We dig, take them up and we examine them during the normal winter traffic when the road is frozen solid, so there is no damage to the road. Usually damage happens just when things start to thaw out. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the course of the last year, there have been a few accidents on that road, fuel spills. Can the Minister indicate whether there has been extensive environmental damage that has occurred due to these spills? Thank you.

Mr. Antoine.

There have been some specific incidents on the Ingraham Trail, highway and on the winter roads during the winter. However, all of the environmental concerns have been addressed. We do this in coordination with the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Other concerns that have been raised are the narrowness, windiness and the many curves on that road, which causes accidents and causes dangerous driving to occur. It is pretty hard to pass those huge trucks sometimes when you meet them. Does the Minister know if there is going to be some work done soon to alleviate the narrowness and the many curves on that road? Thank you.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department had received approval from this Legislative Assembly during the 1998-99 main estimates to begin highway improvements on the Ingraham Trail. About $500,000 was approved for this fiscal year. Surveys will also continue to prepare for work in future years. Mr. Speaker, construction on the specific section of highway to improve the alignment and to deal with the narrowness of the road at kilometre 6.5 will begin in the fall. There is work planned on the Ingraham Trail this summer and fall. Also, normal maintenance will continue and proceed over the summer in trying to deal with visibility. We are going to be clearing brush to improve visibility. There are some road surface repairs scheduled in the normal course of operations and maintenance. Dust control material will be applied on the gravel surface. These are the different programs and plans that the department has for the Ingraham Trail. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the residents of Ingraham Trail, as well as my other constituents, have similar types of concerns and obviously are a lot more knowledgable on what happens there. Would the Minister commit to meeting with some representatives of Ingraham Trail, along with, perhaps, some of his senior officials, so his ministry can indicate what will be happening to alleviate some of the concerns that are being expressed? Thank you.

Mr. Antoine.

Certainly, Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to meet with the honourable Member, his constituents and the residents along the Ingraham Trail. I just want to add that departmental officials have met with the residents of Ingraham Trail regularly over the past years to discuss a variety of highway issues. Senior departmental officials are available as well to meet with the residents to discuss plans and other concerns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister of Finance, do you want to respond?

I do not understand the question. Sorry, Mr. Speaker.

Your first question, Mr. Ootes.